tautologies wrote: ↑Sat Oct 14, 2017 5:33 am
Sorry to steal the thread. How do you like the board? Which foil did you get with it? Im thinking about the SUP foil.
I got the Naish foil and board package - but the 2017 version, so only had the one foil option (same as liquid force foilfish foils), with both 90cm and 40cm masts.
I can't comment on the new wings, so I don't know which new foil my foil would equate to, but check out the review from Houston Kiteboarding:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mfMD3SwdXZQ
Hopefully that rear wing attachment is not a weakness in the new design!
Regarding the Hover 130 board, it is definitely small and manoeuvrable - intermediate rider skills (as advertised) - with my low aspect ration wing, it pops out of the water really quickly with the slightest of board speed, this means I can even start in relatively shallow water, as I can get the foil working from on its side. Other boards feel more stable, as this has a very direct feel to the foil. Is a shame the board doesn't have a possibility of surf style mounting the front strap - only two straps gybe style. The double deck padding is very comfortable. The nose rocker design does help with the short mast, but can't save a full 90cm mast foil breach. I started with only the front two straps, but am now using the rear strap as well - I actually feel better board control that way and am also starting to jump with the foil now. There are more stable boards for learning gybes and tacks with, but it is an easy board to re-position if you do a "drop in the water" for a change of direction. I like how easy it is to turn with the board, it really is small and manoeuvrable with little swing weight. I am looking forward to messing around with it more in wind swell.
Pros:
Build quality is really good
Double deck pad very comfortable
Small size - same as TT - easy to travel with
Unlikely to outgrow the board as skills progress
Cons:
No front strap surf mounting option
Board only usable with the foil - no cross over
For me it was my first gear for trying foiling. I wanted something small and easy to travel with, as well as something I could progress with. Having such a small board from the start has maybe slowed my initial progression slightly, but I didn't want to invest in the 160cm board and quickly outgrow it. I have been kitesurfing for over 17years. Foiling has given me something new to learn and it does take time and commitment to get the balance nuances.
Hope all this helps you a little, sorry can't comment on the new different foils.