NeilPryde boom X3

At least three problems have to be solved when building a boom: it has to be stiff, light and easy to grip. The main dilemma for designers is that these three most important criteria often influence each other in the wrong direction. If the boom is to be stiffer, it will either be thicker or heavier. If stiffer aluminium is used for the bars instead, it can no longer be bent in the required tight radius at the head piece. NeilPryde wants to break this vicious circle with the new series.

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[Boom] NeilPryde X3 : [Tester] Manuel Vogel : [Spot] Prasonisi

Away from the continuous pipe bend made of an aluminium alloy towards a three-part design. With materials that fulfil the respective requirement profile as well as possible at their place of use. We tested the current X3 160-210 extensively on the water in the freestyle and wave test and compared it with its predecessor model in the laboratory:

On the water, the boom feels stiff and, above all, grippy. The spars are nice and thin in the hand and the coating is just soft enough and comfortable to grip, but also so robust that our booms still looked good even after weeks of use. The head piece can also be easily adjusted in height on the water and clamps the mast firmly in the conical holder with little leverage.

Thinner & stiffer

Our laboratory test also produced pleasing results. Despite a noticeably thinner diameter (31 instead of 33 millimetres including the pad - sounds like little, but feels like a bicycle handlebar compared to a street lamp), the new boom expands seven percent less under load than its thicker predecessor. And the weight remains unchanged. The old X3 is also one of the stiffest aluminium forks in the laboratory test.

The weight saving of the new head piece has now been invested in more stable spars. The elegant anodised front arch is cast in a mould under high pressure to produce a stable, stress-free component that is suitable for mounting the headpiece without additional plastic overmoulding. The spars are made from rigid, heat-treated T6 aluminium and bonded to the head arch with an overlap. And what is the point of the S-bend in the spar, which is designed to prevent the boom from shortening under load (photo above)? The laboratory measurement is undecided, both booms shorten minimally under load.

Our conclusion: A solid further development. Stiffer, thinner with good function. An upgrade that is worthwhile.

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Info: www.neilpryde.de

A completely redesigned head piece made of die-cast aluminium saves weight and provides a sophisticated look. NeilPryde is thus moving away from the monocoque towards a multi-piece boom.

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NeilPryde boom X3

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