GOYA MARK 2 PRO 7.8M 2019 TEST REVIEW
GOYA MARK 2 PRO 7.8M 2019 TEST REVIEW
THEY SAY
A high performance sail based on flat out racing designs and specifically developed to perform on hydrofoil and slalom boards alike. Designed with real world racing and foiling in mind. The sail delivers the instant and precise response needed in foiling, allowing the rider to adjust the power by sheeting in or out to control the flying height on the foil.
WE SAY
This is Goya’s first foray into the world of cammed sails, and the first opportunity for us to try out the new Mark 2 Pro. Rigged on a ‘Hundred Pro SDM’ mast, it was straightforward to locate the cams onto the mast, applying downhaul tension once in place so that the upper leech falls away to the marker dot at the end of the top mini-batten. The Mark 2 sets with masses of shape and profile to its draft, which is locked well forward next to the sail’s leading edge, whilst the leech falls away progressively along its length. There is also a wealth of skin tension radiating from the sail’s two broad x-ply luff panels, albeit the luff sleeve around the boom cut-out remains relatively loose, allowing for easy application of the boom. Build quality and detail are excellent, with plenty of Goya trademark features, such as the carbon stretch control tendons extending from the titanium clew ring, and high density scrim in the foot panel, leading to the tack-strap underneath the moulded tack fairing.
Set for light airs, the Mark 2 does feel its size in the hands, the deep forced profile feeling poised and ready to act upon any gust that hits. Even in this setting, it retains more luff curve than any other sail here, loading the luff panels and providing real structure to its form. As such, it responds best to a powerful assertive pumping style, using more of a deep forceful scooping action and rewarding real input with response. Once going though, the Mark 2 really shows its potential. It accelerates instantly in the hands as soon as a gust hits, transferring the energy quickly to the board. Locked in and balanced, it is incredibly stable and actually becomes lighter and lighter in feel and response the faster it goes. For wind foiling the Mark 2 is a freeracing dream, helping to load a high aspect foil and tear around in comfort. If the wind increases, the sail can then be eased out, without the worry of any control issues, such is its structure and integrity. Used with a slalom board, we applied more tension through the downhaul, increasing the looseness beyond the indicator in the top panel. We found this increased the sail’s slippery nature through the air, the mini-battens (that extend all the way down to the clew) mitigating any resultant flutter. When gybing, the Mark 2’s stability, focussed power and light handling encourage the rider to enter at speed, and if maintained through the corner, rewards by projecting them out with interest. If the turn is entered in a more hesitant manner and the board slows, the Mark 2 soon reminds the rider of its true size. A solid dependable freerace master, with masses of natural and tuning range, it is a very welcome addition to the eminent Goya Sails range.
Other sails in this test: