Windsurf MagazineGOYA MARK B 7.2 2022 TEST REVIEW

GOYA MARK B 7.2 2022 TEST REVIEW

THE VERDICT

With as bright and energised a character as its appearance, the Mark B is a well-engineered freeride sail, providing useable power and supreme control over a wide natural range.

OVERVIEW

The Mark is Goya’s six-batten no-cam freerace contender and its seven sizes (from 5.4m to 8.5m) are available in no less than three construction options. Firstly, there’s the Mark, which has monofilm window and upper panels, surrounded by x-ply perimeter panels. There’s then the Mark X, which utilises x-ply and scrim throughout its panels, leaving the Mark B (as tested here) – the brand’s flagship option, with fluorescent yellow Bi-ply body panels, which can’t help but draw the eye. The focus of the Mark’s development has been in reducing its weight and delivering a “more neutral feel when powered up,” with more shape forward in the profile and a cleaner release through the leech, particularly in the mid-leech just above the clew. Its build quality is exceptional and rigged on a Hundred Pro SDM for testing, there’s not a crease or blemish to be seen in the panels. Downhaul tension is easy to judge, thanks to the trimming dot in the upper panel, the Mark B setting with a medium to high amount of luff curve, forcing a good deal of skin tension into the sail’s luff panels. There’s one clew eyelet to keep things clean and uncomplicated, with integrated carbon stretch tendons radiating out to enhance stability. Lastly, with the tack strap pulled tight to pull tension through the foot panel as well, the sail is primed and ready to take on the water.

BRAND CLAIM

“Racing speed made simple. The Mark B is quick to rig and easy to tune. Delivering impressive low-end torque and acceleration combined with easy handling when super powered, the Mark B allows you to focus on your line and tactics rather than managing your sail.”

PERFORMANCE

Feeling small and compact initially, the Mark B generates an impressive amount of bottom end grunt as a gust hits, the pre-shape in the sail complimented by the extra movement in the luff sleeve, particularly above the boom cutout. The profile deepens and there’s a real crispness to the sail’s response as it is pumped, injecting power and energy into the board to help it release. Accelerating smoothly, the delivery is balanced through both hands, the Mark B feeling lively and responsive and making the most of the wind’s strength in light marginal conditions. It’s a great freeride engine, capable of powering the most stubborn wide-bodied board, right up to the efficient freerace dragster, and offers accessible performance over a wide natural wind range. As the wind increases, the Mark B remains controlled and well mannered, its low, forward-placed centre of effort helping to pin the board down, even in the most turbulent seas. We did experiment with some more downhaul tension to increase the twist and slippery nature of the Mark B, and whilst it may not have the extra top-end gear of some here, its control and stability were never in doubt. These two characteristics also come into play during transition, the Goya powering in confidently, with the pilot always in control and well informed where the power and balance is, feeling compact and rotating smoothly, before driving positively out of the turn.