1986 sanpan hardtop

[junkman41]

I am new to this fourm, I just got a 1986 24' SanPan pontoon with a hard top, I ended up towing it home with the top up, the roof rails are mounted on the top of the side rails, my question is, can I lower the top down to transport the pontoon? and how do I do It? any pictures and guidence would be deeply appreaciated
thank you

 

[slim hays]

Re: 1986 sanpan hardtop

If you look at where the rail is bolted to you top rail there are 2 bolts 1 in front of the tubing of the hard top and 1 in back...this should be the same on all 4 points it's mounted to your top rail....take out the front bolt...(on the back 1 the tubing should be curved...leave this on in...this is your pivot point)....follow the tubing up to the hard top and there should be 4 more bolts just like on the bottom...remove the front bolts...it would be a good idea to have someone to help you hold the top just in case it starts to come down....also check on the back 2 risers there might be 2 braces...you will have to take the bolt out of where it attaches to the hard top...you should be able at this time to grab hold of the hard top in the front and gently pull forward, it should start folding down...do not force it and make sure you do not have anything laying on the top rail as this is where it will rest...I use plastice tie bands to secure mine when in transport and just cut them off when ready to use...I hope this helps you...see ya later...Slim

 

[junkman41]

Re: 1986 sanpan hardtop

I took the bolt out of the roof supports and the side rail leaving one bolt in on the pivot point ( curved part ) now when I started lowering my top forward it came to a stop about 2 ft up from the side rail, and would not go down any closer to the side rail. is that normal for transporting, or should it lower all the way to the side rail
thank you
Jack

 

[slim hays]

Re: 1986 sanpan hardtop

It should come all the way down to the top rail....at least mine does and I would think they are pretty much all the same. I'm thinking maybe you still have something attached or maybe something in one of the pinch points...make sure your kicker braces that come off the hard top back to your tubing are detached and not catching on anything...if you could send me a picture of your hard top when it is up I might be able to see something else, but I think if you check everything I have told you, you'll find the problem....let me know how it comes out....see ya....slim

 

[junkman41]

Re: 1986 sanpan hardtop

hi Slim here are a few pictures of my pontoon

 

[slim hays]

Re: 1986 sanpan hardtop

Thats a really nice looking pontoon boat....you have 4 kicker braces on the top, mine only has 2....make sure all 4 are detached from the tubing going up to your top...if they are you may have to unsnap some of the snaps holding your cover on to the frame...when you start to let it down watch your cover around the sides and see if it looks like it is binding anywhere...again, that is a nice looking boat for the age...what size motor do you have on it?

 

[treker]

Re: 1986 sanpan hardtop

Thats a really nice looking pontoon boat..

For being 25 year old that is really nice, you scored really good on that toon

 

[zopperman]

Re: 1986 sanpan hardtop

That is seriously a floating camper. It's awesome and in great shape. Congrats on the purchase and welcome to iboats

 

[junkman41]

Re: 1986 sanpan hardtop

thanks guys, the motor on it is a Tohatsu 20 hp, I want to get a trolling motor for it also but not sure what to put on it, any ideas? spring I will be putting a power trim on.
thanks Jack

 

[junkman41]

Re: 1986 sanpan hardtop

I was closing up the toon for the season,( winterized it )now it was time to lower the roof. I took the roof braces off and removed one bolt on each side rail, leaving the bolts in where the curve is on the rail, (pivot points )I tried to lower the hardtop again, and it only went down so far, I removed the wires that ran up through the front side rail, and antenna cable. I tried lower it again, this time I gave it a little more push down,well it went all the way down and is laying on the sides like it should. BUT where the bolts I left in where, tore out of the side rails.I obviously dont know what I'm doing , or I have a feeling that the top or the side rails are not a match. does anyone out there have a 1986 24' Sanpan with a hardtop that can send me pictures of there top and rails. I will be needing new roof supports, if anyone has any for sale

thanks Jack

 

[junkman41]

Re: 1986 sanpan hardtop

let me ask this question, should I lower the top by pushing it down towards the rear of the pontoon ?, or lowering it by pulling it towards the front of the pontoon ? , I was trying to lower it by bringing towards the front. maybe thats where my problem is

thanks Jack

 

[slim hays]

Re: 1986 sanpan hardtop

Hey Jack, your hard top goes to the front...if you look at the way the front tubing is curved you can tell that is the only way it will go as your back tubing is straight ....(the one you take your bolt out of)....good luck

 

[junkman41]

Re: 1986 sanpan hardtop

hi Slim
yes that is how I lowered it ,to the front. and I took the bolts from the straight sides of the rails and left the bolts in the curved sides. but when i lowered the topit tore the bolts out of the rails on the top. I guess my setup is not to be lowered, or I have a mix match setup

thanks Jack

 

[acertap]

Re: 1986 sanpan hardtop

My hardtop appears to be like yours. If your storing outside support the top so it doesn't get weighted down by heavy snow. I didn't do so good there and now the rails just in front of the curved side of the supports are bent from the weight.

 

[junkman41]

Re: 1986 sanpan hardtop

acertap do you have any pictures of your hardtop? and soes it lay down on the rails without any problem

 

[acertap]

Re: 1986 sanpan hardtop

I don't have any pictures now. It doesn't lay flat on top of the deck railings, the top front when lowered is about 18-24" higher that the rails. The rounded part of the support press onto the rails.

 

[junkman41]

Re: 1986 sanpan hardtop

that is about as far down mine will go to, untill I fored all the way down . and ripped the bolts on of the rails
thanks Jack