[Rhodes22-list] Pop top enclosue

Sun May 28 22:57:00 EDT 2023

Peter,

Some of the other posts have reminded me about the differences between the early design pop top enclosure and the later design.  The attached photos show my old style enclosure and the new style:

[cid:image003.jpg at 01D991B8.32BB0E70]
                                                Early Style Pop Top Enclosure Which Zips Behind The Mast

[cid:image005.jpg at 01D991B8.32BB0E70]
                                  New Style Pop Top Enclosure Which Zips In Front Of The Mast & Covers All Of The Cabin Roof

Note that the new style pop top enclosure covers essentially all of the cabin roof, thus providing more dry “shelf” or “counter” space vs. my older style pop top enclosure.  I’ve never used the new style pop top enclosure.  But, it looks like a real upgrade vs my older enclosure style.  Anyway, the front of my older style enclosure does not wrap the mast.  Instead there is a zipper with a velcro storm flap just aft of the mast and a 6” X 6” storm hood that covers the pop top slider and ties around it with a draw cord.  Other than these differences, the two styles of pop top enclosures look like they would be erected in the same manner.

The first picture also shows my custom designed Bimini Boom Room.  The third picture shows the boat with the Bimini top up but without the Boom Room:

[cid:image009.jpg at 01D991B8.32BB0E70]
              Pihlaja Family On Board S/V Dynamic Equilibrium At Our Sanford Lake Home With Bimini Top Deployed

If you look closely at the leading and trailing edges of the Bimini Top, you will see canvas extensions all rolled up and stowed.  These extensions are sewn into the Bimini Top and stow with built-in straps and snaps.  My version of a Boom Room was designed to work in conjunction with the Pop Top Enclosure.  The first photo shows the front extension deployed over the Pop Top Enclosure.  There are panels that zip in to enclose the cockpit space.  There is standing headroom under the Boom Room.  There are zip up doors port and starboard amidships as well as another zip up door allowing access from the boarding ladder.

The fourth photo shows an aft View of the Boom Room with all the side panels deployed:

[cid:image012.jpg at 01D991B8.32BB0E70]
                                                                            Aft View Of The Bimini Boom Room

The design is very versatile.  The 5th photo is a picture with just the pop top raised and the front and rear extensions of the roof of the Boom Room deployed in a full shade/maximum ventilation configuration on a hot summer day

[cid:image015.jpg at 01D991B8.32BB0E70]
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium @ Kelly’s Island, Lake Erie

This was, by far, the most difficult sewing project I’ve ever attempted!  It took me nearly 10 months to complete.  I can only imagine what it might cost to duplicate today.

Roger Pihlaja
S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

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From: recorderguy2001 at yahoo.com<mailto:recorderguy2001 at yahoo.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2023 11:48 AM
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List<mailto:rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>; ROGER PIHLAJA<mailto:roger_pihlaja at msn.com>
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Pop top enclosue

Thanks Roger,
I'll try this method and post how it goes.

Peter
On Sunday, May 28, 2023, 12:16:38 PM EDT, ROGER PIHLAJA <roger_pihlaja at msn.com> wrote:

Peter,

Keep in mind that I have an older pop top that may not be exactly like yours:

Start with the pop top up and the companionway sliding hatch closed

The pop top enclosure front zipper should be open and “unhitched” and the companionway zippers should be open

The pop top enclosure should drop over the pop top

Zip up the front zipper and fasten the snaps on the front of the enclosure

Make certain the pop top enclosure is hanging evenly on both sides and pull aft on the top of the nclosure to make certain all the slack is out of the top of the enclosure

Working from front to back, fasten the snaps on the sides of the enclosure

Fasten the snaps at the rear of the enclosure

Finally, close the zippers on the companionway hatch.

When the fabric is cold, it tends to be pretty stiff.  But, you can pull fairly hard on it without ripping.  Try putting it on when it’s a hot day and it will stretch more easily.  Once the fabric has stretched, it will be easier to install.  Try using a blow dryer to warm the fabric to get it to stretch initially.

Roger Pihlaja

S/V Dynamic Equiibrium

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From: recorderguy2001 at yahoo.com<mailto:recorderguy2001 at yahoo.com>
Sent: Sunday, May 28, 2023 6:27 AM
To: The Rhodes 22 Email List<mailto:rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>;ROGER PIHLAJA<mailto:roger_pihlaja at msn.com>
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Pop top enclosue

Hi Roger,
The snaps seem to line up ok, it's just that when I attach one side I find the other is a couple of inches shy of reaching. I may just be a little timid about stretching the fabric, or perhaps it's too stiff. Does it matter where the slider sits on the pop-top? I'm assuming that there's no way my pop-top could be up too high as the legs are in the detents as is the mast slider. I was wondering if there was a trick such as attaching the bow and stern snaps before the side snaps that make it easier to get it on.
By the way, I've been meaning to thank you for posting all of your guides for the boat. I used your " how to fold the pop top enclosure " guide yesterday (there's a copy in the boat) and your rig tuning guide was extremely helpful (also on the boat). Undoubtedly I'll be referring to more of your posts as I get further into Rhodes ownership.

Peter

On Sunday, May 28, 2023, 08:27:44 AM EDT, ROGER PIHLAJA <roger_pihlaja at msn.com> wrote:

Peter,

When you say, “Mine doesn’t go on easily”, what do you mean?  Does the enclosure not fit well over the pop top, or do the female snaps on the enclosure not line up with their corresponding male snaps on the cabin roof, or is the enclosure so stiff that it’s difficult to use, or?  My (well used) pop top enclosure goes on or off in a couple of minutes without any particular drama.  Many years ago, I published a series of photos to the Rhodes 22 website that illustrates a good way to fold the enclosure.

Roger Pihlaja

S/V Dynamic Equilibrium

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From:Peter via Rhodes22-list<mailto:rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Saturday, May 27, 2023 7:38 PM
To: rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org<mailto:rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Subject: [Rhodes22-list] Pop top enclosue

Does anyone have any tricks or advise regarding the installation of the pop top enclosure?  Mine doesn't go on easily and I don't want to force it.

Thanks
    Peter

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