"Z" brackets for Hatch securing 26D

[The Erp]

Hi Mac folks!
My project is coming along! The Bow U bolt project is looking better!

I will be replacing all the Hatch Seals soon, but I find 2 of the "Z" brackets are missing on the big Pop up Hatch. Anyone have extras or have a source to replace them? Another question, is there suppose to be some kind of stop or way to secure the hatch when it is up? I don't see anything from keeping it moving forward or aft (falling back down) once its fully up!

Thanks all...this a great place, especially for a land locked rookie...but I can't wait to get the 26D wet!!

The Erp

[Highlander]

Click on Resources top middle of this page scrow down to manuals , click on 26D
Pge 17 photo #37 shows u the brkt u r missing that attaches from the mast to the pop-top

J
ps The Z brkts for securing it down tight r shown in the manual also

[budgates]

The pop-top only stays up when the mast is up. The mast keeps it from going forward and the bracket shown in the manual that Highlander pointed to is supposed to keep it from falling back. I've never had a lot of success with the thumb screw holding. In fact, the top has fallen more than once before I modified it. To remedy the problem I installed a compression spring below the bracket with a screw holding the spring up. When securing the pop-top I simply pull down on the bracket, compressing the spring, push the pop-top against the mast, and release the bracket to hold the pop-top in position. Never had any problems with it since.

p.s. I just noticed that the Z-brackets shown in the manual are different than mine. Must be a later version.

[Highlander]

I,ve seen some guys use gas struts to keep them up if u get the ones that hold more pressure u can stand or sit on it & it,ll still stay up

J
PS I bought a pair for my & never installed them , so now waiting on a mod to pop outa my head ! that I can use them on , I was one day not too long ago rampaging through stuff in my basement & seen them & I thought great now I know I know what I can use them for & glad I did not get rid of them , sadly I forgot to right down what this great Idea was so hopefully it,ll come back to me someday "Old Timers" I guess it catches up with us all eventually

J

[budgates]

I considered the gas struts but the spring was so much simpler and it only cost $5.

The pop-top of my V-222 was so much heavier that I would have installed the struts if I had kept her. To raise it I had to duck my head, stand on the keel trunk with my shoulder against the top, and lift with my legs. At 56 I can handle that now but I can't imagine even considering such a thing 10 or 20 years from now. (Yes, I plan to still be sailing long into my 70s, possibly even into my 90s.)