Just wanted to let people know of a corrosion issue I have with a Streamlined aluminum extension right where the SS screws contact the aluminum (see pics). Treated with STABIL corrosion control and that stopped more white oxidized aluminum from forming. Always used in salt water and always washed with fresh water after each session. I wrapped the SS screws with 6-7 wraps of teflon tape. Have a newer Streamlined extension that I did the same for and no corrosion so far.
Yep I had a similar problem. I still think they are the makers of the best hardware though. The fix for me was to go to their carbon extension, costs a fair bit but so compact around the pulleys and so easy to downhaul.
Use duralac its a good compound for mixed metals in marine applications.
Wipe off any access , it can stain surfaces.
Select to expand quoteAnt-man said..
Yep I had a similar problem. I still think they are the makers of the best hardware though. The fix for me was to go to their carbon extension, costs a fair bit but so compact around the pulleys and so easy to downhaul.
The makers of the best hardware? Really? If you compare the build quality between the 2 photos.....well I don't think there is a comparison. That streamlined looks like it was put together in someone's back shed....badly. I've had my Chinook aly for several seasons and it's still as strong as the day I bought it with no signs of corrosion (and I've never rinsed it after a session). I've no desire to go carbon as I've heard (and seen) too many breakages, especially in the surf. Happy to add a couple of hundred grams of weight for piece of mind. Also their single piece euro pin base is the best Ive found. Just need to replace the tendon occasionally as with all bases. Probably the best windsurfing investment I've made and no i don't work for Chinook nor am I sponsored by them....
Select to expand quoteMuppet said..Ant-man said..
Yep I had a similar problem. I still think they are the makers of the best hardware though. The fix for me was to go to their carbon extension, costs a fair bit but so compact around the pulleys and so easy to downhaul.
The makers of the best hardware? Really? If you compare the build quality between the 2 photos.....well I don't think there is a comparison. That streamlined looks like it was put together in someone's back shed....badly. I've had my Chinook aly for several seasons and it's still as strong as the day I bought it with no signs of corrosion (and I've never rinsed it after a session). I've no desire to go carbon as I've heard (and seen) too many breakages, especially in the surf. Happy to add a couple of hundred grams of weight for piece of mind. Also their single piece euro pin base is the best Ive found. Just need to replace the tendon occasionally as with all bases. Probably the best windsurfing investment I've made and no i don't work for Chinook nor am I sponsored by them....
Streamlined gear is pretty good. My boom is still hanging in there after 6 years or so. Had a few carbon extensions which broke, so tried the streamlined alloy extension. Bent the cleat after 6 months ( apparently they have addressed this ) so riveted the tube into the moulded nylon base of one of my many broken carbon extensions, and I'm still using it 5 years down the track. Wave sailing for the record.
Always rince with fresh water after each sail.
The Chinook is alloy and plastic. No different metals which cause electrolysis. But the streamlined boom head is aluminum with stainless steel bolts, and I have no problems with corrosion with a religions rince off arter each sail.
Streamlined and Chinook are both top products. Take your pick.
Combine dissimilar metals in a marine environment. I guess the engineering team skipped uni that day.
Its about 5 yrs old always used in saltwater, always rinsed after use. I still use it for my 8.0 sail and 460 mast, but I can also rig the 8.0 on my 490 and use my other shorter extension. I think it is still strong enough to use, since I caught it in time and stopped the corrosion.
I looked at Chinook, but I wanted the pulleys to be turned 90 degrees so they aligned with the pulleys on my Aerotech Freespeed sails w/o crossing lines, also the Chinook two bolt base was all plastic while the Streamlined has a metal plate. Did not feel comfortable with only plastic holding the mast to the board
Would never cover something like that in tape. If a bit of water does get in It can't get out so just sits wet.
Select to expand quoteAUS3333 said..
Use duralac its a good compound for mixed metals in marine applications.
Wipe off any access , it can stain surfaces.
Okay, thanks
Select to expand quoteBen1973 said..
Would never cover something like that in tape. If a bit of water does get in It can't get out so just sits wet.
Well the tape rode up around the screw head and made a tight seal, but will check it, have not seen any more corrosion.
Select to expand quoteMuppet said..Ant-man said..
Yep I had a similar problem. I still think they are the makers of the best hardware though. The fix for me was to go to their carbon extension, costs a fair bit but so compact around the pulleys and so easy to downhaul.
The makers of the best hardware? Really? If you compare the build quality between the 2 photos.....well I don't think there is a comparison. That streamlined looks like it was put together in someone's back shed....badly. I've had my Chinook aly for several seasons and it's still as strong as the day I bought it with no signs of corrosion (and I've never rinsed it after a session). I've no desire to go carbon as I've heard (and seen) too many breakages, especially in the surf. Happy to add a couple of hundred grams of weight for piece of mind. Also their single piece euro pin base is the best Ive found. Just need to replace the tendon occasionally as with all bases. Probably the best windsurfing investment I've made and no i don't work for Chinook nor am I sponsored by them....
Have you owned one Muppet? If not don't judge. I'm not sure how you can judge build quality from looking at an image on a screen. There is a reason they are a niche product, the don't mass produce, they specialise. Can you completely de-construct your entire extension to service it?
Check their website, brilliant boom heads and extensions.
To answer the obvious question, yes I've owned a Chinook extension.
Select to expand quoteAnt-man said..Muppet said..Ant-man said..
Yep I had a similar problem. I still think they are the makers of the best hardware though. The fix for me was to go to their carbon extension, costs a fair bit but so compact around the pulleys and so easy to downhaul.
The makers of the best hardware? Really? If you compare the build quality between the 2 photos.....well I don't think there is a comparison. That streamlined looks like it was put together in someone's back shed....badly. I've had my Chinook aly for several seasons and it's still as strong as the day I bought it with no signs of corrosion (and I've never rinsed it after a session). I've no desire to go carbon as I've heard (and seen) too many breakages, especially in the surf. Happy to add a couple of hundred grams of weight for piece of mind. Also their single piece euro pin base is the best Ive found. Just need to replace the tendon occasionally as with all bases. Probably the best windsurfing investment I've made and no i don't work for Chinook nor am I sponsored by them....
Have you owned one Muppet? If not don't judge. I'm not sure how you can judge build quality from looking at an image on a screen. There is a reason they are a niche product, the don't mass produce, they specialise. Can you completely de-construct your entire extension to service it?
Check their website, brilliant boom heads and extensions.
To answer the obvious question, yes I've owned a Chinook extension.
Yes, can take it apart, but corrosion has stoped after taping threads and applying Stabil.
Select to expand quoteSandman1221 said..
Its about 5 yrs old
what age do you think is a reasonable life for products used in seawater?
Depends if competitors' products last longer and appears they do, so its a valid discussion.
My very old Chinook and Simmer ones are fine
My newer 30 cm Streamlined extension is two years old and had no galvanic corrosion before I taped the screw threads, and has not corroded since, and I use it 90% of the time and always in saltwater. Now I did disassemble the 46 cm extension (that has the galvanic corrosion) one time to clean out sand, maybe that disrupted a corrosion resistance coating on the screws?
It should be law , just buy a chinook. Replace tendon every year .
Ive had mine for over five years , use it all the time , never wash it even when it's covered with sand and still looks and works great. I don't think it will ever die.
When I restarted sailing again , seven years ago I had a new Gaastra ext and the hole wore out and cracked within a year , got a replacement and the same thing happened again . Then went to NP and because of that tiny crappy little button that got stuck with sand every time , even after washing , even when there was no sand , had to let it go .
Chinooks work covered with sand . They are like a cat , the more you abuse them , the more they love you .
Select to expand quoteImax1 said..
It should be law , just buy a chinook. Replace tendon every year .
Ive had mine for over five years , use it all the time , never wash it even when it's covered with sand and still looks and works great. I don't think it will ever die.
When I restarted sailing again , seven years ago I had a new Gaastra ext and the hole wore out and cracked within a year , got a replacement and the same thing happened again . Then went to NP and because of that tiny crappy little button that got stuck with sand every time , even after washing , even when there was no sand , had to let it go .
Chinooks work covered with sand . They are like a cat , the more you abuse them , the more they love you .
Chinook pulleys are in the wrong orientation for my sails, one reason I got the Streamlined, other than the minor galvanic corrosion on the older 46 cm ext., which has stopped by taping threads and use of Stabil, I have no complaints. And have never replaced a tendon, checked the tendon on the 5-yr old ext. and it had no cracks, and it is hot to warm year round here. If you need to replace tendon every year, you are buying the equivalent of a new ext. over time.
If you are a GPS sailor, then there is the Duotone XT 2.0 then a country mile to the rest.
Select to expand quoteSandman1221 said.. And have never replaced a tendon, checked the tendon on the 5-yr old ext. and it had no cracks.
The material itself ages, you don't need cracks. It's a bad way to save $18.
As for the pulley orientation, the man himself explains. 
Easy peasy but don't ask me to do it from the port side of the sail. I'm totally unable on that side.
Used to be a Streamlined fan boy. Their slim Euro pin design is visually appealing vs the chunky Chinook design. Broke 2 carbon extensions so switched the their aluminum extensions. Still have and use 2 aluminum Streamlined extensions. But the bolt holding the cleat to the tube has broken and been replaced on both of them so now I feel nervous about sailing offshore with them. Will go for a different style extension next time. Probably the generic GA/Simmer Style/Loft Sails euro pin design where the cleat bracket sits underneath the tube so no load bearing bolt holding cleat that can shear off.
I think the ext. SS screw heads were holding saltwater between them and the aluminum during my sessions allowing electrolysis to occur. Taped screws with teflon tape, used nylon washers to separate the two metals, and sprayed everything with Boeshield T-9 corrosion protection which leaves a waterproof layer of wax. Will see how that works. The newer ext. (on right) had minor surface corrosion under the screw heads, see pics. Second pic shows reassembled ext. with SS washers and black nylon washers.
Select to expand quotePaducah said..Sandman1221 said.. And have never replaced a tendon, checked the tendon on the 5-yr old ext. and it had no cracks.
The material itself ages, you don't need cracks. It's a bad way to save $18.
As for the pulley orientation, the man himself explains. Easy peasy but don't ask me to do it from the port side of the sail. I'm totally unable on that side.
Oh, I know how to rig the sail with a regular ext., just do not like too!
Bottom line, whoever designed this should have known the two dissimilar metals needed to be separated by a nylon washer. Glad I caught it early on the newer extension.
Streamlined are a California company, where they are made do know it.
i have a SL, several Chinook, alloy and carbon, Unifiber, Hot Sails Maui, Severne, maybe I sail Limoges olde man iam, but not a issue with any.
so you one in question, is it de graded when it's compromised ?
and if you haven't contacted Streamlined, you are just venting
Select to expand quotePaducah said..
As for the pulley orientation, the man himself explains. Easy peasy but don't ask me to do it from the port side of the sail. I'm totally unable on that side.
If I can do it port and stbd with my profound mental problems and intelligence deficit then anyone can.
Select to expand quoteforceten said..
Streamlined are a California company, where they are made do know it.
i have a SL, several Chinook, alloy and carbon, Unifiber, Hot Sails Maui, Severne, maybe I sail Limoges olde man iam, but not a issue with any.
so you one in question, is it de graded when it's compromised ?
and if you haven't contacted Streamlined, you are just venting
Last I heard Streamlined got bought out by a French group, which was very difficult to work with according to a US dealer, next I heard they went out of buisness and one website was selling the SL ext. cheap.
Unifiber makes one very similair to the SL but with some improvements including making it out of stainless steel.
Select to expand quoteAnt-man said..
Have you owned one Muppet? If not don't judge. I'm not sure how you can judge build quality from looking at an image on a screen. There is a reason they are a niche product, the don't mass produce, they specialise. Can you completely de-construct your entire extension to service it?
Check their website, brilliant boom heads and extensions.
To answer the obvious question, yes I've owned a Chinook extension.
Are you kidding! 
One can certainly comment on quality, based on the materials, pictures and comments that have been provided!
And you don't need to 'deconstruct' it if it never needs 'servicing' .
Your comments sound a little shrill.
