The springs on my rod lockers are worn out on my Procraft.  They won't even hold up the weight of the rod locker compartment door.  Does anyone have experience replacing or upgrading these?

Not sure what kind of "springs" hold up the lid, but you might try replacing them with the lifts used on all new rigs.  Your dealer should have them.

I think you may be referring to "cylinders" that assist in opening your compartment doors and hold them open.  If so, I just replaced mine.  It was a peice of cake once I found them.  There is a place on ebay that sell all kinds of gas cylinders.  They were the lowest price I could find and had them within a week.

Here is the link to there ebay store:

http://stores.ebay.com/strutyourstuffhere

Just make sure you measure them correctly.  I actually went to a little stronger lb. rating than my original equipment.  Also I found if you find the auctions that offer 2 cylinders, they are your best deal.

good luck

Also here is an auction to the ones that fit my champion boat:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/2ea-40LB-Gas-Strut-camper-top-glass-door-prop-17-2-set-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem4aa42a3e17QQitemZ320581811735QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories.

They might be the same ones you need.

This place might be a little closer to you:

http://www.candomarineparts.com/GasSprings.html

sodaksker thanks for the links.  The gas cylinders are what I want to upgrade to.  Currently there are actually springs installed to hold the lids open.  It's an older boat 93 I think.  I wish I had pictures to show you, but I don't.

How should I go about measuring the correct length for the gas cylinders I need?

Since you cannot use the measurements of the springs, find a boat with similar sized lockers, and measure the gas tubes in it. 

Be sure to note, and take measurements for the locations of the mounts on yours.

I have an older Astro that is an identical boat to the ProCraft. The springs are extension springs. You might be able to find a hardware store that carries an assortment. If you can find springs with nearly the same diameter and wire size they should work.

My springs still function but I would like to go with gas springs but I am a bit concerned about the strength of the tab on the boat you would need to fasten the gas springs to.

The cylinder looking ones are called Gas Springs and if you do a search on the net you can find a number of places that sell them for what ever price you want to pay.  The size you're looking for you should be able to find for about $15.  You will need to determine the pressure you need.  Get some too strong and the lids are not going to stay down or hard to close, too little pressure and they won't stay up.

sodaksker thanks for the links. The gas cylinders are what I want to upgrade to. Currently there are actually springs installed to hold the lids open. It's an older boat 93 I think. I wish I had pictures to show you, but I don't.

How should I go about measuring the correct length for the gas cylinders I need?

I don't know how your lids open so it is hard to say but, I would almost bet that the ones I ordered would work for you, because you will more than likely have to order and install the mounting hardware. when you install the mounting hardware you could probably adjust the spread to work with most cylinders unless you purchased too short of cylinder.

But again without knowing your boat, its wrong for me to guess.

What do your springs currently mount to?

The "gas" cylinders snap onto a little "ball". One on the bottom side of your lid and one on the inside of your compartment. If you already have the mounting balls, which you probably don't it would be easy to measure the "extended" length. Measuring the "closed" length will be a little more challenging.

Get those 2 length and 40Lb lift rating and you should be good.

the strut your stuff site has a page that will help you sized your cylinder.

good luck