Chinook head for Fiberspar boom?

Ugly_Bird · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 335

Aloha!

I do like my Fiberspar Posigrip 170-218 carbon boom except one thing. At low temperatures it is getting hard to take boom off an SDM and even harder from an RDM attached through shim. The clamp there is not pivoted so when plastic becomes more rigid at low temperatures it feels like something is about to snap.

So I thought that replacing the head with chinook might work:
https://chinooksailing.com/index.php/windsurf/booms/boom-parts-accessories/pro-1-boom-head-complete.html

It should make rigging easier as well. Somehow I need to figure out that the diameters match. That's a good question. Would be glad to see any input.

Thanks!

Andrei

ctuna · Joined: 27 Jun 1995 Posts: 1126 Location: Santa Cruz Ca

Think about a streamlined boom head.
It will be stiffer.
Another thing is the fiber spar twist locks need
to be replaced about every year or two.
I got so tired of the boom loosing its outhaul adjustment
because of twist locks slipping.

Ugly_Bird · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 335

dhmark · Joined: 04 Sep 2007 Posts: 376

I have swapped boom heads on booms before. The boom diameter must be the same or smaller than the head. If the boom is smaller, you build up the diameter with fiberglass and West epoxy. The straight front part of the boom must be wide enough for the head. Finally, I put epoxy bumps on the boom to each side of the head so it won't slip off center. I did this 2 times using an old Hawaiian Proline head (crummy head) and a new Hawaiian Proline head (better) to an old Dynafiber boom.
The streamlined is very expensive; the new straps probably work better than the old ones that I looked at when I was looking into it (big hassle to adjust). Mauisails head that many use to like wouldn't work, I think was too wide. I like heads with built-in RDM shim. If Chinook dimensions are compatible, go for it.

Arrgh · Joined: 05 May 1998 Posts: 864 Location: Rio

I love my Streamlined boom head, but it is for rdm only. There is another for sdm. Doesn't seem solve you problem. Have you contacted Chinook directly? And measured the diameter of your boom? If boom diameter is too small you can build it up with f-glass.

Edit: dhmark beat me to the punch. As for the Streamlined: I have the new Dyneema type head and it is super easy to use, and lighter than even the earlier, crappy HPL head. It's one way to eliminate the hassle of the rdm shim, just not a one boom solution if you have both rdm and sdm masts.

dllee · Joined: 03 Jul 2009 Posts: 5329 Location: East Bay

Angles have to match.
Booms need to be same or smaller diameter than inside of the head.

Ugly_Bird · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 335

mark · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 181

Maui Sails sells front ends separately. With the standard shims it will fit either 36 or 40mm diameter tubes.

Ugly_Bird · Joined: 04 Nov 2008 Posts: 335

swchandler · Joined: 08 Nov 1993 Posts: 10588

You've got to be kidding me, right? Does a boom head have to have a hinged component to attach it to the mast? No, it doesn't.

I've had a Maui Sails boom since 2007, and I've never had a problem attaching or removing it from the mast. It's arguably one of the best designs on the marketplace right now, and it is very easy to use. I find it amazing that you find the MS front end design a bit too challenging or difficult to use for your needs.