GOYA NEXUS PRO 5.9M 2017 TEST REVIEW
GOYA NEXUS PRO 5.9M 2017 TEST REVIEW
OVERVIEW
The Nexus incorporates Goya’s “finest construction details” to offer a five batten foil that can mix it up in any discipline, from blasting to bump and jump, flat water cruising to dabbling in the waves. It benefits from the brand’s signature carbon stretch control (CSC) concept, albeit the tendons have a slightly different layout to those seen on the brand’s wave sails, terminating in a singular clew eyelet. Rigged on a 430 RDM (although also compatible with an SDM), the Nexus boasts a good deal of luff curve and skin tension in its leading edge, locking plenty of shape forwards in the draft. Downhaul is easy to set correctly, thanks to the dot indicator in the top panel, the leech falling away in the top two panels up to the CSC tendon, whilst the mid-leech remains tight and the bottom two battens retain good rotation around the mast. Available solely in red for 2017, the Nexus displays all the features and quality you’d expect of the Goya loft, so it would be interesting to see if its performance matched its promise.
BRAND CLAIM
“The heart and soul of freeride windsurfing is realised in the new Nexus sail. The Nexus is the best sail choice for power, speed and manoeuvres in conditions ranging from flat water to bump and jump, and a touch of surf.”
PERFORMANCE
On the water, the Nexus has a distinct feel amongst the sails in this group. With such a positive defined structure to the sail, it isn’t as pumpable as some others, yet still generates a good amount of useable bottom end power, working well as you hold the sail upright and let the pressure build. Delivering power efficiently to the board, it accelerates rapidly, feeling fresh and positive in the hands and happily adopting any stance, from a more upright relaxed position over the board, to locked-in and charging. The feedback is very crisp and precise, balanced through both hands and helping to inspire the rider, irrespective of their sailing style. The speed enthusiast will actively hunt for gusts, confident that the Nexus will translate the extra energy into more speed; the manoeuvre-oriented rider will be keen to exploit the crisp positive handling of the sail and enter transitions with conviction. As the wind increases, the Nexus can be retuned with more outhaul tension to flatten the foil and temper the amount of feedback whilst keeping the draft locked forward and driving. In harsh seas the Nexus was more demanding than others here, its solid ‘eagle-wing’ nature continuing to deliver the instant feedback. Yet meet this with a positive committed riding style and it can be used to great advantage, planting the board in the water and consuming the ride with excitement and energy.
THE VERDICT
A very well made sail with masses of structure, the Nexus has far-reaching appeal, from the power hungry coastal blaster to the progressing freerider. And at this price, it represents excellent value for money.
Other sails in this test: