So I was sailing last weekend on flat water (like I do all the time) in about 10-14 knots - sub planing and I lean back in a gust to have the boom suddenly change angle down at the head. It didn't completely snap and I was able to sail back to shore.
Upon inspection the tube has cracked / torn. Boom is 9 months old. It's a non-brand cheap alloy boom.
What would you generally expect a retailer of this product to do?
For other retail items a 12 month warranty is pretty standard but with windsurfing gear, if its just being sailed within acceptable limits, ie, not in surf doing jumps etc, should it be replaced or just accept it as fair wear and tear? To be fair it has been used a fair bit in that time.
I guess another question would be is it worth getting it welded?
In Australia their warranty isn't set in stone, Under our consumer laws you are entitled to refund or exchange or repair if the product does not meet what would be considered a fair product life. The problem would be proving what is fair life for a boom and then fighting it out with the assistance of consumer affairs. Take it back to the retailer first and see what they can do, You might be surprised. I've had 3 boom failures with NP booms, One I didn't claim as it was my fault the other 2 were replace with no problem and one was 11 months old. Start with the retailer or the company first, Be polite and see what the outcome is and then go from there if you think it's worth it?
Had a Pryde X3 break 8mths old used 3 times was credited the cash and used it to up grade to X9, also had a Naish carbon break within 20min was replaced in a week 
I would claim. I have had alloy booms last 4yrs wavesailing (I'm big and crash a lot 
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Any alloy boom on flat water should last over a year, more like 2 -5 yrs - even cheapies.
And no you cant weld it, it is heat treated so welding will anneal it and it will be soft and bend there.
If desperate you can maybe sleeve it with another bit of tempered alloy tube from a boom that is a snug fit and epoxy it in, but that is also problematic as ally does not glue well unless well cleaned and roughed up.
