Hello all. I am interested in buying an extra boom for my large size sails 7.0/8.5/9.4. The main reason, is that a majority of the times I end up rigging 2 sails every session because there's always a reason why the one I started with isn't the right one (too big/too small, wind up and down, weak wind near shore but gusty further out, etc.). Sounds familiar? So far I've shared one boom across the 3 sail sizes but that's not very effective and I end up loosing time just rigging and de-rigging back and forth. I'd like to just rig and go!
The boom I'm currently using is a 2016 Chinook Pro 1 Carbon 180-246. It's not bad but there are flaws: I've replaced the extension clips several times (cannot take the load, the plstic pins break after a season, rigidity is so-so under the 9.4 m2 V8 (reco rigging length 224-228), and the boom form factor is a bit too narrow (9.4 touches boom when in lightwind setting).

I've done a bit of research online but if anyone has a boom they like and can recommend, please share.
Many thanks.

Absolutely, a dedicated light wind kit deserves a dedicated boom. What’s your choice down to, so far ? I liked the Severne Enigma the most until I read that the tail is oversized for stiffness, something I hated on a Chinook boom I used to have. Now my favourite would be the North Platinum and maybe Streamlined. Maui Sails booms look formidable and come with adjustable outhauls, but boy, 40 mm grip diameter-that’s an overkill for a Joe Freerider . Have you researched which is the lightest boom in this category, a heavy boom this big could be a very destabilising factor, especially a heavy tail.
I thought that the Chinook clamp issues are over. I haven’t have any more breakage after replacing the original ones, but I’m more of a small boom arms destroyer. I have to remember to check the pins closely for cracks .
Wow, NS gadgets are the most technologically advanced, hats down! The wave boom even comes with covered tail-perfect for Duck Jibes.

I think Streamlined was bought out (the customer service doesn't respond to emails anymore) and I've heard some Maui Sails booms had problems that they probably addressed already. I have a used HPL Carbon Race boom for sale. I used it when I owned Starboard F-type (long time ago) Actually, I still have some big sails and masts that I should put up for sale too. PM me if you are interested. I can give you more details.

Thanks both for your suggestions.

I was looking into the same stuff: North Plarimum, NP x9 and Maui Sail booms: at +$1K new, it is pricey!
I am not super excited about the Severne but I have no objective reasons... maybe the appearance... I sailed one in SF and it seemed fine but didn't rig it myself.
The Streamlined Slalom 200-250 looks really well-built but I'm rigging on both RDM to SDM masts and their boom head is one or the other, but doesn't seem to work on both.

I was also doing a bit of research with what was available out in Europe and stumbled across many people preferring AL360 booms - an Italian company. I don't think they have a distributor in the US though.

The Chinook's issue are the plastic pins: after a while, they wear and snap off after repeated shearing stress from the load of the outhaul tension. If they were made out of stainless steel - like on Maui Sail booms - it wouldn't be a problem.

Back to a choice, I'm tempted by the North platinum: The 190-250 comes in the perfect size to cover my 7.0, 8.5 and 9.4 sails. The Maui Sail comes in 190-230 which is a bit short if I consider that this new boom will outlive my V8 9.4 and that I would probably have to switch to a sail that needs a longer boom length than the surprisingly short 226cm of the V8!

So, for performance and future-proofing reasons, I've narrow down to the North for now..

Stefan, thx for the offer. I think I'll fork the cash for new instead.

Greg from Sheb. wrote:
The specs of your current boom, and knowing the inside width for your shopping

Chinook Pro-1 Carbon

Length: 180-246
Grip: 28 mm
Weight: 5.7 lbs
Inside width: 47 cm


Greg from Sheb. wrote:
Found this photo so folks know what you're talking about. I had no idea they were doing that without steel.




Like just about every other boom the Chinook's Pro-1 Carbon RDG model has 2-Pin stainless steel. Why not the Chinook Pro-1 Carbon?

Example pic of 2-Pin stainless steel.




Add this to the mix, it's much like the Severne Enigma Ady talked about. Probably made in the same building. I think Aeron is making a lot of folks booms these days.

RRD Dynamic Pro Boom & RRD V Carbon V2 - 180-240 cm Freerace/Slalom Race boom. 29mm grip expanding to 36mm at the back end.



Greg from Sheb. wrote:
They have a very subtle V in the carbon tubes for even more stiffness. (V in tube with red grip pictured below)

Checked the collar clips of my Chinook yesterday and sure enough they are starting to separate. I’ll have to order replacements. The nice thing about them is that it’s easy to lock them in even in cold water, unlike the other type. That’s actually the reason why it took me so long to adjust the othaul yesterday with my RRD boom and the disaster that followed. Those pins when cold are very hard to click in place, very hard. So I guess it’s a personal choice-long clips life or ease of adjustment.
PS: my RRD wave boom is aluminium though and I don’t know if the same clips will behave the same way on a carbon boom

Thanks Reid for taking the time with the info. The Chinook is a bit too tight for my V8 9.4, so I'll look for a boom with an additional 1"-2" in width if I can find. The RRD looks like a good choice with its wide tail. I'll check it out online.
I have to agree with Ady regarding how easy it is to adjust the Chinook boom on the fly. However, if they would just co-mold steel pins without changing their mechanism, it probably would make it a bit more expensive but twice as strong while keeping it user-friendly.
...Still shopping!

I don’t think Chinook are cutting corners with this clips. I suspect they want to protect the carbon boom arm from damage when you push the pins next to the hole. Simple logic-cheaper to replace clips then boom arm, less warranty claims for them too. I did that a lot to my aluminum booms and there was a lot of bending from pushing in the wrong places. It would be awesome if there is a system that places the pins precisely over the holes every time. I don’t know, maybe N Sails are like that even their clipds look high tech.
Another reason not to buy another boom is the sun damage to the sail when left exposed for too long -example : my 6.5 Retro. You witnessed that I left it to cook on the beach, like many other times. When I placed it on top of my head to carry it to the car after you left, the small monofilm panel where my head pushed cracked open from end to end with a bang-sun damage. The sail is not too old -2013.

Per David Ezzy, only 300 hours of UV exposure and modern sail "cloth" starts to degrade.
The stuff is not meant to last and maybe 5 years of use isn't this bad considering you sail quite often.
Also, it looks like Chinook used to make boom clips with steel pins before. It still shows in their website under the support section. Is this an older product?

North Platinum Race Boom Update: I finally got the 190-250 at a price that cannot be disclosed! Ha!
The boom is incredibly stiff and well built. This will be a perfect fit for my 9.4 and 8.5. I ordered the extra North RDM boom head shim (Wasn't provided stock in this size) since I will rig with both RDM and SDM. The extra inch or two in width and wider tail piece will accommodate my 9.4 really nice and for the first time will be rigged the way it was intended. Contrary to Chinook booms, the North carbon tail piece slides OVER the boom ends which provides the extra rigidity thanks to a larger diameter tube section. The finish is really nice but once the tail piece is on, very little of the carbon remain exposed (a good point with UVs) and the loop and go system simplifies rigging. Overall, the boom is almost overbuilt and very well engineered which might justify its hefty price.

Tried the new North 190-250 boom this past weekend on both 9.4 and 8.5 Sails. The boom is incredibly rigid and it makes a noticeable difference with how the sail rigs and feel compared to the Chinook. Nice loop system at the outhaul and easy to swap RDM/SDM shims. However, it comes with a couple of drawbacks that needs a bit of getting used to: The diameter near the boom head is substantially bigger than anything I’ve seen. It is a bit unexpected during sail flip in the middle of a jibe. And finally it is a little heavier (+0.7kg) than the Chinook 180-246.

Well it’s a specialised racing piece of equipment my friend. Watching the slalom races of the PWA Canaries events gives you the idea of what forces the equipment of the Pros is subjected to. Mere amateur freeriders like us hardly need this much reinforcement.
Btw thanks for the warning about the Chinook failing collar clips! By the time I finished sailing yesterday my boom had just 1! pin in one of the clips left. I was lucky to sail the whole session without a complete failure. Thanks to your reminder I was prepared and had a new set ready at home. Having a previous experience of replacing them helped me to do the swap in less then 5 min using a rubber mallet and locking pliers . It’s not a big deal, but a nuisance nonetheless.