Hi

I am looking at replacing my 2017 blades with S1s but not sure about what appears to be the monofilm window and its durability / brittleness. The clear window version of the Goya Banzai seems to use a laminate (2 sheets of film glued together) that Goya claims is stronger, more UV resistant and more crinkle-proof than monofilm.

I'd appreciate any thoughts and experiences on this - many thanks.

Hi WaveMuppet,
I have been using Banzai 2021 biply for quite some time and my latest craze recently -Fringe Pro (again biply version) . I have to say the sails are awesome. The Banzai is a powerful,very reactive sail,with huge range, a bit on the heavier side, weighing 200-250g more for a given size compared to other brands. But this translates into durability imho. Regarding the Biply film- it stands for what it says- stronger than monofilm,more resistable to hard creases,but still you have to treat it with care. It can get hazy if there is friction- example the area touching the attachment of harness lines on the boom. But again, you may not notice anything unless you are paranoically picky as I am..
Hope this helps.

Obviously the Pro models are a bit less durable if you drop them in spiky bushes n stuff.

However as far as brands vs brands go, I sail where it is probably 50% Severne sails
I do not see 'normal' construction S1s or Blades blowing panels etc etc more than any other brands.
And that's with a lot of good sailors going nuts.
In fact it pretty rare to see anyone swim in with a buggered main panel, and if so its usually a 3-4yrs plus old sail ...... and anything with crinkle in it and a heavy lip landing on it will blowout. So I reckon no difference.

I've been using the 2020-21 Banzais from 3.15 up to 4.7 for the last year. Very powerful, stable and while they're a relatively forward pulling sail they have this wonderful bit of oomph available in the badk hand that is super useful for both jumping and waveriding. The sails have quite a lot of skin tension so when the wind hits it you go, personally I like the sail being so responsive because you get more feedback from the gear during turns etc, but if you like a soft easy going like the Hot Sails Superfreaks etc the Banzai isn't for you.

Strength wise they've survived more heavy wipeouts than I'd have expected. The biply stuff is fantastic and the rest of the sail is similarly built to withstand the apocalypse. You'll notice a slight weight difference when the sail is rolled up etc but because of the high skin tension (a factor both the S-1s and Banzais share) the sail actually feels lighter in your hands when rigged properly.

Great info - many thanks. Any thoughts from S1 users?

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WaveMuppet said..
Great info - many thanks. Any thoughts from S1 users?

Yes. I have a complete set of 2020 S1s which are now two years old and yet look new.
Supply delays have meant my 2022 sails are still on a container ship somewhere, but I'm in no rush to hand on my existing sails.

I'm not hard on my gear but my windows are all intact.
I don't see how two layers of thin monofilm glued together is any stronger than a single layer of thicker mono film.
But Goya sails have a good reputation too. I haven't sailed them, so I can't comment further.

Re window layers - think the Banzai is 2 pvc like layers ? together , not monofilm ...

I have been using the 2021 s1's - they are amazing , and feel super light even compared to previous years versions ... Cant rate them enough , and have a feeling top end is further improved 2021 models ....

Unless you are surfing super heavy heavy waves , then its worth the extra lightness .. If your at all wanting that durability of Banzai (even though I don't think there's alot in it) , then you could always go banzai in smaller sizes , say 4.5 and under .... and s1 in bigger sizes and appreciate all that lightness in the lighter airs ...

Theres a bunch of guys around here use severnes in lots of logo mast , with no issues at all ...

Based on the Pro models which I have.

I think the S1 are a great sail for lighter riders.

The S1 5.6m I think is too big and feels spongey compared to the 5.2m, the battens on a bigger sail have to be spaced out further and this means there is a more springy feel to the sail. I am 90kg and I think it really doesn't work for me.

I really like the panel cut 4.8m, it has soft power build up and is light but the bigger size S1's seem to just not give me the power I need.

Great advice. If I go S1, I am thinking I'll go 4.0, 4.4, 4.8, 5.2, then keep my Blade 5.7. I'd probably not replace the 3.7 blade, as for the sake of 0.3M at the top end, I'd avoid having to buy a 340 mast and won't have to faff with adjustable sail heads (which are annoying imho)

where are you based, muppet?
when you sell your blades i might be intersted :)
do you have a 5.0?
cheers
jan

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duckjibe said..
where are you based, muppet?
when you sell your blades i might be intersted :)
do you have a 5.0?
cheers
jan

UK - south east, but I've already sold them apart from keeping 5.7 for me and 4.7/5.3 for my son. Good luck with finding some

Blades are nice sails. What makes you move towards a different model? What type of sailing / conditions?

Blades for autopilot control through huge range ,.... less changing down .... etc all conditions ... slightly stiffer feel in general than S1 ... If you sail frontal conditions with frequent showers wind up and down - would be almost unbeatable ...

S1 for more sideways pressure in the sail , useful for certain types of waveriding , even in very side off , ... Don't know if this is my imagination , but the 2021 almost feels like a blade luff curve with 4 battens ,.??? ... as I think s1 even smoother feel than usual , and better top end than ever ...

You can also add bit of back hand pressure to blade (and make it feel flexier / more s1 like) , if you rig on a softer lower section .... Ie take 4.0 blade , has insane stability on the rec 370 with 4-6 extension , if you rig it on a 340 bottom / 370 top , with approx 18-20 ext , its more s1 like , bit more fullness, life and shape in lower half , and draft moves back slightly (im talking line adjustment maybe 3 cm ) ... It feels a bit more alive in the hands , at the expense of some upper range stability , anyways - intersting to experiment .... I like my 4.5 and 4.7 blades rigged with 370 bottom section ....

Yep same with ezzy. Which mast brand?

Severne with Severne ....

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Manuel7 said..
Blades are nice sails. What makes you move towards a different model? What type of sailing / conditions?

predominantly sail cross-onshore UK south coast (same as Basher who loves S1s for that). Reasons:

1. Fancied a change
2. ordered a Quatro cube and I'll think they'll match nicely
3. I am hearing the range on the newer S1s is excellent
4. super light
5. keeping my Blade at 5.7 for marginal and freestyle wave crossover (although may change for 2022 version!)

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WaveMuppet said..

Manuel7 said..
Blades are nice sails. What makes you move towards a different model? What type of sailing / conditions?

predominantly sail cross-onshore UK south coast (same as Basher who loves S1s for that). Reasons:

1. Fancied a change
2. ordered a Quatro cube and I'll think they'll match nicely
3. I am hearing the range on the newer S1s is excellent
4. super light
5. keeping my Blade at 5.7 for marginal and freestyle wave crossover (although may change for 2022 version!)

A few quick notes to your points.

2. Correct, using exactly this setup for lighter winds and it is great. If you need some info about the board setup or fin choices please let me know. I've tried different configs as Twin with production fins, Quad MFC K300, MUF X Twin R, toe in . Please check also the position/angle of the center fins in the US box, one of my fins was a bit misaligned which created a strange behaviour while bottom turning.
3. Also true, the top end of the 21 and 22 S1 is much higher compared to the 2020 version.

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Hanstholm said..

WaveMuppet said..

Manuel7 said..
Blades are nice sails. What makes you move towards a different model? What type of sailing / conditions?

predominantly sail cross-onshore UK south coast (same as Basher who loves S1s for that). Reasons:

1. Fancied a change
2. ordered a Quatro cube and I'll think they'll match nicely
3. I am hearing the range on the newer S1s is excellent
4. super light
5. keeping my Blade at 5.7 for marginal and freestyle wave crossover (although may change for 2022 version!)

A few quick notes to your points.

2. Correct, using exactly this setup for lighter winds and it is great. If you need some info about the board setup or fin choices please let me know. I've tried different configs as Twin with production fins, Quad MFC K300, MUF X Twin R, toe in . Please check also the position/angle of the center fins in the US box, one of my fins was a bit misaligned which created a strange behaviour while bottom turning.
3. Also true, the top end of the 21 and 22 S1 is much higher compared to the 2020 version.

Many thanks - really helpful input, I'll be in touch!