I had the opportunity to demo the Gun Sails Monocoque boom on Sunday in light to medium winds and massive (1-2ft) waves. The guys at Windsurfingsales asked me to compare it to the Aeron Monocoque boom that I have had for the last two or three years.

In simple terms, the Gun Sails boom has exactly the same clamp and profile as an Aeron but has the added advantage of a slightly smaller diameter tubing (which is then enlarged to allow for a thicker tubed rear end). The diameter is 26mm's which I believe is quite narrow (in fact I thought that people with massive hands may find it a little small).

The rear end is adjusted with a double pin lock and it incorporates a loop to loop system as opposed to the Aeron (which has 3 internal metal pulleys).

The Gun Boom on the water was excellent, very stiff and comfortable with the smaller diameter tubing. Quality of finish was also very good.

Having used the equivalent Aeron and Prolimit booms, I think I'm able to say that the Gun boom is as good - if not better in some areas. Of course, if you want pulleys on the rear (I assume for adjustable outhaul) then you'd have to go Aeron. It would also be a great choice for women or younger people with smaller hands.

I'm not sure on pricing but I believe they will be very competitive - however not as cheap as the Loft booms!

And for the small print - I have used Loft Sails/Masts etc for the last five years but I am not sponsored and gain nothing from doing reviews (other than getting to try a new boom!).

Hey Ben Bud sent one up to me to give away at the Burrum event.
Great looking booms

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vando said...

Hey Ben Bud sent one up to me to give away at the Burrum event.
Great looking booms

Vando,
Who you "gun" na give it to?

Yep, I was impressed.

Back in the UK, Gun booms were everywhere - and probably their biggest selling product!

I'm hoping Bud might forget that I have it....

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Crash Landing said...

The rear end is adjusted with a double pin lock and it incorporates a loop to loop system as opposed to the Aeron (which has 3 internal metal pulleys).

I'm not sure on pricing but I believe they will be very competitive - however not as cheap as the Loft booms!

Nice review

according to the web site, where the prices are listed, the bigger boom comes with the clew pulleys.

http://www.windsurfingsales.com.au/products/booms/gunbooms.php

Edit: Pitty about the head beinging tha same as the Aeron - its my only complaint about the Aeron as it won't take an Ezzy RDM shim - way better than the supplied adaptor which BTW will take an Ezzy RDM.

Davmen, good spot on the bigger boom specs - I've only tried the 160-210.

As for the RDM issues, I have been running the Aeron with the adapter supplied and seems ok, but I prefer to use a shim. I bought one from WSnS a few years back and it fits perfectly. No idea what brand it was sorry.

Finally got to use mine on the weekend. Love the small diameter grip perfect for my girl hands. Not in the ballpark of the new Severne booms but at 1/5 of the price well worth it.
I prefer using a shim than the supplied mast protector thingy but it is a tight fit and not sure if using an oversized shim will damage the boom head over time.
The only other very minor thing I don't like are the cleats, they seem to do the job too well and I think they'll chew out the head and clew ropes in no time at all.
The lack of pulleys on the clew is no drama as wave sails don't need superhuman outhall.
Overall much better feel and stiffness than my Loft boom and as for my Neil Pryde carbon boom well it can continue to gather dust.

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robbo1111 said...

I prefer using a shim than the supplied mast protector thingy but it is a tight fit and not sure if using an oversized shim will damage the boom head over time.

The only other very minor thing I don't like are the cleats, they seem to do the job too well and I think they'll chew out the head and clew ropes in no time at all.

Rob, I've used an "oversized shim" with the Aeron for a couple of years - it seems fine.

Forgot to mention the super grippy cleats - might be worth filing them down a bit!

I've had mine for 2 sessions now and have no complaints, really impressed with the quality of everything. Much stiffer than my old booms too.

So good i'm thinking of getting a second one now.

Thouroughly recommend for the price.

Mine has had a few sails, including get worked at Newport Reef two weeks back - seems to holding up well!

Still feels very small though.