THE VERDICT
A real freeride powerhouse for making the most of marginal conditions, the Mark 2 Pro has impeccable manners through an impressive natural wind range.
OVERVIEW
As with all the other sails in the Goya range, the 2020 Mark 2 Pro remains current for this season as well, available in eight sizes from 5.4m to 9.5m. We tried it in 7.8m last year and were impressed with its solid dependable nature and broad tuning range. With a similar bright neon-yellow/fuchsia colour scheme to its no-cam stablemate, the Mark, this Mark 2 is the only cammed sail offered by Goya and is intended for use within a similar wind-range to its non-cammed counterpart. To put it another way, you don’t need to sail the Mark 2 Pro in powered to overpowered conditions to really understand its worth or get the most from it. With monofilm used extensively through its panels, there’s the addition of a second x-ply luff panel in the Mark 2, said to deliver “just the right blend between elasticity needed for a luff panel and crispness needed for a sail that’s supposed to go extra fast and extra stable.” The attention to detail then continues, with the brand’s trademark titanium clew ring, Rip Stop luff sleeve, their ‘easy to fold back’ moulded tack fairing and no less than three carbon stretch control tendons radiating from the clew. Rigged on a Hundred Pro SDM (yet also compatible with RDM, cams supplied), it sets beautifully, with a real quality to its appearance. Pulling the downhaul on so that the looseness of the leech meets the trimming dot at the end of the top mini-batten, the Mark 2 displays one of the more pronounced luff curves in the group, locking a good deal of skin tension into the sail’s panels and forcing plenty of deep camber forward in the draft. A quick pull on the tack strap to tension the foot of the sail and the Mark 2 certainly looks as if it can pack a punch!
BRAND CLAIM
“The Mark 2 Pro brings a combination of excellent top-end speed, enhanced bottom-end power, superior control and stability to performance minded riders.”
PERFORMANCE
On the water the Mark 2 Pro proved to have an enchanting ability for making the most of the lightest airs. With its deep cambered profile and long rangy boom length, there is plenty of feedback provided as a gust hits and pressure builds. Added to this, the Mark 2 Pro also responds wonderfully to pumping, the tight skin tension through the leading edge and foot of the sail providing the structure and crisp response, whilst the sail releases evenly along the stretch tendons through the upper panels, creating the spring and release with every pump. As such this 8.5m offers the low-end grunt and impetus to force the most stubborn wide-bodied hull from the water and helps to keep it driving through the most prolonged lull. The power of the Goya is solid and dependable, driving like a train yet feeling balanced at all times. In transition it does feel its size when moving and repositioning through the turn, but the cams rotate cleanly with a snap and help you punch out of the exit. Enter proactively and the Mark 2 will back you, providing the power and stability to really power confidently through a gybe. As the wind increases, the sail’s stability and manners are assured on just one setting – the Goya demonstrating an excellent natural range and real plug and play practicality. We did play around with its settings as the conditions increased further, and whilst it might not have the extra gear or slippery efficiency of others, its balance and dependability remain rock steady.
GOYA MARK 2 PRO 8.5 2021 TEST REVIEW
SPECS
Size: 8.5
Luff: 497 cm
Boom: 224 cm
Battens: 6
Cams: 2
Ideal Mast: Goya 490 cm RDM/SDM
Available Sizes: 5.4, 5.8, 6.2, 6.6, 7.2, 7.8, 8.5, 9.5.
PRICE: £870.00
THE LINE UP