We often receive requests for advice about choosing a carbon boom, in the Waterwind forum. So, it seemed useful to make a rundown of the main carbon booms currently available on the market (2022).

WINDSURFING, GEAR: CARBON BOOM. WHICH ONE TO CHOOSE?

In our roundup, we start with some of AL360 booms. This is not a random choice. In many years of windsurfing, in which we have had the opportunity to try many booms of different brands, we have found out that the AL360 booms are among the stiffest (and robust, some say indestructible) offered on the market.

AL360 produces the E3 boom, both in the version with standard diameter and in the version with reduced diameter (slim).

AL 360 Carbon E3 standard

AL360 describes the product as follows:

"E3 CARBON tubes are made of a one-piece monocoque high-quality carbon part, without any glued connection or insert; the diameter of the tubes are reduced to an impressive 28mm, that along with the new curvature profiles and the ergonomic sections of the tubes, gives an unpaired rigidity to the boom, thus reducing the stress to the forearms and allowing an extended use under extreme conditions.

The boom is lined by soft grip dual density for a best grip while sailing, with a vast range of colours allowing many customization options in the graphics.

Back-end and front-end are made of 20% of elastomer nylon; the E3s feature a newly designed front-end very compact and perfectly integrated in the boom outline, a highly optimized blocking system at the mast insertion and a carefully manufactured back-end."

We owned the standard E3, and called it a "marble" boom. The rigidity and robustness of this boom is impressive, and basically unbeatable ( read our article about it ). The boom does not have a wide tail, although in the larger sizes, it has a 42.5 cm bend, instead of the 38.5 one. The larger sizes also make it suitable for use as a freeride boom, while for slalom riding there is a specific AL360 boom. Price: 660-714 euros, depending on the size.

Below, we report the available sizes, with the main technical data of the product.

AL360 Carbon E3 slim

The AL360 E3 carbon slim is an object of desire, and one of the booms we have in our set. It is not as rigid as the standard diameter one, but only slightly less than the latter, despite the section of the tubes, having a diameter reduced to 25 mm. The reduced and "water drop" section makes it extremely comfortable to handle and hold in hands. The boom is, however, rather light, since the weight is only 2.1-2.19 kg, depending on the measures (2 sizes available). It is a boom suitable only for wave and freestyle / freewave. The manufacturer describes it in these terms:

"The carbon SLIM boom is a monocoque 100% full carbon unique piece, and this kind of boom is the beginning of a new generation of high performance and quality boom.

The boom is manufactured completely of carbon fiber unidirectional HM (high modulus), thanks to which it was possible to reduce the diameter of the tubes of the boom to 25mm, retaining the rigidity and strength very high, combined with ergonomic curve and section oval tubes characteristic of the AL360's carbon booms, that makes it even more comfortable handling, even for who have small hands, as young guys or girls.

Covered in soft dual density grip for better grip, plastic back-end and front-end are made of nylon with 20% elastomer, with a compact swing front-end very well integrated into the booms with high stability and rigidity on the mast".

It should be emphasized that, for some years now, the AL360 has also made it in the wide-tail version, even if, in any case, with a rounded end (according to AL360 the welds of the square end corners are possible breaking points). The clips are also stainless steel, and no longer brass (which tended to oxidize).

Below, we report the technical characteristics of the 2 available sizes. Being a "jewel", it has an adequate price: 786-849 euros depending on the size and end type (the wide one, has a higher cost).

CHINOOK

We continue our description of some booms available on the market, with another highly rated and appreciated brand, of which we have had direct experience: Chinook. The two main carbon boom models of the well-known American brand are the RDG, with a reduced diameter, and the Pro 1, with a standard diameter.

Carbon boom of "economic" price range

Do you want to spend a little less, while having a good level carbon boom? Below, we propose some brands models that you may interested in.

Gunsails Select

Gunsails offers a boom with all the main features of a modern item at a very competitive price: the Gunsails Select. The boom is made in 5 sizes, for the different disciplines, with a tubes section ranging from the typical one of a slim boom (24.5 mm), in the smallest size, to 27.5 mm for the intermediate one, and 29 mm for the major ones. The price ranges from 539 to 773 euros.

Gunsails provides the following product description:

"Full carbon boom for highest demands on stiffness and performance.

KEY FACTS:
> 140 and 160 cm: Square Tail rear end for wave, freestyle and freeride
> 180, 200 and 230 cm: Wide Square Tail rear end and slight V-shape which gets thicker towards the rear to solid 34 mm. Range of use of these sizes are freerace, slalom and foil sails
> The Square shape of the rear end results in less tube bending and improves the stiffness
> Thanks to the wider shape in the rear area the sail has less contact to the inner boom side which protects the sail and reduces turbulences
> Double pin lock length adjustment every 2 cm
> Integrated RDM adapter"

Below, we report the table with the technical specifications of the different sizes:

Simmer produces two carbon boom models: the SX8 Carbon, and the SX10 Carbon, in turn, available in two versions, with standard and slim diameter tubes section.

Simmer style SX8 Carbon

The Simmer SX8 boom is the basic carbon model, produced with a diameter of 25 mm for small and medium size, and with 27 mm diameter for the larger size. Three possible ranges, infact, are offered: 140-190, 150-200, 180-230. The price ranges from € 585.00 to € 744.00.

Simmer style presents the product as follows:

"The SX8 is a high performance pre-preg carbon boom which presents most of the superb quality featres seen on our top of the line SX10 boom, but it is made from a standard grade of pre-preg carbon which allows us make a full body carbon boom at a great price. The monocoque carbon body and and tail extension makes the SX8 extremely stiff, strong and light.

For maximum riding comfort the SX8 features a super thin grip. We vary the diameter used according to the discipline; 25mm for the 140 and 150 boom and 27mm on the 180 boom. The outline is developed specifically for each size to promote the best rig dynamics possible. The boom head is designed for maximum grip to the mast. With a high friction contact surface against the mast, a robust rope hook and a boom lever that allows you to effortless apply high-tension when securing the boom to its correct position. The double pin lock system provides optimal load distribution and a stiff connection between the boom monoquoe carbon body and the carbon tail end, even when maximally extended.

Most of the Simmer Style sails are developed on SX8 rig components, so for guaranteed high-end performance at a great price choose SX8".

Below, we report the table with the technical characteristics of the different sizes available.

Simmer Style SX10 CARBON

The SX10 is Simmer's highest quality carbon boom, produced in 5 versions, with a diameter of 27 mm, for the two smallest sizes (140-200, and 150-210), and 31 for the three largest ( 180-240, 200-250, 220-270), clearly designed for slalom racing. Prices range between € 827 and € 1,241, depending on the size.

Simmer style presents the product as follows:

"The SX10 boom is designed to give your rig with the most direct, responsive and light feel possible. The boom is the link between the rider and the rig and it much defines its performance. The SX10 is manufactured from the highest quality pre-preg carbon available in both the body and tail extension. Most modern carbon booms are pre-preg but what is crucial to the performance is the quality of carbon and how the layup is designed. For optimal strength to weight ratio we use inner layers of uni-directional carbon along the boom arm to create extreme stiff spine. On the outside of the carbon tubing we use a carbonfiber weave to make the boom extremely strong. This makes SX10 boom incredible stiff, light and strong. This sandwich technique is much like the layup technique seen in our board construction.

For maximum riding comfort the SX10 features a super thin grip. We vary the diameter used according to the discipline; 26mm for the wave boom, 27mm on the 180-slalom boom, and 29mm on the two larger sizes of the slalom boom. The outline is developed specifically for each size to promote the best rig dynamics possible.

The tail piece on the SX10 140 and 150 comes equipped with a loop system for quick and easy outhaul setting. On the 180, 200 and 220 the tail piece are equipped with a integrated roller trim system.

The Simmer boom head is designed for maximum grip to the mast. With a high friction contact surface against the mast, a robust rope hook and a boom lever that allows you to effortless apply high-tension when securing the boom to its correct position.

Boom clips:
140 / 150 - 27 mm
180 - 33 mm
200 / 220 - 39 mm".

Below, we report the table with the technical characteristics of the different sizes available.

SX10 CARBON SLIM

Finally, Simmer produces the SX10, in a version with an even smaller diameter (24 mm), and in a single size (140-200). It is obviously a product intended for waveriding and freestyle, basically. The boom has a price of around € 827.

Simmer style presents the product as follows:

"The SX10 Slim boom is the latest developement in the SX boom collection featuring a super thin 24.5 mm tube with a non-tapered tube and a round grip. It is designed to give your rig with the most direct, responsive and light feel possible. The boom is the link between the rider and the rig and it much defines its performance. The SX10 is manufactured from the highest quality pre-preg carbon available in both the body and tail extension. Most modern carbon booms are pre-preg but what is crucial to the performance is the quality of carbon and how the layup is designed. For optimal strength to weight ratio we use inner layers of uni-directional carbon along the boom arm to create extreme stiff spine. On the outside of the carbon tubing we use a carbonfiber weave to make the boom extremely strong. This makes SX10 boom incredible stiff, light and strong. This sandwich technique is much like the layup technique seen in our board construction.

For maximum riding comfort the SX10 Slim features a super thin 25 mm grip with non tapered tube.

The Simmer boom head is designed for maximum grip to the mast. With a high friction contact surface against the mast, a robust rope hook and a boom lever that allows you to effortless apply high-tension when securing the boom to its correct position.

Boom clips:
140 - 27 mm".

Below, we report the table with the technical specifications of the model.

If you have any doubts or requests, we are available to give you advice in the Waterwind forum .

Good choice! 

Fabio Muriano