Carbonology Boost

Hi Norman.
I've had my Carbonology Sport Boost LV for a couple of years now and it is currently my favourite ski (I have 6 skis). Unfortunately this website won't allow me to update my profile so my list of skis is no longer accurate.
The Boost LV is a great downwind and general rough water ski for low Intermediate paddlers.
It's not really a beginner boat for hectic water but an ambitious novice should be able to get used to it fairly quickly in moderate conditions.
It has a great lateral stability profile in that it has reasonable primary stability but lots of secondary stability. This makes it very predictable and easy to handle in choppy, confused conditions. The low profile bow is very resistant to crosswinds which is desirable for light weight paddlers. It turns quite fast but has good directional stability although it must be said that I have an aggressive DK rudder on mine since I only use it in fairly rough water.
It won't win any flat water sprint races but it is definitely not so slow as to be frustrating when conditions are calmer than I expected.
I'm 176cm and 76kg. I'm of medium build but I'm lean. I can't stand wide flat buckets. The Boost LV is a very comfortable and confidence inspiring fit for me. YMMV of course.
Can't help you with cost. It depends what market you are looking in. As far as I can tell they are pretty thin on the ground secondhand.

Thank you Atlas, we've ordered two (myself & the missus) and your review reinforces our belief we made the right choice. Appreciate you taking the time. We're frothing waiting for them to arrive.

I've had my Boost LV (2nd ski) for nearly 2 years and love it. I've taken it out in some pretty heavy conditions and the seam started to separate ever so slightly next to my hips. It was air tight except when flexed in waves and would suck in about a litre an hour in rough seas. Some heavy duty 2" guard tape from Whitworths fixed it. You have to do it in the sun and run a golf tee or similar along both sides on the seam to really make it adhere. Unfortunately the boat sustained major damage in a race so I got the seam sealed at the same time and then as a precaution re-applied the tape. It doesn't leak a drop. I posted a short clip on Youtube titled "Uncle Tony's Ocean Paddle" if you'd like to see how it goes in moderate conditions outside: punching into the sea going out and catching some nice runs coming in.  

They are nice runs! Is a really fun agile boat.
Any idea what caused seam separation? Could it occur from those hard slams over the back of a wave when going directly into the wind?

Yes, undoubtedly slapping down on the back of the waves and surf would have been the cause of the seam separation. I have 2 friends who bought the Boost (after trying mine) and neither did much outside paddling as both were beginners. One had the same issue after 3 months (fixed under warranty) and the other is so far, so good. Based on these experiences I would suggest the construction of the join and seam needs to be improved. I bought a 5 year old Ocean OSS:2 (Made in China) while my Boost was being repaired and it hasn't leak a drop. The guy I bought it from was a lot heavier so it copped a lot more abuse than the Boost over a much longer period.   

You are playing with fire!
You have structural damage and NO tape will cut the mustard. Unless you repair it properly your ski WILL snap in half under load. All you have done is stop the water getting in, the seam is an integral part of the structure of the ski, without it joined properly you have no structure.
Get it repaired!

Hi Ranga, yes I've had it professionally repaired as mentioned in an earlier post. The delicate join was rebuilt in 2 places where the ski sustained 2 shunts from another ski and then re-seamed. I put the very strong guard tape over it all as a precaution. Have since done numerous downwinders (e.g. Youtube clip) and it appears to be solid. Cheers.