After all the high-and-mighty I'm-not-going-to-use-huge-kit-because-I'm-too-hardcore posturing, I have recently broken down and got a kind of formula-ish board (Drops FL-14) and an 11.5m gaastra sail. I'm just so damned sick of not planing while other sailors glide past me. 
I've got a mast but I need to invest in a boom. Obviously the chunky carbon HPL numbers are extremely lush and sexy and I WANT ONE, but that's over a grand we're talking about. How about aluminium as a substitute? Any recommended brands?
Any formula sailors out there, please advise. Specifically, the Pro Limit formula alum boom, because I'm kind of interested in one.
Also, please PM if there are any brands you feel I should avoid. Thanks.
I'm a wavesailor so my advice on race booms may be crap but anyway.
The Tecnolimits booms are awesome and use some new alloy that is better (I'm too tipsy to remember the name 
)
Streamlined have a wickedly strong front end now. 
Pryde break 
for formula you gotta go carbon.
disregard marks comment about pryde gear. your formula sailing not going over the falls of a dbuble mast wave and expecting a boom to be in 1 piece,
you want the stiffness and crispness of the carbon boom to help you pump up onto the plane and trim your sail. it all comes down to the ability to transfer your power efficiently.
the HPL booms are ok but become awesome with a streamlined alloy head. I had one when i used to do formula and was well worth it.
IIRC everyone used pryde X9 or X7 or HPL booms in the perth scene some 3/4 yrs ago
you can find 2nd hand formula booms in full carbon for $300 ish if you look in the right spots.
Have a look at the Formula Experience website . They use Aluminium booms , it is in the rules .
Also starboard have an aluminium boom for their new proposed Formula Ome Design . It may not be available yet though , but worth inquiring about. Maybe ask the question to Reme or Riccardo on the Starboard site , they are experts on this subject.
If you have to go alloy, KA is also another cheap option. You still in S'pore or bak down under WW?
It is a tough bullet to bite, but investing in a good quality carbon boom for large sails is money well spent. Remember with a 11m sail, if you get a gust, the last thing you want is the boom to flex and power up the sail.
Big sails are no fun if the draft is moving about.....
I can only speak for the Neil Pryde X9 as they are the only ones i have ever owned, but they are very stiff and light. (most pro's seem to use them regardless of who they are sponsored by)....
I also believe the extra cost is justified as they last for years, where alloy tends to deteriorate when not used.
Hope this helps?
Carbons the way to go for sure.
But if ya on a budget make sure you get a Al boom with minimal extension.
ta Vando
HI Willy,
The HPL is probably the best value for money carbon race boom you can get your hands on and the front end is strong but the adjustment system is fiddly in rig changes as it likes to go back to its original settings. Given the price though it's pretty forgivable.
I've sold alot of bigger alum booms from most brands for formula sails (10 and up) and all struggle to last with most customers winding up on carbon in the end. No point mentioning brands here as none that I've seen leave me confident to sell them to customers when you talk 280+cm's, even the bigger names.
In the end Alum is cheaper but you will go through them 3 -1 compared to carbon. Carbon also has the advantage that in most case it can be maintained over time through running repairs where and alum booms can't. In saying this though I haven't seen the Pro Limit Form Alum boom and couldn't see one on their website. Is this a new model? Will hassle the importer to get some in if so.
As for the best carbon boom around the majority of the top 10 in any elite level regatta runs Pryde and MS. I think even Steve Allen toured and raced in Australia in Jan on a 3 year old Pryde X9.
Sam.
Of course if you are racing you would want to have an you-beaut carbon boom. You would probably need one to be competitive. BUT, for light wind recreational cruising, a good alloy boom will do just fine unless perhaps you are a true heavyweight. I use alloys for my fun cruising on 9m and 9.8m sails on an older Formula board and find it perfectly OK.
If you do go for a long alloy boom, get one that requires the minimum amount of extension. The stiffest one I know of would be a Hydrodynamics if they still do one in the long length. Also, some companies (eg. Sunshine) have the option of 32mm diameter in their longer alloy booms (instead of the 29mm narrow grip ones) and this would be my recommendation for better stiffness although I have to say my current KA 29mm 210-270 Alloy boom is fine for me at 75 kg. Then again, I am not using an 11.5m monster! 
Hmm...I'm 85kg and I expect the wind to be up and down...good point someone made, when a gust hits, the less stiff booms will flex and effectively shorten their length, powering the sail...until...until...
I'm considering going carbon...this 11.5m sail is gong to be a BEAST, might as well have something solid to hang onto. Especially if the wind picks up...oh lordy lordy
I would have to agree and say go with carbon. I was using an NP X6 with a 10.7, after 6-7 months it gave way under the load. I wish I had bought a carbon boom at the same time I bought the sail, I aleady had the X6 for another sail and the 10.7 just fitted. Now I need to buy 2 new booms
Does anyone have any experience of Fiberspar booms, this http://www.gybesports.com.au/detail.htm?ProductID=F6BC250 appear to be reasonably priced.
Aluminium booms over 250cms are not worth touching, they simply dont do the job properly. You might be able to get away with using one for a while but in the end as most people here have said you would be better off with carbon. Carbon looks faster too
I've had some advice that Fibrespar is way inferior to HPL for the big sizes - FSs break, HPLs don't. So they say.
The guy with probably the biggest sail in Singapore (an Aussie of course), is currently using an 11.8 Naish sail, and swears by the HPL. Damn, that is a strong looking boom! There's more carbon in there than in a quiver of skinny masts! (This guy planes more than anybody, too, as you can well imagine)
The MauiSails booms are certainly worth a look. Their carbon race booms are one of the best on the market. The MauiSails Alu boom is also a contender with the carbon boom front end.
I used to use a 10.9m, when I raced formula. But now my biggest is a 5.4m.
Your right BJ the Maui Sails booms look the goods, only seen the wave one but it looks super strong. Their formula boom should be good considering they have Formula racers like Phil Mcgain and Previously Kevin Pritchard designing the gear.
Bollocks! We specify "stuff that performs well and won't break too easily", and what happens??
Drill through, find the booms!
jinlicomposites.com/index.php
andhttp://www.windsurfing.com.tw/Windsurfing/boom/One%20Piece%20Monocoque%20Carbon%20Boom/kiteall.htm
Like a drunken windsurfing Buddha, I have meditated on all this good advice and taken the taken the Middle (cheaper) Path...just got myself a used Pryde (carbon) X9 for about $120, and it will have to be be used at maximum extension... we shall see..we shall see...did I really get an 11.5? Ah, but the world is an illusion...
Well, you can't complain about the price, but carbon or not, that thing's gonna flex quite a bit at full extension. Prolly won't help with regard to strength or longevity of the boom either. On a more positive note though, an 11.5 for you is not over the top if you're serious about sailing in the light stuff. I'm 65 kgs & not tall and I'm using an 11m. When you've got it all set up and trimmed right, it's easy sailing.
