Getting close to replacing my old naish 140 - 190 Al Wave boom and wondering are the carbon booms really worth the extra cash.

Q1. Do they significantly increase the efficiency of the sail due to the stiffness ? IE will the average hack feel the difference ?

Q2 And do they reduce fatigue ?
When you compare the weight difference there is as little as 20 grams between them. Six to seven hundred dollars for a 20 gram saving in weight just seems over the top. Or is this when question one comes into play?

Yes.

Do it

SEVERNE ENIGMA by far the best!!

A while ago I would have answered your questions :

Q1 : pffft. I can't believe so and the average hack probably can't notice any difference whatsoever
Q2 : bollocks. 20 grams for $700 bucks !! The average hack won't gain $700 of better value in their life


errrr.... then I got a 100% carbon wave boom.

and so the real answer is

Q1 : yes
Q2 : yes
any other question you have about carbon booms : just get one, stop asking questions

I got a an enigma severne boom. It's worth every penny. Plus booms give you great value because you hardly ever have to upgrade.

Select to expand quote

fishlogan said..
I got a an enigma severne boom. It's worth every penny. Plus booms give you great value because you hardly ever have to upgrade.

Yes and carbon does not get corrosion like alloy when you don't rinse them.
If you're an "average hack", it will last you forever.

it's more the diameter of the grip (Thiner boom is better) that will reduce the fatigue. not the material or the weight.

Select to expand quote

ggh said..

Q1. Do they significantly increase the efficiency of the sail due to the stiffness ? IE will the average hack feel the difference ?

Q2. And do they reduce fatigue ?

Q3. When you compare the weight difference there is as little as 20 grams between them. Six to seven hundred dollars for a 20 gram saving in weight just seems over the top. Or is this when question one comes into play?

A1. You will be able to feel the difference i.e. the increased stiffness and reduced weight of the carbon boom, however I think it is unlikely this would translate into any noticeable sail efficiency improvement for an average sailor (although it does feel much better).

A2. Looking at the 140-190 specs of the Platinum Aero 1.85kg vs Silver 2.35kg, the weight difference is 0.5kg. Approx 20% reduction. This is significant but in the context of holding a 5m sail in a 20kt breeze it is relatively small, hence I think it would be unlikely to noticeably reduce fatigue.

A3. As above, the difference is more like 0.5kg which is a significant weight saving and may be worth the extra money depending on your circumstances.

Summary of benefits:
a) noticeably lighter when not blasting (ie in gybes, transitions, carrying)
b) noticeably stiffer
c) increased strength & durability

Based on (a) and (b) it is generally more enjoyable when using a light & strong carbon boom.

If you're 80kgs or less, no.
But if you're a fatboy, definitely yes!

Just be aware that if you have big hands that some carbon booms are just too skinny and counter productive when it comes to grip strength. I've found that having to over wrap your hand around the boom is bad for tendonitis also.

The stiffness is nice though, especially when pumping.

Paid 800dolls for a carbon boom, loved it, snapped it after less than 2 years.
Went back to alloy (Naish, monocoque, $250dolls). The shape is great, grip and handle as well, and going strong. If it breaks/torns, I ll be able to buy another 2 and still be in the money.
New alloy booms are stronger and have better shapes than the old versions.
A lot of guys I see ripping do have alloy booms.
To me Carbon is a bit of a luxury, and worth it if you are not counting the money you spend on windsurfing gear.
I m a light sailor, and sailing only in waves (pure performance less important than in slalom).

Enigma Wave Boom, best money I have ever spent on windsurfing kit and I have had quite a few carbon booms over the years. Have never broken a carbon boom but am a relative light weight at 70kg, can't say the same for aluminium...

Piece of mind with carbon is priceless.

I used to go through a boom every six months. Swimming back in with a broken boom after you've spent 15 minutes rerigging it so that it sails on the other side, only to have it break again is... tedious.

Then I got a carbon wave boom and it's still going strong.
Then I got another carbon boom for larger sails, and it's still going strong.

They're great. Get one secondhand if you can't afford new.

Hands down for carbon booms.
BUT if you aren't treating gear well (throwing it around, put a lot of weight on the booms during travel) and crash on rocks couple of times per month, then stay with the cheaper option, your gear will break anyways. ( just a carbon end piece during shipping my gear, ever leave your boom extended when not used!!!!)
For any other average dude, carbon booms will improve your sailing and fun on the water big toes.
If it is worth it? Depending on your cash flow and how much you like to have fun.
~Shinobi

You will feel the difference in the first gust. There will be no give as the boom flexes just extra power which you will then learn to deal with and then appreciate. I find I use a better and lighter grip on the boom when using my carbon one.

They do break. The sound of carbon breaking is not a good sound to hear while sailing. First you check your body for damage. Then your mast and work your way back towards the board from there.

If you can afford it grab one.

Sweet thanks for the feed back everyone.

Have been putting a few dollars away so can afford it just didn't want to find out it was a bit of a con when using small booms. I am also just getting over a bout of tendinitis caused from work and sailing. So extra money on fatigue is probably money well spent.

I have always had aluminium booms, and suffered a few snapped booms while out a fair way from shore. I managed to picked up a good carbon boom last year as well as a near-new aluminium boom. I used the carbon for my bigger sail at 5.2 sq M, and the aluminium boom for smaller sails at 4.7 and 4.2. I noticed the carbon boom flexes less.

With the aluminium boom, I can't tell the difference in terms of flexibility because it is used for smaller sails, hence shorter extensions. Strangely enough, although I have shorter fingers, I actually quite like the larger diameter grip of the aluminium boom. It just goes to show that gear selection is a very subjective matter.

They ae very good. Last much longer than non carbon and sail is better as less flex. Worth every cent.

I found changing to The thinner diameter enigma carbon means its easy to over grip the boom, your forearm muscles contract more and blow up when fully overdone in the surf - you have to relax your grip or pay with the forearm pump - thats my experience any way

severn carbon boom got to be the best on the market / it is good

Really makes a huge difference ............to your rig

Oh 150 to 200 or is it 140 to 190 ................less extension the better .......... go the 150 200 if not using supper small sails better for your mid range and larger rigs

got to be one piece of equipment that if your replacing is a must and worth it, even though da pocket takes a hit ......................dont get an ally

I have the enigma carbon boom. It's my favorite piece of kit.

I also just got the super lightweight version of the severne S1. I now refer to it as cheating. I can uphaul with two fingers around the mast.