Vang has lost its fizz
QI’m asking for help regarding our 2001 ETAP 24i. These boats were all fitted with a Seldén Rodkicker vang arrangement you see in these pictures.
It uses a gas unit as opposed to a spring but when the gas escapes the kicker drops meaning it’s impossible to haul the mainsail to its fullest position, while the boom fouls the top of the sprayhood.
The boat has no means of lifting the boom higher as the only rope employed is for hauling the sail, which is then switched to lifting the boom a little when moored. I had the unit regassed but it lasted only a couple of seasons, so I’d prefer to replace it with one using a spring.
Can this vang can be retrofitted with a spring?
If not, what model kicker with a spring would I need to buy, as there seem to be several versions, presumably based on different lengths/ strengths. Martin Pagett by email
STU DAVIES REPLIES: Seldén kickers are designed to stop the boom dropping into the cockpit or on to the coachroof. A gas spring is offered as an option to lift the boom as tension is eased on the kicker strap.
The boat is 19 years old: gas seals wear over time and allow the gas to leak out. If the kicker is the original one I’d expect the gas seals to be worn and regassing isn’t a good idea in my opinion – the gas will leak out again, probably sooner rather than later.
Seldén sell a new gas unit for around £99 and the cheapest option would be to buy one of these and replace the old one rather than buy and fitting a complete new spring unit.
However if you do want to change the complete unit, Z Spars sell simple steel spring loaded kickers in various sizes. I have one on my Beneteau, it is 20 years old now and still works fine.
Careful measurement of the existing setup would need to be done to ensure the replacement gives a full range of movement and that the pivot pins and forks are compatible. For more information see the Z Spars website: zsparsuk.com/rigid-vangs