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The modern boom is made out of aircraft aluminum and mounts on the boat so that the skier can ride within ear shot of the driver. The round metal boom ads dramatic stability for the beginning skier while they gain confidence. Adjusting the height of the boom makes the skier feel lighter, stronger, and safer. When skiers feel safe they will enjoy water skiing and they will progress quicker.

There are three parts to the boom;

1. the piece that attaches to the boat is called the boom clamp

2. the second piece is an aluminum bar that attaches to the boom clamp and rests on the gunnel of the boat

3. the third piece is a solid aluminum bar that fits into the second piece and has cables that attach to the front of the boat

Rigging your boat with the best boom requires some insider info. There are three different attachment points to any boat; the tower, the ski pylon, or the gunnel of the boat. A boat with a tower has the option to using the newest technology in booms…the tower boom. Any water skiing boat comes with a ski pylon which mounts right behind the engine. This rigid piece of solid aluminum is the most popular place to anchor the boom. If you boat a boat that was primarily a pleasure boat or fishing boat, then there is a boom designed especially for you, the gunnel mount boom.

If you have a tower, then the only information you need is your tower tubing’s outer diameter. If you are going to use a gunnel mount boom, you only need to decide where on your boat’s gunnel you will attach it. Boats designed for water skiing all have ski pylons. The only information you will need is where your windshield ends on the side where your boom will go out.

If your boat’s windshield ends in front of the pylon, you will need what is called a “straight boom.” If your boom extends less than 8 inches past your pylon, then you need what is called a “contour boom.” If your windshield extends more than 8 inches past your ski pylon, then you may need what is called a “quad boom.” Since there are an incredible amount of variations in boat types, I recommend buying your boom from a dealer who guarantees that your boom will fit or they will buy it back.

Make sure that you do not let the complexities of figuring out which bare foot boom you need stop you from enjoying the benefits of safety and fun that comes from using one in your water skiing activites. Water skiing is an addictive family activity when you experience the exhilaration of learning without falling.

How great will it be not to have to keep turning your boat around over and over again to pick up your skier when they can’t get up on the long rope? With the aid of the boom, your percentage of success and safety will sky-rocket. Water skiing at 10-12mph, wakeboarding or kneeboarding at 8-10 mph, and barefooting at 25-30 mph will open up an entirely new side of water skiing that you would have taken years to figure out without the aid of the bare foot boom.