Been sailing my 96 Zeta for.... well ever! So I thought it'd be nice to get a backup sail (just in case), same size 4.7, a 2016 Goya Banzai.
Here are the main differences :
- Carrying: center of gravity much higher up, odd to carry overhead
- Window fully transparent, impressive to see the detailed sections of the wave!
- huge upwind productivity
- fast, although not a huge pumper, early planing
- slower tacks and maneuverability despite a shorter boom
- lower high end control
- stance more upright, a bit more engaging
- less radical
- feels a touch heavier
- more stable, endurance
- less tuning range, can feel a bit heavy
- not as throw about
- the sail foot easily clears white water for wave riding
- easier clew first
- easier jibes
So the main thing besides the window panoramic view (let's hope it lasts) is that the stance lets us be more upright while still getting strong drive and speed. The zeta likes to be more raked back. This is nice for pivoty moves such as forwards or pop in general. The zeta should be better for cheese rolls.
All in all I still think the zeta is more fun, it is so flicky with lower swing weight when laying down and back up wave riding and on tacks and such. I can also trust that the sail will come out 100% unharmed after a beating, I can land on it, hit it with my knees, elbows and head, no problem!
The more modern sail has greater productivity and a higher foot which is really nice when sailing around closeouts sections. It's more stable and performs better when underpowered.
Was there a reason you changed brand or was it just what came along? Wondering how a 2016 zeta (still made then?) would compare.
PS "who" was right?
I always loved north in the past. Thought they made the most durable sails. Until the recent years when they felt more average.
I feel like I've tried most brands and definitely rely on the used market!
If I were to make the zeta again, I would cut off the sail foot and redistribute the material higher up. I had plans to build my own sails maybe in the future! Will stick to repairing them for now!
Forgot to mention that harness lines position was unchanged between the two sails.
EDIT: "who was right?" whomever said that modern sails needed more upright sailing with higher and more forward drive. In an earlier thread a while back 
The new zeta has way more shape built-in when neutral. So it will be more reliable and faster, less playful, and won't depower as much and as quickly. Better on clew first, stability and surely and jibes. I have sailed the elite.
Yesterday, I got to sail the 4.2 (old zeta) and visibility is a bit blurry although the PVC window is fully clear still. There are lines of material crossing our view. Ezzy's visibility is also a bit affected by the xply.
In my experience it seems that windows tend to break about at the same time no matter the xply. Visibility through the window let us place the board exactly where we want on the wave. It's really cool. Not sure what wave riders think but I find it pretty amazing.
Not sure I mentioned but the Banzai needs quite a bit more downhaul tension and this is with the pulley too.
Newer modern sails, not always better used to use delta semi soft sails from the eighties, more power better for looping, particularly backwards loops, the elasticity and stretch factor is a big plus. now using simmer sails more stable great for wave riding and can handle a bigger wind range without break out. Would probably go back to delta if I could still get them though, last of all I still use z booms and sail the spot alone year after year, too heavy on the gear for pussies.
