I'm getting a couple of skinnies - any recommendations for extensions and bases? Any issues going secondhand?
Thanks, P
Paddy, I have the chinook pin base http://www.chinooksailing.com/products/product_info.php?products_id=110
and the aeron skinny alloy extension. www.aeronsport.com/Web/index.html
All good.
Secondhand look for wear in the fixings (pin or cup) that hold the base into the extension and that the pulleys still rotate smoothly. Make sure you change the rope. Formuline is expensive but makes downhauling a breeze.
A new base is a good investment. But if you do go secondhand look for (looseness) wear and replace the tendon or joint.
The chinook tendons (holes at 90 to each other 31.95) are more expensive than others at $20.
I have a couple of spare chinook cup double bolt base plates if you need em.
I've been running the pro limit euro pin extensions for a while. Has been sweet; is still dead straight and I like the fact the base is super slim line which can be an issue on some brands.
Another thing to look for is extensions that use the holes drilled through the extension rather than the 'depressed ring' setup to adjust the length. I don't know how other people fare with them but i've bent every single one i've ever had that has used that locking style. I've never had a chinook one though and I believe they use super burley wall tubing to avoid this.
Alu http://www.pro-limit.com/displayitemv10comp.php?item_id=5124
Carbon www.pro-limit.com/displayitemv10comp.php?item_id=5132
Edit: I'd also choose an extension/base that uses a Boge style tendon rather than the super thin Pryde style one. WAY stronger and the seatbelt webbing common on the Boge style bases will actually keep the mast attached if the tendon breaks.
