I have used a wave boom (North platinum) on my small Koncepts (4m - 5.8) but the boom is not really wide enough for the draft to be as full as I would like.
I am after recommendations for small booms with wide arms, Ideally to fit sails with 150 - 190 boom length.
1. Carbon,
2. Needs to fit RDM mast
3. needs to have a 3 pulley back end
4. narrow grip

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Windxtasy said..
I have used a wave boom (North platinum) on my small Koncepts (4m - 5.8) but the boom is not really wide enough for the draft to be as full as I would like.
I am after recommendations for small booms with wide arms, Ideally to fit sails with 150 - 190 boom length.
1. Carbon,
2. Needs to fit RDM mast
3. needs to have a 3 pulley back end
4. narrow grip

Yes that is an issue..I could have done with that 4m yesterday..
I'e got a Simmer hybrid ( carbon rear end ) but it's 160 -220..they may have a shorter version?

The choice is limited for wide small booms. Check out the chinook pro1 Carbon, their small booms are pretty wide, around 47cm/48cm. They do a 150-200 and 160-210. They list the internal width for each individual size.

AL360 E3 Carbon slalom booms are all 49cm internal width, the the shortest is 180cm. AL360 will do a cut-down version for speed sailors (I have a 180cm cut down to 170cm). They are not on the website, but they will do one on request.

x-booms do a 165cm slalom boom, internal width 49cm.

you'll need rdm adapters for all the above.

I think it would be difficult to find what you are after as booms seem to have gotten skinnier over the last few years.

It might be possible to cut down a larger boom to cover that range, which would generally leave you with a wider boom. It would take a bit of effort though in making sure the tail piece still had enough room to move.

I just had a look at one of my older chinook carbon booms and they are 170-235. The boom locks are only retained with a hole in the arm, so it seems possible that you could trim about 10cm off them without drama, and more if you also trimmed the tailpiece. It might be too complex to do though.

At home I have some of the older NP/(some other manufacturer) carbon booms that used that twist-lock setup. They seemed a bit wider than the current range, so that might be a second-hand option.

As for the 3 pulley back-end, when I first started sailing I used a triple-block ronstan pulley on one boom and they made outhauling a breeze. If you find a boom the right size, you might see if you can rig it with one of those?

All my booms are setup for SDM, but I use the Ezzy RDM mast shim, and it works perfectly.

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mark62 said..
The choice is limited for wide small booms. Check out the chinook pro1 Carbon, their small booms are pretty wide, around 47cm/48cm. They do a 150-200 and 160-210. They list the internal width for each individual size.

AL360 E3 Carbon slalom booms are all 49cm internal width, the the shortest is 180cm. AL360 will do a cut-down version for speed sailors (I have a 180cm cut down to 170cm). They are not on the website, but they will do one on request.

x-booms do a 165cm slalom boom, internal width 49cm.

you'll need rdm adapters for all the above.

It looks like the chinooks have do not have the pulleys for adjustable outhaul...

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Windxtasy said..

mark62 said..
The choice is limited for wide small booms. Check out the chinook pro1 Carbon, their small booms are pretty wide, around 47cm/48cm. They do a 150-200 and 160-210. They list the internal width for each individual size.

AL360 E3 Carbon slalom booms are all 49cm internal width, the the shortest is 180cm. AL360 will do a cut-down version for speed sailors (I have a 180cm cut down to 170cm). They are not on the website, but they will do one on request.

x-booms do a 165cm slalom boom, internal width 49cm.

you'll need rdm adapters for all the above.

It looks like the chinooks have do not have the pulleys for adjustable outhaul...

It would be interesting to see if such a small boom size comes with a triple pulley setup from any manufacturer. I would be surprised, as a small boom like that is normally for wave sailing I would think.

Chinook do sell the replacement pulley setup, although I don't know if it replaces the loop and go existing one:

chinooksailing.com/collections/boom-parts-accessories/products/out-haul-pulley-block-includes-riviets

I think Surf Sail sell this or their own version.

Years ago, I remember NP selling their booms with a loop and go backend and you could replace it with the pulley setup by drilling out the rivet and then riveting in the new one.

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FormulaNova said..

Windxtasy said..

mark62 said..
The choice is limited for wide small booms. Check out the chinook pro1 Carbon, their small booms are pretty wide, around 47cm/48cm. They do a 150-200 and 160-210. They list the internal width for each individual size.

AL360 E3 Carbon slalom booms are all 49cm internal width, the the shortest is 180cm. AL360 will do a cut-down version for speed sailors (I have a 180cm cut down to 170cm). They are not on the website, but they will do one on request.

x-booms do a 165cm slalom boom, internal width 49cm.

you'll need rdm adapters for all the above.

It looks like the chinooks have do not have the pulleys for adjustable outhaul...

It would be interesting to see if such a small boom size comes with a triple pulley setup from any manufacturer. I would be surprised, as a small boom like that is normally for wave sailing I would think.

Chinook do sell the replacement pulley setup, although I don't know if it replaces the loop and go existing one:

chinooksailing.com/collections/boom-parts-accessories/products/out-haul-pulley-block-includes-riviets

I think Surf Sail sell this or their own version.

Years ago, I remember NP selling their booms with a loop and go backend and you could replace it with the pulley setup by drilling out the rivet and then riveting in the new one.

I did replace the loop and go setup on my current boom with a pulley system. I may need to do that again.
The loop and go is quicker to set up, you wouldn't want the pulleys if you did not use the adjustable outhaul, but you do need them if you want to run an adjustable outhaul.
Companies do make smaller speed sails and slalom sails. You would think someone would make a boom to suit.
Another way in which lighter female sailors are disadvantaged in this sport.

BTW Chinook seem to be the only company that provides useful stats about their booms - inside width between the arms for instance.
Most companies provide adjustment length and grip diameter only.

I like Neil Pryde's integrated adjustable outhaul but the smallest boom it comes on rules out most of my sails.

i was going to say you might have to call up Karin Jaggi while she's still in the state to see if she has any sitting around from her Luderitz campaign ??
but it looks as though she was using the asymmetric booms from Patrik

That is exactly why I use small alloy booms for the smallest speed sails.
-They are wide if you get the right brands, or it is vey easy to cut down a longer wider one.
-They come with, or can be easily fitted with a 3 pulley rear end
-They are plently stiff at lengths I use 155 - 170cm
-They are pretty much the same weight as a short Carbon boom.
-They cost a tiny fraction of what a (wrong shape) carbon boom costs.

You could also look around for an older, wider style second hand carbon boom?

But you are right, the newer short carbon, and most of the 'teardrop' shape alloy booms are waaaay too narrow for smaller speed sails.

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sailquik said..
That is exactly why I use small alloy booms for the smallest speed sails.
-They are wide if you get the right brands, or it is vey easy to cut down a longer wider one.
-They come with, or can be easily fitted with a 3 pulley rear end
-They are plently stiff at lengths I use 155 - 170cm
-They are pretty much the same weight as a short Carbon boom.
-They cost a tiny fraction of what a (wrong shape) carbon boom costs.

You could also look around for an older, wider style second hand carbon boom?

But you are right, the newer short carbon, and most of the 'teardrop' shape alloy booms are waaaay too narrow for smaller speed sails.

food for thought.
Any brand recommendations?

See PM.

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Stuthepirate said..
i was going to say you might have to call up Karin Jaggi while she's still in the state to see if she has any sitting around from her Luderitz campaign ??
but it looks as though she was using the asymmetric booms from Patrik

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Stuthepirate said..
i was going to say you might have to call up Karin Jaggi while she's still in the state to see if she has any sitting around from her Luderitz campaign ??
but it looks as though she was using the asymmetric booms from Patrik

Nuts! Karin was here in Busselton last Friday and the team too out on foils next to the jetty. She was rigging a 7.8 at about 630pm. Had a quick hello. She and Patrik have come down to help with the kids in Dunno too. Where with the team pop up next?

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Stuthepirate said..
i was going to say you might have to call up Karin Jaggi while she's still in the state to see if she has any sitting around from her Luderitz campaign ??
but it looks as though she was using the asymmetric booms from Patrik

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Stuthepirate said..
i was going to say you might have to call up Karin Jaggi while she's still in the state to see if she has any sitting around from her Luderitz campaign ??
but it looks as though she was using the asymmetric booms from Patrik

Nuts! Karin was here in Busselton last Friday and the team too out on foils next to the jetty. She was rigging a 7.8 at about 630pm. Had a quick hello. She and Patrik have come down to help with the kids in Dunno too. Where with the team pop up next?

There are quite a few of us who sail at Sandy Point who have regularly used KA Koncept speed sails in sizes 4.0m, 4.2m, 4.3m, 4,4m and 4.6m over the years, and none us wears a dress, at least not in public.

Even Big Tony used his 4.4m on sept 27, 2009 for his 49 knots runs! Spotty was on a 5.0m for his 50!

At that time we didnt have a 4m Koncept, but us smaller guys were wishing we did have!

The modern wave and freestyle teardrop shaped boom is hopeless with these sails. Far too narrow. The older, wider shape booms are good if you can find them, and they are still around if you look hard enough, especially in Aluminium.

For me, the interesting things was that at Luderitz, even when when the wind was 40-55 knots, I could not use even the 4.6m, let alone the 4.2m. The course was far too broad that day and as soon as I was in the course, at 140+ off the wind, with the 4.6m, I was underpowered between gusts.

At Sandy Point, the run-in is longer (tight angle) before you get to 130-135 angle and the wind more laminar and constant (or at least it used to be ). It was always faster to use the smallest sail you could get full power on. That also applies here on most of the really good easterlies.

On courses where the wind is less laminar, and much more gusty, larger sails are needed. Sandy Point has become more like that now.

I have a severne enigma carbon slalom boom that goes down to 170cm . it has a three pulley back end plus a good hook and loop for quick rigging as an alterative. i used with it a reflex 5.2 at shark bay in about 40kts a few days before new year . I regularly use it with a 7.8 and its in its third season. its a great boom nice grip and stiff the rear adjustment plastic bits on the tube crack but give no problems. I keep my eyes open and havent seen anything better..

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Piv said..
I have a severne enigma carbon slalom boom that goes down to 170cm . it has a three pulley back end plus a good hook and loop for quick rigging as an alterative. i used with it a reflex 5.2 at shark bay in about 40kts a few days before new year . I regularly use it with a 7.8 and its in its third season. its a great boom nice grip and stiff the rear adjustment plastic bits on the tube crack but give no problems. I keep my eyes open and havent seen anything better..

170 is still too long for my two smallest sails - 4 (153) and 4.9 (167).
I use the 4m rarely but the 4.9 fairly regularly, and my best speed was with the 4.9 (although I wished I had rigged the 4 that day)

I'm crap at Diy, but it's fairly straight forward to cut a boom down. Before I got AL360's, I did cut down an old HPL Carbon race boom, ended up nice n wide.

maybe a secondhand cut down is way to go?

www.facebook.com/ptmiriam/videos/1929078784010310/

Miriam has the solution. I my self have the small North slalom boom on order for the spring. It Goes down to 170 and my smallest speedsail is 169 (5,0)

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Kasper79 said..
www.facebook.com/ptmiriam/videos/1929078784010310/

Miriam has the solution. I my self have the small North slalom boom on order for the spring. It Goes down to 170 and my smallest speedsail is 169 (5,0)

Wow, she is very hands-on. I'm not sure I would build the back end the same way, but I guess that's one way to do it.

In the comments, someone refers to the excellent article that I have seen before:

www.peterman.dk/windsurf-NP-X9-boom-shortening-1000.htm

Windsurf and Snow in Sydney did the same thing for me years ago when I wanted my Formula boom to cover a 9m and a 13m. It was too long for the 9m, but with 10cms off it was perfect.

Making or fitting a wider rear helps a bit, but it has less effect towards the front, or harness line area where you need that max width to get a satisfactorily deep draught in the sail. If you start with a modern narrow front wave boom you will struggle to gain enough.

My short alloy boom is wide enough, but I have experimented with using a wider rear end from an older KA race boom. Here are the pics and measurements:

Boom set at 156cm (Edit: the rear harness strap is approx 50cm back)

Measurement is back from inside head clamp (front of mast) - width is Inside boom.

Standard Wave boom: 50cm back = 40cm, 60 back cm = 36cm.

Boom with wide rear: 50cm back = 42cm, 60cm back = 40cm

This alloy standard wave boom which is nice width anyhow. (it is a Sunshine Wave Pro, but it is identical to the older model KA Boom)




narrow and wide rear ends:


Wide end fitted:



Another view - short and fat! :

Miriam's handiwork is impressive but that looks a bit too technical for me.
I have found locally a chinook pro carbon boom 160 - 226 with a wide three pulley back end which happened to be on sale this week.
It is the widest of the short booms I could find, (similar to Daffy's sunshine boom) measuring 43 cm inside width at the back harness line. If I leave it as is it will fit all but my smallest sail - which I can always run on my North boom. If I cut off 10 cm as per the Neil Pryde link above (thanks FormulaNova), it will fit ALL my sails (4 - 7.5) and still won't be at full extension.

Ah, the days when you could order Custom Booms, hey Daffy


I sold a Proto Type boom last week $50.

Perfect for a small speed sail.
165 - 190 which could have been shortened with a hack saw
All 2mm thick alloy (heat treated), monocoque construction.
Head to fit either RDM or SDM
28mm grip
Rear end suitable for Hydro Adjustable Outhaul.

Only problem, it had yellow grip at the front

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AUS 808 said..
Ah, the days when you could order Custom Booms, hey Daffy


I sold a Proto Type boom last week $50.

Perfect for a small speed sail.
165 - 190 which could have been shortened with a hack saw
All 2mm thick alloy (heat treated), monocoque construction.
Head to fit either RDM or SDM
28mm grip
Rear end suitable for Hydro Adjustable Outhaul.

Only problem, it had yellow grip at the front

Yep! There is something very familiar about those booms.