Epic Formula Boom Pix

[WARDOG]

Finally got a light air day to try the new Epic formula booms...
Love the skinny grip and wide rearend...
Here's some pix:

http://www.surfingsports.com/pimages/epic_formula_boom.jpg
http://www.surfingsports.com/pimages/epic_formula_head.jpg
http://www.surfingsports.com/pimages/epic_formula_rearend.jpg

Warm winds...{:~)

[Unregistered]

What about the stiffness at full extension compared to other brands ?

FG

[WARDOG]

The answer is "pretty stiff"...and several hundred dollars less than the competition...;-)

I wish boom manufacturers would agree on a standard testing procedure and put stiffness ratings on the booms...

So, not as stiff as the $895 Gulftech Maximums...
http://www.surfingsports.com/images/gulftech_maximum_lg.jpg

They come in two sizes and have very attractive pricing...the ultra-skinny grip will GREATLY reduce forearm fatigue, keeping
you sailing for hours longer...and the wide rearend is great for AO's...

Epic Formula Booms:
220-280cm MSRP $474
250-310cm MSRP $499

Of course, the HPL's are "very stiff", particularly with the
Streamlined front end ($119)...word is there are also a couple of carbon versions in the offing by different manufacturers...
The Hawaiian Pro Line does have a slightly fatter grip and is more
expensive: 245-310cm MSRP $637
With the Streamlined front end the HPL would be $750...

So the bottomline is, the Epic Formula booms are awesome...and have a high stiffness/dollar ratio...quite possibly the highest.

Warm winds...{:~)

[Koen B-12]

Wardog, do you mean the gulftech maximum is build in the same factory ast the Epic booms?

[WARDOG]

Hi Koen,
My understanding is that the Gulftech Maximum is manufactured
in a facility in China that Don McCormick, the founder of Gulftech, set up...they are also making carbon battens there...

The Maximums are different from the rest of their booms and masts that are made at the Autima plant in Taiwan, along with several other brands that look similar, as you and others have noted...kind of a Cobra factory for booms and masts...
I've heard that Gulftechs new Formula Race boom is 2 lbs (~1kg) lighter than the Maximums and just as stiff...and has an improved head...most people were adding the Streamlined head to the Maximums, making the retail price over $1000...
http://www.surfingsports.com/streamlined_strap_on.asp

The main point of my post was to share a few closeup pix of the new Epic Formula booms , comment on their positive attributes and quality now that I've had a chance to try them, and point out that the pricing/performance is very attractive compared to other FW booms costing much more...

I know that some sailors will gladly sacrifice some stiffness, for reduced grip diameter and lower pricing of the Epics...

[Unregistered]

I am sure these booms are great, i have another autima boom (tekknosport)which is working just fine.
BUT
i dont really understand the thinking behind a nice carbon rear end .......with a rivet stuck through the end of it............
Looks like someone has just forgotten that attention to detail does matter.
No rivets and bonded would have been much nicer..... maybe next year?