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OWNER'S MANUAL

Technical data, shortening, HMPE purchase reeving, installation, tail-routing, maintenance and gas-spring replacement for the Seldén Rodkicker 50.

DocumentSelden Rodkicker 50 Owner's Manual
FormatPDF · 21 pages · 11.4 MB
LanguageEnglish
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SpecificationsShortening & LineInstallationServiceSpare PartsProducts
Selden Rodkicker 50 — Owner's Manual

Technical Data

Rodkicker 50
Max in-service tension load 50 kN
Total gas spring force 10 kN
HMPE line thickness ø10
HMPE line length 9500 mm
Line purchase ratio 4:1
Max RM30, masthead rig 270 kNm
Max RM30, fractional rig 200 kNm

The built-in 4:1 quadruples the kicker purchase; add a 2:1 control line for 8:1, so 125 kg pull compresses the 10 kN (1000 kg) of the gas springs. With gas springs it lifts the boom when the kicker is released and replaces the topping lift when sailing.

Shortening (max 500 mm)

  1. Remove the HMPE line.
  2. Push the snap-fasteners and pull out the buffer bearing (tight fit); leave it hanging on the inner tube.
  3. Pull the inner parts out from the lower-fork end.
  4. Cut the distance tube by the length to be removed.
  5. Cut the outer tube by exactly the same length.
  6. Drill new buffer-bearing holes in the outer tube (dimensions on the PDF drawing).
  7. Refit the inner parts until they hit the upper fork, slide the buffer bearing back in, and reeve the HMPE line.

Reeving the HMPE Line

  1. Tie one spliced end to the pad-eye on the lower fork (cow hitch recommended).
  2. Lead the other end through either sheave on the upper fork.
  3. Back down through the lower-fork sheave on the same side.
  4. Back up through the remaining upper-fork sheave.
  5. The spliced end now hangs free from the upper fork, ready for tail-routing.

Installing on the Boat

  1. Protect the area under the boom.
  2. Fit the kicker bracket in the boom so it can still slide; with a fixed fitting take great care in the next steps.
  3. Upper fork to the boom kicker fitting, lower fork to the mast kicker toggle; the boom slider must stay free.
  4. Lift the boom end to horizontal with a topping lift or halyard. The standard set-up lets the boom lift ~10° and drop ~5° using the full 300 mm gas-spring stroke.
  5. Reeve the tackle; pull until the gas spring starts to work. Measure the visible lower extrusion, then compress until it is 200 mm shorter. Mark the slider's new position.
  6. Pull to full compression: the visible length should now be 300 mm shorter than first measured.
  7. Ease back to the mark and tighten the kicker-fitting screws hard to lock it provisionally.
  8. Release the topping lift, check the fitting does not slide, and work the boom to both ends of travel checking clearance to sprayhood, windscreen and lifelines. Adjust (unload with the topping lift first) until right.
  9. Remove the upper clevis pin, drill the boom to fix the kicker fitting permanently (beware of lines and cables inside), fit the screws with Loctite and refit the Rodkicker.

Tail-routing: the manual shows seven example routings – total purchase 8:1 (examples 1, 2, 7) or 16:1 (examples 3–6).

Maintenance

  • Rinse with fresh water; rinse off any detergent completely. Silicone-free wax or paraffin oil protects the surfaces.
  • Grease the clevis pins of both forks regularly (Omega 95 recommended).
  • In harbour or motoring in a seaway, add a topping lift with the mainsheet tight to steady the boom.
  • Removal: release the control line, lift the boom end until both clevis pins are unloaded, remove the pins.
  • Storage: always use, park and store with the top end (thicker extrusion) higher than the lower end, so the gas-cylinder piston packing does not dry out.

Replacing the Gas Springs

  1. Remove the HMPE line and the buffer bearing; pull out the inner parts.
  2. Remove the small screws in the distance tube (Loctite) and take off the distance tube.
  3. Remove screws, washers, end plug and threaded flange from the gas springs (Loctite).
  4. Unscrew the gas springs, holding a wrench on the nut on the other side.
  5. Fit the new springs with Loctite on the threads, reassemble with fresh Loctite on all threads, refit inner parts, buffer bearing and HMPE line.

Spare Parts & Accessories

Item no. Description
613-054-50 HMPE strop with spliced ends
308-073 Gas spring 5kN, stroke 300mm
528-187 Kicker toggle H118 W20

All three are sourced on request – ask us to source them → Warranty: 2 years.

Need a part that isn't listed? Ask us to source it and quote the part number from the PDF.

Products in this Manual