Selden rigid boom vang rodkicker without gas strut?

[SDS3 Sailors]

I have a 2005 H36 and during a recent repair discovered the Rodkicker from Selden had no gas strut inside. Apparently this was an option from Selden. I'm curious if my boat is a "standard" Hunter build without the gas strut or if it was removed by PO.

Thanks for any insight!

 

[sail sfbay]

Does it work?

 

[Rick486]

I have a 2005 H36 and during a recent repair discovered the Rodkicker from Selden had no gas strut inside. Apparently this was an option from Selden. I'm curious if my boat is a "standard" Hunter build without the gas strut or if it was removed by PO.

Thanks for any insight!

My 44DS didn't have a cylinder either. Never thought twice about it. I did sail with a rugged topping lift.
That vang is a rugged piece of kit.

 

[DayDreamer41]

You can always add the gas shock, but you would need the little spacer that and guide that threads on the either end of the gas shock. The gas shock themselfs are noth special but the ends are, not sure if you can just purchase the ends or not. Once installed one must be careful they don't over compress the shock other wise the seals won't last long.

How I Added a Gas Spring to My Selden RodKicker Boom Vang

When we were looking at the Hunter 41DS that we eventually bought, I assumed that the rigid boom vang it had was fully operational. It turns out that this boat, and a lot of other Hunters I gather, had a boom vang without a gas spring making it only marginally more useful than a traditional...

forums.sailboatowners.com

 

[Hello Below]

Common for it to be shipped without a gas spring. My 2012 Hunter e33 shipped new without. I’m sure the SBO store can give a quote if you specify the Type (probably Type 20) and normal, hard or super gas spring. They are very functional replacing the topping lift but Selden’s are pricey. I understand that other reputable manufacturers sell for far less and are of equal or superior in quality.

Moderators note there is another post by the the same member discussing the same issue.

Selden Rodkicker strut replacement

 

[Kings Gambit]

I replaced the gas spring in my Rodkicker about 18 mo ago w/ a Selden part. The gas spring that was in there was an aftermarket part. Rigger told me that dealers might take ‘em out or substitute an aftermarket unit for the Selden to reduce the sale price of the yacht. I guess every little bit helps when trying to make a sale.

But I’m surprised you wouldn’t know that it was lacking a spring b/c otherwise the boom drops to the deck if not lifted. However, my boat does have a boom lift descending from a sheave at the mast to the boom, and also routed inside the mast to deck blocks, and then through a rope clutch to the cabin top winch. I suppose one could keep the boom lift tight and never need the gas spring or know it is absent.

 

[SDS3 Sailors]

Thanks everyone. It's a pretty general consensus that these shipped without the spring. Never noticed it before because on the h36 the fully compressed boom vang still holds the mast above the traveler.

 

[dkinzer]

[...] the fully compressed boom vang still holds the mast above the traveler.

While that may be true, doing so likely damages the plastic part at the end of the outer tube called the "buffer bearing". When we bought our H41AC last year I discovered the absence of the gas spring and went about installing one. In the process, I also discovered that the buffer bearing was trashed and needed to be replaced.

I made a post on this forum with details on how to go about installing a generic gas spring for much less than the Selden kit cost.

 

[George Braun]

Hunter 36 here also, 2008. New-to-us, so plenty to learn and figure out. No gas spring, but the vang holds the boom at exactly the correct position when it's just above bottomed out. Seems vital for proper and easy furling and unfurling of the main. I've pulled most all the running rigging off for cleaning over the winter, the line that was the topping lift is labeled "spare main halyard" at the mast. Going to see if there might be other uses for it in the spring.

 

[DayDreamer41]

Going to see if there might be other uses for it in the spring.

I have always thought about putting a guide block on the end of the boom to use the topping lift as a MOB hoist

 

[tfox2069]

2009 Hunter 36 here, no gas piston when I bought the boat 4 hears ago. Sourced one and installed (very easy). Gives you the flexibility to use the topping lift for other things. Agree that its not absolutely necessary.

 

[George Braun]

I have always thought about putting a guide block on the end of the boom to use the topping lift as a MOB hoist

Daydreamer - thanks for the suggestion, i learned the hard way years ago how hard it is to get someone back on board if they can't help.