Goya Riders
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Fransisco Goya

What the magazines say

• Goya 4.7m
• Goya 5.3m

Goya 4.7m - Windsurf Magazine
At a Glance
New to the British market for 2005, this is the first opportunity we have had to try the much anticipated wave sails from Goya. The 4.7m is the middle size in a nine sail line-up (3.4m-6.2m) that intends to cover all coditions and sailing styles. It utilises a five-batten layout and x-ply throughout its panels, designed to prvide both stability and strength, in a "strong sail with continuous stretch." An attractive sail, with a distinctive 'framed' appearance on the water. Goya say they've managed to reduce the number of seam joints and materials used in the construction of the sail, thereby making it stronger and keeping the tension equally distributed.

Rigging and Set
Whilst relatively easy to apply, the Goya requires plenty of downhaul tension to open up the leech and let it fold away to meet the suggested increments, (the VTS points in the top panel of the sail are incredibly close to the leading edge). Possessing lots of luff curve and prgressive leech twist, we found that the sail liked to be used with a couple of centimetres of positive outhaul as well. We experimented with less tension to promote bottom end power, but whilst successful to a degree, it came at the cost of losing some draft stability.

Ride and Handling
With its relatively flat, almost retro set with so much leech twist, it came as no suprise that the Goya didn't boats masses of bottom end grunt. Delivering power to the board incredibly smoothly, it seems to glide steadily through the air rather than punching through every gust, efficiently gaining momentum as it goes. Is is super balanced and precise in the hands, the centre of effort focussed to a narrow sweet-spot low-down in the foil so that the rider can feel exactly where the power is coming from at all times. In severely overpowering conditions the Goya remains supremely controlled, the centre of effort never once hinting of any decay towards the backhand, as the sail's soft stable nature provides the necessary comfort to deal with the most confused sea states. In transition, the Goya is a stunning performer - although not supplying masses of drive into the turn, it becomes fantastically neutral in the hands, enabling it to be effortlessly repositioned for an expressive snap at the top turn.

For: Pristine balance and handling. Top end control
Against: Lack of bottom end grunt for the heavier sailor.

VERDICT
With an incredibly smooth power deliver, the Goya 4.7m is all about handling and control, providing easy, balanced and dependable power to exploit the most extreme conditions.

Goya 5.3m - Windsurf Magazine
At a Glance
After a much-anticipated launch, the Goya Wave sails have arrived in the UK and visually looks as if they were worth waiting for! Clean and eye-catching, they are designed for use in any conceivable wave environment, by riders of any style or ability. The 5.3m is recommended for use with a 430cm mast, although its feel can be softened with more twist by utilising a 430cm bottom section with a 400cm top piece. With no material added purely for aesthetics and minimal seam joints, every effort has been made to reduce the Goya's physical weight whilst maintaining its strength and durability.

Rigging and Set
Using a Goya RDM 430cm mast, the 5.3m has lots of luff curve and requires significant downhaul, generating masses of leech twist to meet the trimming guide-marks situated very close to the leading edge in the top panel of the sail. Setting flat, it retains rotation in its two lower battens, the power delivery adjusted by varying the increment of positive outhaul according to the downhaul.

Ride and Handling
On the water the Goya possessed a very smooth and compact feel in the hands, despite being one of the tallest sails in teh group. Light and balanced at rest, the draft fills evenly as it is sheeted in, generating steady progressive power instead of forceful grunt. Driving from a low forward position, the goya has a real ease and softness to its ride, perfectly poised and centred in the hands as it absorbs any harsh feedback from chop. When overpowered, the tight skin tension in the draft and efficient twist amount to superbcontrol levels, allowing the rider to confidently go for their maoeuvres as they would do under normal power. Not suprisingly, the Goya scores incredibly well in transition, undoubtedly suited to the fast fluid styles in cross/cross-off conditions, going neutral and allowing the rider to get lower, driving off the front foot to commit the board through the turn. In cross-on waves, it remians very capable but doesn't have the same drive through short sharp corners as folis with pre-shape built in. Equally capable for high wind bump-and-jump sailing, the Goya's precise, composed handling makes it rewarding and enjoyable to sail when others are struggling.

For: Extremely light precise handling. Top end stability.
Against: Not for the heavier sailor that likes to feel a lot of grunt through the hands.

VERDICT
Combining smooth progressive power with dependable stability and impeccable handling, the Goya 5.3m is an excellent performer, particularly recommended for use is cross-cross-off wave environments.