testing stanard

Question
Hi Windlover,

Thanks for your reply about different boom knowledge yesterday.

Have you any idea about boom and mast testing standard ?
for example, how weight for extented or handing.

Thanks again, I am new in this sport and want to know more about safty issue when I buy equipment.  

Answer
Hey Andre,

I do not know what the testing standards are for booms and masts. I do know that they are very durable items and hold up to a variety of stresses. In my 26 years of windsurfing I have broken a few masts and a couple of booms. The first boom I broke was very new and was caused by a factory defect. The replacement boom I received lasted for 6 years before it broke in a high speed crash. My first broken mast was due to the early days of tie on booms. This method of attaching the booms caused small stress fractures in the mast and eventually caused faliures. The few masts that I have broken since have been caused by heavy impacts during crashes.

The booms and masts being made now are much stronger and lighter than older gear.  Just like any equipment that is subjected to a variety of stresses, they will fail. Proper care can make these last for many seasons of sailing. If a person doesn't take good care of their gear, failure could possibly happen sooner than later.

If you want to see what gear can go through and still hold up, check out the Dale Cook video at sailworks.com under gallery. This is an extreme example of some of the stresses that sailing gear can go through. For the average sailor, their gear rarely gets tested at this level. Booms and masts will usually last a fairly long time for the average sailor.

The best thing for any new or old sailor to do is learn self rescue techniques. Check out windsurfingmag.com under beginner instruction for some self rescue info. As a new sailor, read all the articles for great tips on how to advance your sailing.

Hope this helps.
Keep on sailing,
Windlover