RRD MOVE 5.2M 2014 TEST REVIEW
RRD MOVE 5.2M 2014 TEST REVIEW
BEST FOR
Locations with strong sideshore drift, ramps that are hard to reach early at speed and a modern-feeling turning sensation on the face.
RECOMMENDATION
We found minimal outhaul effective on most downhaul settings but there’s a wide wind range using both.
BRAND POSITIONING
“The Move is a brand new sail in the RRD line-up designed 100% for the free move sailor. Originating from the highly successful Superstyle, we developed the Move to accompany the Firemove and Freestyle Wave boards. Increased bottom end power, a more compact throw about feel, whilst maintaining high levels of control at all times. Whether you want to blast on flat water, throw down some moves, bump and jump or even hit a few waves, with no compromises, this is the ultimate do it all sail.”
OVERVIEW
Outline: Fairly low aspect but not wide in the head despite a dropped leech/clew.
Build Quality: Laminated ‘custom’ x-ply, film and Dacron offering. There’s loads of reinforcement in all the right places but quite a light and economical build elsewhere with all x-ply panelling and no exotic materials.
Things we noticed include: Fixed head. Kevlar and ribbed plastic leather head protection. 3-piece Dacron mast sleeve. Internal sleeve reinforcement and seam in luff leading edge. Double-sided silicon batten-end protection. Dacron luff panel and frame but otherwise all ‘custom’ x-ply where the print is sandwiched between layers. Battens all rod variety and on starboard side sewn in using 2-part batten pockets. Flat and sewn-through leech battens. Ply with taped Dacron leech finish. Padded, moulded clew with single cringle clew with some boom side protection. Silicon rubber foot and obscured seams to reduce abrasion. Fabric and neoprene padded tack fairing with sturdy handle, uphaul access hole, 90-deg metal tack pulley.
Rigging and Tuning: Excellent initial cleanliness and lack of creases in the rigging, even when flexed under minimal out and downhaul tension.
PERFORMANCE
After sailing the Move we were surprised to hear it’s billed as a ‘freemove’ sail, because to us it felt like a dedicated ‘power’ wave sail. First of all, it’s quick to plane and, like other wave sails produced by now full-time designer John Skye, it’s also got some impressive acceleration and upwind performance. The handling is stable and mostly solid with some element of forgiving spring to it. When it comes to catching waves on the Move it’s easy to forget what’s in your hands. There’s some nice backhand feel in turns and it goes neutral easily, even in the small and onshore slop we were mostly served-up with on this test. We think the Move in this size would suit a wide range of larger wave or freestyle-wave boards and be a seriously handy tool for the typical UK south coast sailor or ‘onshore Euro-wave’ environment, where getting going fast off the beach, staying upwind, boosting some air and making the most of short sections in windblown surf is a priority.
THE VERDICT
The Move could be one of the ultimate ‘real world’ wave sailor’s companions. Perfect for reaching ramps fast and early, maximising less-then-ideal surf conditions and the occasional trip to some meatier waves are all well within it’s remit.
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