Our design process is based on rider feedback. We read and answer all your messages. Some of them get published here so as to build a growing knowledge base.
Question: Would a 370 work in the Guru 3.5? Hoping to just get the 90% 400 and 370 and not have to invest in a 340.
Mike
Answer:
Hi Mike!
Thanks for your message and kind words, nice to hear from you!
370 on Guru 3.5 is just fine.
340 will feel a bit softer, but it’s just the feeling, the overall performance on both masts is good.Any questions, please let me know…
Do let me know how you go Mike!
cheers
jason
sail design
Question: I have to leave a big thank you for the work that you and your team are doing! I am using Banzais now for a whole season and I can not even describe in words how much they helped me push my sailing no matter if freestyle or waves. It just does such a good job … I don’t need to think about the sail itself while I am sailing, but focus on the waves and have a blast. I first got the 5,7 5,0 4,5 and then i added a 4,0. Yesterday we had a massive day on the north sea with an average windspeed of 39 knots, logo to mast high waves and side shore perfection. So i was pretty stacked on the 4,0. The gusts were so extreme sometimes that one could do nothing but just sail along and wait for it to ease off a bit. Mental!
Some guys were on 3.3s some on 3,7s. Dudes with my weight (85 Kilos) and around 78 – 82 liter boards. We are realizing now, that our seasons last longer into the winter and we are getting battled with storms that are actually sailable more often over the last years. Now i am having a hard time figuring out which size to add to my quiver. My first thought was to go 3,7 Banzai. But i don’t know if thats really that much of a big difference to my 4,0. But then i saw another possibility. Since i am using the poly clew a lot to adapt to the conditions could the Guru 3,5 be my match?
Question: Sorry for inconvenience and my poor english but i need your opinion. My quiver is 5.3,4.7 banzai, 4.2,3.7 guru g4 all 2014.
You describe that the guru have softer power deliver but when i switch down from my 4.7 banzai to 4.2 guru i feel that i still have to much power in hands. I pull the downhaul until the leech go to the mark and around +2 cm outhaul but i feel that the wind range of guru is smaller than banzai. Am i doing something wrong ? Do you have any tip for me?
Answer: Thanks for your mail, nice to hear from you again. For sure I have a tip for you.
If you have the correct downhaul on the sails (sounds like you do) then you can reduce the power by increasing the outhaul. For sure Guru has a lot of low end power with light outhaul, but if you want to reduce the power, increase the outhaul. From neutral, you can add up to 3-3.5cm of positive outhaul.
Use tension as your guide rather than focusing 100% on the recommended spec- often times booms are marked incorrectly and what the spec says it is is not exactly what it truly is…
Be sure you never over-outhaul the sail. No matter how windy it is , you always want to keep some shape in the sail. On over-flat sail lacks a clear center of effort and is hard to handle.
Best Regards,
Jason
Question: Just deliver my new guru g4 3.7 and i saw that on sail and bag write recomended mast 340 but on the site you write recomendend mast 370. My question is the sail will work fine with 370 or i need to buy a 340 mast.
Answer: 3.7 Guru G4 accepts 370 or 340 mast.
370 will give a bit more drive and power, 340 will make the sail just a touch lighter plus softer and “flexier” feeling.
370 bottom + 340 top if you are using Goya 90% mast is a nice blend of both characteristics.
Any one of those mast length scenarios works really well.
Hope this info helps.
Wishing you good winds
Jason Diffin
Sail Design
Question: I have a question for you. In the last 2/3 month I have used my guru 2015 for 10 or 12 times for every size , and after 4 or 5 times I saw the pvc window become fogged ( in small wave with cloud condition I have problem to see the wave) this problem become in every size of my set.
Can you give me a solution? Can I wash the pvc windows with the polish used to clean the glass windows or it can damages the other part of the sail?
Answer: Thanks for your mail- and really great to gear about you getting so many days!
Cloudy PVC is common- and also very easy to fix.
When exposed to fresh water (rain, lake or river water)- and left wet rolled up in the sail bag, PVC will absorb that water and take on a cloudy appearance.
To fix it you simply need to dry it out again.
Open the window area of the sail up and put it in a place that is dry and with good air flow around both sides of the window panel.
If you are in a cold and wet place, then do it somewhere indoors.
If you do it outdoors, just make sure that the sail isn’t laying on the ground or concrete because then it will still stay wet on the down side.
The more dry the setting the quicker the window will clear- usually within a half hour- more if it’s humid, less if it’s dry.
If there is some grime or residue on the pac, just use warm water and a very light soap- like a tiny bit of dish soap, and scrub it clean with a soft cotton cloth. Rinse thoroughly, then air dry.
Your window should come crystal clear again.
Hope this info helps!
Please let me know how it goes, and by the way, I would love to hear any comments you have about the sails.
Cheers!
Jason Diffin
Sail Design
Goya Windsurfing
Question: I have just got a 2014 3.7, and 2015 4.2 and 4.7 Guru’s. Which IMCS and bend characteristics do you recommend for masts?
Answer: Thanks for your email, and congratulations on your new Goya Guru sails!
On the general market these masts would be considered “flex top”.
If you use Goya masts, you could interchange a 370 top on to a 400 bottom achieving a 385 mast length, and then require a mast base extension of 28cm. This would allow you to cover the whole range with one and a half masts. If you are a heavier rider I would warn against it because the combo mast will be a touch softer and you will lose a bit of low end drive by extending a shorter mast and making it softer. If you are average or light weight, you might actually prefer the 4.7 this way because it is a bit lighter rig overall, and will have a slightly softer and more forgiving feel.
Hope this info helps!
Please let me know of you have any more questions.
Thanks Benjamin
cheers, and Happy Holidays!
Jason Diffin
Sail Design
Goya Windsurfing
Question: I am a relatively light rider 157 lbs and the 84L is definitely floaty for me, so it sounds like the Banzai in a bit smaller size might work for me. This would be my big sail for the board, so low end power is important but again something that would rotate quicker than the 5.3 Eclipse. Also I prefer a less punchy feel so I think I may prefer the newer Banzai design if its more like the 2012 Eclipse. To me punchy is a sail with a tighter leach, like when you rig the Eclipse using the top grommet for more power, to me it feels more punchy or the COE is higher (is this what you mean by lift in the 2012 Banzai?). I would prefer less punchy feel as long as I can get good low end power. I hadn’t thought of the 2014 5.3 Guru maybe a possibility but in terms of low end power would that be similar to the 5.0 Banzai?
Answer: 2012 Banzai lift is from more luff curve higher in the sail.
COE is up and back compared to 2013/14 Banzai.
5.3 Guru compared to Banzai 5.0 is going to feel softer in the hands, because of construction.
A direct power comparison is not easy to answer directly, because it depends on other factors including the ones I explained in my last mail.
In the end, there is no %100 substitute for sail area, if there was, we would all be riding 4.5 as our biggest size!! ha ha ha
Question: I have a 2012 Eclipse 5.3 that I normally use on a 85L Quatro FSW but just purchased the 84L Quatro Tempo from Margaret. Testing the board with my 5.3 I noticed the board comes around so quick compared to the FSW that I can’t flip the 5.3 quick enough. Maybe I just need to get used to the board more but I did not notice this with a 5.0 Guru or 4.7 Northwave I tried on the board, so I think it’s the boom length of the Eclipse takes longer to rotate. So question is would a 5.0 Banzai give similar power to the 5.3 Eclipse but rotate faster in the jibe? Any other handling character of the Banzai better suited to the Twin fin than Eclipse? Or do you think a 5.3 Guru would work (I notice boom length is the same for Eclipse and Guru in 5.3)?
Answer: Banzai 5.0 (r 5.3) would be an interesting choice, and maybe the best choice.
For a very light, playful feel with a lot of lift- the 2012 model year is a good choice, or for a more low gear low end drive and great overall range reminiscent of the Eclipse, the 2013 or 2014 model are cut more traditionally with a low and stable and driving draft.
Yes, a 4 batten sail is generally better suited for a twin fin board.
A twin fin likes to turn quickly, and the light weight and outline plan of the 4 batten Banzai really pairs well with that maneuverable characteristic the twin has.
Guru is a consideration.
2013 and earlier Guru is 5 batten, and 2014 is 4 batten.
I would tend towards the 4 here, but know that the Guru will have a more flexible feel from the PVC window, and the outline of the sails makes it turn quickly, and the profile allows you to throw it in to neutral quickly as well.
For riders looking for a more direct feel, the Banzai is the choice.
Does a new 5.0 Banzai provide the power of a 2012 Eclipse 5.3.
If you are very light and your board is very buoyant, then answer swings towards more yes.
If you are heavier and less buoyant then more no.
Question: Can you give us an advice for buying sails please? First of all, my weight is about 80 kg, my boards are 2 three fin wave, 80 and 95 l ,conditions are side,side-on and onshorewind and waves of max 2 meters. I want to have 3 sails ranging from 15-37 knots. Can i use other mast than goya for example neil pryde or ezzy mast?
Answer: Ezzy mast is the closest to the Goya mast in bend. NP mast I don’t know so well.
Regarding the sails- choose according to the desired power and feel, not the conditions. All of our wave sails are suitable for any wave condition- the difference is how the sail delivers power and the feeling in your hands.
Banzai- 4 battens, light weight, direct power
Guru G4- (new for ’14) 4 battens, light weight- softer power delivery and feel
Eclipse- 5 battens, (quiet in the hands) power and excellent overall range
Hope this info helps!
Question: Hi Jason, It was a pleasure to meet you at Costa Brava. Just one simple question. Are the new Gurus 2014 delivering more power than previus models (for the same size)? I´m considering to change my set of old Gurus 2010 (3.7 – 4.2 – 4.7 – 5.3). Should I go for smaller sizes : 3.5 . 4.0 4.5 5.0 or maintaining same sizes?. What do you recommend? I suppose the sail will feel much lighter and just for that it increases the sail range , and I also suppose than the fact of being 4 batten will increase a little bit the power? Or maybe I´m wrong.
Answer: Great to meet you as well. Thanks for the mail and inquiry.
The fast answer is that it depends on your board.
The 4 batten guru will have a slightly more explosive (quick) power compared to 5 batten simply because it is lighter. The lighter weight means that the sail will react more quickly to the wind energy that hits it, which in turn gets you going more quickly.
This effect is amplified by the amount of volume you carry in your board. The more volume you carry (plus if you have a fast rocker), the more quickly you will get going in general, and specifically if your sail is quicker.
Does a 5.0 replace the 5.3? Not directly, even with a fast board, but the new 5.0 is a lot quicker than the ’10 5.0…
Ultimately, the decision is up to you, what/where/how you sail and what the most important performance characteristics are for your individual sail sizes.
One last thing- for me, I always like to carry the biggest size sail possible for my floatiest board, because when the wind is light, there is no substitute for sail area to catch wind and get you going…
Hope this info helps! Let me know if you have any more questions…
Cheers
JD
Question: For whom is the 2014 4-batten Guru best suited and for whom the Banzai?
Answer: Some people prefer a sail with a little softer “clutch” feeling in to power engagement. PVC window, surrounded by X-ply, gives Guru that sensation compared to a monofilm window which tends to deliver the power more explosively. This softer power engagement means that the sail feels forgiving in gusts, and less fatiguing overall because of the smoother ride. Sailors of smaller stature (male or female) tend to like this, and also sailors of any size who sail in conditions where comfort and control in strong winds, and the ability to throw some aggressive jumps hard turns is the focus of their session.
One more thing about Guru is that there are sailors out there who don’t want monofilm because once it starts to rip it it usually tears the span of the panel, whereas the Guru PVC window is nearly impossible to tear, and the surrounding materials are all rip stop in nature as well.
Last thing- the PVC window stays very clear over the life of the sail. It’s very cleanable, compared to monofilm which tends to dull and become opaque over time.
QUESTION: I almost finalized my Pre-Order with Ralph for summer 2013 with G4 in the size 4,2; 4,7; 5,3. I belief this will be fantastic sails for me.
FYI: I like sideshore wave sails with huge windrange – like Gaastra Manic which I used earlier.
But for the big 5.?? size I´m undecided and would need some advise, since I don´t know the influence of your latest design amendsments of Banzai & G4.
1. I loved the G4-4,5 prototype that I tried November in Maui, but is the G4 in size 5,7 the right sail for me @ 20-26KN low wind Wave action?
What would be your recommendation as bigges Wave sail to suite my above G4 range (4,2/4,7/5,3):
a) G4 – 5,7
b) B14 – 5,3
c) B14 – 5,5
2. From my Maui Test sessions I had the feeling that B-2013 in 5,3 could be used at pretty much the same Windrange like G-2013 in 5,6.
How did the G4 & B-14 change influence in wind range of the sails? Which sizes are for similar use?
3. What I disliked most on last B13-5,3 was the continuous demand in handforce, even while slugging. Is there a change in that feeling with B14?
ANSWER: Thank you for the mail, and for the great questions.
Sail choice-
I really like the new Guru G4 5.7. Compared to older pvc window 5 batten designs, it’s really a lot lighter in the hands and has a really nice full power delivery without being too hard or heavy.
2014 Banzai 5.5 is also a very interesting choice… maybe the best choice if you really want the largest size you carry to be a dedicated light wind weapon. Yes, the handling of the ’14 Banzai sails is much improved over ’13 with lighter material in the leech (weight and flex) and lighter material through the luff panel (lighter, but more about the lively flex it brings). Also the outlines of the sails have been tuned to make the sail feel more forgiving in the pull rather than pull like a tractor.
Range concept- Guru G4 / Banzai 2014-
Banzai holds the line as a monofilm window power wave sail with improvements in feel and comfort handling, while Guru G4 is introduced to offer a softer, more neutral feeling for sailors looking for that sort of more relaxed feel in a no monofilm construction sail.
I hope this info helps Frank!
Any more questions, please let me know…
All the best
JD
Question: My quiver is Guru 4.2, Eclipse 4,7, 5,3, 5,7.
I am using 4,2 only in hi wind and not for waves. I do waveriding in Mauricius in lo wind with 4,7 to 5,7 sails so i travel without 4,2.
We were talking on Maui in 2009 and you suggested me Guru for hi wind and 4,7 eclipse and the compo is superb only i am lacking some power from guru when the wind is gusty. I have 200 lbs and i am using 4,2 only in winds around 40 knotts and more. I would like to take either eclipse 4,2 or banzai 4,2. Will banzai work better than eclipse in stronger winds with more emphazis on comfortable ride and jumping than wavesailing?
Answer:
I think the 2013 Banzai 4.2 would be a very interesting sail for you- it has a great low power (more power than Guru 4.2) and excellent high wind control as well. With 4 battens and a lighter construction than your Guru 4.2, it feels super nice in hands- in a straight line or in transitions, jumps, etc…
I also think that you would really like the Banzai in the larger sizes as well- 4.7, 5.3 and 5.7. Particularly because these are your key wave riding sizes- the ’13 Banzai compared to Eclipse is a whole new world of easy handling and quick maneuvering in the surf…
Hope this info helps!!
Question: I use the 2011 Eclipse (5,3; 4,7; 4,2) and I am thinking about changing to the 2012 Banzai (4,9; 4,3; 3,9). Do you think that the Banzai makes sense in European conditions? I (69 kg) will use it on my lovely 72 quad and on my new freestyle 99 (it looks really great!). Thanks and greetz from Germany!you will love the BANZAI in sizes 4.9 and 4.3 for sure. The sails are so light and responsive and powerful. For really maxed out conditions where control is key, then it’s hard to beat the stability of a 5 batten sail. So, for your smallest size in the quiver you describe, I actually think a GURU 3.7 would be a great choice. That sail has great power, plus the pvc window and profile characteristic of the sail are very forgiving and comfortable in a huge wind range including over- powered conditions. GURU 2012 is lighter weight and lighter feeling, with a more effortless and responsive handling characteristic. If you don’t like the softer feeling of PVC, then ECLIPSE is the next choice. For 2012 Eclipse is also lighter weight and lighter feeling than previous versions. So, for the smallest size the choice is up to you. Personally I like the comfort and control of GURU in radical conditions, but if you like your sails more direct feeling, then go for ECLIPSE. 3.9 Banzai is still a pretty powerful sail, so my feeling is that as you move in to the high end wind range your focus should be on control, and that’s where the 5 batten 3.7 models come in to play. I hope this info helps you Heiko! Kind Regards, Jason Diffin
Answer: you will love the BANZAI in sizes 4.9 and 4.3 for sure. The
sails are so light and responsive and powerful.
For really maxed out conditions where control is key, then it’s hard
to beat the stability of a 5 batten sail.
So, for your smallest size in the quiver you describe, I actually
think a GURU 3.7 would be a great choice. That sail has great power,
plus the pvc window and profile characteristic of the sail are very
forgiving and comfortable in a huge wind range including over-
powered conditions.
GURU 2012 is lighter weight and lighter feeling, with a more
effortless and responsive handling characteristic.
If you don’t like the softer feeling of PVC, then ECLIPSE is the
next choice. For 2012 Eclipse is also lighter weight and lighter
feeling than previous versions.
So, for the smallest size the choice is up to you.
Personally I like the comfort and control of GURU in radical
conditions, but if you like your sails more direct feeling, then go
for ECLIPSE.
3.9 Banzai is still a pretty powerful sail, so my feeling is that as
you move in to the high end wind range your focus should be on
control, and that’s where the 5 batten 3.7 models come in to play.
I hope this info helps!
Kind Regards,
Jason Diffin
Question: I have a 2010 Goya Guru 4,7 since some weeks. I bought this sail, because you recommanded it for highwind windsurfing for lighter guys. I´m 73 Kg an so i thought it would be a good choice for me. Now I tested it in higher winds at the canaries an I was a bit unsatisfied. Compared with my North Ice 4,7 from 2009 it was less pressure stabil in a medium trimset (not trimmed it full power, because it was only 6 Beaoufort). Because it´s a reason of a wrong mastchoice!?? I used an 100% Carbon North Sails Skinny Mast in 400. What Masts are you recommanding. Please give me some advices more than only the Goya mast itself, because I would buy a second hand one! Thanks for your help.
Answer: Thanks for your mail and inquiry.
Let’s get you sorted out here…
The first and most common mistake for people coming from other
sail brands is that they don’t put enough downhaul. My sails
probably have the loosest heads of any sails on the market so
don’t be afraid to get plenty of downhaul on there. You should
downhaul the sail until the leech goes loose a full 2/3 of the way
in to the sail body between batten #1 and #2. It’s a lot. This is
a good setting for pretty much any condition.
Then you use the outhaul to control the power.
Start with about 3cm of positive outhaul (after the downhaul is
set), see how it feels, and reduce the outhaul for more power or
increase it to reduce power and create a more neutral feeling sail.
Also, make sure that all battens are properly tensioned until all
vertical wrinkles around the pocket are gone. The lower battens
require the most tension because they are longer and support more
profile, the upper battens require less because they are shorter
and flatter. This is an important step to make the sail feel crisp
and responsive.
Please try the techniques above and let me know how it goes…
A word about masts-
I don’t know the North mast bend spec exactly. Carbon content is
not as important as bend curve- the Goya 400 rdm is 64.5% bottom,
79% top, imcs about 18.5.
If your mast has a stiffer tip, then it can contribute to a less
stable feeling…
If you have further questions, please pair them with photos of
your sail rigged from different angles so that I can see what you
are working with. Having a visual reference really helps take the
conversation out of the realm of theory and in to practical
solutions.
Good luck Mike!
Let me know how you go…
Cheers!
Jason Diffin
**** UPDATE ON EXPERIENCE ****
Hi Jason, hi Francisco,
last weekend I could test the 4,7 Guru in reallly strong winds and great waves in Netherland. Your setting tipps were great. Now I love the sail. I put the downhaul like you said and I could control the sail even in heavy gusts between 7 to 8 Beoufort. Some other guys were already on 3,7! The handling was perfect and stays like in 5/6 Beaufort. With my 73 kg bodyweight now I have a perfect sail from beginning of 5 up to high 7 beaufort, a sail with a really wide windrange and a great handling, thats perfect! Great sails, good job boys!!! Thanks a lot for your help. I will recommand your sails to everybody I will meat!
Know I have to test your boards too maybe….
Thanks,
Mike
Question: The new 2012 looks stunning, simple and nice. Just needs a little help to position the Banzai in relation to Guru and Eclipse. In my mind I have Guru as very controleable high wind sail, easy to depower, fast. Not so good at early planning and cross on conditions Eclipse is power wave sail, with early planning and good with cross on conditions. A very attractive euro wave sail. Not so good at speed and controle in owerpowered conditions. So now to – where is Banzai better than Guru / Eclipse and where is it less recomended?
Answer: Thanks for your mail and inquiry.
I would tend to disagree regarding your comment about GURU-
”
Not so good at early planning and cross on conditions”
GURU is a quickly neutral sail, that’s for sure, but the sail also has a a good low end punch.
Also, I never really classify the sails according to conditions, but rather by the feeling and power delivery you are looking for in any given condition.
GURU works well in onshore conditions, if you like a quickly neutral, flexible feeling sail.
Alternatively, ECLIPSE is a great sail for cross offshore down the line wave riding if your preference is a quick and direct feeling sail.
Moving on to the new 4 batten sail BANZAI 2012-
Here’s my basic summary of the sail-
Currently the size range is 3.3, 3.6, 3.9, 4.3, 4.6, 4.9.
The spacing between sizes is larger than standard because the range of the sail is larger than standard.
That larger range inhabits the low end performance of the sail.
This 4 batten sail is meant to be used about .5 smaller than you would normally choose in models Guru and Eclipse. For example 4.9 replaces 5.3, 4.6 replaces 5.0, 4.3 replaces 4.5/(4.7).
***These sails are NOT meant to be used over powered. If it gets windier, you size down.
***These 4 batten sails are best paired with a modern, high volume board that gets moving quickly.
The profile of these sails is relatively flat, but very “engaged” from the bottom to the top. The entire sail is cut to generate lift everywhere. This is why it’s possible to use a smaller size. Also, the extreme light weight of the sail amplifies the lift. The super light weight plus relatively flat profile of the sail contributes to an effortless handling characteristic in maneuvers and just sailing along…
This 4 batten sail features an aspect ratio very similar to the 5 batten sails (the 4 batten 4.6 is 162/413), but considering that you use a size smaller than a 5 batten sail, you end up with the benefit of the shorter boom and luff comparatively.
I don’t believe that 4 batten sails should be too short in the luff dimension. If you shorten the height too much, then you are forced to extend the boom, the leech outline, or both. A square meter is a square meter after all, no matter how you draw it.
By minimizing the trailing outline of the sail the 4 batten maintains a very quiet feeling in the hands at all points of sail.
The power delivery of this sail is smooth and accelerating, and the feeling is a comfortable combination of direct and flexible.
Our 5 batten models GURU and ECLIPSE are a better choice for sailors looking for more high end range, and a lower locked and forward driving power delivery.
A couple of words regarding GURU and ECLIPSE-
ECLIPSE 2012 will still be a full power direct wave sail, but with a lighter, stronger construction, combined with a more forward driving, light feeling handling characteristic.
GURU 2012 also will be lighter and stronger. GURU 2012 will have great low end power and improved maneuverability in wave riding and transitions due to increased lower leech twist and a modified foot outline.
I hope this info helps Lars!
Please don’t hesitate to ask if you have any more questions…
Cheers
JD
Question: I will try again. It seem impossible to get a goya mast at a reasonable price in Denmark. I am thinking of amex, maverix or thusingham instead. What would you recommend for the Guru 4.5 and 5.0? Will a 4.0 Guru rig on a 400 mast?
Answer: 400 mast for 4.5 and 5.0. 400 mast on 4.0 will extend 20cm above the sail. This will make the sail feel a bit stiffer and more direct compared to having a 370 mast. For a heavier rider, it can be more OK. A lighter rider will suffer faster for that compromise.
The key to getting a good 400 is that you find a mast with a flex top bending characteristic- you want the tip to bend about 79-80% of the max bend amount.
Goya masts bend like this. North, Pryde, Simmer, Naish tend to bend like this.
The companies you listed tend to have stiffer tips, and you compromise the range of the sail.
Try to get the bend info from the masts you are considering, and then decide from there.
– JD
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