On Apr 3, 8:14 pm, Windinmysails <Cr...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> I bought a Chinook Triple Clamp Carbon Fiber Formula boom a couple years
> ago. "Expensive" I thought but worth it. My opinion may be changing.
> I've broken the head and three boom arms. In Chinook's defense, they
> did replace the head and two of the arms under warranty. But now that
> the third arm just broke, I'm becoming increasingly hesitant to venture
> out with it again.
>
> My weight is approximately 190 lbs, and last Sunday I rigged an 11 sq
> meter Retro. The wind had built to the point where I probably could have
> sailed my 9.5 or even 8 but it was on the Niagara River, which sometimes
> can be gusty, so I rigged for the lulls. Mildly overpowered, heading out
> on a reach......SNAP!!!. Turned around & sailed the good side back in.
> 40 degree F air, 32 degree F water. Each time that the boom has broken,
> it has been in colder temperatures.
>
> Is this normal? Is this a design flaw of Chinook Carbon Formula Booms?
> Their website says "The stuff you can trust". I'm no longer so sure.
> The description for their Carbon Booms says "Very stiff strong and
> dependable". I'm not so sure.
>
> For the price of the Carbon Formula, I could buy FOUR Aluminum Formula
> booms. I was told the Carbon was far stronger, stiffer, lighter, and
> would lock the draft better in a large sail. After this experience, I
> may have to rethink this and take my chances with Aluminum and it may
> not be Chinook, even though my booms in the past were Chinook.
>
> What are your experiences? Are other Carbon Booms as fragile? I thought
> far better and stronger Formula sailors regularly sailed overpowered
> on Carbon booms with no ill effects. What do you think?
>
> Thanks for any feedback from other windsurfers.
>
> Craig.
Craig,
Sorry to hear about your boom problems! Any equipment failure is no
fun.
I agree with most of the sentiment posted here - well made carbon
booms are very strong & are the way to go if you can swing it. Our
Formula boom is no exception.
If you feel the boom should not have broken, I recommend you go
through the proper channels - either to the shop you bought from or
through the contact link on the website:
http://www.chinooksailing.com/web03/contact.html
I am sure they will help you out.
Happy sailing!
Caleb
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