Wave sail 2025: Goya Banzai Pro Carbon in the test - elegant all-rounder with plenty of power
Surf Testteam
· 05.02.2025
Previously, Goya offered the Eclipse 5-batten wave sail and the Banzai with four battens. Since the 2024/2025 season, only the Banzai has been available, albeit in several versions. In addition to the Banzai 11 Pro tested here, there is also the Banzai Surf, which is more optimised for wave riding, and the five-batten Banzai Max. The variants are also available in different designs - the Pro with a clear monofilm window, the X Pro design with a barred sail window and the Pro Carbon design tested here.
The carbon version of the Goya Banzai Pro tested has numerous carbon fibres running through it, which are designed to absorb the forces that occur. The connecting monofilament material can therefore be thinner and therefore lighter. Compared to the standard Banzai Pro version, however, this does not save 100 grams of weight in this size. Even more than the weight saving - our test sail weighed in at 2.82 kilos - the wind range and control should benefit from the carbon technology. The Pro Carbon certainly looks very high quality when first rigged. The trim point in the top makes it clear that the model wants to be rigged with a lot of visible loose leech, but this can be achieved with comparatively little trim force on the downhaul rope. The other features of the Goya Banzai also emphasise the high-quality impression: the redesigned and now slightly softer protector is easy to fold, and typical stress zones such as the lower leech, batten ends and top are solidly reinforced.
Trim, features, equipment - find out all about the Goya Banzai Carbon in the video
Large wind range and smooth driving behaviour
The Banzai Pro Carbon is balanced and agile in the hands when planing, but pulls a deep profile from the first sheet in, resulting in good planing performance. When powered up, the sail stabilises perfectly, and even without a lot of sensitivity you can quickly find the right angle of attack to the wind. It is noticeable that the Pro Carbon is a little tighter, especially in the leech, and twists less than the "normal" Banzai Pro. The result is a slightly smoother ride and noticeably better pressure point stability - the wind range in the middle trim is very large and annoying re-trimming is reduced to a minimum. The handling also stands out positively, the battens rotate smoothly in manoeuvres and the concept is always predictable, even in jumps such as back or front loops.
The fact that it is one of the more powerful representatives on the straight is also evident when riding the waves: The Banzai Pro Carbon pulls through the bottom turn with plenty of drive and always offers a bit of pull on the back hand - ideal for generating enough speed for a powerful cutback even in poor wind or wave conditions. Nevertheless, the characteristics do not lean too much towards "power", the Pro Carbon also offers a minimum of neutrality, especially if you pull it a little flatter on the boom
surf's summary of the Goya Banzai Pro Carbon 4.5
The Goya Banzai Pro Carbon combines full planing power with very good control. The easy handling is maintained over a wide wind range, and the target group for this sail is correspondingly large: It ranges from wave surfers at professional level to occasional wave riders. The difference to the Banzai Pro is not huge, but manifests itself in an even greater wind range and a slightly crisper sail feel. Whether this is worth the extra cost is up to you to decide.
Handling, drive, wind range
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Technical data Goya Banzai Pro Carbon 4.5
- Sail weight: 2.82 kg*
- Mast weight: 1.31 kg*
- sleeve opening: 104-150 cm*
- Mast used: Goya Hundred 370 RDM (100 % carbon)
- Price: 1075 Euro
- Info under goyawindsurfing.com
*surf measurement
