[Rhodes22-list] making pop-top more water-tight

[Mike C]

We're planning on taking Muireann along for my wife's family biennial reunion
in the Outer Banks.  We did the same two years ago and had a great time day
sailing out of a little marina on Kitty Hawk Bay and doing a little cruising
on the Croatan, Currituck and Albermarle Sounds.  However, we did have one
problem when we spend the better part of a day pounding our way windward
between the Alligator River and Manteo.  We took waves over the bow for
probably three hours and when we got to Manteo found that we had a boat full
of water!  Best guess is that the water "shot" through the gap between the
cabin top and the pop top due to the waves breaking over the bow.  So, I'm
thinking of trying to seal that gap if possible with something that either
doesn't interfere with the operation of the pop top when installed or is
easy to remove and reinstall.  I'm going to do some experimentation with the
ideas (whatever they turn out to be) and a water hose.   My initial thought
is that something like foam pipe installation RTV'd to the raised rim on the
cabin top that "engages" the pop top might just do the trick.  Alternately,
RTV'ing some seal (again possibly small diameter pipe insulation or perhaps
just flexible tubing (like clear PVC perhaps?)) to the inside of the pop top
where its side meets its top might do the trick.

Also, we'll be sure to tie down the pop top if we get into weather; which we
did neglect last time.

Thoughts?  Other ideas?  Anyone tried this before?  Would simply having the
pop top tied down have prevented this?  I'm skeptical that it would have
since I do get a fair bit of water "up under" the pop top when spraying off
the cabin top with a hose.

Thanks for any and all input!



-----
Mike Cheung
s/v Muireann
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