Recently these got a good review in Boards magazine. Was hoping to get some real world feedback on these booms, good or bad. I'm after good, stiff boom for the bigger freeride setup. Cheers!

Hi ejmack,

I have been using chinook booms for quite a while as they're cheap and I was a student up until now. I am on to my 5th (6th?) Slalom in around 3 years (HALF OF THESE ARE WARRANTY BOOMS!!!) and I am a lightweight at around 74 kilos. I sail mostly river chop and ocean swell and sail an average amount - although I do sail pretty hard when I go out. The most recent 2 or 3 booms have been Giant Pro Slalom Monos 165-227 as seen here:

http://www.chinooksailing.com/products/product_info.php?cPath=1_82&products_id=265

I believe it is this boom that you are referring to.

I normally rig them at around the 185-195cm range of outhaul and they are by no means a stiff boom from what I have experienced. They can be seen to noticeably flex when sailing (when looking back down the boom arm) and I would close my eyes if rigging them anywhere near the 227 mark - And I don't weigh much!! They are however much better than the previous giant slalom which used removable arms so that may be something of a plus to some people.

Typically I get less than a year out of mine before the boom snaps at the head and I go back and claim my warranty replacement . This may just be the norm for all ali booms though.

If you're after a boom for the bigger rigs I would say go carbon (if the finances can support it)

Hi snake. Thanks for your honest feedback. That doesn't sound good at all. I was going to ask what you were running your booms at but the lengths you are using seem well within the range. I was looking at the next size up, the 185-247 cm but I can't see those being and better going by your experiences. I may have to go another carbon for my Freeride/slalom gear. As I have often heard - once you use a carbon it's hard to go back. I thought alloy booms may have improved over the past few years.

I have the Pro1 alloy 185-247?. I got the smaller one originally and decided to upgrade to the stiffer one with the thicker back end, as it was to be used at 222extension, and the 165 model was almost maxed out with such long extension. it really is nearly as stiff as a carbon but the trade off is the weight at the back due to the extra metal. It tapers about where you put your hand into a gybe from 29mm to 32mm diameter tubing.

I believe the newer ones are less heavy at the back end, mine is from last year. I confess to be a team rider for them now, but bought this before that happened (last week I joined).

This might not help but I have the base model 2011 Chinook Slalom alloy 152-214 and I was pleasantly surprised by its stiffness and overall feeling of quality. It's certainly the stiffest boom I've ever used. As to longevity, with alloys I anticipate a getting new boom on a yearly basis (or say about 3000k of sailing). Cheap insurance against a breakage out at sea.

Ok, thanks guys. Sounds like the alloy chinook slalom booms are not too bad after all.

ejmack, I have never had a problem with the boom head, and the new ones are very simliar to every other brand, something I liked about the triple clamp (older) ones was the different style and the long lever.
Last year I sailed at least 1000nmi with the boom, it has hardly worn in terms of ditance and slalom use. Their grip is very hard wearing and comfy, at first feels a little tough but it lasts.

Like I said if you are going for the reinforced tail they are very very stiff, hardly any flex at 3/4 extension, and not much more than a carbon at full. The benefit is I would use this at full but never a carbon at full (no real resaon for that though, I just feel more confident). The only trade off is a touch more weight, it feels heavier and the balance feels different, I found more than anything its a psychological thing though and do not notice it while sailing, only while getting my smaller carbon slalom boom out of my bag at the same time do I notice it.

I believe soon an extra tail will be available which will be lighter but still the wider diameter. thats what I have been told in the UK so would guess its the same for you over there. All my booms are and have for a long time been chinook (I currently have 3 and cant even take advantage of being a team rider as dont need and cant justify financially changing them :-(.....would love a new shiny carbon slalom......may have to get a forth and leave the alloy one we are talking about as a spare for rigging extra sails in competition), they offer great warranty as the above poster mentions, this is a real benefit as any boom can go with a catapult in the wrong conditions.

Agreed Redsurfbus, the warranty service is excellent. Looks like the one you speak of is the race alloy version. Ill have to check that one out next time.

Thanks again guys. My current boom, a carbon, sits almost on full extension on my new twin cam 7m. I have yet to try it on the water but am not confident it's the best thing to be doing, regardless of what I have been told. Anyway, I'm looking at afew other brands but think I will go carbon again as my big gear gets more use and I may go bigger than 7m in the not to distant future. The Chinook Pro Carbon is at the top of the list. Appreciate all the feedback.

Just make sure it's going to be wide enough before buying.

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ikw777 said...

Just make sure it's going to be wide enough before buying.

It's a Slalom boom so it should be The sail is the 2011 Infinity which replaces my Freeride of the same size. There's not a lot of extra depth in the Infinity over the Freeride, just a bit of extra length in the boom. I've been meaning to get a longer boom for a while but with the new sail I figured it's time.