Vandal Enemy 4.7
Background
The Enemy is Vandals all-round five battened wave sail, designed and built to deliver in any conditions, the range was tweaked in 2011 and remains the same for 2012.
At a glance
It has a classic five battened shape with full X-ply re-enforced construction and superb build quality. It looks solid and well made, so should stand up to whatever you want to throw at it. The graphics certainly make this sail standout from the crowd but once you look closer you’ll see that there is far more to these sails than just fancy styling.
Rigging
Setting on a 400 RDM, we tested the sail on a Vandal Flux mast. Rigging and tuning is easy enough although the sail measurements are printed on a small label inside the luff tube at the boom cut-out, which can be a job to find once you’ve sleeved the mast. The tuning range is effective and once the down-haul is set it can be tweaked if needed with the out-haul.
On the water
It has a moderate power delivery that pulls from low down and forwards. It feels neutral and well balanced in the hands. At the bottom end it has plenty of grunt to get you going early and it remains perfectly controlled and easy to handle at the top end. The natural wind range is very impressive and it performs extremely well in a range of conditions, without the need for constant tuning and adjusting. On the wave it is extremely reliable, with crisp, easy handling characteristics that will suit a wide variety of rider abilities and styles.
Summing up
The Enemy is a great all-round classic wave sail that delivers in a wide range of conditions. The graphics will not be to everyone’s taste but the styling will certainly get you noticed on the water although with the all-round high performance of this sail your riding should make you standout even more.