RRD GRANTURISMO 12’6″ GT WOOD TEST REVIEW
RRD GRANTURISMO
12’6″ GT WOOD
TEST REVIEW
Verdict
A slick looking touring board from RRD, the Granturismo cuts effortlessly through chop and small bumps with its slightly raised narrow nose. Being the narrowest board on test it was surprisingly stable. We loved the gloss deck, funky graphics and good size ledge handle, the RRD is a performance tourer with looks to match.
Overview
Tested in the GT wood edtion the RRD was a little heavy (although a lighter LTD version is available). On deck the Granturismo’s gloss finish and tinted wood lay under bright graphics, wit cargo fixing points front and back, and a slightly sunken deck with a channel out towards the tail. A deep ledge handle and long textured deck pad runs to the tail. The nose is slightly lifted and was the narrowest by a long way on test. Underneath the vee nose ran through into a soft centre double concave and slight concave in the tail and a 9” glass us box fin.
Brand Claim
Designed with speed and comfort in mind. This shape brings in a great blend of stability, acceleration and effortless gliding. The narrow piercing nose and thin volume distribution make this board fantastic easy to paddle, and this is further enhanced thanks to a sunk-in deck design that lowers the standing area’s centre of gravity. Every paddle stroke will be easier, more precise and efficient. A really fast board both on flat water and in open ocean.
Performance
Most agreed that the Granturismo was the best-looking board in the fleet. It’s narrow nose and lower volume made it feel racier and a touch less stable, though the rider stands lower in the water which helps offset. The channel towards the back of the deck didn’t really drain the water away, so in any kind of chop the riders feet soon ended up in a cm of water. The RRD was in the top group on the glide test. We loved the look of the Granturismo with its different colour rails and gloss deck, we enjoyed the way it sliced through the water and had plenty of glide. The RRD was eager to pick up small bumps downwind too. Overall this new V2 Granturismo stands out from the crowd is a sporty performance tourer which would be at home in a lake or in the sea, perfect for light- med weight riders and it’s good value in wood too.
OTHER BOARDS IN THIS TEST:
• RRD GRANTURISMO 12’6 GT WOOD
• STARBOARD TOURING 12’6 PINETEK