Hi all,
Looking for a new boom in the 180-230/190-240 range, I'm debating between Severne Alu Race and Duotone Silver.
My other booms are old North Sails, so I'm looking for better stiffness and weight. Please notice that carbon booms are discarded.
My only option is to order online, not so many choices available here. Maybe add Nautix and Prolimit. Sadly, no chance to check them by myself.
From the manufacturers site:

-Severne Alu Race is monocoque, increased diameter at the tail (?), T8 aluminum, 29 mm grip, don't know weight. I read somewhere that the tail is quite long, so even at full extension there is still half a meter of the tail inside the front tubes (true?) , if so great for stiffness but I fear about the weight.

-Duotone Silver is three piece, oval shape tail tube, 7075 aluminum, 29.5 mm grip, 2.75 kg. Know nothing about it. The finish of my older NS Silver booms is superb, so I`d expect the same on Duotone.

Could someone with first hand experience on them give me some advice? Noticeable user differences?
Thank you very much in advance, S.

Chinook not readily available where you are? The Pro 1 is pretty stout, especially in the slalom-oriented 185-240 size. The front end works for SDM/RDM and is sturdy and reliable. The RDG version is ok for smaller sails but for bigger rigs the 29mm Pro 1 Alu is better and not all that heavy. The Chinook Carbon lags behind other brands in stiffness but the Alu is a good choice.

No, there arent Chinook booms available around here, sadly. At least under the brand name Chinook. Some smaller items like pulleys, bases or extensions are available. American made products use to be scarce here in europe.
I have just checked the possibility of buying overseas but the cost of shipping, import taxes and duties is insane.
Thank you anyway for the advice.

Is there an active second hand windsurf on line market in your area? If so, then you should consider a second hand carbon boom.

Duotone also have the less expensive EPX carbon booms that you could consider

I know you've discarded carbon, however if your gear will be exposed to salty water, I wouldn't trust aluminium unless you either clean it after each session or replace it after a season in which case carbon is still more economical over time, not even mentioning the other benefits.

I've got a couple of the duotone booms. I can't tell you if they're any stiffer than other booms.
The annoying thing about the 160-220 one is that the rdm adapter doesn't stick to the boom, so there is a risk of losing it when unrigging. And the outhaul line is too short.

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Mr Milk said..
I've got a couple of the duotone booms. I can't tell you if they're any stiffer than other booms.
The annoying thing about the 160-220 one is that the rdm adapter doesn't stick to the boom, so there is a risk of losing it when unrigging. And the outhaul line is too short.

First world problems.
Stop talking to your mates and concentrate when derigging and change the line

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Mr Milk said..
I've got a couple of the duotone booms. I can't tell you if they're any stiffer than other booms.
The annoying thing about the 160-220 one is that the rdm adapter doesn't stick to the boom, so there is a risk of losing it when unrigging. And the outhaul line is too short.

Hmmm, both my old North Sails booms have the adapter attached to the boom with somekind of rotating clip (iFront 1). Looks somewhat flimsy but they are still working right after the years. Are you sure? Good to know, separate adapters are a pain. The Severne lockjaw system looks to fit both RDM and SDM without adapters (I think).
Funny, I replaced the outhaul line with a longer one in one of them. The other still keep the original one.

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Awalkspoiled said..
Chinook not readily available where you are? The Pro 1 is pretty stout, especially in the slalom-oriented 185-240 size. The front end works for SDM/RDM and is sturdy and reliable. The RDG version is ok for smaller sails but for bigger rigs the 29mm Pro 1 Alu is better and not all that heavy. The Chinook Carbon lags behind other brands in stiffness but the Alu is a good choice.

Hi, I finally have found the Pro-1! Seem to be new old stock. Quite close to the Alu Race, same tapered end specs, weight, etc. but with a little different shape. At the end a bit more pricey (not an issue).
There is a noticeable printed weight difference between Duotone Silver and Severne/Chinook (1kg=2.2lbs!!). Still debating myself.

I have the longest Silver boom, it's great quality and durable, you have to remember that Duotone does not recommend using the boom near max extension. It's essentially 20 cm shorter than what it says.

Only brands of aluminum booms used and owned have been the Chinook Pro, Chinook Sport Gorge 130cm-?, and Aeron. All have been reliable, but shorter life span relative to the carbon booms. Small hands, but preference to larger 29mm grip of the Chinook Pro. Newer Aeron are T-9 alloy with 29mm grip. My windsurf friends from the EU and GB noted that Aeron manufactures booms for other brands. RRD branded T-9 specs similar to the Aeron.

My +90kg windsurfing friend has broken Chinook aluminum booms a few times. At least once at both ends (tail and head). 7.5 to 9.0M sails. He has never broke a carbon fiber Chinook boom. I'm a relative lightweight at 59kg. Large sail for me is a 6.5M. So far, over 30 seasons have broken everything but a boom. The Jinx has been set:). Something to consider if you are heavier and using larger sails.

Have you looked at the Unifiber boom. I just picked up an alu HD. Comfortable narrow v-grip, innovative removable double boom head. Extremely sollid connection to the mast.