Is KA any good ?

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Alex H
Alex H
VIC
19 posts
VIC, 19 posts
4 Mar 2009 3:32pm
Hi, I am thinking of buying a new alloy boom, and KA seems to be quite a reasonable price. Anybody have any experience with one, Longevity ect ?

Alex
climber
climber
NSW
1125 posts
NSW, 1125 posts
4 Mar 2009 4:56pm
Gday Alex

Had one for 4 yrs, I sail avg twice a week... all good ..you would do well with this product
ka72
ka72
QLD
586 posts
QLD, 586 posts
4 Mar 2009 9:13pm
I have had one for 2 years, no problems with it. Great range can use it for 3 of my sails
Gestalt
Gestalt
QLD
14968 posts
QLD, 14968 posts
4 Mar 2009 10:56pm
i usually get out once a week.

got all KA booms in carbon that are a couple of years old and all working as good as new.
Alex H
Alex H
VIC
19 posts
VIC, 19 posts
5 Mar 2009 10:16am
Thanks for all the replies. I think I will go order one. I like the idea of using an Australian brand for my windsurfing equipment. Plus, one day I would love to be able to sail as fast as that top KA sailor Tony Wynhoven, what a hunk.

Sailhack
Sailhack
VIC
5000 posts
VIC, 5000 posts
5 Mar 2009 12:10pm
Alex H said...

what a hunk.




Not that there's anything wrong with that....
Arnold
Arnold
46 posts
46 posts
5 Mar 2009 10:26am
Alex H said...

Thanks for all the replies. I think I will go order one. I like the idea of using an Australian brand for my windsurfing equipment. Plus, one day I would love to be able to sail as fast as that top KA sailor Tony Wynhoven, what a hunk.




Dude, Hydrodynmix booms are Ozzie made, everything else is imported, why take a risk with KA? If your getting an imported one get a decent brand.
I have heard good things about the boom's from Maui Sails (and part owned by Aussie Phil McGain I think)
Alex H
Alex H
VIC
19 posts
VIC, 19 posts
5 Mar 2009 12:43pm
Why Arnold, I thought KA was Australian. "Get a decent brand", why, what is wrong with KA ? Where do you buy Maui Sails booms from ? Gosh, now I am all confused.
Mobydisc
Mobydisc
NSW
9029 posts
NSW, 9029 posts
5 Mar 2009 12:47pm
Are KA booms manufactured in Australia or imported? Hydrodynamic booms are made in WA. They are good booms too.
evlPanda
evlPanda
NSW
9207 posts
NSW, 9207 posts
5 Mar 2009 2:43pm
Alex H said...

Why Arnold, I thought KA was Australian. "Get a decent brand", why, what is wrong with KA ? Where do you buy Maui Sails booms from ? Gosh, now I am all confused.


Read Arnold's posts before you listen to Arnold.

Edit: it seems he may have deleted all the anti-KA ones, but that's pretty much all he used to live for.

Beside KA is in Victoria, where you are Alex, and Hydro is in WA.
... if you want to get really local.
Alex H
Alex H
VIC
19 posts
VIC, 19 posts
5 Mar 2009 3:03pm
Thankyou evlPanda, I live in Vic, I though KA must be good equipment. Why would Arnold be anti-KA. That is very negative way to be. I have had bad experiences on the internet with people who seem to prey on me, being so naive and all.

Thankyou

Alex
Arnold
Arnold
46 posts
46 posts
5 Mar 2009 1:14pm
Alex H said...

Thankyou evlPanda, I live in Vic, I though KA must be good equipment. Why would Arnold be anti-KA. That is very negative way to be. I have had bad experiences on the internet with people who seem to prey on me, being so naive and all.

Thankyou

Alex


I am not really anti-KA, although it might seem that way because I am pro-good equipment, happy windsurfing dude
Alex H
Alex H
VIC
19 posts
VIC, 19 posts
5 Mar 2009 3:23pm
Ok, thanks Arnold. Hope you are not hurt by my comments that you may be anti-KA, I just want advice from my peers. I do enjoy my windsurfing.
Sailhack
Sailhack
VIC
5000 posts
VIC, 5000 posts
5 Mar 2009 6:55pm
Mobydisc said...

Are KA booms manufactured in Australia or imported? Hydrodynamic booms are made in WA. They are good booms too.


Moby, I bought a Hydro boom ($100 on ebay) but haven't taken it out yet, the clamp/rope type system looks a little old-fashioned, what's the verdict on them? Looking forward to trying it out this weekend...
evlPanda
evlPanda
NSW
9207 posts
NSW, 9207 posts
6 Mar 2009 2:00pm
Arnold said...

Alex H said...

Thankyou evlPanda, I live in Vic, I though KA must be good equipment. Why would Arnold be anti-KA. That is very negative way to be. I have had bad experiences on the internet with people who seem to prey on me, being so naive and all.

Thankyou

Alex


I am not really anti-KA, although it might seem that way because I am pro-good equipment, happy windsurfing dude


Has someone had a word to you?

Opinions are subjective of course, but just to point out, objectively, that KA probably would be a "good" brand click through the top 10 on this site (top right) and count the number of times KA is used.
www.gps-speedsurfing.com/default.aspx

And as for moth sails KA = completely, utterly dominate.

Note: I'm no fanboy, all but one of my quiver are KA but I'm actually thinking NP next time, just to simply try out as many different brands as possible. And I love my Ezzy.

Peace be with you all
Paul Kelf
Paul Kelf
WA
678 posts
WA, 678 posts
6 Mar 2009 1:34pm

Moby, I bought a Hydro boom ($100 on ebay) but haven't taken it out yet, the clamp/rope type system looks a little old-fashioned, what's the verdict on them? Looking forward to trying it out this weekend...


Moby, when you say old fashioned I am assuming you bought an Enduro Boom which is our Entry Level boom.
This style front fitting has been around for many years and is simple to operate, cheap to replace and you can actually buy spare parts.
The arms, standard or skinny are the same as all other models in our range.

We have four different front fittings for different models of booms in different price ranges.

There is a carbon front fitting similar to the Enduro but is not popular because of the "old fashioned" view, however it is rock solid and we have been using it personally for a few years now with no problems.

Remember Moby, you only get what you pay for
You will probably only get 5 - 10 years out of that boom.

Let us know what you think after trying it.

Paul

www.hydrodynamix.com
PhilJ
PhilJ
53 posts
53 posts
6 Mar 2009 2:07pm
Paul do you have a shop?

Wondering where to go to get a look at the booms. Not currently in the market for a boom just curious.
Mobydisc
Mobydisc
NSW
9029 posts
NSW, 9029 posts
6 Mar 2009 7:17pm
Paul, I think you are referring to Sailhack.

I bought my Hydro boom in 1995, its a wave boom I guess max extension about 170cm. Its still in good nick but sometimes the length adjustment is a bit difficult to use. It uses a similar system to Chinook's thought not as easy to use. Has the system been revised since 1995?

My Hydro boom uses a twin loop of rope thats goes around a post and then clamped into place. No problems with this system. Its simple and works. Looking at your website its the Enduro front end.

The boom is now used by my wife and her small sail. Its perfect for the job, narrow diameter and easy to handle.

I am not in the market for a boom now but if there a retailer in NSW selling them I'd definately consider getting another Hydrodynamix.
Sailhack
Sailhack
VIC
5000 posts
VIC, 5000 posts
6 Mar 2009 10:35pm
Paul Kelf said...


Moby, I bought a Hydro boom ($100 on ebay) but haven't taken it out yet, the clamp/rope type system looks a little old-fashioned, what's the verdict on them? Looking forward to trying it out this weekend...


Moby, when you say old fashioned I am assuming you bought an Enduro Boom which is our Entry Level boom.
This style front fitting has been around for many years and is simple to operate, cheap to replace and you can actually buy spare parts.
The arms, standard or skinny are the same as all other models in our range.

We have four different front fittings for different models of booms in different price ranges.

There is a carbon front fitting similar to the Enduro but is not popular because of the "old fashioned" view, however it is rock solid and we have been using it personally for a few years now with no problems.

Remember Moby, you only get what you pay for
You will probably only get 5 - 10 years out of that boom.

Let us know what you think after trying it.

Paul

www.hydrodynamix.com


Yeah Paul...it was me!

To answer your question, I hope to give it a go this weekend, I didn't take much notice of the front clamp when I bought it (mainly got it for a 'spare' incase I break another one...been through 3 booms in one year, none were hydro though!) From all comments, I don't think the clamp will be an issue, the rope thickness & clamping system looks pretty gutsy.

I'm all for Aussie brands, and next time I'm looking I'll look at your higher level boom.

Paul Kelf
Paul Kelf
WA
678 posts
WA, 678 posts
7 Mar 2009 11:08am
PhilJ said...

Paul do you have a shop?

Wondering where to go to get a look at the booms. Not currently in the market for a boom just curious.


PhilJ, No shop just the web site. www.hydrodynamix.com

We mostly sell direct these days as the retailers tend to only order when someone specifically requests a Hydro boom & the freight is a killer if you're not sending bulk quantities.

If you are in Perth 2nd Wind usually have stock of some models or you can drop into the workshop for a look & feel, just ring us first so as I can be there.

Paul

Paul Kelf
Paul Kelf
WA
678 posts
WA, 678 posts
7 Mar 2009 11:12am
Sailhack said...

Paul Kelf said...


Moby, I bought a Hydro boom ($100 on ebay) but haven't taken it out yet, the clamp/rope type system looks a little old-fashioned, what's the verdict on them? Looking forward to trying it out this weekend...


Moby, when you say old fashioned I am assuming you bought an Enduro Boom which is our Entry Level boom.
This style front fitting has been around for many years and is simple to operate, cheap to replace and you can actually buy spare parts.
The arms, standard or skinny are the same as all other models in our range.

We have four different front fittings for different models of booms in different price ranges.

There is a carbon front fitting similar to the Enduro but is not popular because of the "old fashioned" view, however it is rock solid and we have been using it personally for a few years now with no problems.

Remember Moby, you only get what you pay for
You will probably only get 5 - 10 years out of that boom.

Let us know what you think after trying it.

Paul

www.hydrodynamix.com


Yeah Paul...it was me!

To answer your question, I hope to give it a go this weekend, I didn't take much notice of the front clamp when I bought it (mainly got it for a 'spare' incase I break another one...been through 3 booms in one year, none were hydro though!) From all comments, I don't think the clamp will be an issue, the rope thickness & clamping system looks pretty gutsy.

I'm all for Aussie brands, and next time I'm looking I'll look at your higher level boom.




Sorry guys you must look alike
sailquik
sailquik
VIC
6171 posts
VIC, 6171 posts
7 Mar 2009 8:50pm
The KA alloy booms are excellent. They are not made in Australia but are made in Taiwan in a factory that specializes in supplying booms to many different brands. IMHO the fittings specified by KA are better and more user friendly then many other brands.
The KA booms have the best front end system of all the booms I have tried. Simple to use and great longevity. It also fits both SDM and RDM masts without a collar and is very secure. They are quite stiff for an alloy but only available in the 29mm diameter which is nice on the hands but probably not as stiff as 32mm diam. tubes. I have broken a few speed sailing (alloy tubes folded and snapped) but I think that is to be expected in 40 knots plus crashes. I also ripped my harness and harness lines apart in the same crashes. Actually, I would rather the boom breaks in that situation than my body which is why I stick with Alloy booms for the small sizes rather than go to Carbon.
The worst thing for alloy booms is corrosion and they all suffer from that eventually, no matter who makes them or what brand.
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