Boardseeker Test: Goya W3D the best wave sail.

The Goya W3D was a favourite amongst our test Clones. Not the most powerful sail in this test but arguably the best wave sail. It feels light in the hands, manoeuvrable and lot of fun to use....read more

http://www.boardseekermag.com/windsurfing-equipment-tests/goya-w3d-5.3-2009.html

But as the test says quote:

"Compared to the other sails in this test, the Goya W3D feels like a smaller sail on the water. We checked it’s size by overlaying it on the other sails, but found that it isn't visibly any smaller - it just feels it. And this is a good thing"

So if you feel like you need more power you can always go up 1 more size than you normally would buy without it feeling like the sail is is to big and clumsy

i have a quiver of these sail and love them to death

The test couldn't test strength over a short period.

These sails are tough i even snapped a mast on a very heavy wave at Scarbs .
I was expecting full sail damage even after it was washed up on the beach the only damage was about 10cm of stitching that had come undone on the luff tube which was easily fixed

I tried the interactive tool on the test page and the test picked the 3d wave for me
so if you know what you want out of a sail you should be able to pick the right one for you

"I think most manufacturers (both sails and boards) simply ignore the market of 90kg plus wave sailors" - Stehsegler

You are so right - I mean the pryde alpha, simmer iron, north duke/ ice, severne blade, gaastra poison, naish force etc... the RRD 90 & 99 ltr twin and cult 90, Starboard evo 90 and 100, the JP RRW 92, mistral twin 92 and wave 96, naish global 98, exocet Xwave 95 and 103 etc... are all made for lightwieghts right

Mate, your pro JP pryde rants are getting tired. Yes they make very good gear but it is not the only great stuff out there, nor the only ones making gear for bigger guys.

You are partly right in your criticism of the Boardseeker reviews as they were a little contradictory in their assessments. But judgments about the best sails or boards will always show the bias of the testers due to weight and ability. It doesn't make them wrong - you simply read between the lines and re-adjust for your size.
I for one could not understand how the S-1 was included at all instead of the Blade, nor did I agree with their view of the sail but that is just my opinion. And where were the naish forces.
They obviously tested what was available and had a preference out of what was on offer. So be it.

Im actually very impressed with the result of the test , frequently those test are done in onshore condition and sloppy waves that are not really reflect what we have here in Western Australia. Sails like the Alpha are dominating the tests due the fact that are specifically designed for onshore condition. So Im very happy that the Wave 3D is still came out the best sail not been a dedicated onshore wave sail.
On the other side, in my very personal opinion, if not necessary due conditions, I think the majority of people would prefer avoid to use an onshore wave sail. Power is a very personal matter, some people like it other don't care even if they are 100Kg.
We have riders that are over 90kg, happy to dog out in solid 10/15 foots swell and enjoy the looseness and neutrality of a cross on/off sail in their way in. Its matter of technique, fitness and balls....

Have you actually tried any of these boards? I have either tried and in a couple of cases actually owned most of them. As far as wave boards go they all feel like an after thought rather than a wave board designed for heavier riders.

I have heard from a couple of people now that one of very few companies actively looking at this segment and doing proper R&D is OES. I haven't tried their boards yet but am keen to see how the 98 Twin Wave works.

RE sails, you forgot to mention Ezzy. I think their SE wave sails have a good amount of grunt in them to qualify as a sail for heavier people plus they seem to be build like a tank.


Obviously JP/ Pryde are not the only companies out there that make good gear... problem is everything else I have tried so far hasn't lived up to the hype.

Actually let me correct this... I think one of the most underrated floaty wave boards is the old Angulo Chango 95 (aka the Jesus board).

BTW, yes I also have a 84 liter wave board which I generally take out as soon as the wind is steady enough... the problem is that if you go out in places like Gnaraloo were the wind is cross off and gusty as hell and you don't have much clearance over the reef the best technique or fitness won't help you... what you need is a floaty board that doesn't behave like a tanker once you get on a wave.

Just went and checked out the test. The test is an insult to the readers intelligence 3 of those sails should not have been tested as a power wave sail. If they can't even get the criteria right how credible are the results. Waste of cyberspace

Not sure about the test criteria. I think they should have stated why those particular sails were chosen over others. Other mags such as the German "Surf" magazine usually state the reasons. Generally it is because that's what was supplied by the manufacturer.