- Price: £400
- Sizes: 148, 152, 156, 160, 164
- Flex: 7
- Profile: Setback Camber
- Shape: Directional
- JONESSNOWBOARDS.COM
UPDATE: Check out our review of the 2018/2019 Jones Hovercraft here
Much like its stablemate the Flagship, the Jones Hovercraft didn’t require a massive overhaul for 2016/17. Some changes have been made, but it still meets the needs of the most discerning powder riders, while also holding its own on piste.
The camber section of the profile sits right under your feet, so when you want to grip the firmer snow it’ll gladly oblige. The Magne-traction edges do their bit to help out too, making contact at multiple points along the sidecut. The shape is pretty pow-centric though, so ideally you want to get that long, rocker nose and stubby crescent tail out into the backcountry.
“The shape is pretty pow-centric, so ideally you want to get that long, rocker nose and stubby crescent tail out into the backcountry”
Whatever you’re riding, the new ‘Spoon’ design will come in handy. Taking inspiration from the world of surfing, Jezza has altered the shape of the base; there’s now a 7mm bevel at the nose, 4mm at the points of the tail, and a 2mm “Speed Channel “in the middle of the crescent. The new nose and tail shapes allow for a subtle rocking motion as you change edges, which make initiating and linking turns on hard-pack smoother than ever. It also further increases the Hovercraft’s pow-friendliness, as the nose’s convex base will skip over deep snow with ease. Meanwhile the Speed Channel is concave, directing the snow from underneath your base and out the back.
Hell-for-leather chargers are probably still better off with the Flagship, as the Hovercraft has less tail to play with and isn’t as stiff. However, it has the edge when it comes to manoeuvrability, so ducking in and out of tree glades is right in its wheelhouse.
The natural wood veneer topsheet is as handsome as ever, and is more environmentally-friendly than synthetic alternatives. All 2016/17 Jones boards score highly on that front actually; as well as recycled steel in the edges and ABS material in the sidewalls, they now come pre-prepared with Wend Natural Wax which is flourocarbon-free.
Anyone looking for a powder board that’s ideal for surfy turns simply must have the Jones Hovercraft on their shortlist. Smaller riders should consider the new 148cm length, and there are also splitboard and female-specific versions available.
