So, I've had Chinook stuff for many years without issue. Then I bought all new gear for foiling. 2 sets of mast bases and extensions. All 4 parts have been literally falling apart. Been stuck in the lake twice now with bases comming apart. The pin that retains the sheaves on both extensions have wiggled loose to the point of the brass pully wheels comming out. Getting tired of reparing new parts.
Before foiling, it's been many years since I bought new gear. Is Chinook considered bottom end stuff now ?.
Rant over.
Still hard to beat Streamlined for consistent reliability.
I haven't (yet) experienced failures but a recently purchased Chinook 2-pin base has the slot offset so it will accept Chinook or Fiberspar but not Streamlined. Grrr.
2nd Streamlined, but if you are in saltwater take a look at my post on the Streamlined extension and how to prevent galvanic corrosion between the aluminum extension tube and stainless steel screws, used thin nylon washers to separate them, and used teflon tape on the screw threads as well since the threads contacted the aluminum extension tube. No problems since doing that.
Never had any problems nor know anyone else with those issues. Did you contact Chinook and give them a chance to remedy before bagging them online?
There's a lot of non- american brands BTW 
I sell and sail chinook stuff and had no problems.
AL360 also make reliable bases and extensions.
I've used Chinook for years with no problems. The last extension I bought was June 2020.
However, I've recently started foiling and a couple of times I noticed the extensions push button (Euro pin) was stiff. I connected the extension to UJ and the button didnt pop back out. The reason why it started happening was I was putting the rig in the water then fetching the board. In the meantime the extension had dug into the sand/mud and become a little clogged. Same when leaving the water, so for next time it was sandy/muddy inside.
Previously when fin windsurfing, the 2 were connected on the grass and kit carried into water directly. I cant do that with the foil board.
So now I (dis)connect them on the waters edge, no sticky button problem.
Chinook for 35 years, no problems at all. Contact them or your Chinook dealer. They will make good. They are famous for it.
There is no corrosion between aluminum and stainless. Yes, there is a galvanic couple, but the activation energy is so high that the galvanic corrosion does not start in our conditions.
Select to expand quotePhilUK said..
I've used Chinook for years with no problems. The last extension I bought was June 2020.
However, I've recently started foiling and a couple of times I noticed the extensions push button (Euro pin) was stiff. I connected the extension to UJ and the button didnt pop back out. The reason why it started happening was I was putting the rig in the water then fetching the board. In the meantime the extension had dug into the sand/mud and become a little clogged. Same when leaving the water, so for next time it was sandy/muddy inside.
Previously when fin windsurfing, the 2 were connected on the grass and kit carried into water directly. I cant do that with the foil board.
So now I (dis)connect them on the waters edge, no sticky button problem.
Always always put it, then wiggle lots and watch the button pop out. To not do so is asking for trouble.....
(Not u Phil, I mention it for others...)
Select to expand quotesegler said..
Chinook for 35 years, no problems at all. Contact them or your Chinook dealer. They will make good. They are famous for it.
There is no corrosion between aluminum and stainless. Yes, there is a galvanic couple, but the activation energy is so high that the galvanic corrosion does not start in our conditions.
On my Streamlined ext. the galvanic activation energy was obviously lower because it was corroding the aluminum right under the "flat" stainless steel screw heads which on the "round" ext. tube trapped a small amount of saltwater, even after rinsing with fresh water, but again I am in saltwater 100% of the time. Evidently, salt water lowers the activation energy.
Select to expand quoteMark _australia said..
There's a lot of non- american brands BTW
Not in the US. It drives me crazy to read the German Surf magazine tests and see that they have a dozen or more brands for everything. In the US, many places only stock Chinook for extensions and mast feet, and maybe one other brand if you're lucky. To get skinny extensions with 3 rolls for race sails, we had to order from Europe.
That said, Chinook has always been good at dealing with warranty issues. I would not, however, by another mast from them, after having a relatively heavy, little used 3-year old mast break while sailing in a straight line.
I had only Chinook mastfoot parts, sdm rdm several lengths. After 20 years of use i bent the long extension. This was the only part giving up. Now i went to severne parts, carbon extensions. Only have the Chinook 1-Bolt Pro Flex Mast Base. No problems after one season, in fresh water.
Select to expand quoteWsurfAustin said..
So, I've had Chinook stuff for many years without issue. Then I bought all new gear for foiling. 2 sets of mast bases and extensions. All 4 parts have been literally falling apart. Been stuck in the lake twice now with bases comming apart. The pin that retains the sheaves on both extensions have wiggled loose to the point of the brass pully wheels comming out. Getting tired of reparing new parts.
Before foiling, it's been many years since I bought new gear. Is Chinook considered bottom end stuff now ?.
Rant over.
i have been lucky with chinook, with the exception of a first generation carbon extension that blew up on the beach years ago. They replaced it under warranty. But you could try Point-7. They ship everywhere, you pay no taxes and their products are of very high quality. Besides an unmentionable number of sails, I bought a boom last year, and just got a 48 carbon extension that looks great and adjusts length in fractions of a second. point-7.com/carbon-pro-extension/?v=7516fd43adaa
Select to expand quoteduzzi said..WsurfAustin said..
So, I've had Chinook stuff for many years without issue. Then I bought all new gear for foiling. 2 sets of mast bases and extensions. All 4 parts have been literally falling apart. Been stuck in the lake twice now with bases comming apart. The pin that retains the sheaves on both extensions have wiggled loose to the point of the brass pully wheels comming out. Getting tired of reparing new parts.
Before foiling, it's been many years since I bought new gear. Is Chinook considered bottom end stuff now ?.
Rant over.
i have been lucky with chinook, with the exception of a first generation carbon extension that blew up on the beach years ago. They replaced it under warranty. But you could try Point-7. They ship everywhere, you pay no taxes and their products are of very high quality. Besides an unmentionable number of sails, I bought a boom last year, and just got a 48 carbon extension that looks great and adjusts length in fractions of a second. point-7.com/carbon-pro-extension/?v=7516fd43adaa
the Point-7 ext. looks just like the Severne that I could of bought, but did not like the little rubber band holding the adjustment ring. Streamlined uses a solid steel pin and a aluminum adj. ring.
Select to expand quoteSandman1221
but did not like the little rubber band holding the adjustment ring. Streamlined uses a solid steel pin and a aluminum adj. ring.
What about the little rubber ring do you not like? Adjusting the height is quite easy if you know the pushing trick
The Streamlined pin and collar is a PITA, I'm upgrading mine to the most recent Chinook snap ring. I like the extension overall though.
I also have a Gaastra that adjusts like the Point-7 and it's brilliant, if I could get those parts I would.
+30 seasons Chinook user.
Two incidents not related to wear use. Two bolt base clip failure. The plastic part holding the two metal prongs that lock the uni onto the base. Phone Chinook. They sent me via overnight mail a complete base plate. Had an issue couple seasons ago with ProFlex uni. One of the nuts fell off while using. Luckily the bolt stayed put. Emailed Chinook with an image. Same day email response. They sent out a few replacement nuts and bolts. Both times the customer service reps were friendly, apologetic.
At least in the USA, parts for rebuild are available. Only parts I've replaced have been the rubber or tendon joint on the uni. Easy diy. Did find out the new replacement tendons are not compatible with a couple vintage universals.
