I have had loft booms and been very happy with them although my larger 175-235 slalom one is creaking a lot . I know it may be fine but it makes me nervous. It has had 4 seasons use. I'm only a light weight but sail regularly so it's had a lot of use. I'd like to buy another but windsurfnsales has sold out and I don't know where else to get one? I recently bought a mystic venom boom cheap 2nd hand but still in the wrapping..It seems ok although its a smaller size for my 4.8m sails down. Anyone know much about the mystics? are they any good? Also any more al booms that will do the job. I dont have the budget for carbon and these have lasted well with my sailing.( lake / now 'speed' sailing).
Aeron V-Grip. It won't warp for sure, and is very stiff. The clamp is also pretty good. It's on the heavy side though, but fine for slalom use. The nice thing about it is that the profile is very thin where the fingers hold the boom. I find this very easy to hold, especially with my hands that look like they've come from a Tim Burton movie.
d1 said.. Aeron V-Grip. It won't warp for sure, and is very stiff. The clamp is also pretty good. It's on the heavy side though, but fine for slalom use.
Yes agreed. or if the price is better, the Simmer ally with the same v profile as it is just rebadged but can be cheaper
I think your money would be better spent on a 2nd hand 3-4yr old carbon boom as it will last foreever. I have several carbon booms that only cost me $300 and they are still perfect after 10+yrs. Ali booms should be repaced after 3seasons (for peace of mind IMHO) and at aprox $350 you do the maths. Carbon booms are cheaper in the long run , stiffer and nicer to use
sboardcrazy said... I was hoping for a budget of more like < $200
Just a questions of maths then. Is a real long swim home worth $150?
The last 2 I've had have lasted since I got back into the sport . I paid $170 and got the wave 2nd hand chucked in for free ( it lasted 3 seasons..)..Suppose I'm spoilt after that.. When the wave one finally died I got a free ride in a luxury 50ft cruiser.... Mind you I didn't really enjoy it..
I'd go for the v grip profile. They feel great in a smaller hand. I bought a new Aeron v grip off seabreeze for $279 delivered to Qld. They are a bit heavier but the v profile feels great. I also have a carbon Neil Pryde which is good too but it has a larger diameter but I think for your budget try a v grip.
I wear gloves and don't really notice the shape of booms.My earlier ones were 90's which were much larger diameter. Would these booms be heavier than the loft? Weight is a bit of an issue especially as I will be using it with my 7.2m which is already heavy enough!
I had a North silver when I first started and it was really good, Nice diameter and tuff....I was learning so it took a pounding. I think it was around $200 brand new.
Agree with the Aeron V-grip. I just bought one from this sight $240. Reviews claim it to be 95% of carbon but a little heavier. I bent 3 booms this season so hopefully it lasts the distance V-grip is different but comfortable At a fraction of the cost of a carbon boom it suits me
I'm a light weight and have never broken a boom. I have owned the loft boom, they are way too heavy and the grip diameter too big for my girlie hands. I also have a gunsails monocoque wave boom which I've used non stop for 2 years and its still going strong. They are skinny diameter and relatively light. I highly recommend these. They may come in a size big enough for your slalom sails. As a post script I've recently purchased a chinook carbon wave boom which is quite a work of art and as stiff as Peter North but I still prefer the skinny grip of the gun boom even though it will be my backup from now on.
I had a North silver when I first started and it was really good, Nice diameter and tuff....I was learning so it took a pounding. I think it was around $200 brand new.
Had one one, nice grip, lasted 6 months before the front end exploded. That said I am quite heavy on booms it seems ;P
Buy a good boom once, never worry again. Also get the skinniest grip you can find, it's worth it's weight in gold, 25mm ftw.
i had an np X6 and it broke at the head now have the severne metal. Had it for around 9 months and the extension is bent already, feels good on the water though.
Agree with the Aeron V-grip. I just bought one from this sight $240. Reviews claim it to be 95% of carbon but a little heavier. I bent 3 booms this season so hopefully it lasts the distance V-grip is different but comfortable At a fraction of the cost of a carbon boom it suits me
I didn't realise it was 95% carbon..seems good value
It has had 4 seasons use. I'm only a light weight but sail regularly so it's had a lot of use. 
Mind you I didn't really enjoy it..
I think it was around $200 brand new.
