This story explains the method I used to make a 100% carbon windsurf boom.
Carbon windsurf booms nowadays are standard for race sails, but can often cost more than 1000 euro. Therefore I decided to try to make one myself for my Aerotech VMG 6.0 sail, using aerospace materials.
The result is a boom which is lighter and at least equally stiff compared to an industrially manufactured boom. Combined with one of the best boom heads available (Streamlined), it makes an incredibly stiff combination and a pleasure to sail.
Carbon windsurf booms nowadays are standard for race sails, but can often cost more than 1000 euro. Therefore I decided to try to make one myself for my Aerotech VMG 6.0 sail, using aerospace materials.
The result is a boom which is lighter and at least equally stiff compared to an industrially manufactured boom. Combined with one of the best boom heads available (Streamlined), it makes an incredibly stiff combination and a pleasure to sail.
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Signing UpStep 1: Chipboard & nails
The first step is to make a core.
I thought a bit about a foam core, but that would require a lot of shaping and sanding and eventually might be very fragile in the layup process.
To avoid this I developed a new method using glass fiber fabric, RT cure epoxy resin and a garden water pump hose...
The contours of the boom core are drawn onto a chipwood plate (or any kind of other scrap wood) Nails are hammered down into these lines with a spacing of about 2 inches. This "mould" and a tube which will fit between the nails is all that is needed to give the boom its shape.
I thought a bit about a foam core, but that would require a lot of shaping and sanding and eventually might be very fragile in the layup process.
To avoid this I developed a new method using glass fiber fabric, RT cure epoxy resin and a garden water pump hose...
The contours of the boom core are drawn onto a chipwood plate (or any kind of other scrap wood) Nails are hammered down into these lines with a spacing of about 2 inches. This "mould" and a tube which will fit between the nails is all that is needed to give the boom its shape.
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My only comment would be that, working in an aerospace R+D department is cheating ;-)
How is a normal user going to cook this thing ! its huge !