Are Carbon booms worth the money?

Asking because my current boom (North Silver line with adjustable lines) seems really heavy and I would like to reduce the weight.

Really love this boom apart from the weight, and it has survived at least a couple of runs across the rocks with only grip rash!

I think the vario lines weigh a fair bit by themselves and I could make a difference just by swopping them to fixed lines.

Would I get a significant benefit from a carbon boom relative to their price, do they make enough of a difference to the feel of the rig or is it just something you get if you are loaded?

Thanks

In my opinion and experience it make a lot of difference to use a proper carbon boom! Yes they cost a lot, but they also last long and the sailing experience it's way better! Lighter stiffer the sail doesn't deform under gust, highly suggested!

Yes

The weight is a little bit better, but the feel is much better. More direct. Aluminium boom feels spongy when you go back. Also often the narrow diameter is significantly better in a long session.

They are definitely worth 200-300 usd used for sure!

Most carbon booms are not lighter than aluminium booms but they are stronger and stiffer and give a much better feel to the rig.
In some ways its like having properly pumped up tyres on your bike, it connects you to the road and makes it faster.
Softer tyres and a bit squishy, less response and slower.

Just do it!!

Under the gear section of my tips page you can find my detailed thoughts about carbon vs alloy: windsurfing.lepicture.com/tips-and-tricks/

This is a no brainer imo ,,,,, carbon out performs alloy so ridiculously ..... and last 5 times or more longer ! .... Also , from a safety perspective - do you really want a corroded alloy boom arm snapping when a mile out ?? ...... Even for my kid starting wave sailing - will transfer him onto carbon soon for durability ,....

Save up the money - and invest longterm .... , if you go Severne enigma , or other quality Reduced grip booms like Goya / aerons etc - they are lighter and have big impact imo on rig weights .....

Same thing with masts - the more you can invest , the better everything will feel , the lighter , the longer you can sail ....

I was skeptical about the cost and difference but I'm pretty sure my carbon booms are going to easily outlast my older aluminum ones, and the feel and stiffness is just so much better.

100% yes, only problem is an alloy boom will never feel right again after you use a carbon one.

Carbon snaps too. A mile out, no problem, reverse boom side if needed.

Head stiffness plays a big role too. No two booms are equal.

You want a heavy alloy boom to compete with carbon stiffness. Heavy alloy also guarantee durability. Avoid light alloy booms!

Finally, some skinny carbon booms may feel soft...

Looks like that's unanimous then!

Better start saving..

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SlightlyDamp said..
Looks like that's unanimous then!

Better start saving..

There's always one or two on buy and sell here.

Anyone used a goya carbon skinny pro boom - are they any good?

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SlightlyDamp said..
Anyone used a goya carbon skinny pro boom - are they any good?

I've had one since 2016. Still my main boom, still going strong.

Just to add something more. If you have aluminium and play in salt water then you have to wash it every time, carbon well you can be a little lazy.

Apparently the Goya skinny can be a little softer, what's your weight?

How does one go about rinsing a boom?

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Manuel7 said..
Apparently the Goya skinny can be a little softer, what's your weight?

How does one go about rinsing a boom?

Get a hose spray around the outside, take the extension out shove the hose down the hole and spray down the extention.
It is just trying to stop or slow down the chemical reaction of salt and aluminium.

Actually as I think about I am not even sure if the boom is hollow all the way up to the end. I just followed what a windsurfing club of mine did.
I have a broken aluminium boom outside so tomorrow I will have a look and see if it is hollow all the way at up to where the screws to the head part are.
I'll get back to you.
But the boom has to be cleaned or dismantled anyway to avoid the extention seizing.

Sounds like quite some work!
I believe rental centers all have alloy booms here. I wonder how long they last without any washing?

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Henners said..

Manuel7 said..
Apparently the Goya skinny can be a little softer, what's your weight?

How does one go about rinsing a boom?

Get a hose spray around the outside, take the extension out shove the hose down the hole and spray down the extention.
It is just trying to stop or slow down the chemical reaction of salt and aluminium.

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Manuel7 said..
Sounds like quite some work!
I believe rental centers all have alloy booms here. I wonder how long they last without any washing?

Henners said..

Manuel7 said..
Apparently the Goya skinny can be a little softer, what's your weight?

How does one go about rinsing a boom?

Get a hose spray around the outside, take the extension out shove the hose down the hole and spray down the extention.
It is just trying to stop or slow down the chemical reaction of salt and aluminium.

I'm 84KG and I am considering Goya skinny or Duatone Platinum Megaslim

Anyone have an opinion on which one is better?

Concur with rinsing aluminium booms. I am in the U.K. and have always tried to rinse mine with freshwater from the hose after every session. If I miss a rinsing, I can see the salt residue building up after a couple of weeks.
I have rarely bothered to disassemble it though, just give it a good soaking in fresh water seems to do the job.

I guess hire centers will get away with it by replacing the kit every year?

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SlightlyDamp said..
I'm 84KG and I am considering Goya skinny or Duatone Platinum Megaslim

Anyone have an opinion on which one is better?

whichever one you can get cheaper. They are both good quality products.

I know some people dislike the bend of the Duotone near the head, but I didn't notice the difference when I used it. Also the duotone has skinnier arms which no matter how high quality the carbon means it's probably slightly less stiff.

A slim diameter up front makes it more comfortable in float and ride. The streamlined boom as a counter example is huge and can lead to forearm fatigue.

I really like the new school bends as it keeps straight further near the head and limits wrist torsion.

I don't think they change them every year. I'll ask. I broke a hybrid gaastra boom. The thing was as light as a feather. It was corroded about mid point. It did feel noodly before, it should have been my cue.

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Manuel7 said..
Sounds like quite some work!
I believe rental centers all have alloy booms here. I wonder how long they last without any washing?

Henners said..

Manuel7 said..
Apparently the Goya skinny can be a little softer, what's your weight?

How does one go about rinsing a boom?

Get a hose spray around the outside, take the extension out shove the hose down the hole and spray down the extention.
It is just trying to stop or slow down the chemical reaction of salt and aluminium.

One more reason to buy a carbon boom.
Just checked out two aluminum booms that both snapped at the same spot (just near the bolts on the boom head side). Yeah, no way can water reach all the way up there as the boom has a plug just before this part.
But still, to stop the extension seizing it does need to be washed down from time to time.

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philn said..
I know some people dislike the bend of the Duotone near the head

that is only psychological

clearly there is a benefit with the angle of your wrist .. unless you prefer holding the boom with your wrist at an angle.

Rental booms last 5 years. Worse when using near full extension. Heads are problematic especially the ones with screws.