An X9 is much stiffer, the difference is considerate even on smaller wave sails. The X9 just gives the rig that really crisp feel eliminating (as best possible) all the slop and flex of the X3 which when you think about it in a gust the boom flexes increasing the depth of the sail, not really what you want.

As I like to say once you go black you don't go back.

Just bought an X9 Race.

I gave it the barge-arse deflection test against the North Alloy I have as well.
The X9 had a bit over an inch deflection were the alloy had nearly four.

Big big difference in handling, big big difference in price.

I'm hooked

Sorry I know you asked for a comparison between the two but I would not go a NP boom for a start.
There has been repeated threads on here with people complaining about the front end failures (and other breakages) on NP booms. Some of those people are diehard NP fans so it is hardly brand bashing or bias.
Some are freeriders getting 1-2 seasons out of a boom - I get 5 seasons of wave trashings out of a Chinook (at the same price!!!)

There has also been repeated threads where people ask what is the strongest ally boom and Chinook, Hydrodynamix and Tecnolimitz keep coming up (in no particular order).
As to carbon I don't know unfortunately.

I would however encourage you to look at other brands.

For the record and before I get criticised for anti-NP bias yet agin, I use NP wavesails and hate the lack of durability compared to other brands but I use them as the feel is right for me. But you'd never catch me on a NP boom after the record of breakages.

I had a couple of theories why my x6 boom may have snapped at the clew.

Thinking back, i may have unclipped the clew side, when it was still under tension. Therefore putting a lot of stress on one side, until that side was also unclipped. Had to do this few times when unable to losen the outhaul...which had become jammed.

Another possibility is not clipping it in properly in the first place ...perhaps it slipped suddently creating stress on one side.

Btw, it is being replaced under warranty - no problem there with NP and thanks to WSnS for lending me a couple of replacements.

I have an X3 graveyard from when I was too poor to afford anything else. One of them lasted a wipeout free 2 hrs before being added to the pile. Unless you're anorexic don't bother with them.

I bought a new X9 earlier this year a 160 to 210 which I think was last years model. Theres no argument that it is very stiff, however I have had two problems so far
- I broke one of the adjustment clips on the rear of the boom. I did have the boom extended within 10 cm of max adjustment which probably was'nt best practice, and the rig was probably overpowered and I was crashing through chop upwind
- the boom clamp needed replacing as it developed some small cracks, the replacement part for this looks like its is stronger and a different grade of plastic.

Whilst I have to question the quality of this boom for all the $$$$'s I guess the replacement service for any problems was very good. I hear this years models are improved and better, but more $$$$

I've now bought a KA carbon boom for my bigger sails so I wont need to extend any of my booms near the full extension again.

From my reserarch I woukd seriously consider the Maui carbon, and in alloy the Aerons are apparently very good for only a small amount of $$$

Hope this feedback helps

2010 x9s are the ducks nuts Happy with mine.

knigit said...

I have an X3 graveyard from when I was too poor to afford anything else. One of them lasted a wipeout free 2 hrs before being added to the pile. Unless you're anorexic don't bother with them.

if you put your x3 graveyard with my x3 graveyard, we can call it the x3 holocaust