Naish offers the wingfoil model Hover as a fixed board ( HERE there's a test of the Hover 85) and in an inflatable version, the Hover Inflatable.
The Naish Hover Inflatable Wingfoilboard on land:
The inflatable concept from Naish is available in three sizes, with volumes of 100, 135 and 170 litres. Our test size with 100 litres is quite compact with a length of 5'3 (160 centimetres). When deflated and packed, the board is another 60 centimetres shorter, and the Naish Hover Inflatable comes with a matching bag, repair kit and pump. The board is inflated with 15 to 20 psi pressure and is therefore very stiff due to its generous thickness. A solid carbon plate has been installed in the underwater hull, which ensures a very firm connection between the foil and the board. With a weight of just 4.80 kilos (own measurement), the board is record-breakingly light - the fact that the board has no strap plugs probably plays a part in this.
We also present this board in a short clip on our YouTube channel before. Click inside!
On the water:
As with other inflatable wingboards, the Naish Hover Inflatable also shows that inflatable concepts are generally always a little more tippy in the water compared to hardboards of the same size. This is due to the round edge shape of the construction. The flat deck in combination with its grippy pad is easy to stand on and you can/must choose your own stance. This means that you can always position yourself perfectly regardless of the foil you are using, but with increasing speed and sometimes also in manoeuvres, you sometimes miss the straps.
Compared to other inflatable concepts, the Naish Hover Inflatable gets up to speed quite well. As expected, this board doesn't quite come close to the average performance of hardboards - the riding resistance when starting off is slightly higher, which means you either need more wind or a more active riding style to get airborne. However, if you compare the board with other inflatables, the Naish model gets up to speed quite quickly. In the event of unintentional touchdowns, the round edges are a little less forgiving than the typically heavily bevelled rails of hardboards, which bring you back into the air a little more gently - the Hover Inflatable also shares this small shortcoming with other inflatables.
Conclusion:
The Naish Hover Inflatable combines an airy, light ride with an unbeatable pack size. The connection between the foil and the board is very stiff, making it easy to transmit steering impulses. The concept is therefore ideal for leisurely freeriding with cruiser foils or for riding small waves. The more ambitious manoeuvres you want to celebrate or even jump, the more you will miss the straps on deck.
Weight, pack size, stiffness
no loops
