a question for the race boarders can a carbon boom be used at maximum extension ie 260 mm for a 210 to 260 boom on a 9.5 raceboard sail,i have a 230 to 290 alloy and it bends like a banana,i am trying to cut down on the amount of booms i need
I'm not a racer , but I am heavy , I have found out over multiple crashes that carbon is waaaaay stronger and stiffer than alloy . I wish that I bit the bullet and gone carbon because after thrashing three economical alloy booms it would have paid for a carbon one. Less extension is better. I now have a big and small carbon boom and so far with consistent crashing have not busted one ( touch wood ) . I believe that there are extreme conditions and manufacturing oddities , but , carbon is way better than alloy.
Yes ,using big sails ,carbon is a big advantage .less bend means more forward thrust.
Pro limit make a alloy - carbon ..which is a little cheaper ..and very stiff .
if your using a alloy at max it's going to bend ,then cracks appear ,then it breaks .
carbon is stiff and also very strong ....start saving ,it's worth it . 
The carbon boom at its full extension will be much better than the alloy at kid extension
So no problems going out to 229 on a 180-230 enigma? EVO 8.6
Why do they generally extend 50cm? Another tail piece that gives 220-250 would be an economical option (numbers are examples)
When i bought my enigma they said no problem at max extension. I ended up getting a longer boom in case i go bigger so no first hand experience
Modern Carbon booms at max extension is no problem at all.
So much stiffer and stronger than Alloy.
Carbon obviously costs a lot more, but if you sail regularly and want performance, then it is worth it, as you potentially never have to replace it.
ok you have convinced me i have ordered one today,thank for the replies.cheeres greg
Steve Stratfold glued my extension of my 180-226 Fibrespar carbon boom to a fixed setting of 198 cms to fit my 7m.
It saved the added weight of the clips etc.
But the biggest difference I've noticed is how much stiffer it is.
The play where the extension fits into the boom is a huge factor in boom stiffness.
Anyway,including the 200g for harness lines - the booms weighs 2.45kg
My super light carbon Maui Wave boom 170-230 including lines weighs 2.7kg which is actually 200g under spec.
Do I notice a big difference with a 250g lighter boom - carrying the rig to the water yes.
gybing - definitely
planing - not really
Select to expand quotegrich62 said..
ok you have convinced me i have ordered one today,thank for the replies.cheeres greg
hey grinch ,,,get a size that you will use the most .I have a 180 -240.
or 6.0 to 8.5 ..do still have a alloy but only for the small sails ,that don't get used much .boo hoo.
good thing about the carbon boom ,you don't have to wash them . 
..no hidden surprises like a alloy that has been in ya
shed for 6 month ....forgot to wash it ,and hello it stuck together ... 
enjoy ...you'll like it . 
Select to expand quoteTardy said..grich62 said..
ok you have convinced me i have ordered one today,thank for the replies.cheeres greg
hey grinch ,,,get a size that you will use the most .I have a 180 -240.
or 6.0 to 8.5 ..do still have a alloy but only for the small sails ,that don't get used much .boo hoo.
good thing about the carbon boom ,you don't have to wash them . ..no hidden surprises like a alloy that has been in ya
shed for 6 month ....forgot to wash it ,and hello it stuck together ...
enjoy ...you'll like it .
i ordered a 210 to 260,that will fit my 9.5 loft and my 8.5 ezzy and just scrape in the 7.5 i use these sails the most .i dont have a problem with alloys on my smaller sails, touch wood
