VANDAL ENEMY 4.7 2013 TEST REVIEW
VANDAL ENEMY 4.7 2013 TEST REVIEW
BACKGROUND
The Enemy is Vandal’s all-round wave sail, designed and built to deliver anytime and anywhere. For 2013 the range has been re-shaped with slightly shorter luff lengths, longer booms and fresh new look as well.
AT-A-GLANCE
The Vandal has a classic 5-batten frame with a full x-ply re-enforced construction and a medium-aspect shape. It looks well-built and solid enough to withstand some abuse and survive whatever you throw at it.
RIGGING
Using an 100% Gaastra 400 mast (Vandals are developed within the Gaastra Stable), we found the suggested rigging instructions, (found in a handy label inside the boom cut-out), the best starting point, with a good tuning range either side of the recommendations, mostly using the outhaul to suit the conditions.
PERFORMANCE
Feeling quite neutral, with the pull coming from the front of the sail, the Vandal is light and perfectly well-balanced in the hands. At the bottom end there’s a decent amount of torque to get you going early and it remains in complete control at the top-end, with crisp and easy handling. The natural wind range on the water is impressive in all conditions – no matter how windy it got it always remained stable.
On the wave it felt sharp, with a friendly, direct pull and it was easy to flick the power on and off quickly. The Vandal has handling characteristics that will suit a wide variety of riders and is an extremely reliable sail to take into any type of surf.
THE VERDICT
An awesome all-round classic wave sail that can deliver everywhere. Last year’s version was very good but the adjustments to the 2013 model have improved it further. On test it excelled in all conditions, particularly when it was seriously windy and challenging. Recommended for anyone looking for a solid and super-reliable five batten sail to use across the wavesailing spectrum, and at very competitive price.
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