Thanks for all the suggestions about the hole in my poptop.  Turned out it
was well outside the edge of the fender washer - it was further from where
it belonged than I thought - and I filled it with a 5/16" bolt, just the
size of the hole.  Then put in a new hole and all works well.
For those who are interested, I got my kit from Frank Condelli - they are
assembled, and the brackets made, by Mark Goddard, in Oregon.  I don't know
if he's on the list, but I've copied him on this email.

Re how it works - raising the poptop with or without the kayak is easy.  To
pull it down, I have to kind of swing on it.  And for the last inch, to
latch it, I have to slam it shut.  I'm not sure this would work for someone
with poor upper body strength.  But for a person who doesn't have trouble
with an unloaded poptop but wants to be able to lift it with a boat up
there, it's fine.

Joy