Boom safety

Wow. I have never heard of an accident like that. That is a tough one, but I wouldn't let it deter you. A few guidelines:

Make sure you buy a quality boom from one of the big name suppliers.
Make sure to inspect it on a regular basis, attachment to pylon, cables, connections.
If you see any fraying at all, don't use it. I am sure the manufacturers will replace frayed cable or even maybe a local service. I think Eddie just reported getting his replaced by a local vendor of some sort.
Make sure turnbuckles or cable blocks are tight and in good condition.
Do not be chincy with your hooks to connect the cables to the bow eye. Use quality hooks.
Be sure you have a two cable, not a one cable boom.
Make sure you properly instruct the users of the boom and do not tolerate any actions other than the standard approaches you see on here.

If you are careful and have quality equipment, I think everyone will be safe.

Can you tell us a little more about the accident? Was your friend that got hurt the skier or a passenger? Like Larry, I have not heard of an accident like that on a boom.

Glen,
What actually was the failure point. You did mention cable. If it was the cable where was the failure? At a connection or in the middle?

Well in that case Larry wouldn't a 1 cable boom be safer? 50% chance of this happening!

Without more details this is a pretty useless warning.

lcgordon wrote: Hollywood wrote: Without more details this is a pretty useless warning. The OP was not really a warning

lcgordon wrote: It also seems as a great warning

so is it a warning or not? lol

So a statement or event that indicates a possible or impending danger, problem, or other unpleasant situation?

I know of many people that have purchased and installed used booms with no problems. I have taught many kids how to ski with my used BI Boom.

Landis,
The point of failure is VERY important especially since this is a warning for people to check their equipment. Cables do not normally break mid point. It's typically at a fitting and typically an improper fitting or an improper install. [/QUOTE]

Not saying that the actual reason is not important because it very much is so. But not knowing does not make it a pointless warning like stated before. Hearing that somebody almost got their arm ripped off because of equipment failure should hopefully remind ppl to check all there gear periodically weather its the boom cable or the screws and inserts on their skis. Thats atleast what I would think people would do but hey maybe not. But now this is getting kinda pointless so never mind just go ski.

We had both cables rip out of the crimps.   No one was hurt, but it did break a motorbox hinge.
Only one barrel crimp on each cable.

So, Here's how I fixed it.

Yes Pete, you would be embarrassed.   And you get a big F, for not wearing your glasses.
The loops are the exact same ECI factory spec. The coating IS Removed. See the red and blue replacement coating.
I know it's ugly.

I know your boom is probably way better than anyone else's. But mine works without ripping out.
So, now you know how to make your pretty one safe when it breaks.

Just a heds up for those looking to make this stuff a bit better. I need to adjust my cables as well. Eddie gave me a nice eye roll watching me rig it up last month.
Anyway this stuff is exactly what is used on sailboat lifelines. Walk into any West Marine and in the back you will will find a peg board filled with nice SS Sta-lock terminals , shackles, French clips, turnbuckles and bulk cable. Next to the peg board will be a bench and Sta-lock press. They do not charge for crimping this stuff up and it would be a huge upgrade from the stock configuration of crimp clamps. Maybe if I get some Ill re-do mine and post a DIY.
Any interest in that?

I think it's good to share experiences with equipment failures/injuries because stuff does happen and the more you know, the more you can prevent it. Seems to me an important rule is you never have anyone behind the boom in case it lets go. Great idea to check over the boom/fly high connections. I was pulling my very intermediate nephew slalom skiing about 20 years ago and he took a very unspectacular fall on a turn. His face hit the tip of the ski and he had a gash in his eye brow, a broken nose, broken cheek bone and a crushed eye socket. He still has breathing problems and I feel bad about it. Nothing anyone could have done to prevent it, but stuff does happen. Barefooting is an intense sport. Good to check your equipment and keep an eye on newbies in the boat.

Earlier in the post someone mentioned the cable was over tightened. I'm trying to get this figured out in my head how that is even possible. The cable usually is only tightened to the point of minimal slack and the skier weight actually tightens it up. Did they attach a come along to the boom and back of the boat and tight the heck out of it? It would seriously take some leverage to stress those cables. I've been using booms for 25 years and never had a BI boom failure. I'm a bit wreck loose as well and tend to push equipment but I still take care of it at the same time. Sounds like some one neglected thier equipment and didn't replace a cable when it was needed. I've seen al sorts of manufacturing defects so anything is possible. Taking risk is part of all sports and personally if they weren't a little dangerous I'm not sure I'd even enjoy them. I trust my boom way more than I trust the other weekend warriors on the lake.

Don I imagine in your second job travels you have seen some horrific equipment failures. Oh the humanity.

I am guilty of pushing the limits of the equipment that I have and have never heard of a failure - does this mean they do not happen, we all know better. What needs to be considered is why it happened and what if any events contributed to the event.
The equipment we use is engineered for a specific purpose within certain parameters, when we ignore or "discount" (or simply do not follow them at all) the manufacturers recommendations the level of risk for such an injury increases.
As a skier / footer / wake boarder or heck even a tuber you have a responsibility to understand the risks you are taking when you grab the handle or flop onto the tube, the risks include the equipment being used, the set up of the equipment, driver capability etc.
When you grab the handle and say go boat / hit it you have accepted the risk of what you are doing and who is operating the boat....
Check your equipment at not less than the frequency recommended in the instructions that came with it, call the manufacturer or go on-line (I personally have called both Lane Bowers and Mike Sieple for clarifications and equipment limitations of the BI Products).

And for what it is worth I probably using what was one of the most bent booms (a good 6" sweep in the far end) due to my size, inexperienced driver, incorrect body position and refusing to let loose of the handle. Interestingly enough when the cables were checked there was no sign of movement in the "blocks" and the boom still is in service (albeit a bit straighter) today without issue.
Check your gear often, inform your skiers of your expectations and what their expectations of you should be and have fun.