Marco Maywald, rider from Bergamo, has recently completed in Lanzarote the accurate test of the Goya Banzai 4.7 2022/23, the 4 batten Powerwave windsurf sail of the Hawaiian brand. He sent us this article, in which he tells us that the new Banzai is a bit different from previous years.
Windsurfing, test: Goya Banzai 4.7 2022/2023
I bought the sail at the end of 2022. However, there weren't great conditions to try it in local sea waves in recent months with the exception of a session in Sottomarina, Chioggia (Adriatic sea) with a 94l wave in very onshore conditions. So, mainly sessions to Lake Garda with a freestyle board. Therefore I waited for my trip to Lanzarote to be able to try it in different wave and wind conditions. Now I have a complete idea. Here are my impressions.
Let me start by saying that I have been a Goya customer for years. I have owned several Banzai and Guru in sizes from 4.7 to 3.4, over the last 7-8 years and have always appreciated them for their stability, strength and versatility, maybe at the expense of lightness. Well, this is the first thing you notice about the new Goya 2023. The sail weighs about half a kg less than the previous versions. In planing and waveriding the difference is clear! I chose the yellow color (that of M.B. to be clear...) not so much for the aesthetics, which I personally appreciate, but for the best visibility in the water, which is always helpful in case of problems. I chose the standard version and not the X (textured) to have better visibility in the window when riding the waves, especially if the spot is crowded. Higher breakage risk? This was my doubt.
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You may ask yourself: does the sail have any defects? If I have to nitpick, I have noticed that the stitching at the base of the sail near the mast protection has worn away quickly. To tell the truth, I had also noticed it on the other models. Could it be that when you turn the board under the sail, the anti-slip acts like sandpaper on the texture? I don't know, but that's the only drawback.
Conclusion: I will also buy 4.2 and maybe 3.7 as well!
Aloha
Marco
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