I've got the 2018 Enigma 180-230 which is a super strong and quite heavy race boom let down by a poor head and pulley system. I also have just bought a 2nd hand North Platinum which I've only owned a short while but looks great so far.
I have a North Platinum Aero wave boom - the lightest boom on the market, but the head was all loose and wobbly after less than 2 seasons. I have an Enigma wave and it too developed a loose head after about a season. My first boom - NP X9 160-210, is 5 years old and the head still sits firmly (if only someone would regrip it for me). AFAIK, NP and Streamlined are the only ones to have carbon heads.
Faff, hmmm Victoria. I may be speaking out of turn. But contact Imax1. Hes a bit of a regrip Vgrip fella. Its not even hard to do. Can you handle contact cement n a bit of sandpaper? About 2 arvos work. You could do it yourself really
Theres a few vids around on how to. Couple o threads on SB as well. Removing the old grip is the boring part, but still easy.
Thanks Tardy. The Chinook 160-226 looks like it fits the bill. The website shows a video of the new loop and go outhaul, but no pulleys. The actual pictures show a pulley each side of loop/go fitting. ![]()
I will check oy that Severne boom as well. I like that it is slightly wider. Thanks Remery. Enjoy you flight. ![]()
Edit. Where did you find that Enigma boom inside measuremen Remery? I cant find it on their website.
This photo perfectly illustrates why the small wave booms are useless for smaller speed sails, as great as they might be for wave sailing:

Sailquik, I bought one of those 160 - 226 Chinook booms, thinking it would fit all but my smallest sail (4m).
Unfortunately it won't go small enough for the 4.9 Koncept (boom supposedly 161) and it won't quite go small enough for the 5.4 - boom length 175! either. I need to cut about 15 cm off the back, which I am reluctant to do.
Maybe manufacturers are as lax about boom measurements as they are with harness lines, or maybe the back of the boom which is not covered by grip is meant to be cut off for the smaller measurements?.
I love the feel of the boom, but it is annoying to have to use my $10 op-shop Sunshine boom for my three smallest sails when I have a lovely new carbon boom
Oh, that is annoying. I guess when I get close to buying I will have to actually measure first.
The consolations, that the alloy booms are plenty stiff enough for the small sails 4m, 4,2, 4,4, 4.6/7 and 5/5.2, And I use an old'ish carbon boom with old school dimensions for the 4.7m and 5/5.2m usually, but it won't last forever.
All my speed PB's are using Alloy booms. ![]()
Oh, that is annoying. I guess when I get close to buying I will have to actually measure first.
The consolations, that the alloy booms are plenty stiff enough for the small sails 4m, 4,2, 4,4, 4.6/7 and 5/5.2, And I use an old'ish carbon boom with old school dimensions for the 4.7m and 5/5.2m usually, but it won't last forever.
All my speed PB's are using Alloy booms. ![]()
my $10 op shop Sunshine boom is corroding where the boom arms screw to the front. Can you still buy those booms? I had better get another for when this one breaks. It is just the right shape and size.
Here's my short list .
chinook 180-246 $1169.
neilpryde $ .1495
They're both good quality products, so you can't go wrong. I'm sure you'll find people with positive feedback on both. And unfortunately we're not likely to get any reliable data with stiffness and strength.
Personally, I would choose the NP on a subjective basis due to:
a) always had a great reputation for quality
b) I like the brand
c) quality of the head and tail visually to me looks better
d) price doesn't affect my decision too much
Others will love the Chinook, all good.
Hopefully you can find a NP retailer and get some extra discount off RRP.
Enjoy whichever one you choose.
I have preference for the Pryde boom for all the performance and quality reasons mentioned but Also because the design is less fiddly when rigging, particularly getting the boom head on and around mast / sail sleeve. The head design seems to be well optimised. Also the clip in RDM mast shim is great, way less fiddly than having to sleeve the mast first like my other boom.
however my biggest gripe with the boom is the ** metal they use in the cam cleat which corrodes quickly and the fix is having to buy a new handle. I'm sure that Pryde do this on purpose to make money as consumable. I have a 15 y.o. no name carbon boom and the cleat still looks as good as new. Edit.... I just remembered that I have a Maui sails boom head on that one.
my second gripe, but this is with most carbon booms. The metal in the locking pins reacts with the carbon, corrodes and causes the clips to break too regularly. There must be another metal or compound to solve this problem. But again it's more profitable to sell replacements than to fix the problem. So when buying a boom make sure these are readily available as spares (I had a lot of trouble getting the correct replacement for a Naish boom) and they're not too expensive.
I have had a few booms so heres my 10 cents worth.
Chinook - Felt like a noodle at long extension
North Platinum - Thick main tubes good if you have large hands, The clips are made of a hard plastic type and the pins corrode slightly causing craking of the plastic clip over time.
Aeron - Good solid boom
AL360 RTE - Best boom I have owned. The tubes are v grip where you hold so is very comfortable ( no more callus) super light, clips and clamp still solid after 2 years of constant use. My grips has been good, only worn where harness lines attach as I turn them inwards after each session.
AL360 - Normal version, all of the above.
The new Enigma Wave 140 190 Boom has a Severne- and a Enigma lettering on the boom grip which istnt the same material as the grip.
Is that a problem? Isnt it harder to hold on the slick places with the logo?
It was always like that..... and its not where u grab it much (maybe duck gybes only?). Even then it does not matter as the inside of the grip - where all the force is applied with your fingers - is still normal grip.
AL360 carbon slim is the best option if you want to sail for the full day without forearm pump / fatigue.
AL360 carbon feels decent quality, but the quality of the plastic components is rubbish though.
The Al slim is for years the same. It is for sure a very good one. My brother also got one. But i think i will go for the severne. It is even lighter than the AL 360. The only thing i am curious about is the grip. But i think it will be no problem when it has been always like that. If it is a problem they would have changed it.