Select to expand quoteJakeNN said..thedoor said..
I am probably going to purchase a narrow alloy boom tomorrow
If you would like any seabreeze opinions (and occasional facts), then let us know which one you are buying :)
big fan of the chinook pro alloy so probably just going to go with their rdm version
thedoor, I used a Severne metal wave boom (140-190) for a while (think the diam was 26mm??). Ended up getting an Enigma Wave Severne Carbon 140-190 (diam 24mm?). It only slightly helps with forearm fatigue. Considering the price difference, I'd say the carbon is not worth the extra money JUST based on forearm fatigue.
The biggest factor for forearm fatigue for me is lack of time on water (out of condition), then wearing neoprene gloves, followed by poorly set harness lines. I think a narrow diameter boom doesn't prevent forearm fatigue much. The best thing about the carbon boom, is it's much stiffer so the sail feels more responsive, and there's a weight saving which also helps a bit. And it's probably going to last a little longer.
Select to expand quotepetermac33 said..
When you are planning of course the difference is less but I can still feel it.
When you are not planing I can feel a huge difference with a light boom and also a 100 percent carbon mast.
Gybing as well it makes a big difference.
I remember using a 7m Severne R3 from memory many years ago that was rigged with one of the larger sized Enigma booms and when I took it for a quick sail I struggled bigtime with the weight. Was so relieved to get back on my own gear.
Women especially benefit more from using light booms and other light components.
Can you imagine a women trying to windsurf using the old Maui 190-240 carbon boom that is possibly the heaviest carbon boom on the market?
Yep I sold a boom because it was too heavy. It was for my large sails. It was a good sturdy boom but after buying a carbon Enigma I really noticed the extra weight in the older one. 
27mm round .. sorry but that is not a good option. there are thinner booms for the same money. check some other aluminium booms.
Not good ....
The Chinook Sailing Reduced Diameter Grip (RDG) 135-195cm Alloy Boom is 2mm smaller than our standard Pro-1 Alloy booms.
Specs 135-195cmGrip Diameter: 27mm - 1 1/16"Weight: 6.0 lbsInside Width: 37cm1 year warranty
Select to expand quoteJakeNN said..
27mm round .. sorry but that is not a good option. there are thinner booms for the same money. check some other aluminium booms.
Not good ....
The Chinook Sailing Reduced Diameter Grip (RDG) 135-195cm Alloy Boom is 2mm smaller than our standard Pro-1 Alloy booms.
Specs 135-195cmGrip Diameter: 27mm - 1 1/16"Weight: 6.0 lbsInside Width: 37cm1 year warranty
I went with the chinook RDG. I only used it for an hour yesterday but I did unhook quit a bit and also did some one hand unhooked riding.
Preliminary verdict is that 27cm seems pretty small and I am not sure I would want to go smaller. Maybe a slight reduction in fatigue, but more sessions will be needed. I did not notice any difference in weight or stiffness relative to my regular pro alloy. The biggest difference might have been the new grip on the new boom. More friction = less forearm strength to hang on. I think someone above mentioned the importance of the quality of the grip on your boom in reducing forearm fatigue.
How often do people regrip their booms normally?
Forearm fatigue may be due to slippery grip when wet. Besides soap and water, a good scrub can work too with some sand paper or just wet beach sand.
Then, there's technique where power needs to be applied with the harness. So out of harness we just steer and not pull. (Check lines position, length, etc.)
A correctly tuned sail can be driven with finger tips. When in the harness we can also push with front arm instead of pulling with back one.
Stretch and ice when resting, great for tendinitis too :)
I prefer smaller grips too (rig feels lighter). You can shave your existing grip down to near bare tube if you want.
Select to expand quoteManuel7 said..
You can shave your existing grip down to near bare tube if you want.
nice idea .. what is the best method to do this? sandpaper?
Select to expand quoteJakeNN said..
27mm round .. sorry but that is not a good option. there are thinner booms for the same money. check some other aluminium booms.
Not good ....
The Chinook Sailing Reduced Diameter Grip (RDG) 135-195cm Alloy Boom is 2mm smaller than our standard Pro-1 Alloy booms.
Specs 135-195cmGrip Diameter: 27mm - 1 1/16"Weight: 6.0 lbsInside Width: 37cm1 year warranty
Ever occur that not all hands are the same size, larger diameter or smaller may fit the hand sizes better worse?
Select to expand quoteforceten said..
Ever occur that not all hands are the same size, larger diameter or smaller may fit the hand sizes better worse?
I have never heard of anyone complain about a boom grip that is too skinny .. but keen to hear if someone has had a bad experience.
Select to expand quoteJakeNN said..Manuel7 said..
You can shave your existing grip down to near bare tube if you want.
nice idea .. what is the best method to do this? sandpaper?
Yes dry. Coarse works. I have a used boom whose regrip was super thick, sanded it down a lot. On the contrary my severne boom has very very thin grip.
Select to expand quoteManuel7 said..
Yes dry. Coarse works. I have a used boom whose regrip was super thick, sanded it down a lot. On the contrary my severne boom has very very thin grip.
Did you shave the Severne? Is it worth trying to sand down a thin grip?
Select to expand quoteHooksey said..
F45 will fix all forearm fatigue issues....
Sitting outside watching? 
Select to expand quoteJakeNN said.. I have never heard of anyone complain about a boom grip that is too skinny .. but keen to hear if someone has had a bad experience.
I do, as they're more bendy.... the comfort is better with skinny ones, but I'd rather not have a bendy boom. I reckon 28 ish is sweet spot between rigidity and comfort
Select to expand quoteManuel7 said..
Forearm fatigue may be due to slippery grip when wet. Besides soap and water, a good scrub can work too with some sand paper or just wet beach sand.
My session yesterday on one of my older booms definitely highlighted the importance of grippy grip. Immediately felt increase work load in the forearms while pumping. A tolerable but noticable difference
So I can clean my old boom grip by a scrub with soap and water, makes sense probably lots of mud and sun cream in the old one.
Anyone else tried sanding their boom grip to revitalize it? Probably more coarse sand paper?
^^ When I regrip a boom I use sandpaper 120~240 grit to remove the overlap. Doesn't need much pressure. Sanding lightly will improve grip. But remember it's only 1.2mm thick.
I'm a V Grip fan. Make it from HD EVA,About 6~8mm tall and 20~25mm wide sand tangential to boom circumference. This can be contact cemented directly onto an existing good condition grip.( hasn't fallen off in 18months trial.)
Or for the factory look, contact cement it to the bare boom n cover with grip of your choice.
Has made a big difference to forearm fatigue for me. Fingers are jointed not round.
The V grip pulls into the fingers more n spreads the load across Palm n fingers. Works for me. Happy sailing.
Select to expand quoteolskool said..
^^ When I regrip a boom I use sandpaper 120~240 grit to remove the overlap. Doesn't need much pressure. Sanding lightly will improve grip. But remember it's only 1.2mm thick.
I'm a V Grip fan. Make it from HD EVA,About 6~8mm tall and 20~25mm wide sand tangential to boom circumference. This can be contact cemented directly onto an existing good condition grip.( hasn't fallen off in 18months trial.)
Or for the factory look, contact cement it to the bare boom n cover with grip of your choice.
Has made a big difference to forearm fatigue for me. Fingers are jointed not round.
The V grip pulls into the fingers more n spreads the load across Palm n fingers. Works for me. Happy sailing.
OK cheers
I am gonna try a light sand for sure and may consider the home made v-grip. Did you just put on the front half of the boom?
^ I made the V section about 1m in length. When glueing to an existing grip run masking tape on boom either side of the V form. Contact cement the V on then use electrical tape (pvc) wound tightly over to get good adhesion. Leave to cure. Remove pvc tape then sand down to desired shape along masking tape edge. Taper the ends fair. Remove masking tape. Go sail.
Select to expand quoteolskool said..
Make it from HD EVA,About 6~8mm tall and 20~25mm wide
Any suggestions of where to buy?
I used 'Diamond Deck' I had left over from a boat project. But any High Density EVA would be suitable. Clark rubber or similar shop should stock it. Cut the edges of the EVA strips on an angle. To roughly make the V shape before gluing to boom. Cuts down on the sanding required. Think there's a thread on SB with some pics on Vgripping a boom.
The soap and scrubbing brush made a big difference. I tried sanding one side of the boom and did not notice any additional benefit over the soap and brush.
Select to expand quoteJakeNN said..forceten said..
Ever occur that not all hands are the same size, larger diameter or smaller may fit the hand sizes better worse?
I have never heard of anyone complain about a boom grip that is too skinny .. but keen to hear if someone has had a bad experience.
Sure - my hands are XXL+ and for me the best boom ever was the old Fleetwood Composite Oval but the WH Gorilla Boom was a close second. The Chinook RDG is nicely made but definitely more tiring to use than standard diameter. Haven't tried current oval designs yet. What matters just as much as cross section is plan geometry. Booms with a lot of curve right up front in the modern style seem to be less tiring than ones where the curve is distributed more generally.
Select to expand quoteJakeNN said..forceten said..
Ever occur that not all hands are the same size, larger diameter or smaller may fit the hand sizes better worse?
I have never heard of anyone complain about a boom grip that is too skinny .. but keen to hear if someone has had a bad experience.
Sure - my hands are XXL+ and for me the best boom ever was the old Fleetwood Composite Oval but the WH Gorilla Boom was a close second. The Chinook RDG is nicely made but definitely more tiring to use than standard diameter. Haven't tried current oval designs yet. What matters just as much as cross section is plan geometry. Booms with a lot of curve right up front in the modern style seem to be less tiring than ones where the curve is distributed more generally.
It's always good to read a current thread on booms.
Go for state of the art if you can afford it. My Severne wave boom is magic.
But aren't 'Vee' grip booms a bit over-rated?
I had one and found it heavy compared to round tube booms, and I didn't notice any of the alleged user-friendliness when hanging on. The round tube booms are definitely lighter, in a strength to weight ratio test. The key is not the Vee shape but a smaller diameter tubing.
The smaller diameter booms are obviously nicer to hold than bigger tube arms, especially in the transitions.
Once you've had a smaller diameter carbon boom you don't go back.
Watch out too for the arm 'grip' or covering used. A good boom grip is soft to touch but also hard wearing - and with the material not adding too much extra diameter to the carbon boom tubing.
If you still use aluminium booms then think again. They last two years max - before sagging and eventually breaking - so they are good when new but don't stand up well to regular longer term use. .
Been dealing with the dreaded tennis elbow for a couple of months. On advice, bought one of those straps that go on the forearm just below the elbow. Only had it out for windskate so far, but seems to make quite a difference, during and after.
Select to expand quotethedoor said..Faff said..
Could your arm pump be wetsuit related?
it might be a factor but its the same wetsuit I have used for 5+ years,and its cold where I sail so going without is not an option. The big change is the increased sailing time (cause foiling isn't half as tiring as windsurfing) and the increased unhooking while "riding swells" on the foil. I imagine wave sailors unhook much more than bump and jump sailors and foiling I seem to unhook more than I do while windsurfing (bump and jump).
I am probably going to purchase a narrow alloy boom tomorrow as we need to replace an old one. Will report back if it makes any difference
Old suits are stiffer. Forcing blood into your cold forearms compressed by a stiff wetsuit takes more effort than maintaining blood flow of already pumped up forearms. What has worked for me (3 times now, so the clinical trials are over): while driving to your spot, drink an electrolyte drink like Hydralyte, and use a cheap grip trainer to get your forearms pumped up. (Now don't turn this into a workout, because like POTUS said, we are born with a finite amount of energy... like a battery. Needless activity just depletes this battery. So better use it doing something fun. Like windsurfing.)
Select to expand quotemusorianin said..
Been dealing with the dreaded tennis elbow for a couple of months. On advice, bought one of those straps that go on the forearm just below the elbow. Only had it out for windskate so far, but seems to make quite a difference, during and after.
Section recovery and health: windsurfing.lepicture.com/tips-and-tricks/
Find the top forearm muscles, dig your fingers in them and rotate your wrist around to massage the area. Works instantly. Ice is amazing also.
sailing with the hands on top of the boom with the thumbs on the top side of the boom and not underside, try if, it feels weird but you stop using the underside of your fore arm muscles.
I find this an interesting topic I bought a second hand Neil Pryde carbon X9 180-230 late last year. It really needs re-griping it has elastoplast type tape around worn section, harness line area. It was not too bad to hang onto but compared to my previous boom which was the same in alloy (good nick but bent it after a crash
) I definitely experienced forearm fatigue sooner.
My question is has anyone tried this product on the link below, out of China so not politically correct thing to do right now I know 
but where else to go
. Minimum by the look is 10m but willing to spend if it works. Or should I just go and buy the standard replacement grip
volsun.en.made-in-china.com/product/SBPEcGtZXhVi/China-PE-Non-Slip-Flexible-Sports-Heat-Shrink-Tube.html
