Would like some help in selecting a carbon boom. I am 108kg and 183cm. Have been reading the forums- all seem to focus on the average guy who might weigh between 60 - 85kg. Have broken heaps of aluminium booms, so have given them the flick. The boom is primarily used for slalom/freeride sailing .Currently I am using a neilpryde X9 for my larger sails but need another carbon boom for my small sails- 5.9 and 6.2m, as broke another carbon neilpryde boom a fortnight ago. The list seems endless- severne enigma, chinook, Aeron,Naish, Mauri ,Neilpryde and Simmer. Neilpryde seem dear in comparison to the others. Would like to hear what other heavy weights are using and suggestions.

With a shadow that size mate, Joolia might even place a Carbon Tax on you for the boom

I'm similar size, around 105kg.

I rate the Maui Sails carbon booms very highly, the stiffest I've come across.

For those sail sizes the 170 would be just the ticket. I have a quiver of them (140, 170, 190 & 230), but for speedsailing (on my 6.6 TR7) I prefer the 170.

Remi (Windsurfing Shed in Sydney) usually has a few in stock and ships inter-state for a reasonable fee.

Mark _australia said...

^^ if you have 4 carbon booms , I know who we should all ask next time we want to borrow fifty bucks

Hey I didn't buy them all in one go

Just when it comes to booms I don't like to compromise.

Pointman said...

Mark _australia said...

^^ if you have 4 carbon booms , I know who we should all ask next time we want to borrow fifty bucks

Hey I didn't buy them all in one go

Just when it comes to booms I don't like to compromise.

my sentiments exactly. ive broken too many to be bothered mucking around with it anymore... but how many Maui Booms have you broken Pointman and how often do you go throught them?

i have not broken any north booms. i feel strongly about giving the right advice on booms because if you break it 2k's off the shore you can eiterh throw away $1000's of equipment or spend hours swimming. red thumb me all you like for that douches!

stay away at all costs from the cheap arse generic booms they snap like twigs

severne enigma brutally stiff....

I favour Chinook, since getting my first a few years ago (triple clamp big wave) I have built my whole quiver with them, then just when I did not need any more kit I became a UK team rider with them......so when I renew I should benefit......
The only problem is I have never broken anything chinook have made.

I do have one alloy - wide diameter back end, heavy but very very dependable. The Pro1 carbon is brilliant, as are the older carbon triple clamps. There is a good offer at kbay in the uk for the older carbon triple clamp booms at the moment, may work out cheap to ship one over to you at the current exchange rates.

9-11 was bad

Mark _australia said...

Wondering why Stringer is scoring red thumbs for recommending North? Yes we know the grip comes off most of them but maybe they are mega stiff and don't break. Further, they probably fixed the grip problem by now. Dunno, I've never had one.
Maybe the 3 or 4 people who redthumbed can offer intelligent comment as to why they disagree (instead of clicking thumbs down) and then Lightning can make an informed decision?

Likewise the 2 ppl who redthumbed Ratz - never heard a bad thing about Severne Enigma so go on, tell us why you faceless downerpeople

They redthumbed you as well, sorted that for you....
The maui sails booms are not available in the UK but a load of speed sailors came to speed week with them, they look very very nice with the square back end

Doesn't really matter what you buy, you always run the risk of a slightly inferior boom, I'm a fit 112kg and most of my booms are ally, I got a severe Ali race boom PERFECT still going strong, snapped a north platinum clean in half and a x9, my wave booms are ally as well,

I love carbon booms, I really do but I have already had to swim in a long way off shore due to snapped booms

But to make ally booms worth it gotta get the closest size to what you need and replace them everyyear

Thanks to everyone for all the info. It appears that the Maui sails carbon boom gets good wraps - hoping the Easter bunny might drop one in. Good point made by jsnfok - if you are heavy and buy an ali boom - aim to replace it on regular bais - preferably before it breaks. Most of the Neipride ali booms I have used have been broken within 6 months- usually at the head. Haven't used a Severne ali boom, but they sound like good value. I suppose it comes down to putting a price on your safety - sick of swimming in or being rescued by my mates- all lightweights I might add. That is the most frustrating thing- they never seem to have a boom issue- borrowed a ali boom of one of them and snapped it within 2 hrs - teach me to go chop hopping on borrowed gear- an expensive day!
Has anyone had experience with Simmer booms? - I know that G-spot at Geraldton sell them.

Hi , i am 97 kgs and pretty hard on my gear , i have been using a mystic ally boom for about 6 months , and had some pretty bad stacks !!!! and it has held up pretty good , Also have an older neil pryde carbon boom that is holding up good as well

I have a cheapish generic carbon boom - Surfsail branded. The head was average so I put a Maui Sails head on it. It's been going strong now for around 7 years and I use it well powered on my 8m sail at a slim 92kg . I do have to replace the locking clips every year or two, they corrode and break.

mkseven said...

Good choice on the maui. I am similar weight, have owned & tried most carbons except for north & chinook and the maui the best imo over 190cm. They have good combo of strength & stiffness but just take a little getting used to (they are a bit different profile & heavy). The only warning is don't over-tighten the head clamp or you will break the head. Plus I have seen many booms snap because the pins pop up slightly while sailing, point loading one of the sides so I always use cut up bike tube on the pin clampy bits.

Thing you have to watch with the clips is dont leave them un clipped or open they expand and stay there so they become loose.