Goya Banzai 4.5m
BACKGROUND
The Banzai was a new addition to the Goya wave sail range last season and for 2013 it has been tweaked with a wider scope of use and gustier conditions in mind as well as a revised quiver of sizes. It’s designed to create the maximum lift and power from the smallest sail sizes, enabling you to use a sail one size smaller for the given conditions.
AT A GLANCE
It has a fairly high-aspect shape, with the longest luff length on the test, a high-cut foot and Goya’s trademark reduced head. It has a lightweight construction, but now has added Kevlar in the X-ply frame and extra use of lightweight scrim. The build quality is top notch and it looks like it’s made to last. It is available in five different colours and this one is in Levi Siver’s red edition.
RIGGING
It rigs on a 400 mast and we tested the sail with a Goya 90 RDM. The downhaul sets best with a slightly soft leech and adjusted by outhaul. It has a wide tuning range, with two out-haul options at the clew so you can tweak it to suit your style and the conditions – use the higher clew for more power or the lower one for more control.
PERFORMANCE
The Banzai is light in the hands and perfectly poised, the power feeds-in smoothly and there’s plenty of feedback through the backhand, which enables you to switch the power on and off easily. It has a low and forward drive that’s eager to get you going quickly. On the wave it goes completely neutral when you want it to, so you can completely focus on your ride, but should you need any extra power, it’s always there and waiting. The low forward drive is very easy to control and can be used to explode out of all moves on the wave or in the air.
THE VERDICT
The Banzai is light and powerful with superb handling. It’s also well-built and would suit a wide range of rider weights and styles. Well recommended.
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