GOYA NEXUS 7.5M 2013
2013 GOYA NEXUS 7.5M TEST REVIEW REPORT
BEST FOR
The tall, wide shape suits larger sailors and in this size the Nexus will power both wider and more traditional, narrow shapes of board. The smooth power suits inland, gusty conditions.
RECOMMENDATION
Play with the batten tension lower down to maximise the draft.
BRAND POSITIONING
The Nexus’ focus on “Power, speed and control…pure performance”, the smaller sizes up to 6.9 are manoeuvre orientated whilst the 7.5m upwards have a lift and control bias. The Nexus spans the range from freeride to freerace sitting alongside their extensive range of wave sails and the Freesurf crossover models.
OVERVIEW
Outline: Tall and narrow up top and wide down low, the Nexus has the longest boom length of all sails here. It has a small clew cut-out and an extreme cutaway leech featuring the reduced head outline that Goya claim reduces head wag and aids turning ability.
Build Quality: Integrated tack fairing, X-ply and monofilm, roller tack pulley and stretch control seams. In line with their wavesails, Goya make no compromise with a bulletproof construction whilst managing to remain fairly lightweight.
Rigging and Tuning: Quite a full shape when rigged with less outhaul. We noticed a slight S bend on 3rd batten near the cutaway leech that we couldn’t quite get rid of under regular batten tension. Tall sailors won’t complain but, as we’ve noticed before, the boom cut-out appears to be quite high so do check against your chin/shoulders for reference before hitting the water.
PERFORMANCE
Low End & Acceleration: The full shape provides good, smooth acceleration. Powers more sluggish boards well providing plenty of lift.
Top End: At full clack the 7.5 Nexus delivers consistent speed regardless of water state. The mix of high and low-aspect behaviour produces both lift when required and the forward and low pull can drive boards nicely down when they start to skitter over serious chop.
Gybing & Manoeuvres: The recommended RDM mast gives a very reactive feel as well as keeping it light for waterstarts and manoeuvres. The side-to-side rig-flip action is slick as there’s no serious clew overhang to slow things down.
Handling: As the wind changes, so the Nexus feels like it has ‘gears’ consistently adjusting the levels of drive as you shift up to speed. The draft is full and stable across the wind range and easily copes with gusts like a much softer sail.
THE VERDICT
GOYA NEXUS 7.5M 2013 offers a nice balance between speed and manoeuvrability in a light and reactive package. As we’ve experienced before with the Nexus, the build quality is excellent.
* Image is of the 6.4 model
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