Date:         Sat, 20 Mar 2004 17:22:12 -0800
Reply-To:     Galleons Lap Photo <glphoto@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         Galleons Lap Photo <glphoto@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: vanagon Digest - 20 Mar 2004 - Special issue (#2004-247)
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"

Joy

Within the last year there was a short discussion on this list
of the merits of adding gas struts help lift the pop top.  I am
going totally from memory here, so if the details are fuzzy,
well - I guess that says something about my memory.  There was
web site mentioned, and the fact that they were a popular
modification in california.  A judicious search of the archives
will likely bring this disussion to light.  It was in the past
year, so that will help narrow the search, as will the reference
to california, I hope.  Good luck with your preparations for
your trip.  Sounds exciting.

Seth

'80 westy

On Sat, 20 Mar 2004 10:48:09 -0500, Automatic digest processor
wrote:

>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: "Joy Hecht" <jhecht@ALUM.MIT.EDU>
>> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
>> Sent: Friday, March 19, 2004 10:20 AM
>> Subject: Raising poptop with kayak on roof
>>
>>
>> >Well, I've finally gotten my roof racks installed, figured out how to
>
>> >get
>> my
>> >kayak onto them, strapped it on, and found there's absolutely no way
>> >I can raise the poptop when the kayak is up there.  The kayak won't
>> >fall off, that's stable, but it's too heavy.
>> >
>> >Does anyone have any suggestions?
>> >
>> >Here's the details:  They kayak is 19 feet long and weighs 48 pounds.
>
>> >I have it strapped on about as far back as it can reasonably go, so
>> >as to
>> have
>> >the weight at the bottom of the poptop.  It overhangs the back of the
>
>> >van but not the front.  I am 5'3" tall and have very good upper body
>> >strength for a woman (years of rowing crew, swimming, kayaking, and
>> >lifting
>> weights).
>> >With nothing on the roof it's a bit of a stretch for me to get the
>> >poptop fully up and pull it down, but not a problem.
>> >
>> >I can lift poptop and boat about a foot and a half.  I tried lifting
>> >it
>> that
>> >far and propping it up on a piece of wood, then getting directly
>> >beneath
>> the
>> >bar and seeing if I could push it straight up, but I can't, it's way
>> >too heavy.
>> >
>> >Suggestions, please!!!!  I really don't want to have to unload the
>> >boat whenever I want to pop the top, that would be a major bore.
>> >Besides, storing the kayak on top of the roof is much safer than on
>> >the ground, and having to reload it every time I lock the van and
>> >take off on my bike
>> would
>> >be even more of a nuisance.  And what's the point of having a poptop
>> >if I just don't bother popping it?
>> >
>> >Tomorrow I'm taking the van up to a friend's to finish battery
>> installation.
>> >He's very big and strong.  I'm going to see if he can do it.  If he
>> >can't either, that will be useful info.
>> >
>> >Help!!!!  Please!!!!  I have a vague recollection of hearing someone
>> mention
>> >hydraulics to help lift poptops - was that my imagination?
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >
>> >Joy
>>
Galleons Lap Photography
glphoto@attglobal.net

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