Goya Banzai 5.3

I've just taken delivery of my new sails for next summer, I'm a long time Neilpryde sailor but I've made the decision to try something different for next season. My quiver consists of the Goya Banzai 4.7, 5.0, 5.3 & 5.7 all in the Marcilio Browne Pro edition, They retail for $850 each which I think is outstanding value for money. Looking at the sails they are built so well and nicely finished, They weigh in at 3.2, 3.4, 3.6 and 3.7 kgs (on my bathroom scales)....They feel very light compared to my current season Atlas, The new scrim material they use makes them strong as it's heavily reinforced but yet somehow still light. The mono film is thick, They claim that it's this way so it will only break when it must. I also liked the fact that Neilpryde masts are compatible so I didn't need to buy new masts as well, This was one major consideration when it came to choosing Goya for my new sails.





I was lucky enough to get a lend of a 5.3 from Core Boardsports for a few weeks to try before I committed to buying a whole quiver of unknown.....I was told I'd like them and wouldn't want to give it back. Well they were right, From the very first sail I was completely at one with the Banzai.



They rig very similar to NP sails with setting the downhaul to the recommend setting, There's a indicator on the sail so you can never get it wrong. Then you play with the outhaul depending on how much power you want...No fuss which is what I like about my old NPs and these new Goya's. One nice touch is the double eyelets in the clew which change the way the sail delivers power to you and the board. The upper gives you a more direct feel (Power), The lower a more flexible feel (softer) and you can even use both to give you a blend of both. This is accomplished by what Goya calls "Stretch control tendons" which depending on which eyelet you use tightens or loosens these tendons to give the sail the desired feel....What it translates to is a sail with super stability and a big wind range. I've had the 5.3 out in wind from 15 knots to 30 knots and been totally comfortable at all times. When you start off in the power setting and start to get over powered you just drop to the the softer setting and it's like changing down 1/2 a meter in sail size.









They have plenty of power for low end get up and go, Just as much as the Atlas but not as aggressive. The Atlas gives you the feeling that it's going to rip you arms off....The Banzai is smooth power, Very smooth indeed. I've always loved the Atlas for it's grunt, Stability and wind range but they were hard on the body and they zap your energy real quick as you're constantly fighting the surge of power. The Banzai gives you all the good things but none of the bad, It's pure joy to sail ...All-day everyday.










Overall an outstanding well built sail with grunt, Stability and wind range....Perfection.

5.7, 5.3, 5.0, 4.7? Isn't that a bit close together?

Probably could have got away with just the 5.3 if it was sweet from 15-30kts. Covers most of what we get on the east coast.

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bowsa said...
I love in windsurfing how when someone gets a new piece of kit their old kit all of a sudden becomes defunct

Still love my NPs but it was time for something different, But I didn't want to follow the rest of the flock.

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dan berry said...
Probably could have got away with just the 5.3 if it was sweet from 15-30kts. Covers most of what we get on the east coast.

.....Not all of us can get away with just 1 sail, It is sweet in the bay or the lake but a 5.3 DTL in 30 knots is way out of my limited skill set.

Looks good jase , and a new boom as well . only four months till the ne start again

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siny said..
only four months till the ne start again

It'll be here before we know it......

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jh2703 said..

bowsa said...

I love in windsurfing how when someone gets a new piece of kit their old kit all of a sudden becomes defunct

Still love my NPs but it was time for something different, But I didn't want to follow the rest of the flock.

haha yeah i was just winding you up ;)

There's a reason why the flock is so big though right...right ^_^

Glad you've finally seen the light Jase, see you at the lake on the weekend? :D

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philn said...
Wintortree, how do you like the Pyramid 92? I have the 2013 quad and 2013 Thruster, and I really like the quad for light wind sailing, but the Thruster is not as early planing as the quad. I want to go back to a 1 board quiver with a bias to light wind sailing so early planing is important to me.

How much do you weigh. It really depends on what your Looking for in a board. The pyramid is a dedicated wave board. It's got a good amount of float on it and I can slog around pretty good on it. On the wave I just love it. It's so amazing tight turns and goes vertical so easy. Probably the best thing about it is that it comes out of turns with way more speed then any other board I've ridden. the tail realise is very predicable. It's not a fast plaining board but not terrible at plaining ether. Its a very fun and lively board. Not planted but that makes it the best for wave sailing.

I totally rate it as the best board I've ever ridden. If your looking for a little more all round board you might be better with the quatro quads or even better the goya quad.

Give David at core Boardsports a call. He's just been over in Maui with Quatro and goya and has the latest on there boards.
+61 434 314 936

Hope this helps.

Tommy.