I'll echo that all boat bits seem expensive. A few handy tips: Don't bang your boards and rudders into rocks or mooring lines - sorry, seem obvious, but it took me a while to sail that little bit more carefully. Or find someone who is good at repairs! As for booms and spinni poles, let's just say there are other ways of aquiring black anodised tubing, and a couple of hours later you've got some very cheap spares. (and when you have spares, you seem to overcome the need for them!). Spinni: Grant Piggot does a fantastic 'club racing' spinni (same shape and material). And even though his prices are competitive, Swell's are not that much more - nowhere near £600! He also made me a jib, cheaper than Swell's and lasting many times longer. A club-mate has a main from Grant as well - which means of course you can have a fatter head if you want. All at competitive prices (and again, your official sails will last for years if used only in the official events). You'll also find Cat Bitz are doing more spares as time goes by. You only HAVE to have the official parts for official events - the rest of the time, use your imagination!