Just broke my second alloy boom today and am looking at taking the plunge to carbon. I know a lot of guys who race for bayside go through sails, boards etc like its out of fashion. 
I haven't been able to see any second hand carbon booms on any website, just wondering if many ppl sell them on to get the new model?
And how much should i expect to pay assuming reg use for 1 to 2 yrs?
If you know of someone selling a suitable boom, around 180-230 would be perfect, send me a message.
Adding question on carbon booms;
What benefits can you get from using them in the freestyle/wave side of the sport?
Do they weigh less? or are they purely designed to be tough?
i dont intend on breaking my alloy but my rig is really heavy.
i just want one that will not spontaneously break, i really don't care if its light or not, for speed use.
Mate i used to go through an alloy every six months bought myself a 100% carbon Maui sails boom had it nearly two years just replaced the head, probably could to with new grip, they are well over $1000 to buy but in my opinion are the Rolls Royce of booms, mine is the size you are looking for and although i am still using it you can have it for $300 and i will buy a new one, as i said it may benefit from a new grip,buts its only cosmetic.
The carbon boom would definitely be the way to go from all reports. Sonic i sent you a pm, i know simon got new maui carbons in yesterday btw.
I was talking with AMAC at KA sails a couple of weeks back about his carbon booms and he told me he tests every boom by loading them up prior to selling them.
Why are they breaking Steller, if its extra ordinary loadings eg mega-pults it won't matter what they are made of. I've considered the change too but when you do the maths you can have 4 good alloys for a grand or 1 carbon. Chances are you'll manage to get a reasonable usage out of 1 or 2 of the alloys. Not knocking carbons at all but the maths of going carbon doesn't work for me.
I think they break because Alloy, salt water,fresh water and fatigue do not work well together, also sailors that like to get down low and really put that downward drive through the harness puts a lot of pressure on those alloy rivets or screws, if you are the type of sailor that has a fairly stand up posture i am sure you will get longer out of the alloy. I have just ordered 100% carbon from the windsurfing shed and they are good to deal with and i found the price fair, hope it comes for the good winds forecast on Thursday, if not any sailors with a spare down the train?????????????
I agree with Sonic on this one. I like to sail overpowered and end up putting a lot of pressure on my booms and therefore was going through a lot of ally booms. I had an awesome carbon boom for bump and jump, obviously it was a lot smaller than the slalom booms and probably as strong as you could get in a boom and still broke it in a trip over the falls.
I now have a really strong pro limit ally for the small stuff and have adjusted my stance to a more upright position to reduce the pressure on it. I also hang it tail down in when I store it to stop salt water pooling at the head, which is always where they were breaking.
I just got a new maui boom for racing and I just can't beleive how stiff it is. This was the main reason I went to carbon. If you have a boom that flexes too much on the big sails then in a gust it compresses and increases your luff giving the sail more power just when you don't need it.
Also the maui booms have a really wide section in the rear, which allows you to really luff the sail up without it creasing over the boom arms. This keeps a nice profile in the sail and stops those unsightly rub marks on the panels.
I always thought the speed at which it bends back into shape was important myself!
