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Where to buy Gulftech booms?
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jbokor



Joined: 06 Aug 1996
Posts: 11

PostPosted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 2:15 pm    Post subject: Where to buy Gulftech booms? Reply with quote

Anyone know if Gulftech is still in biz? If so, is there a dealer for their carbon booms anywhere? Search on the web turns up nothing useful. If you have one of those booms, what's your review?

It's really hard to find dealers for any carbon booms other than Chinook. Any other alternatives?

Thanks!
Jeff
SF East Bay sailor
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DanWeiss



Joined: 24 Jun 2008
Posts: 2296
Location: Connecticut, USA

PostPosted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 2:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Other carbon booms are easy to find near you at Sunset Sailboards (Kevin K aka rathokan) carries carbon booms from Maui Sails, Streamlined and Simmer Style.

101surfingsports in San Rafeal carries or at least can get NP carbon booms.

Gulftech was purchased by John Chao to become a brand carried in the Windwing Shop in Hood River. I've no idea if it remains open, since the website seems years out of date.

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isobars



Joined: 12 Dec 1999
Posts: 20935

PostPosted: Tue Sep 09, 2014 2:34 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

New Gulftech carbons sell for $400 in the Gorge, and Streamlined and Maui Sails carbons are readily available from Isthmus and other stores.
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jchao



Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 29

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 12:43 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Very classy of you riv2511...Thanks for the kind words. Surprised)
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philodog



Joined: 28 Apr 2000
Posts: 209

PostPosted: Sun Nov 02, 2014 11:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I broke every newer Gulftech boom I`ve owned (4) within a season. John was great in replacing them but they all broke way prematurely. There is a reason they are cheap. I bought two used Chinook carbons 3 years ago and they`re still going strong.
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swchandler



Joined: 08 Nov 1993
Posts: 10588

PostPosted: Mon Nov 03, 2014 4:31 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I bought a Gulftech Glory carbon boom at the Windwing shop in 2002, and got 5 good years out of it before it failed. I have to say though, it didn't fail on the water. I bought a new Maui Sails boom when they were released in 2007, and upon removing the harness lines on the Gulftech, I found that the outer plastic cover and underlying carbon tubing on one side at the front end interface was deeply cracked and very close to breaking. Once the rear end extension was removed, the arm became super wobbly ultimately revealing the damage.

Overall, I have to say that I got my moneys worth with the Gulftech. The only criticism that I could offer is that the cleat on the front end was a bit fussy getting things right. On the upside, I loved the bend curve.
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cgoudie1



Joined: 10 Apr 2006
Posts: 2597
Location: Killer Sturgeon Cove

PostPosted: Thu Nov 06, 2014 4:16 pm    Post subject: Gulftech carbon booms Reply with quote

I must mention that I have 3 Gulftech carbon booms.
Purchased over the last 8 years. None have failed,
though my most used boom (on which
I rig my 4.7) has had a cleat issue from the moment it was purchased.
(4 years ago I think). Since I purchased these all for extremely
reasonable prices, I have no complaints. The assembly quality is
not as high as my carbon HPL booms (both of which did have head
failures none the less). The extension pins on the Gulftechs
are problematic unless you use both hands to set them.

They are going for about $400 a boom around the Gorge if you can find
John, or someone who picked up a batch in the cheap boom sell off
about 5 years ago. I'm still looking for a midrange Gulftech carbon
at the price I paid for those I currently own. If I find one, I'm buying it.

-Craig
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surfersteve



Joined: 24 Apr 2007
Posts: 203

PostPosted: Thu Nov 06, 2014 7:02 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

www.bigwinds.com in Hood River OR. 541-386-6086. They carry Maui, Chinook, and I think Naish and Severne booms. They are always happy to ship anything and everything you need quickly and professionally.
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carl



Joined: 25 Feb 1997
Posts: 2674
Location: SF bay area

PostPosted: Mon Nov 10, 2014 11:24 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Your local shop in Alameda has Maui Sails booms,, excellent quality boom.
Call or email since it's off-season now.
Boardsportsschool.com
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jchao



Joined: 16 Dec 2004
Posts: 29

PostPosted: Mon Nov 10, 2014 12:35 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've kept Gulftech, Windwing and Windsurfing Hawaii brands available for the past 14 years. All of them were on the verge of collapse back in 2000. True we don't advertise nor market the products we do however still R&D, manufacture, sell and service customers.

Gulftech booms are the most visible booms on the beach because of the price and quantity of booms imported. For the past few years we've been clearing out remaining inventory. Mostly larger booms are left and the largest is a steal because of the monocoque construction and the cost of carbon today. (There's little demand for large booms in the Gorge)

We've had a new boom designs available for 3 years now. They're based on our GT Formula boom, much stiffer with lower swing weight. We haven't imported them in volume because of the cost ($1200-$1400 retail) but do sell them on a special order basis. Yes, the party is over for cheap carbon booms, I'm afraid.

BTW you can watch this boom in action in this video. Notice even though it's the stiffest boom available; it still flexes like mad under load. This illustrate why stiffness is more critical than weight when it comes to performance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WnpSGH5F1Jk


Last edited by jchao on Mon Nov 10, 2014 3:10 pm; edited 1 time in total
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