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2013 NEILPRYDE COMBAT TEST REVIEW REPORT

NEILPRYDE COMBAT 4.7 2013 TEST REVIEW

Stats Size (m2) 4.7 Luff (cm) 401 Boom (cm) 159 Battens 4 Ideal Mast 370/17 IMCS RDM Extension Req (cm) 17 Price £560

NEILPRYDE COMBAT 4.7 2013 TEST REVIEW

BACKGROUND
The Combat is NeilPryde’s versatile all-round wave sail line that’s been completely redesigned for 2013 with lighter weight and more responsive handling the objectives. The larger sizes of the Combat, 5.0 and bigger, all have five battens, while the smaller sizes have just four. It’s available in either clear window or HD (Heavy Duty) full X-ply constructions.

AT-A-GLANCE
A very compact outline with a short luff and a four-batten frame. The leech is slightly stepped to reduce the boom length and it features a moulded tack and head protector. The build quality and attention to details is as you would expect from NeilPryde and this sail is packing plenty of re-enforcement with Kevlar and ArmourWeb Dyneema X-ply for durability.

RIGGING
Using a 370 as recommended we tested it with a NeilPryde Matrix 100 RDM. It was easy to rig and it has a wide tuning range that can be set to suit any conditions – it is important however that you don’t under downhaul it.

PERFORMANCE
The Combat is light in the hands with its compact shape and soft feel that make it very easy to control or throw around. It has plenty of bottom end power and gets you going very quickly, even in lighter winds. It has a solid forward drive and holds some power in the backhand, which gives you good feedback and plenty of control to drive into manoeuvres or turns. At the top end it remains easy to handle and it’s not until it gets super windy that you need to think about changing down.

THE VERDICT
The Combat’s changed a lot but is packing heaps more power, with far better bottom-end. The added get-up-and-go is at the cost of some top-end range – although, in terms of using a quiver of them, would allow you to get out on a smaller, more throwabout sail earlier. It performed really well in all conditions, both on the water and for jumping too, making it a highly capable, take-anywhere wave sail.

neilpryde.com

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RRD Four 4.7
Severne Blade 4.7
Simmer Icon 4.7
Tushingham Rock 4.7
Vandal Enemy 4.7

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