Product Review: 2024-5 Goya Custom Quad 8 Review

Pros:

• Balanced Feeling and volume distribution

• Lower weight

• Versatility

• Sublime smoothness in rail to rail turns and transitions

• Great drive in bottom turns

• Construction, deck pads, attention to detail

• Custom board feeling

Cons:

• Stock fin screws–allen key heads

Intro

The Goya team has released the eighth version of its popular Custom Quad wave board. The Custom Quad has long been heralded as a versatile waveboard that excels in various conditions. Users have lauded its user-friendliness while also appreciating that it can get radical when needed. While some sailors have used it in bump and jump conditions, it is designed to be a waveboard first. This year is no exception.  Most design concepts (like other Keith Teboul-shaped boards) are born on Maui and tested in the crystal blue waters of Hookipa. While it is designed to be a down-the-line wave board, the board has historically incorporated various rocker lines, widths, tail widths, and bottom shapes. Up to this point, this has meant that the board worked well in excellent wave conditions, but maybe it may not have been my first choice in average or “real world” conditions. I believe the Goya Custom Quad 8 comes as close as possible to being the one waveboard to do it all. 

Progression

2018-19 Goya Custom Quads were popular boards amongst wave sailors. They featured a pulled-in swallow tail (104 and 114 were squash tails), narrower overall width, a domed deck, and crisp bottom and rail shapes. Because of the dome deck, the rails were thinner than other designs, which helped keep the board in the water. They turned very well, and when ridden correctly, they would plane up and keep speed well. Detractors would often complain that the deck was a little too domed and that the boards would not plane up quickly. I personally found that I needed to stand in one particular spot in lighter winds in order to get the board to plane up quickly. This board felt like a “pro” level board in that it would perform very well, but it was not the most user-friendly board on the market. Volume distribution also required much more attention while tacking in sub-planing winds. The board felt corky at times. The non-skid was also a common complaint, as it was a fine grain, almost smooth. And it would wear down relatively quickly, requiring some sailors to re-deck their boards. 

The Goya Custom Quads from 2020-1 (red and gold colors)  and 2022-3 (yellow with red highlights) felt very similar to me. Other than paint, I believe there were some minor design tweaks made to the board for 2022. Overall, the two versions of the board were much more user-friendly. The boards became a little wider, including the tail. The deck was flatter, and they made tweaks to the bottom shape and volume distribution. The no-skid was better but still less grippy than other boards on the market. Their construction is strong, as I sent mine up on the reef a couple of times with minimal damage. Overall these boards performed well, they did a lot of things pretty well. But I often felt like it did not excel in any one area. 

Fit and Finish

“Is it green or yellow?” I’ve been asked a couple of times now about the color of this board. It struck me as an odd question initially, but I realized that the Pantone incorporates green and yellow. Depending on light, it looks either more yellow or more green. Either way, the color contrasts and pops on the water. The “tech reveal” finish is part of the new construction that lowers weight and eliminates plastic stickers used in traditional graphics on boards. The minimalistic artwork and paint reveal part of the true genius of this board, the new construction. You can see the layup and construction of the board, which is impeccable. 

The non-skid is much improved on this year's boards, and the traction I get with my bare feet is perfect. While you might gloss over the addition of new dual-density deck pads, I can say these are the best deck pads I have ever used. They reduce weight, they feel cushy underneath my feet, and the grip is superb. 

The footstraps are super comfortable, and they do not stretch on the water. They also incorporate a numbering system underneath the velcro, so you can dial your settings to your favorite reference point. 

Fins

Along with the new board lineup for 2024-5, MFC released new stock fins. Fans of the venerable Keauli Seadi MFC fins will recognize the new stock fins, as they have a similar silhouette as the K300 fins. These fins have a carbon construction, the foils are almost flawless (as far as I can tell), and they are light in weight. Compared to the previous generation MFC fins, they are shorter in chord width, and more swept back near the tip of the fin. In my opinion, stock fins on Goya boards have historically run large for my taste. This years fins feel more size appropriate. I may try using smaller stock fins soon, but I do not have an immediate reaction of needing to size down. 

It is worth noting that all four fins have US Box bases since the board is now constructed with four US boxes. While I believe this is the best option, some of your older fins may not work with this board (depending on your previous board). The stock fins are excellent overall, so if the stock size works for you (and I believe they will work for most people), there is no need to replace them. The stock fins are excellent. 

Construction and Shape

I won’t speak in detail about the construction of the board, as some of the details are listed on their website. But I believe this to be the best constructed production board I have ever owned. The board is noticeably lighter than previous boards, and it still feels solidly built. I have bumped the board into a few things, not even a scratch. You can see the layup and partial construction through the thin paint. You can see the quality and care that has gone into the design and construction of these boards. 

The shape has evolved from the last few designs. The outline is somewhat reminiscent of the 2016-17 Goya Custom Quad. The rails, bottom shape, and volume distribution are different. This board is very well balanced. There is less volume in the tail (I feel) than the previous model year. And the rails are softer and feel thinner to me. The bottom shape is an entry V, going to double concave

Goya has gone away from previous fin box combinations from previous models. Many sailors recall them using mini tuttle boxes on the sides, and us boxes for rears. The 2022-3 model year used slot boxes, which saved a little weight. While slot boxes allow for some adjustability, some sailors complained of fins coming loose, or losing them on reef strikes. This year’s model uses mini us boxes for all four fins. This feels like the best solution as they are secure, they are light, and they allow for some fore-aft adjustment. My only gripe is that they come stock with allen key screws that are tricky to tighten. They also somehow come loose after a few uses. I’ve opted to replace them with traditional screws/plates. 

On The Water

I immediately noticed a difference on the water. The lighter weight of the board helps it plane up quickly, and it feels very lively on the water as a result. On the waves, it feels super sweet and flowy. But it also keeps speed very well too. The board begs you to initiate a bottom turn and follow with a top turn. Rail to rail, this board is excellent. While back-footed turns are fun this board, it also rewards front footed approaches. It is capable of doing drawn out turns, but it really shines the more you lean into sharper, gouging turns. I was initially surprised by how quickly the board bottom turns and projects up the wave face. I have had a few rides where I was surprised at how quickly I was able to get vertical on the wave face. At times, it required me to adjust my timing so that I didn’t fly out the back of the wave. 

The Custom Quad flows super well, it is very playful, and it does just about anything you want it to do. It rewards an aggressive line. In point-and-shoot fashion, it will go where you want it to go. It will get into tight spaces and pockets and it feels at home in critical sections. While balanced, it handles itself in the most critical of situations. It has penty of grip and has excellent release. You can shake the fins loose on top turns, if you so desire, or you can do your best to immediate Brawznho’s patented gouging top turns. The volume distribution makes it an easy sub-planing slogger, and it tacks well. A suspect there is a tad mroe volume in the nose area above the mast track which helps balance. That extra volume helps punch through white water really well. It also helps with those sketchier off-the-lip landings where you pray the nose does not pearl. 

Overall Impressions:

The board is the total package–the construction, shape, fit and finish, and fins are all excellent. The only gripe I have is with the allen (hex) key head screws. I will replace mine with the traditional screwdriver screws. Even a torx screw head might be better than allen key heads, which easily strip. 

This is one of the best (if not THE best) production quad wave boards I have ever used. And I have used a lot of boards. It sounds cliche, but this board will help you sail better. It is fun, lively, playful, and flowy. It slogs well, it planes up well, and it handles being overpowered well. It checks a lot of boxes. 

This board is as close to a custom handmade board as you will find. I may argue that there is no need to pay extra and wait a long time for a custom board (unless you want custom airbrush design). This board performs that well. It is capable of doing any turn you ask it to do. It will easily float on top of waves and whitewater on your top turns and hits. It does aerials well, and it lands them well too. It takes the all-around performer that custom quads have been known for, and mixed a little of that radical Quatro Pyramid magic that make this board so much fun to sail. I cannot recommend this board more. The Goya team really nailed this one. If you are considering a new quad, this board is at the top of your list.