The Goya Banzai X Pro is the 4 batten Power-wave sail of the Hawaiian brand. It is therefore designed for wave sessions with on shore wind, or, for wave conditions with very light wind (as sometimes occurs in Ho'okipa). But its characteristics make it an ideal sail to be used even in windsurfing sessions in bump and jump, or freeriding conditions, such as those in which we use this model in the 5.7 size. In this article we will tell you about our impressions, and the results of our test on the 2019 version.

 

 Windsurf, sail test: Goya Banzai X Pro 5.7 2019

With some delay, we publish also the test of the Goya Banzai X PRO 2019. Both for the events related to Covid pandemia, and because we do not often ride with light winds, we had not many chances to use frequently the 5.7 size of this sail, which we purchased some months ago. We had already had the opportunity to test the 2018 version of the model (click here to read the 2018 test results). Also read the Goya Guru X Pro 2020/21 test.

 

 

 

Sail technical data, and construction features

Size: 5.7

Boom: 173/170 cm

Luff: 440 cm

Mast: 430 Rdm

Top: fixed (adjustable in the sizes 3.7, 3.4, 3.15).

Battens: 4

You find all other technical information on the manufacturer's website.

 

 

The weight we actually measured, with a precision balance, is 3.8 kg.

Also for the 2019 model, we have chosen the X Pro version, with the X Ply window, which guarantees greater resistance and durability to the sail, with the same weight and feeling (see Goya website).

Again, as for the choice of the 2018 version, we have chosen the size of 5.7 square meters, as we are interested in having a powerful sail to be used in bump and jump or freeriding sessions with light winds (14-18 knots ), avoiding to increase too much the sail square meters, and, therefore, also its weight, since we do not like too bulky sails.

During the test, the sail was rigged with a 91% Carbon Ezzy Hookipa 430 mast. The sail works well with this mast. After all, the Ezzy and Goya masts are both produced by the same manufacturer (Nolimitz). The Ezzy mast should be a little stiffer, making the sail a little more powerful.

On a constructive level, some changes have been made to the model in the 2019 version, which are evident in the comparison with 2018 (see photos below - the first two relating to the 2019 model, the others to the 2018 model).

 

   

 

The half battens placed between the first and second full battens, and the second and third (starting from the top), have been stretched up to the oblique strip that runs from the upper clew ring to the top of the mast sleeve. In the 2018 model, they stopped earlier. This should give greater profile stability.

The black reinforcement in the upper part of the leech, evident in the 2018 model, and which prevented the excessive deformation of the sail under gusts (making it particularly powerful), has been eliminated.

The S-profile of the leech was maintained, at the second batten, starting from the bottom, which responds to the aim of designing a powerful sail. The increase in the surface of the sail in the upper part, however, seems lower, and this feature, together with the elements described above, seems to us to show the purpose of designing a less powerful, less nervous, and more balanced sail when riding (even if it is always a Goya Banzai ....).

 

In the water

During the test, I had confirmation that this is a powerful sail, with a good wind speed range of use, thanks to the two clew rings. According to me, it's slightly wider than that of the 2018 version, but always narrower if compared to my Ezzy Elite (4 -5 knots, against 7-8 of the Ezzy). I have tried the sail both in conditions of slight overpowering, using the lower clew ring, and in conditions of light underpowering, or right powering, using the upper clew ring. As regards the measures of the extension and of the boom lenghts, we can confirm the manufacturer tuning guides.

It does not give such a sudden acceleration when getting planing, like the 2018 version, and this is perhaps a positive feature, unless you love being pushed roughly. In comparison, the Ezzy Elite 2019 5.3, which has, generally, a more pot-bellied profile, is more powerful in acceleration. Once the glide and speed are achieved, however, the sail pushes efficiently. When sailing straight, the impressions deriving from the observation of the sail design are confirmed: the 2019 model is more stable than the 2018 model, and slightly less nervous. These impressions were anticipated to me by Paul from Fish Bowl Diaries, who I met in Oman; he is the Goya photographer, as well as a user of the Banzai.

 

 

It is also confirmed that it is a sail that does not love gusty wind too much. In such conditions, it becomes a less light sail to handle, both when sailing straight and especially in maneuver. For example, when fast tacking, if you get a gust when turning upwind, the sail can make the board to point abruptly into the wind, and you will have to be very fast in the movements, to manage this sudden shot.

The sail, instead, feels light with steady wind. In a fast tack, in such conditions, it enters the wind like a blade.

In power jibe, the sail guarantees speed all throughout the maneuver. Also in this case, any gusts may be a little destabilizing.

Ultimately, it seems to me a sail that, in addition to the conditions for which it was designed, can also ideally be used for easy freeriding or for bump and jump sessions, with in choppy water surface, or at the sea with light wind, at least in the size we tested. Soon, we will also publish the Banzai 2020 test, related to smaller sizes, used in properly wave conditions

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Aloha. Fabio Muriano

 

 

The video of the test in the water

 

 

 

Goya video introducing the sail