The Goya Mark 7 is classified by Goya as a freerace sail and is available in three different technologies: The Club Edition, which was tested in the 7.2 size, is a monofilm version reinforced with a solid, all-round X-Ply frame. The X version comes in fuchsia, but most notably, all the monofilm panels have been replaced with mesh material. The Evo version is fitted entirely with a two-layer film, coloured in a bright neon yellow, except for the monofilm sail window. Even our tested base model has nothing to be ashamed of in terms of its features. Whilst on the water the strikingly bright fabric dominates the visual impression, on land you can see plenty of monofilm. However, this is solidly dimensioned in the vulnerable lower section and, on top of that, the entire leech is edged by a hand-wide, sturdy X-Ply frame. Reinforcements can also be found in every nook and cranny beneath the boom and at the top. With the additional four stabilising mini ‘bats’, the leech is well equipped to withstand annoying flutter.
The diagonal batten runs so far back through the gaff that a chafing guard is unnecessary here. The foot, on the other hand, is securely protected by a rubber strip. Instead of a pressed eyelet, a ring is sewn onto the sail at the clew – secured with five webbing straps so firmly that you could probably lead a full-grown bull through the circus ring using it. At the same time, Kevlar threads run radially from there along the seams into the sail. When rigging, the RDM mast practically slides into the wide mast sleeve all by itself; the trimming forces are very low. We always trimmed the luff to the trim point, and in strong winds sometimes slightly beyond it. The sheet end is tightened until the battens still lightly touch the mast from the side.
Excellent glide and superb jibbing performance
Do you want, above all, to get planing as early as possible but without any camber stress, with plenty of comfort and good jibing handling? The Goya seems perfectly tailored to exactly that. Give the sail plenty of luff tension and keep a noticeable pull on the clew: don’t worry, the planing performance remains more than adequate. Just as soft as the sail is to trim at the luff, it also feels comfortably damped and slightly springy in your hands. There’s plenty of tension in the sail, but it isn’t tuned to be super-tight for high camber like the foil on the group’s semi-racing sails. In moderate downwind conditions, the Goya glides with excellent stability, requiring very little effort to hold the course and, above all, feeling as though you have a launch assist, cruise control and lane-keeping assist on board – it’s incredibly easy and relaxed to surf.
And, incidentally, it keeps up with the fastest sails in normal wind conditions. It is only when conditions approach top speed and the foot straps on the freerace board are fastened outwards that the Goya requires readjustment at the clew; yet even then, it does not offer the dedicated GPS racer on an RDM mast its full potential and may prompt them to to switch to a smaller sail. In return, manoeuvres with the Goya sail are a delight in any wind. The battens glide around the mast as if freshly greased; after a jibe, pressure builds up quickly yet smoothly and comfortably, accelerating you onto a new course swiftly yet with excellent control. Under the only moderately flared foot, there’s even enough room for casual duck jibes – which, with a sail of this size, are often worth a round of applause.
surf’s verdict on the Goya Mark 7 7.2
With a light trim, excellent glide performance, plenty of speed in normal to upper glide wind ranges and superb jibbing handling, the Goya Mark 7 takes the top spot in the freeride category. For a stiffer freerace feel, the alternatively recommended SDM mast is likely to be a good choice. The wide mast pocket is certainly well equipped for this.
STRENGTHS: Planing, comfort, easy surfing, manoeuvrability, speed in light to moderate planing winds
WEAKNESSES: None
SPECIAL FEATURES: Also recommended for use with an SDM mast.
Technical Specifications: Goya Mark 7 Club Edition 7.2
- Sail weight: 4.75 kg*
- Liveweight: 1.95 kg*
- Fork cut-out: 108–162 cm*
- Mast used: Goya Hundred Pro RDM; 836 euros
- Price: 769 euros
- For more information, visit: goyawindsurfing.com
*surf measurement
Goya Mark 7: Available sizes and specifications
| Size | Luff | Slats | Mast** | Fork | Price |
| 5.4 | 407 | 6 | 400 | 178 | 675 |
| 5.8 | 418 | 6 | 400 | 182 | 710 |
| 6.2 | 432 | 6 | 430 | 185 | 725 |
| 6.6 | 450 | 6 | 430 | 189 | 745 |
| 7.2 | 466 | 6 | 460 | 196 | 769 |
| 7.8 | 481 | 6 | 460 | 206 | 795 |
| 8.5 | 501 | 6 | 460 | 220 | 815 |
**up to 5.8 RDM only, from 6.2 RDM/SDM
This sail is part of the major 2026 No Cam Freeride test. Also featured are the Duotone X_Pace, GA Matrix, Goya Mark 7, GunSails Rapid, NeilPryde Speedster Evo, Sailloft Cross and Severne NCX. All test results can be found in *surf* 5/2026 and, in no particular order, here on surf-magazin.de!