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Post by hoppy on Oct 7, 2018 11:25:19 GMT
Just delivered my uncles newly purchased 36i from Hastings to RMYS over the weekend. Felt a bit strange sailing a smaller yacht.
Nice yacht which I'm looking forward to sailing more but I found the Selden Rodkicker a total pain in the arse and totally stupid. The spring is so strong that you constantly have to adjust vang line and you need to use the winch if you want to lower the boom. Even with the sail dropped and it's weight on the boom, the boom raises when the vang is released.
Is this normal or could it have a too hard spring for the boom weight?
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Post by moonshadow on Oct 7, 2018 12:12:21 GMT
I just picked up a new selden parts catalog. If you know which Vang you have I can look for different spring weights.
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Post by hoppy on Oct 7, 2018 12:54:50 GMT
I just picked up a new selden parts catalog. If you know which Vang you have I can look for different spring weights. is what you have the same as this online cat? Selden
It definitely looks like there is scope for a wrong spec unit. Will look for the model number next time I'm onboard |
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Post by jdl01 on Oct 11, 2018 16:29:16 GMT
Hello Hoppy,
We have a rodkicker 10 on our SO379, which I suspect is the same as the one on the 36i. It seemed too wimpy for our boat, so I enquired of the local Selden dealer if I could upgrade to a stronger gas strut. He advised that there were only two strengths of gas strut available for this size rodkicker, with the second being double the strength of the first. He advised against the proposed change for the same reasons you describe on your uncle's boat. Perhaps this is your problem, which could be cured by replacing the gas strut with the lower pressure model. It's easy to disassemble and relatively inexpensive [in boating terms].
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Post by hoppy on Oct 11, 2018 22:58:14 GMT
Going down to the boat tomorrow as we are taking the main off for cleaning (was used as a birds nest) and the sail number change.
Will look closely at the rodkicker for model numbers etc...
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Post by rene460 on Oct 12, 2018 10:14:04 GMT
Hi Hoppy,
It is worth downloading the installation instruction from the Seldenmast website. It seems to have appeared lately, I am sure it was not there when I purchased the boat, and of course that was the one instruction not passed on by the agent.
While there are not many different springs to cover all the boom sizes for each model, there is a considerable range of adjustment by moving the attachment point along the boom.
It is supposed to support the boom so you don't need a topping lift, with the sail down, though I always attach the topping lift when leaving the boat, but it should not need a winch to pull it down. Then it holds the boom up for light weather when the sail is up and the vang rope pulls it down to give suitable shape.
The instructions do not seem to come up to the usual Seldenmast standard. They do give set points which allow the full acceptable range of movement for the particular model, but I found that only part of the range is necessary, the end of the range nearer the mast gave too much lifting force for my smaller boom, but would be required for a heavier one.
The process is relatively simple, you need the correct size Allen key and a clearance size drill bit for the locating bolt size. It's worth just tightening the bolt and trying the range of movement and vang tension before finally drilling the holes, but I would not go sailing until the holes are drilled. A centre punch mark will help to get the drill started in the right place when you decide where you want it.
I found the rod kicker works much better since I readjusted the mounting location.
rene460
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Post by jdl01 on Oct 14, 2018 23:28:29 GMT
Hello Hoppy, We have a rodkicker 10 on our SO379, which I suspect is the same as the one on the 36i. It seemed too wimpy for our boat, so I enquired of the local Selden dealer if I could upgrade to a stronger gas strut. He advised that there were only two strengths of gas strut available for this size rodkicker, with the second being double the strength of the first. He advised against the proposed change for the same reasons you describe on your uncle's boat. Perhaps this is your problem, which could be cured by replacing the gas strut with the lower pressure model. It's easy to disassemble and relatively inexpensive [in boating terms]. Here is the rodkicker part number ARATRON G28-250-1200N-02 |
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