Goya states that the Cypher Pro is made for freestyle and foiling. I am considering replacing my quiver of 2017 Goya Fringe sails (3.5, 4.0, 4.5 and 5.0) with a quiver of 2023 Cypher Pro (3.4, 3.8, 4.2 and 4.8) to use with my 2019 Goya 79L Quad and 2023 98 L Goya Nitro, for high wind (20-35+ mph), bump and jump and rolling waves at the Gorge, Hood River, Oregon (Columbia River) and 15-25 mph winds, rolling waves at La Ventana, Baja California Sur, Mexico. I am not freestyling nor windsurf foiling. At the Gorge, windsurf foilers and a select few advanced finning windsurfers are using them. I have not used the Cypher Pro and would like to receive comments on their suitability for my intended finning windsurfing.
Two questions come to mind....
What is your weight and why the Cypher? For high wind use a Banzai or an Eclipse (great sails, handling like a Banzai and more stable at top end) would be the first two sails that spring to mind.
Whatever you do, try to sail a Cypher before committing to a full quiver.
My weight is 74kg.
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My primary emphasis is: light weight, go neutral ie on-off and moderate back hand boom load.
In smaller sail sizes ie 3.5 to 4.2, stability is secondary due to the smaller surface area of the sail which is well supported by either 3 or 4 battens.
For a 4.8 sail, low end power is more important, while stability is even less important because the wind, being lighter, is less disruptive to the sail stability.
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Here are my assessments re the comparative characteristics of Goya Fringe, Goya Cypher and Goya Banzai.
(I exclude the Goya Eclipse, while the most stable, because it has the heaviest dry weight. )
Compared to Goya Fringe, Cypher, like the Fringe, would go neutral ie on-off, has somewhat more low end power than the Fringe, more stable due to 4 battens and even less back hand boom load due to shorter boom lengths.
Compared to Fringe and Cypher, Banzai, while more stable than Fringe (3 battens) and Cypher (4 battens) , is less neutral, ie less on-off and has substantially more back hand boom load then either the Fringe or Cypher.
Compared to the Fringe and Banzai, the Cypher has a "lifting" draft profile - while helpful in freestyle and bump and jump conditions, would be a limiting characteristic when sailing in small rolling waves conditions because a "lifting" draft profile would reduce the stickiness of the board on the water ie less board control.
Are my assessments accurate?
Your reasoning makes sense. Was there something, that you didn't like, that makes you look beyond he Fringe? Personally I have found freestyle sails to be a bit too 'twitchy', I prefer a bit more a locked in feeling. But there must be people out here that have experience with the Cypher that can draw from their own experiences. Can you try one before buying?
Loving a big freestyle sail (Bounce 4.8, haven't used the Cypher) for light wind onshore wave riding. When paired with a fast and floaty enough board this sail just keeps you going in really light conditions.
Select to expand quoteTaavi said..
Loving a big freestyle sail (Bounce 4.8, haven't used the Cypher) for light wind onshore wave riding. When paired with a fast and floaty enough board this sail just keeps you going in really light conditions.
Agreed, Fabulous for light wind waves, tall mast, short boom on the waves, makes an onshore hard day easy.
Although I'm using NP Wizard.
Select to expand quoteWsf2000 said..
My weight is 74kg.
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My primary emphasis is: light weight, go neutral ie on-off and moderate back hand boom load.
In smaller sail sizes ie 3.5 to 4.2, stability is secondary due to the smaller surface area of the sail which is well supported by either 3 or 4 battens.
For a 4.8 sail, low end power is more important, while stability is even less important because the wind, being lighter, is less disruptive to the sail stability.
----------------------------------------------
Here are my assessments re the comparative characteristics of Goya Fringe, Goya Cypher and Goya Banzai.
(I exclude the Goya Eclipse, while the most stable, because it has the heaviest dry weight. )
Compared to Goya Fringe, Cypher, like the Fringe, would go neutral ie on-off, has somewhat more low end power than the Fringe, more stable due to 4 battens and even less back hand boom load due to shorter boom lengths.
Compared to Fringe and Cypher, Banzai, while more stable than Fringe (3 battens) and Cypher (4 battens) , is less neutral, ie less on-off and has substantially more back hand boom load then either the Fringe or Cypher.
Compared to the Fringe and Banzai, the Cypher has a "lifting" draft profile - while helpful in freestyle and bump and jump conditions, would be a limiting characteristic when sailing in small rolling waves conditions because a "lifting" draft profile would reduce the stickiness of the board on the water ie less board control.
Are my assessments accurate?
I have not sailed the Cypher either... but couple things don't always ring true above. First, I find stability in the 3.5-4.2 range to be key in Gorge conditions or La Ventana. IMO... Last thing you want is to be wrestling an overpowered sail while you're trying to maneuver. Second thing, back hand vs front hand load cannot be determined by boom length alone. Sails are cut with a certain draft profile to give a certain feel & not always linked to boom length... Third, batten count does not always equal stability - especially when comparing a Freestyle sail & a wave sail.
Case in point: I ride Hot sails, they have a 3 batten, 2x 4 batten, 3x 5 batten wave sails & a 4 batten freestyle sail. The KS3 is 3 battens obviously & it has a longer boom with foot batten coming up to the clew. Of all the sails, this sail is the most front handed, very stable, & has a low center of power compared to the other Hot wave sails with 4 or even 5 battens. Not sure if this translates to the Goya line but maybe food for thought... I think you are right about the higher "lifting" draft profile of the freestyle sails, however even with shorter booms they tend to have more back hand as freestylers like the extra pressure for more pop & backwinded tricks... For me personally, I like the low & forward draft placement & always hate the feel of freestyle sails except when using strictly for efficiency - trying to use it as my largest small sail like a 4.8-5.2 is ok but not for small sails.
Great stuff.
