I was keen to buy a Streamlined Boom but unfortunately they've had some problems with supply and aren't being brought into Australia (or anywhere else) for a while.
Sounds like the Enigma booms are the next best choice (similar shape to Streamlined with narrow grip) but I don't like Severne boom heads and want to put on a Streamlined one.
Does anyone know what the inside diameter of the boom head on the Severne?
Streamlined ones come in three sizes to suit different manufacturers booms, just need to make sure I get the right one.
Mark at Surf Sail wasn't sure and the Severne email contact seems to be bouncing my emails.

Cheers

Sounds like an expensive mod for an already expensive boom!

Have you looked at the Maui Sails or Pryde Booms, the heads a pretty good on those.

I bought a maui sails head for my cheap carbon boom and it came with shims. Of course one shim was too big and the other too small, so I used a few layers of fibreglass to adjust the mounting point diameter. It's still going strong after 6 yerars.

No, it's not expensive and its simple to change heads over. About 200 bucks and ten minutes and its done.
I've used MauiSails booms and they are good, but I prefer the more current shape with straighter boom arms which Streamlined started and most brands are doing now.
There's plenty of booms I could and/or have looked at but I just really want to know the diameter of the boom in question.

Cheers

You'd also need to check the distance between the shoulders on the front of the Enigma and compare that to the width of the clamp on the Streamlined boom head. The Enigma is a super small diameter boom (25mm) at the arms, not sure if this diameter is kept at the head. I doubt it as then they'd need an Enigma specific front end, with that in mind I'd assume* it is the same diameter as the Redline etc where the front end mounts.

May I ask what's so bad about the Severne front end? Seems fairly solid and basically in line with most others? I'm the opposite to you, the Streamlined boom is awesome, super stiff, light, but the front end is fiddly, so much so it put me off buying one.

*I have no proof to back this...makes sense though from a production perspective.

The head on the Enigma flares out from the 25mm of the arms. I measured the diameter of the front on my Redline (26mm grip) and im 90% sure it's 30mm, right next to where the boom head clamps down. The heads are the same for these two booms.

I think the boom head is perfect.. Gaypryde heads are useless because they are frequently attached to a Gaypryde booms, Mauisails heads are far too big, and Streamline heads are just bizarro.. I've used them on a streamline boom but never had the pleasure of adjusting one.

Yeah Barn I think the heads on the Severne are ok, as good as most other brands.
The thing I find strange is that companies go to great lengths to make their booms incredibly stiff, yet the weakest point on the boom is left untouched. (As you noted, the same head on the redline to the enigma).
The MauiSails boom head was made larger to combat the flex in boom heads and to reduce point loading on the mast which I guess it accomplishes but it still remains the weak point in the rig.
The Streamlined boom head was designed to make the boom head super stiff and stronger than any other system on the market. I think they acknowledge that there is a payoff for the benefit with it being a bit more fiddly to connect.
Anyway, certainly not on here to get into a brand bash. Most booms on the market have their pros and cons.
I'm just going to take the pros from one brand and combine it with the pros from another.
Of course if Streamlined wasn't having a supply issue I'd just buy one of their booms complete as I reckon they're the only ones which have got the complete package - good shape with the straight arms, narrow grip, super stiff and a rock solid boom head.
All the same, I'd be keen to sail with the Enigma, the Streamlined and I really like the Chinook (again apart from the head), test them all side by side would be great.
Food for thought!

I have had an Enigma wave boom for about a season now and am happy with it. It took a while to get used to the really narrow diameter. I used my old boom recently and my forearms got tired really quickly.
My only complaint about this boom is the head which tends to squeak when sailing along which can be quite annoying. Tends to be worse when using bigger sail(6.2).
The squeak started when it was new and is being used on all severne rig.

Not wanting to push people away from aussie suppliers - but have you tried an US supplier for the streamlined?? I know the guys at pritchard windsurfing can get them for you and send over. Just a thought. I personally love the streamlined and have no problems with the boom grip diameter. The streamlined head is bullet proof and really gives a solid connection to the mast - sure it takes 20 mins or so to set it up, but once you have done that it is just so simple to use. I have an enigma race boom, and to be honest it it's one of the hardest booms to attach to a mast i have ever used. The SDM fitting needs to clip on to the mast, unlike any other brand i have used. The boom is great, but the connection is a bit of a pain.

Unfortunately the supply problem isn't just Australia. So unless they've got remaining stock they'd be in the same boat.
Thanks

I'm interested to know whats wrong with the severne boom head?

I got the streamlined boom, and it is definately the stiffest carbon boom out there, makes chinooks and x9's looks like they are made of jello. However, the head and tail are a pain in the arse in my opinion. I'd prefer the normal clamp head and a loop'n'go outhaul attachment. The enigma from what I've seen is a damn nice boom, similar weight to the streamlined, but not quite as stiff due to slightly slimmer arms. Thou from what i've heard, you are probably gonna have similar issues finding it in stock.

I'll swap yah?

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swoosh said...

I'm interested to know whats wrong with the severne boom head?

I posted my views above, but if you're happy with them then I guess there's nothing wrong with them. Its a matter of what you want in your own gear. You are obviously happy with the Severne one, I'd prefer the superior strength and stiffness of the Streamlined.
I haven't mentioned anywhere that there's anything particularly wrong with them, just I wanted to know the measurement so I can put my preferred boom head onto one.
Although after getting a bit of feedback I'm starting to lean toward either waiting for the Streamlined or one of the new Chinook Pro 1 Carbon with the Streamlined head.

fair nuf, i missed what you wrote earlier. just interested in the pros and cons as i'm looking to do the opposite.

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swoosh said...

I'm interested to know whats wrong with the severne boom head?

Think it was more a preference. It's funny because I had almost the reverse idea, except with Aeron heads, which are very similar..

I was about to buy a streamlined boom overseas, and I also had some Aeron Boom heads spare, which I was going to replace the Not-So-Streamlined head with..

I didn't like the grip diameter tho, as even the Aeron alloy had a 26mm grip (although they lasted about a month- hence the spare heads).. I ended up giving all the boom heads away to the local kids as spares, in return for popularity..

Also the shape is quite different between two, after sailing the Aeron shape since 2006, the perfectly circular front end of the streamline reminded me too much of a 20 second CAD drawing!.. I know ergonomic gets thrown around too much, but I can't think of another word for it..





But it's a lot of personal preference, I believe people have even exchanged currency for this Hotsails shaped boom below. lol



**Edit, just read the above post^^ apparently it takes me a while to get around to finalising my reports..

I'd still shoot the pritchards an email and see if you can get a streamlined from them. I know matt goes a way back with dave dominy so he may have some access beyond the stock importers. I tried to buy the streamlined over here about a year ago and they said they had no stock of the smaller wave boom's, and Matt sorted me out in July of this year.

Hope you can get one, definitely the best bit of kit I've ever upgraded to.

I had a look on their site, but they don't list Streamlined booms. I've sent an email to see if they can help.
Cheers