Kemp vang/kicker - Solid?

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Ursula123

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I'm not very experienced with vangs, I just bought a neglected yacht that has a pretty substantial but old Kemp kicker, however when I have come to re-fit it I noticed that it won't compress, its solid. I assumed it was knackered, seized or something, however when I look around at replacements there are many references to solid/rigid kickers. I'm a bit confused it has all the usual ropes and pulleys on the it which I thought would be redundant if it didn't compress or expand, or are there kickers that simply hold the boom up without damping or springs inside?
Thanks
 
Is it set so it just stops the boom dropping below a certain level and when under sail the boom lifts and is then controlled with pulley blocks as normal?
 
Hi,
No the blocks and rope are fixed to it then shackled to wire that runs through a sheave at the other end back up the other side and is fixed to an eye. To all intents and purposes when you pull the rope it compress the kicker bit it doesn't move, funny thing is the male half isn't worn at all and shows no sign of ever having gone inside or moved.
Even if it is a knackered sprung or gas version can I use it as a rigid to put me on?
 
Ursula123 said:
Hi,
No the blocks and rope are fixed to it then shackled to wire that runs through a sheave at the other end back up the other side and is fixed to an eye. To all intents and purposes when you pull the rope it compress the kicker bit it doesn't move, funny thing is the male half isn't worn at all and shows no sign of ever having gone inside or moved.
Even if it is a knackered sprung or gas version can I use it as a rigid to put me on?
Click to expand...

Will it not extend if you slacken off the kicking strap ? If it will neither compress or extend it must be seized

An internal gas spring is an optional extra to lift the boom when the kicking strap is slackened. It replaces the topping lift.

Does this help http://www.seldenmast.com/files/excerpts/595-808-E-92-94.pdf
 
Sounds like it has a internal spring but is seized or blocked from moving, our last boat had something similar with the wire strop running outside then round the top pulls and inside to the bottom fitting at the mast step. It was a tight fit and just slid inside the bottom tube, so could easily jamb. Would suggest that you take it off and I should come apart, there may be a cooler riveted on the top of the lower tube to stop accidentally coming out
 
Hi
I've taken it apart and it is hollow, no spring or gas strut in either side. Also noticed that the male half runs the full length inside and goes inside fully bottoming out making it rigid/will not compress, however it was seized so when free it would extend if pulled by a lifting boom if so allowed by the blocks and rope. Could it be that an early kicker simply took the weight of the boom to replace topping lift and its default setting is at its lowest, but when rigged correctly (it wasn't) the rope and blocks will allow the boom to lift?



Wish I could think of a clever ditty . . . . .
 
Ursula123 said:
Hi
I've taken it apart and it is hollow, no spring or gas strut in either side. Also noticed that the male half runs the full length inside and goes inside fully bottoming out making it rigid/will not compress, however it was seized so when free it would extend if pulled by a lifting boom if so allowed by the blocks and rope. Could it be that an early kicker simply took the weight of the boom to replace topping lift and its default setting is at its lowest, but when rigged correctly (it wasn't) the rope and blocks will allow the boom to lift?



Wish I could think of a clever ditty . . . . .
Click to expand...

You've got it, the blocks and string enable you to tension the kicker. It's far more useful with a spring though.
 
Ursula123 said:
Hi
I've taken it apart and it is hollow, no spring or gas strut in either side. Also noticed that the male half runs the full length inside and goes inside fully bottoming out making it rigid/will not compress, however it was seized so when free it would extend if pulled by a lifting boom if so allowed by the blocks and rope. Could it be that an early kicker simply took the weight of the boom to replace topping lift and its default setting is at its lowest, but when rigged correctly (it wasn't) the rope and blocks will allow the boom to lift?



Wish I could think of a clever ditty . . . . .
Click to expand...

I think you will find that the basic rodkicker should be installed so that ( in its fully retracted state) it will support the boom a little below horizontal. The sail will lift it to horizontal /normal operating height and the kicking strap tackle used to pull it down tight in the usual way.

A gas spring when fitted will lift and support the boom when the kicking strap is slackened off during reefing . If not fitted you can lift and support the boom in the usual way with the topping lift.

See the installation instructions on the Selden website at http://www.seldenmast.com/en/technical_info/manuals_for_assembly.html for more accurate guidance
 
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