Wave boom: North Sails Ultimate Carbon boom in test - exclusive carbon club

With the Ultimate Carbon Wave, manufacturer North Sails has an elegant carbon model in its programme in two lengths (135-185 and 150-200 cm). The thin diameter of just 25 millimetres (incl. 27.5 millimetre padding) is almost on a par with the thinnest carbon models on the market. Solid double pins allow the boom to be easily adjusted. However, the centrepiece of the boom, which costs 1049 euros and weighs 2.2 kilos, is the very good head piece, which can be attached excellently and forms a rigid and non-slip connection to the mast.

In practical tests, the boom proved to be extremely stiff, even when extended and when heavy chunks are pulling on the spar. The widened back end also offers enough space for bulbous wave or freemove sails. The rope guide at the back end is optimised for North sails, which have integrated rollers on the outhaul. If you rig sails with a classic clew eyelet, there is unfortunately no way to simply loop the rope through and let it run over the roller on the boom. The only option is the NWS Flatwater Clew Assembly (9 euros), a pulley that is screwed onto the clew eye. But you would need this for every sail if you don't want to screw it on before every session.

Info under northsails.com