RRD FIREMOVE 130L 2013 TEST REVIEW
RRD FIREMOVE 130L 2013 TEST REVIEW
BEST FOR
It’s hard to find arguments against buying this board – we think it’s suitable for everybody who can hook in and plane and wants a moderate wind playmate.
RECOMMENDATION
Unless you’re pairing it with a 9.0m sail then consider trying some smaller fins for use in the 6.5 – 7.5 bracket.
BRAND POSITIONING
Marketed as a ‘Freemove’ style the Firemove sits between RRD’s Freestyle-Wave and Firestorm ‘freeride sport’ and Firerace freerace boards.
OVERVIEW
Outline: The thinnest, the widest and the shortest on test. Wide point slightly rear of centre. Slightly squared-off nose and a rounded pintail.
Deck: With such thin rails the deck stays pretty flat around the centre line.
Rail Profile: Rounded and tucked until around the back strap where they sharpen up.
Bottom Shape: Vee-to-double-concave all the way to back foot straps.
Rocker Line: Some nose lift, flat section under the stance area and then a pronounced tail kick of 5 mm – heaps more than others on test.
PERFORMANCE
Underfoot: Being wider than boards with 20 litres more volume has its advantages and stability is one of those. You could land an aircraft on the deck so uphauling and handling off the plane is a breeze.
Early Planing & Acceleration: The wide outline in the tail (again the widest 30 cm off tail measurement on test) gives a clear advantage. There’s always a feel of ‘higher revs’ and acceleration when sailed off the fin but it’s best sailed flat.
Top Speed: The 130 doesn’t have a fast feel to it but head-to-head it does actually have good pace and with application and possibly a cambered sail it’s fun to drag race.
Gybing & Manoeuvres: Tight lines, wide and drawn-out turns, hooked arcs or lower speed carves. You name it this is a beauty to gybe and carve.
Handling & Ride: The flat deck does lend a certain ‘hard’ feeling but the sailing position is positive and will help channel intermediates into a modern upright stance for freestyle or wave sailing.
THE VERDICT
RRD continue to lead the way in the compact, thin-railed revolution. Incredible fun, comfort, performance and ease of sailing for almost any level of windsurfer.
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