Broke my alloy Aeron on the weekend. It has lasted about 4 years with a lot of over powered speed sailing and I'm about 95kg. I reckon that's a pretty good run.
Anyhow, I thought I would go carbon and everyone is raving about another brand..... I was mentally preparing myself for a $1000 outlay, which is stretching my dedication. Then I saw the price!! $1500 Are they ???#ing joking!
I would need that to last 20years to be value for money.
Oh, but the performance will be better.... but I'm not a pro sailor, the performance advantage would be nice, but its not THAT important.
I see why the reviews are so positive too, you would be too embarrassed to bag it if you had paid that sort of money!!
Are you guys sure you're not getting sucked into technology oneupmanship? Is this sport THAT serious to you??
I'm only half serious, I'm sure it is a quality boom - boy this is becoming an elitist sport though.....
I'm just jealous because those prices are simply out of my league 
So to get to the point, where can I buy Aeron booms in Aus?
Well after that little dummy spit, I've just had some advice of experiences with people picking up 2nd hand booms around the $500 mark and lasting 10+ years. Thats good value. I suppose the initial gamble is as to whether you've scored a good one or not
Anyhow, give me a mouthful, I deserve it
I'm hearing you..., it's expensive...hard to justify why so..
but then I look at my carbon extension. Then look at how much carbon is it V's a boom and all the other bits, especially the head/clamp and all of a sudden the boom looks cheap!
It looks cheap when you're swimming for a few km..... :-)
you guys are really being hit hard by prices in Oz, top of range race carbon boom will not exceed 1000$ here and a wave one will be 700$ new
Actually, I see I can get a 180-230 MauiSails carbon boom for just over $1k. I might come at that - anyone have experience with these?
$1500 retail!!!, really who pays that.Thats a starting price-- just work them down in hundreds
2nd Wind Sailboards do RRD Carbon booms that are reasonably priced and I think that they are basically Aeron Booms with RRD branding. They are not importing Aerons because they would need to order too many for it to be viable. My Aeron carbon slalom boom is still going strong after 5 years and some big offs.
In bigger boom sizes, I could never get an Alloy Boom to last even 1 season, and being a fat bastard 95kg plus & an ethical person I couldnt keep going back claiming warranty's from good people, so I bought a 190 to 240 carbon boom lasted me 5+ years so far, paid itself off many times over plus no long swims far from home
I bought my carbon booms back when a 180-240 boom cost about $700. I replaced the clamp a few months ago. Bought the boom new about 12 years ago. Replace the arm clips every 5 or so years.
my wave boom i bought 13 or so years ago. Still going strong.
originally i was breaking carbon booms every 2-3 years. I swapped brands and not broken one since.
) I recently got a smaller version 170-230 carbon boom of my larger 190-240 boom based on just how good the bigger one has performed - it's still going strong after 4 years.
Thanks for the feedback and advice guys, very useful
Paddymac, I will follow up with the RRD option and see how big the gap between them and the MS boom is.
Sausage, I was thinking the 170-230, then it can fit my 5.8, 6.6 and 7.6. Agree the front end looks good - will certainly check if the pin holes are still an issue. Encouraging though that MS (Barry) seem to be listening
What's the boom length on your 7.6 as I wouldn't recommend fully extending as you are on the heavy side (same weight as me)
Select to expand quoteSpecial said..
Actually, I see I can get a 180-230 MauiSails carbon boom for just over $1k. I might come at that - anyone have experience with these?
I have both the 190-240 and the 170 -230 and can recommend both,I have regripped the 190-240 using the new Maui Sails grip as the old grip style was renowned for peeling off and it looks like a new one.
In my opinion it was money well spent on them as they are great booms and I also agree they are the best heads going around,I put a new MS head on my HPL formula boom and it made a big difference to it.
I use the 170 on 5.6,6.2 and 7 mtr,the 190 on the 7.8and 8.6.
Just remenber that carbon booms feel great and are strong but they can also break given a nice stack so no boom is bullet proof 
Select to expand quoteSpecial said..
Thanks for the feedback and advice guys, very useful
Paddymac, I will follow up with the RRD option and see how big the gap between them and the MS boom is.
Sausage, I was thinking the 170-230, then it can fit my 5.8, 6.6 and 7.6. Agree the front end looks good - will certainly check if the pin holes are still an issue. Encouraging though that MS (Barry) seem to be listening
I'm a lightweight at 64kg and use my 170-230 for a 5.4, 6,6, and 7.5. Works great! Had some minor issues with the tail piece holes (odd wear) after 2 uses but had excellent customer service from the Maui guys. Highly recommend the boom!
Select to expand quotesausage said..
What's the boom length on your 7.6 as I wouldn't recommend fully extending as you are on the heavy side (same weight as me)
My small and large sails are X15 (the 6.6 is a dead Koncept, yet to be replaced). The 5.8 is 187cm, the 7.6 is 211cm. Do you think that would be ok on the 230?
Select to expand quoteSpecial said...sausage said..
What's the boom length on your 7.6 as I wouldn't recommend fully extending as you are on the heavy side (same weight as me)
My small and large sails are X15 (the 6.6 is a dead Koncept, yet to be replaced). The 5.8 is 187cm, the 7.6 is 211cm. Do you think that would be ok on the 230?
Yeah that shouldn't be an issue. It was just that it didn't feel too stiff with my 7.8 (218 boom) when I rigged it up once although I never sailed with it as I was still hadnt made modifications to tail. Don't get me wrong, I like the boom but think MS's quality control and/or design specs on the tail piece was wanting.
I have the 170-230 and the 190-240 MS booms. I've sail the 170-230 with my 8.0 (224 boom) and it felt fine, a little flex when overpowered, but for cruising perfectly powered it is great. I've used the 190-240 with a 9.2 (240 boom) and there was zero flex even when stupidly overpowered.
Edit - I'm 85 kg.
