Kemp kicker problem

[peter2407]

My Kemp kicker has stopped lifting, so the boom now needs to be held up using the main halyard as I don't have a topping lift. Does anyone have any suggestions as to why, how to fix it or any pictures available so I can see how the thing works please? Have tried my various Nigel Calder books, and searched t'interweb but no joy.

 

[dunedin]

Don't know the Kemp kickers, but my Selden Rod Kicker failed last week. It has a gas strut inside and I was disappointed to find the very expensive Selden gas strut appeared to be just painted ordinary steel - and a rusty mess after just 6 years.
Just replaced with a 316 grade stainless steel one at half the price. Dismantling and refitting for the Selden is very simple.

Can you pst any photos of your kicker that has failed?

 

[peter2407]

Dunedin - thanks for the response. I will take a pic and post when I get down to the boat next time. Did you replace the whole kicker, or a component? What was the cost and supplier? Thanks again.

 

[alteredoutlook]

Kemp spars were bought by Selden. It could be worth contacting Atlantic spars - www.spars.co.uk who are very helpful about selden/kemp products!

 

[dunedin]

Dunedin - thanks for the response. I will take a pic and post when I get down to the boat next time. Did you replace the whole kicker, or a component? What was the cost and supplier? Thanks again.

I just replaced the gas strut inside the rod kicker. They after a shocking price from Selden (circa £200 or more depending on size) but I went for a stainless steel one from sgs-engineering.com. No knowledge of the company as was just a google search, but half the price, stainless rather than painted steel and 25 hours phone order to door ain't bad !

But yours may be a different type or different issue. Should be easy to disassemble for a look once you have the boom supported on a halyard.