Pop top on a Mac 22

[LoHo]

I just purchased a 1979 Mac 22 in used, but complete, condition. It badly needs paint and wood work. Right now, though, I wonder if anyone can give me a hint about how the pop top stays up? I can pull it all the way aft, but that isn't right. There are straps hold downs inside the top and just forward of the hatch, so something was used to hold it in place, but I don't think it was straps...anyone?

[budgates]

There should be two pieces of stainless steel tubing with the ends flattened and slightly bent. They fit into fixtures at the forward portion of the pop-top and on the deck just in front of it.

I hope this helps. Good luck.

[LoHo]

I saw on another thread that a guy used automotive gas lifts...I think I will give those a try.

[LoHo]

Thanks Bud...digging around in the blocks of foam in back led me to find them, about an hour after I had made a couple from some scrap aluminum tubing. The gas lift still sounds good to me.

[budgates]

No problem. Glad you found them. Now you have spares.

Gas struts would be a lot nicer, especially with a 22. The pop-top of my 22 was pretty heavy. I had to stand on the keel trunk and and push it up with my shoulder. (back straight lift with knees of course)

The pop-top of my 26d is a lot lighter. Lifting it is no big deal.

[81venture]

Bear in mind the gas struts will not HOLD it up...they ease lifting it to position, but it still needs to be braced with the poles

I used to stand in the center and lift it with my back like a turtle shell and pop the poles in

On a VN23

dave