GOYA BANZAI PRO 4.7M 2015 TEST REVIEW
GOYA BANZAI PRO 4.7M 2015 TEST REVIEW
OVERVIEW
Goya’s flagship Banzai has an enviable trophy cabinet being a PWA World Wave Champion and Aloha Classic winning sail and has been gently evolving since its introduction to the lineup in 2012. The latest incarnation has some modifications (slightly tighter boom lengths from 4.2 to 5.7 and some seam changes) and the addition of 6.0 and 6.3 sizes. Last year’s Banzai was a real favorite for its direct yet refined power delivery and fingertip control, so we were expecting great things from this new beauty and it did not disappoint. One of the major areas of improvement targeted was the increased upper end performance which we certainly noticed but due to the marginal conditions experienced on test were not able to explore fully.
BRAND CLAIM
The new Banzai is a world-wide performance wave sail. This new generation is lighter, more flexible and has a draft forward feeling in the hands, along with better high wind control in all sizes.
PERFORMANCE
For on-shore “puffy “ conditions the set is moderately full which provides plenty of power to drive you up to speed swiftly but without any unsettling brutality if you need to make a few pumps to help. Its profile stays well balanced and manageable with a mid-height and moderately forward pull which won’t sap your energy. Goya recommend a flatter setting utilizing the lower clew cringle for the side shore use and top end control. Once you have tuned your outhaul setting to find the sweet spot, the smooth ride and rotation is set regardless of the water conditions. That calm, balanced ride in the acceleration phase continues on the wave and depowering is instinctive and easy to achieve. The Banzai’s calmness is a well noted feature and it certainly ranked as one of the most stable on test with the ability to actually forget about it almost completely. These are handling characteristics shared with the Goya Custom Quads, initially you don’t find anything striking or particularly stand out, then an hour later you realise you have completely forgotten about your board and rig and have just been absorbed by your windsurfing experience not your kit. While some of our heavyweight testers found the Banzai more challenging to use the overall feel was one of control and a high degree of manoeuvrability. Construction standard is extremely high and combined with its almost stealth like ability to make you forget about the sail in use means the Banzai retains its position from last year as one of our favourites on test.
THE VERDICT
Well refined, stunning detail, materials and look for this premium go anywhere and do anything sail. Tuning required for the 100kg + or heavy handed riders but for the rest of us, it’s performance plug and play. Great connection to the board and superb when matched with multi- fin shapes. All-round ability still keeps it an easy choice.
Other sails in this test: