GOYA MARK 2 7.8M TEST REVIEW 2024

01.09.2024 18:30

GOYA MARK 2 7.8M TEST REVIEW 2024

The Verdict

Efficient low-end grunt, the Goya Mark 2 whole heartedly delivers power with quick acceleration, putting you are the front of the pack at your local spot instantly. The Goya Mark 2 boasts simplicity, right from the rigging process to the input required from the rider at the bottom end of its wind range.

The Lowdown

Lighting up the beach in true Goya style, its bold fluorescent yellow and pink accents certainly catch the eye. Rigging the Mark 2 is a very simple process – the 2 cams slot onto the mast with complete ease, not requiring adjustment in either the outhaul or downhaul. The Mark 2 rigs like a normal rotational sail, but you just have to pop the cams on, which has never been simpler than with this sail. With the tensioning of the tack strap, quite a bit of depth and draft is held upfront and down low in the Mark 2, which is carried into the front third. A combination of this, its 6-batten outline, and a relatively straight luff curve should help the Mark 2 provide a serious amount of low-end ability, while still offering decent stability in the occasional gust. At the clew, the second batten crosses the boom to prevent wear as the sail rubs while riding, and only one Titanium clew eyelet is placed to help avoid tuning it incorrectly. The overriding makeup of the Mark 2 is monofilm with X-Ply and Bi-Ply placed in areas under particular stress such as down in the bottom panel, the head and along the luff to increase stability in the Mark 2. Furthermore, three carbon load stringers also radiate from the clew to assist with increased stability in its 6-batten outline. Upon rigging and initial appearance, the Mark 2 is a punchy low-end to perfectly powered engine.

Brand Claim

“The Mark 2 offers white knuckle cam sail speed and cam sail stability without needing to rig “oversized”. You can enjoy the blistering speed and range of the sail without feeling like you are wrestling a dinosaur. The Mark 2 is best rigged in range, meaning not oversized.”

Performance

From the get-go, the Mark 2 delivers power; however, it’s not intimidating. Instead, it is firm, direct, and assists with pulling you onto the plane as you slip back into the straps. Sliding the harness lines a little further back than some on test, the Mark 2 is a very well-balanced sail both on and off the plane. Its low-end ability is impressive, making the most of the slightest change in pressure, which gives the rider something to work with. Pumping the Mark 2 feels natural as it provides some spring after each effort and pump cycle, making the Mark 2 a low-end efficient machine. It pulls you through the lulls impressively as you change your stance to maintain an upright rig, so much so, that at points you wonder how you are still even planing. In the gusts, some commitment and anticipation are required to make the most of the extra punch and power that the Mark 2 generates to prevent it from hinting towards some instability in the upper-end of its range. As such, the Mark 2 is best used in its range where you are not pushing it into the overpowered territory. Comfortably powered and planing, the Mark 2 accelerates quickly, and immediately delivers a fun and exciting ride. Gybing the Mark 2 is effortless with its natural power giving you something to actively work with as you exit the gybe and hear that extremely satisfying sound of the cams popping for you. Meanwhile, the Mark 2 will get you back up to speed quickly as it pulls from its depth at the front end, while it is also capable of achieving decent angles both up and downwind thanks to its progressively twisted leech, which allows you to pick your angle of attack boldly – giving you the ultimate feeling of freedom along with race like speed.