The Goya Fringe 5.3

Well....I got my new 5.3 Fringe (3 batten) in the mail today but sadly I was not able to get it wet due to the weather and conditions not playing the game, That said it still had to be rigged up to see what all the hype is about. Firstly I have no idea what to expect from a 3 batten sail??? I'm currently running 4 batten sails (Goya Banzai) at the moment and find them awesome, Great wind range and stability and light in the hands. I'm a sucker for new toys so I had to get one to try, With a RRP of $980 I placed my order and waited to see what it was all about....It'll be interesting to see how a 3 batten sail holds up with a heavy weight sailor.




Here's the hype...

The Fringe...Super lightweight sail for easy handling through radical manoeuvres. Excellent low end power and flexible "up" lift gets you moving keeps you loose and incredibly reactive on the water. Large mono film window for easy visibility through the sail. New carbon stretch control layout for excellent stability through a big wind range. The Fringe is a very progressive wave sail targeting riders looking for great low end, great range and effortless handling in the most radical carving conditions. Lightness of the Fringe creates a very efficient and quick low-end power, and the lightness also makes the sail easy to handle in very powered up conditions. The Fringe works best on a higher volume board. This helps take advantage of the excellent low end power and also allows you to use a smaller sail size overall to maximise manoeuvrability.

Well how is that going to go for me? It actually sounds perfect, I live in Gerroa which is pure DTL and I ride larger quads and I love low end power and hate changing sails....Sweet.


(There are 2 sets of these mini battens between the other 2 main battens)

Obviously weight is the big talking point for sails at the moment, The 5.3 fringe comes in at 3.2 kg (the Banzai 5.3 is 3.5 kg) but is lightness everything??? This is what the sail designer Jason Diffin had to say about weight reduction (found this on the web somewhere)....

"Light is good, no question, but a balance between weight, durability (both short and long term), performance and hand feel all contribute to the static weight of the sails.
My working method is to make the sails as light as possible while maintaing the level of durability that I believe is required.
An under built sail might feel great when new, but as the sail gets used and the prevailing loads and shock loads take their toll, the hand feel of the sail will change, usually for the worst. My goal is for the sails to have a certain feeling when new, and for the sail to keep that feeling for a very long time- years in fact if the sail is reasonably taken care of. When people think of durability they think of puncture and panel tear, but that is only part of the story. Foil integrity, to me, is a critical part of the durability package, and to achieve it, load points need to be engineered to withstand the impacts, the long term tensions and also function to disperse attachment point loads in to the body of the sail without damaging the sail. Panel distortion under load also needs to be managed in order to ensure range in the sails. Achieving this requires materials. Considering, trying and testing these assignments of materials is a big part of the fun of designing new sails for me. I'm so stoked with how much weight we've lost in the last few years..., and I think there is more (less! ha) to come."


(The sails has a recommend downhaul marker)


Some facts....

The fringe 5.3 rigs on a 400 RDM with 27cm extension, The 5.3 Banzai rigs on a 430 RDM.
Both sails have a boom length of 127cm, And as I said it weighs in at 3.2 Kg Vs the Banzai at 3.5 Kg.
The fringe only has one clew eyelet unlike the the Banzai that gives you two options.
The build quality looks extremely good and the sail has nice padding around the base and reinforcement in all the areas where sails start to wear.
It comes in sizes from 3.0 to 5.3 (The 4.7, 5.0 & 5.3 all rig on a 400 RDM)



(The heavily reinforced clew)






(The head of the Fringe has a slightly lower aspect then the Banzai)



(The carbon stretch control system give the sail added stability)


Any way, Just a first look for those that are interested, I'll do a review as soon as I'm able to get it out in some waves.

....I do like what I see though

That boom is still looking pretty good, how's the wear and tear?

Hi jason
would you mind doing some photos of the two 5.3 sails overlayed?
unrigged is fine.
cheers
matt

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barbarian said..
Hi jason
would you mind doing some photos of the two 5.3 sails overlayed?
unrigged is fine.
cheers
matt

They look sweet by the way

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Dezza said..
That boom is still looking pretty good, how's the wear and tear?

The boom is still going strong, No signs of wear on the grip at all. It gets used on nearly max extension most of the time on my 5.7, I thought this may have been an issue but not so......I'll be getting another to replace my backup X9 before summer.

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barbarian said..
Hi jason
would you mind doing some photos of the two 5.3 sails overlayed?
unrigged is fine.
cheers
matt

Can do Matt, I took them last night as I thought there may have been a bit difference but as it turns out it's not much at all.



The above picture has the fringe on top, It shows the slightly reduced sail head vs the Banzai(bottom sail).


This photo has the Banzai on top, As you can see there is a little bit extra in the top panel of the Fringe(bottom sail).

As for the rest of the fringe sail the shape is pretty much identical to the Banzai.

Thanks Jase great overview and we cant wait for some on water feedback !

In terms of weights the 4.2 comes in at 2.83 kg and the 4.7 at 2.97kg super light but strong and durable at the same time as per Jason Diffin's feedback to us about the trade off of weight v's longevity and ongoing performance posted in Jase Hales message above ... Note also Levi Siver won in Peru last week on the fringe and as he stated it was his first time sailing Port tack for some time !! And he nailed it!!







and here's another photos of the sail rigged in the Bern Roediger team colours ...

Any water feedback on the 5.3m Fringe?

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Core Boardsports said..
and the 4.7 at 2.97kg super light but strong and durable at the same time

I don't agree wit this statement. 2.97kg is not exactly light for a 3 batten 4.7 sail. My 4.7 Neil Pryde Combat HD and the Atlas prior to that have always been just below 3kg. I'd venture to say when it comes to durability a Combat HD is about as bullet proof as it gets.

I have no doubt that they are decent sails but I don't think the weight is anything to write home about.

A n.p sail gets on the scales and the scale display shows "one at a time please"

Our newly minted Team Rider Jason Hale sent me this yesterday so thought I would share on this post ... I think those that know Jase would agree that he tells it like it is and would not over hype gear nor show bias in any way. So without any further ado here it is verbatim....

That fringe is absolutely outstanding, Wasn't the best wind conditions but I could get the 5.3 with the 110 cube plaining quite easily. We had some good waves up to shoulder high, With the light wind on the inside the 5.3 fringe generated slightly more pull then my 5.8 banzai (I was running them back to back) which made getting on the waves much easier with the fringe. While the fringe had more low down power once you were up and going it was like the sail disappeared, It was almost like I had no with but I was hooting along. I'd class it as a power wave sail, giving you heaps of acceleration down the line but with the ability to dump the power in the turns without even thinking about it. The cube 110 is something else, it's almost too easy to ride. Even though this boards feels looser then any other board I own it still remains in total control. The lightest push with the back foot is all it takes to snap the tail out but it's just as easy to get back and setup for the next hack. This will be my goto combination for Gerroa, The perfect DTL setup. Didn't get a chance to get pics today, I got caught up in the moment and forgot all about it. Looks like we'll have wind for the weekend so I'll get the camera out then. Cheers.

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DunkO said..
A n.p sail gets on the scales and the scale display shows "one at a time please"

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stehsegler said..

Core Boardsports said..
and the 4.7 at 2.97kg super light but strong and durable at the same time

I don't agree wit this statement. 2.97kg is not exactly light for a 3 batten 4.7 sail. My 4.7 Neil Pryde Combat HD and the Atlas prior to that have always been just below 3kg. I'd venture to say when it comes to durability a Combat HD is about as bullet proof as it gets.

I have no doubt that they are decent sails but I don't think the weight is anything to write home about.

Ok let us restate this as ... The Fringe is pretty light but strong and durable at the same time .... ;)

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stehsegler said..

Core Boardsports said..
and the 4.7 at 2.97kg super light but strong and durable at the same time

I don't agree wit this statement. 2.97kg is not exactly light for a 3 batten 4.7 sail. My 4.7 Neil Pryde Combat HD and the Atlas prior to that have always been just below 3kg. I'd venture to say when it comes to durability a Combat HD is about as bullet proof as it gets.

I have no doubt that they are decent sails but I don't think the weight is anything to write home about.

Was the scale calibrated at -1kg or 'pryde kg's'? Because I don't believe it >_>

just double checked what I had written down last year when weighted a bunch of sails... so upfront appologies for the "just below 3kg" statement. It was just above 3kg.

2013 Combat HD 4.2 : 3.1 kg
2013 Combat HD 4.7 : 3.3 kg
2013 Combat HD 5.3 : 3.7 kg
2013 Atlas 5.8 : 4.1 kg
2010 Alpha 6.2 : 4.7 kg
2014 Severne S1 5.6: 2.9kg
2015 Severne Blade 5.5: 3.3 kg

Both Severne sails were actually lighter then what was stated on their web site.

so not quite below 3 kg but we are talking 3 batten vs 4 batten and full kevlar webbing throughout the sail. Not sure that would make for 300 gram difference. Needless to point out what my favourite sail based on weight alone is.

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DunkO said..
A n.p sail gets on the scales and the scale display shows "one at a time please"

Light is right isnt exactly a Pryde slogan anymore.

To compare, my Hotsails Firelight 5.3 (5 batten) is standard 2.85kg and with a set of aftersales batten set 2.6 kg.
More comparable to the Fringe, my KS3, a pretty strong build sail 5.2 is 3,05 kg, my 4.6 2.9kg
I haven,t seen the Fringe IRL, but i,m really interested how it sails compared to my 3 batten. Its funny to see how all the brands give a different feel on the 3 batten.

Yep, I finally got the fringe out in some good conditions and must say it's quickly become my favourite sail. As they only make them up to 5.3 I was concerned that it would lack power for a heavy weight rider like myself (I run a 5.7 most of the time) but I was wrong. It's a different type of power then I'm use to though, It pulls real hard then just disappears. The first time it powered up pulling me onto a wave I thought I was going to be fighting the sail but as soon a I was on the wave the sail just goes very neutral. It's well balance with all the pull going through the center of your grip without any bias towards the back or front hand. Coming from the NP Atlas the Fringe is very similar to the power you get from them when first powering up, But unlike the Atlas that continues to pull right through the turns the Fringe turns neutral in the turns until you power it up again. I did run the fringe back to back with the 5.7 banzai and found they had very similar low end power (Maybe a little stronger in the fringe), The difference comes when fully powered up. The Banzai keeps the power on and you can feel everything though the sail, The fringe on the other hand becomes almost weightless. It give you a feeling of being totally under powered, Like your going to drop off the plain any second but it just keeps going. First thought for me is that I'm not going to need my 5.7 for Gerroa anymore, Even in the lighter winds we had on the day the 5.3 fringe had ample pull. The only thing now is I'm going to need another one, I'm thinking a 4.7 and 5.3 combo is all I'm going to need for our east coast conditions.

Anyways I can't wait to get it out again, If you see me at Gerroa and want to try it out then just give me a hoy and I'll hook you up....I think you'll love it.

Cheers.

I saw a Fringe 5.0 at the beach today. Beautiful looking sail, looks very solidly built with no compromises.

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Core Boardsports said..
Our newly minted Team Rider Jason Hale ...

The cube 110 is something else, it's almost too easy to ride. Even though this boards feels looser then any other board I own it still remains in total control. The lightest push with the back foot is all it takes to snap the tail out but it's just as easy to get back and setup for the next hack. This will be my goto combination for Gerroa, The perfect DTL setup.

How long have you had the 110 L for?

I've been riding the 2013 110 L for 18 months now and I still can't get over how amazing that board is. Way looser than my old 90 L single fin, and so smooth and confidence inspiring - absolutely flies through the bottom turn. Quattro really nailed it with that board, I've sailed it against the 102 L Sphere and the 104 L Goya Custom Quad and it is livelier, looser and earlier planing than either of those boards despite having a larger volume.

Philn, I've had the 110 Quatro Cube for around 3 months but haven't had a chance to do much wave sailing with it. I picked it up at the start of our winter season where I switch my efforts to flat water sailing, I did take it for a few bump and jump sessions but this week was the first chance I had to play in some good X-Off wave conditions. First impressions are nothing short of being amazed, I've got a lot of great boards but this one for 110L is just something else. Like I mentioned in my feedback to Core, The board is super loose and surfy but feels in total control at all times. The board has nice volume distribution and I find I can slog out in really light wind, The volume making it easy to pop over the white water and pull off light wind tacks and gybes with ease. The board seems to have a rather flat rocker, it give you a feeling of gliding along even while slogging and it's this additional sub-planning speed that gets you onto the waves with little wind. The rider position on the board feels a little further back then I'm use to but I feel this really helps with the turn, Bottom turns being fully engaged and of the top being very snappy. The only thing I can say negative about the board (and it's not a real issue) is the foot straps, a They are a little harder then I'm use too. I've always run Dakine straps which are super comfortable but I'm quickly getting use to the MFC ones, But they do give you a nice locked in feel with the board so it not that bad....Just need to harden up a bit

But anyways a fantastic board for the heavier rider or a light wind machine for the rest of you, Try one.

Cheers.

Sounds similar to my experience with the board, though I think I'm lighter than you (80 kg). Had another amazing cross off slog and ride session today, 3rd this week in less than 15 mph wind. Not even enough wind for the kiters. Slog out in the channel, quickly tack when a set comes, pump a few times to catch the wave and feel the apparent wind fill the sail, then lay down the sail into the bottom turn. This is the only big board I've used where I can go almost completely vertical coming out of the bottom turn and still stay in control and snap the top turn. Magic.

I replaced my straps with Dakine straps already, the MFC ones are already worn out (which is a good thing, means I use the board a lot).

Are you guys riding the purple 2014 110 cube or the white 2015?

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Oregonjeff said..
Are you guys riding the purple 2014 110 cube or the white 2015?

I'm on the 2014 Cube.

I'll take you up on the test sail Jase are you going to be out in gerroa on Sunday? I think reg and I will be going down there anyway. It sounds like the power delivery is similar to the older sails that I'm used to.

I'm also on the purple board. But the difference to the 2015 boards is largely cosmetic. Per the Quattro person I spoke to, rocker, rails, etc are unchanged.

Since each of guys have quatro 110 are you aware of differences between that and say the Goya 118. I suspect the difference will depend on rider weight but essentially my reading of the boards are that they are similar but the quatro may plane earlier due to its rocker and will be easier to turn since it is narrower and perhaps will also handle higher winds better than the goya.. any comments would be appreciated.

Nice looking sail and good review jh2703!

Any comparisons to the Ks3? I like the cross ply in the main panel of the Ks3.

Are you still rigging on NP masts?

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aribenasher said..
Since each of guys have quatro 110 are you aware of differences between that and say the Goya 118. I suspect the difference will depend on rider weight but essentially my reading of the boards are that they are similar but the quatro may plane earlier due to its rocker and will be easier to turn since it is narrower and perhaps will also handle higher winds better than the goya.. any comments would be appreciated.

I have both. I bought the Goya 118 L to replace my SUP for ultra light wind sailing. The Quattro 110 is almost as loose as the 2012 95 L Quad LS, and sails like a board much smaller than 110 L, except for when the wind dies and then the volume is there. The Goya 118 sails like a 118 L waveboard, which is to say that it is pretty good, but takes much more force and commitment for me to turn tightly. I'm now riding it as a twin fin to loosen it up and I only use the Goya when it is too light to waterstart. I think if the Goya was scaled down to 110 L the Quattro would still be a better board. But the Goya is a lot better light wind wave board than any SUP I tried to sail.

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barri said...
Nice looking sail and good review jh2703!

Any comparisons to the Ks3? I like the cross ply in the main panel of the Ks3.

Are you still rigging on NP masts?

I've not used a Ks3 or any other 3 batten sail so can't make judgement but the Fringe is now my favorite sail for DTL. I'm now using Goya mast, the sails rig nicely on both but using the Goya mast the setting are to spec. With the Pryde mast the leech gets very loose quickly, I feel the sail is much crisper on the recommended Goya mast.

Cheers.

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philn said..

aribenasher said..
Since each of guys have quatro 110 are you aware of differences between that and say the Goya 118. I suspect the difference will depend on rider weight but essentially my reading of the boards are that they are similar but the quatro may plane earlier due to its rocker and will be easier to turn since it is narrower and perhaps will also handle higher winds better than the goya.. any comments would be appreciated.

I have both. I bought the Goya 118 L to replace my SUP for ultra light wind sailing. The Quattro 110 is almost as loose as the 2012 95 L Quad LS, and sails like a board much smaller than 110 L, except for when the wind dies and then the volume is there. The Goya 118 sails like a 118 L waveboard, which is to say that it is pretty good, but takes much more force and commitment for me to turn tightly. I'm now riding it as a twin fin to loosen it up and I only use the Goya when it is too light to waterstart. I think if the Goya was scaled down to 110 L the Quattro would still be a better board. But the Goya is a lot better light wind wave board than any SUP I tried to sail.

Philn, Thanks. I have secured a Quatro Cube 110 2014 model from SurfSail in Perth. I am glad I did so as it was a toss up between it and the Goya 118 but I think the 110 will also replace my old 95 litre Exocet single fin as well.I am hoping the Quatro will be a one board wave quiver and will use the Bic Presto for the light stuff and slalom. Cheers Richard