Choosing a decent boom - what do you rate

after breaking another X3 boom 4 months from brand new- four inches behind back harness line when landing a jump with a 4.2 - it popped when the gust filled the sail (replacement for the last x3 that broke after 10 months that also required a replacement shattered clear lever) I really want to know how long should a boom last is 4-10 months normal (alloy or carbon) or should they take a little more Pryde in the manufacture and sourcing of alloy - I have bought another one (different brand) but am seriously sick of this failure.

what does everyone rate as good long boom life - and does carbon make that much difference - signed pissed of boom breaker

In my experience Neil Pryde is not that interested in hearing about a product that has failed before its time. My only advice would be to try a HPL boom, I wouldn't use anything else. When you hold a HPL boom in your hands it feels like one piece compared to a NP boom that just feels cheap.

I broke an X3 recently too (about 5 months old) when sheeting in after a jybe . Wasn't even that windy. Clearly a material fault. Warranty policy of my local shop in Melbourne was great though, I immediatly got my money back. My first two X3 lasted a lot longer though (2 and 2.5 years, which I though is a decent lifetime for an alloy boom). My weight is only 80kg though.

Cause I was annoyed with the latest breakage I did a bit of research in the Internet and talking to people. All theory as I haven't actually tested lots booms. But it's difficult to try lots of them over longer time periods unless you buy them first .

As far as alloy is concerned I think the Technolimits King (full Ergal) is the best available alloy boom, but you pay for it (roughly as expensive as a hybrid boom). Other good alloy booms seem to be Technolimits (normal alloy), Chinook, Hydrodynamix and Aeron (in no particular order). However, usually the stronger alloy booms are either more expensive, are heavier, have a larger diameter or less extension (or a combination of the previous).

However, a number of people convinced me that alloy booms simply don't last very long if you sail in waves, do hooked in jumps etc. (even if they don't break they may bend) and in the long run may well cost more than a full carbon boom. Also I have small hands and therefore really like the smaller diameters. So I decided to go full carbon. Very expensive at first (I don't trust the cheap no-name ones) but it should last much longer (hopefully).

As far as stiffness is concerned I don't have much experience but I have used both a full carbon boom and a hybrid boom (alloy front, carbon back). The full carbon really made a big difference! The rig feels much better (more direct and doesn't flex as much) especially when it's gusty and pumping works better! The hybrid didn't feel much stiffer than an alloy boom (halfway extended). The weight difference (if there was one) didn't make much difference either, but a smaller diameters (<30mm) feel much better IMHO. I also think both the full carbon and hybrid boom have a lower swing weight (probably lighter extension piece).

That's my 0.02 cents. I'm not affiliated in any way with any of the brands mentioned nor the shops that sell them.

you have 2 choices:

1. buy Ali, then when you crash an burn you break your boom or bend it.

2. buy carbon and smash you ribs up when you eat it.

I have noticed that guys that weigh less than 75kg, can get away with Ali for ages no dramas (like i used to). Guys bigger than 80kgs i would always recomend carbon on principal.

I've been told by some crew that the carbon booms can get a bit scetchy after 2 years and could and do snap.

For around $1200 for a carbon version and poentionaly only lasting a few years with no or very little weigth benifits I'll be buying the alloy ones and replace every 18 to 24 months.(if needed)

Both types of boomshave there problems, I think the boom needs a redesign.

For the record I use a chinook wave boom...its worked well.

currently have a chinook wave carbon boom (2005) which is very close to being replaced, the boom has had one arm replaced (broke near mast clamp) a year ago, having said that the boom has had an absolute flogging and there is no way an alloy boom could handle some of the poor landings that have occurred. Probably will notbuy chinook again due to the narrow nature of the boom which does not allow a 5.5m sail to rig without touching when powered and think that the neil pryde x9 looks like a good option as wider near harness lines

some carbon booms do break.

i broke 2 carbon booms, first one i sheared the boom arm in 2 the other one let go at the head after a big crash. both booms same brand. and they were not NP.

i changed to KA carbon booms and have not broken a boom since. (having had lots of big crashes )

Very happy with my Chinook Alloy. I see some of you have broken Chinooks. I am 87kg on a 145lt board for three years it it still going strong. Everything from 7.4m in the bay to 4.8m in 40 knts at Sandy Pt and many hard and heavy crashes along the way.

Have 2 Aeron full alloy after breaking my hybrid, love the shape and value for money. All good thus far.

I've got a couple pryde x6 hybrid's at the moment but after breaking 2 in the last couple years i cant really recomend them, The 2 i've got at the moment dont feel as stiff as when they were new and i predict will most probably fail by the end of the year, the first x6 i had exploded in 3 peices while bearing away in a gust at lake george 2 years ago a nice reward for the $500+ price tag

I'm in the market too - have found the carbons dont seem to break and I am hard on my gear. Used Chinook last 2 years and the adjustable system at the back finally wore out. My fin stuffs up the grip a bit too.

Got Pryde X6 boom and stuffed after 6 months. Bought an x9 but the grip was damaged when I unwrapped it.

I am now thinking of either going back to Chinook carbon or looking at Gaastra carbon boom. Has anyone ever tried the Gaastra?

In terms of cost they seem to be expensive (around $1000 per boom) - for most full carbon booms - but at least they don't seem to break or flex then break where the head joins the arms or in the arms.

This comes from someone who lands one handed forwards hooked in with one arm off the boom - so I cane them a fair bit!

I thought you were all full of sh!t - until today. first use of a carbon boom absolutely crappy sailing day with all the rain but yes ,now I understand.