The Jones Hovercraft 2021-2023 Snowboard Review

Welcome to the Jones Hovercraft Snowboard Review from an average rider with an exceptionally objective perspective.

Update 2023: The Jones Hovercraft has not changed so the 2021 review still stands. 

Turn Ons/Swipe Right: Near excellent float in powder. Fast, Damp & Aggressive Bomber but still forgiving.
Turn Offs/Swipe Left: Slow edge to edge.

Summary

The Jones Hovercraft isn’t the first board we would pick for tight tree riding but it is for getting a floaty bomber/carver that is somehow pretty forgiving.

Ethics Statement: We don’t get paid by the manufacturer to write these reviews and this is our unfiltered opinion. We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.

A break down of how it rides and who it’s for

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How This Review Happened: We borrowed this for an extended demo and sent it back.
Size: 156
Days: 4
Conditions: Kick ass mid-winter groomers on 2 days with some harder snow in most places but good snow in some on the other 2.
Riders: James (Size 9, 5’10” 185-190lbs), Peter (Size 8, 5’11” 185lbs), Nick (Size 10, 160lbs 5’8”)
Boots: Adidas Tactical ADV
Insoles: Sandsole Custom Insoles, F.I.T. Gamechangers, F.I.T. Gameghangers LP
Bindings: Union Atlas, Union Falcor, Ride C8 & C10 (reviews coming)

Similar Boards (but not the same): Korua Café Racer, Endeavor Scout, Prior Legacy, Lib Tech Orca, Never Summer Harpoon, Moss Jellyfishk, Niche Pyre, Burton Killroy Pow Camber, Yes Hybrid, Yes Y,

Set-Up: 21.5”, 21 front -3 back & 24 front +3 back. Close to Reference

Sizing

Here are some ideal US boot sizes for the Jones Hovercraft. You can, of course, go bigger or smaller, but these work best for not turning the board slower than it should be and not having the dreaded Toe & Heel Drag.
152: 8-10
156: 9-10
160: 10-11
164: 10-12

Check what Jones says about weight and their minimum boot size suggestions versus our ideal sizing.

Shape/Camber/On Snow Feel/Ability Level

There is taper here but you don’t feel the Jones Hovercraft Taper as much as many Alt Freeride boards out there. It has a very stable, not-so-washy-the-tail feel that likes to bomb. The rocker and lifted sides near the tip tail keep it from being catchy, and we wouldn’t want any more camber on this guy. The lifted sides don’t feel edgeless or washy either.

Flex/Pop/Buttering

The Jones Hovercraft has a medium stiff flex that doesn’t really like to butter and pops easier than you would think for the flex but still isn’t easy. If you want more pop and a lighter board the Ultracraft 2021(not past models) is the call.

Speed

It used to be that the Ultracraft, Carbon Flagship and Flagship were faster but they have all changed in flex or dampness to make the Jones Hovercraft right there with the Flagship as the fastest boards in Jones’ line. The base also has amazing glide and it is faster than most in this price point. The next step up from this is those ultra fast racer.

Uneven Terrain

Powering over stuff with the Jones Hovercraft is pretty easy. Even though you are pretty far back on the tail, you feel like you can power over all kinds of uneven snow without any chatter coming up into your bones. That being said, it is very fatiguing to ride this all day in messy snow. Mainly because it is already a hard board to turn, so adding conditions that make it even harder really drains the batteries.

Edge Hold

This one has a strong grip without being grabby. The Jones Hovercraft can hang in all but super-icy East Coast-style snow, which is perfect for most conditions you want to ride.

Turn Initiation

Slow edge to edge, and when you fully engage that sidecut, it still isn’t that fast.

Turning Experience/Carving

The Jones Hovercraft is all about high-speed down-the-line carves. If you surf and like an aggressive quad fin setup, this is the board. If you don’t, it’s all about across-the-groomer carves and long, narrow but powerful S-turns. It isn’t the board if you want something easy to circle carve.

Powder

So, it has been a while since we got the Jones Hovercraft in powder. It was before it got the lifted sides on the nose/tail. Based on how other Jones boards with this tech ride in powder, it should turn a little easier in powder than before. But what a floater. It is right there with many dedicated powder boards and such an amazing floater as long as you aren’t weaving in and out of tight spots. It feels like its name and really does sit on top of deep powder. Even with a setback from the center of the board of -5.75” all the way back with a stance width of 22.5”, it doesn’t feel like the tail is sinking too much. Even when on reference stance at 22.8”, there is still a 4.5” setback on board, so some might not want to set it back much or at all.

Conclusion

So if you like a floater, bomber and a high speed carver without being unforgiving and don’t mind a slow turner the Jones Hovercraft could for sure work.

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2017-2020 Review

The Jones Hovercraft really is a hovercraft that sits mainly on top of the snow but also does great on groomers.  The 2017 and 2018 model comes from a different factory, have a more dynamic flex and a little change to the hybrid camber profiling in the tip/tail.  It’s still a great ride.

The changes to the 2020 Jones Hovercraft are minimal so the older review still stands. However, there were some minor tweaks to the ride like getting a new top that isn’t bamboo but an “engineered veneer” or more of a classic top sheet. The core was also slightly updated and the resin is now more eco-friendly. So there might be some subtle changes to the ride over what we rode but overall it is going to be a very similar experience.

There aren’t any real changes for the 2019 Jones Hovercraft so the 2018 review still stands. 

Ethics Statement: The manufacturer doesn’t pay us to write these reviews.  We do make money from the “Where To Buy” links, but this is our best attempt at an honest and objective review from an average riders’ perspective.

When I’m talking about the lifted tech and comparing it to the “Flight Attendant” in the video, I actually meant “Aviator”

Size: 156
Days:  8+
Conditions: Good spring conditions.
Riders: James, Jimbo, Matt, 
Boots: Burton SLX, Burton Rover, Burton AMB, Burton Imperial,
Bindings: Union T.Rice, Burton Cartel, Now Drive, Burton Genesis X
Set Up: Set back approximately 23″ 15 front -6 back

Approximate Weight: Felt normal for its size and volume.

Flex

The flex definitely changed now that it’s made in SWS, and it’s for the better. GST made some pretty stiff boards, so it was nice to see the flex mellow a bit. It’s still a stiffer board, but it’s just not quite what it used to be.

On Snow Feel

Now that the Hovercraft has lifted sides and a hybrid camber profile, we thought there would be a noticeable difference in how the board would feel underfoot compared to the old profile that we loved. Instead, it still feels almost the same between the feet, and it’s still a stable ride in the flats or one footing that tracks well.

Edge Hold

The Jones Hovercraft still has great grip, and it grabs pretty well in harder snow as well as doesn’t grab in softer. It’s still a great board for riding in most conditions people want to ride in.  It’s not ideal for those who ride in hard to icy conditions, but it’s outstanding for those who see softer snow but still want to go out and ride when it’s firm and have an edge you can trust.

Turn Initiation:  Not a quick turner, and it likes those that like wider radius turns and straight lining.  For a size 9 boot on the 156, I felt it turned better than I thought it would, but it’s still not super quick or something I really like in tight spots compared to boards like the Yes PYL or Jones Flagship.  It likes more responsive bindings and responds to the extra response well. My ideal binding with the Hovercraft is the 2017 Union T.Rice as it powers the board well from edge to edge, but any binding that is more responsive like the Burton Genesis X will work.

Skidded Turns

What’s nice about the Jones Hovercraft is that even though it doesn’t turn quickly, it skids out easily, so it’s not that hard to throw around. It’s not the easiest and does not flick back and forth like the Flagship, but it is easier than you would think.

Carving

So when it comes to a carve, it shines at high speed and powerful down-line carves. It doesn’t have as much camber

I was really worried that the 2017 Hovercraft with the lifted side tech would lose a lot of carving power and have that washy feeling like many of the times I rode Aviator. Even though this has the most drastic lift on the sides of the Jones Line, it didn’t fall apart on a carve like the Aviator. I think it’s because most of the lifted side/spoon tech happens after the camber ends.  With the Aviator, the camber ends just before the tip/tail, and the spoon tech is more noticeable there. This gives you a false sense of camber when carving, and we always feel the edges wash out when we really commit.

If you want a powder board that can also really carve, then I’d consider 2017. Yes, I’m optimistic. It carves harder and does so with tighter circles.  If you want to point it out more, then it’s the Hovercraft.

Speed

Even though the flex is less stiff than it used to be, the Jones Hovercraft feels just as damp, so there are no compromises with the softer flex. It’s got a great feel to it, and it can still bomb.

Uneven Terrain

Better in uneven terrain than before.  It can hammer through tracked snow like a champ but also now deals with messy resort snow better than the 16 and below models.  It’s still not a champ, but it is very doable as long as you are ok with it not weaving really quickly in and out of

Powder

The Jones Hovercraft was already a champ when it came to flotation, and it really does sit on top of the snow, so it seems the new spoon tech just ups it.  I haven’t gotten it deep with the 17 and only really experienced a few deep powder days with the previous models, so I can’t say for sure how well it does, but hopefully, I will be able to do so.

Switch

Nope,….kind of sketchy

Jibbing

Nope….actuall……no fucking way……

Pipe

It’s not a board that comes to mind when riding the pipe, either. You can pretty much keep this out of the park.

Jumps

This backseat camber profile is great, and I think that’s what a lot of powder boards are missing with the rocker or flat-to-rocker camber profiles. It gives you some nice drive off the tail for a good ollie. Also, it’s really fun for directional air. The new 17 SWS model has more spring off the tail, too.

So, all in all, I was really worried about this lifted tech, but after riding it, I feel that other than carving, the Jones Hovercraft is better overall than it used to be and still a strong recommendation.

 

2014-2016 Review

Not too much has changed from 2014 to 2016 except a few little tweaks.

 

The 2015 Jones Hovercraft is the same great ride as before in terms of shape, specs and over all personality.

In conclusion, the Jones Hovercraft 2014 is the best of all the years, and you get a lot of board for $450. The older models are still great, and if the price is right, then go for it, but if you ask me, I would say go for this if you aren’t down to your last dollar.

About the Unique Sizing

It’s made with pretty wide waist widths, but it’s not intended for feet as big as you would think.  For example the 156 is better for feet like my size 9 boots and sizes close to that.  So even the biggest size 164 with it’s 26.8 cm waist is more for mid/wide boots instead of wide boots. So a Wide boot could fit the waist and have fun with this board but it won’t have the same desired effect as it would for smaller boots.

How It Was Tested

Size 156

Days: 15+
Conditions: Everything from 3 feet plus of powder all the way down to hard bordering on icy snow.
Riders: James, Peter
Bindings: Burton Cartel Limited, Burton Diode, Now Drive.
Boots: Burton Imperial, Nike Kaiju
Setup: Usually 23″ wide, 18 front 0 back, set back a bit or all the way

2014 Weight: Size 156 7lbs (not sure on the 2015)

On Snow Feel

The same great stable board feels like it would be harder to ride for two guys with size 8.5-9 boots, but we didn’t have much issue riding this 26cm waist board. It’s a Powder board first but a very close second when it comes to groomer riding. It could easily be called a freeride board. The sides of the tail are beveled up as well to give it a little bit of an easier feel edge to edge in powder and groomers.

Powder

So the shape of this board and the ride is really like the name.  It doesn’t ride like a fish snowboard; it rides more like a thick, wide fish surfboard. Most Fish snowboards seem to ride more like twin groveler surfboards and are super quick and slashy, but they also feel like they are more in the snow.  The Hovercraft to me feels like a fish I rode from Channel Islands Surfboards. It rides above the snow like the CI fish rode at the very top of the water. It could be turned quickly for its waist width, but it’s not snappy fast like most fishes there. With the Hovercraft, you really feel like you are on a 172 instead of a 156, and the float is amazing.  It’s fun, from trees to wide-open chutes, and it has a unique feel for such a short board.

Turn Initiation and Carving

Here is the surprise here. The Hovercraft can carve very well. The setback camber makes for a fun board to really lay into a carve.  The 2014 Jones Hovercraft feels like it’s a snappy, more carvy ride than before by just a little bit, but enough to notice. Short radius turns aren’t too hard but they just aren’t quick with our size boot.  If you have a bigger boot, you can snap this board back and forth.  Where this board shines is medium to wider radius turns. It’s almost as much fun as going out on the Jones Flagship.

Speed

Now, this isn’t the ultra bomber board like the flagship, but it’s pretty close.  The base is really fast and can hold it’s speed through long flat powder sections or down a long cat track.  The Hovercraft board can handle chatter and chunder on the way to the good stuff. The speed is excellent in powder and almost the same on groomers.

Uneven Terrain

The Jones Hovercraft 2014’s flex will be slightly more mellow but just as springy. Even though the waist is pretty wide and it’s not the quickest edge-to-edge, the board is pretty tolerant of slower, bumpier, bad snow. You can deal with messy groomers pretty well here.

Approximate Weight

The Jones Hovercraft got lighter in 2014, which makes the board feel easier on the knees when riding up the chair lift or hiking. It’s not that important, but it does feel better than the older models.

Edge Hold

We feel this is the perfect amount of edge hold for most riders. It can handle hard snow with no problem but starts to lose its edge in icy conditions. So, from Hard to soft, thick powder, it does just great. It grips when you need it but doesn’t grab when you don’t.

Jumps

It’s not a park jump board, but the 2014 Jones Hovercraft has a little more spring off the tail, making it a much better board for ollieing off natural terrain.

Pipe

I actually did a few laps in the pipe, and it was a lot better than I thought it would be for mellow directional riding. The waist was a little too wide for me, but it was fun to make longer, wider turns under the walls like I was surfing.

The rest doesn’t matter.

 

2010-2013 Review

The Jones Hovercraft 2013-2011 came from Jeremy’s mind, and it truly rides like its name. We really like that Jones recognizes the Hovercraft as a quiver board and charges you accordingly. The Hovercraft rides excellent in powder but also does very well on groomers.

The build quality of the 2013 Jones Hovercraft line is much better than older models.

How It Was Tested

Size 156 and 152

Days: 15+
Riders: James, Peter, Kyle, Jimbo and Eli
Bindings: Burton Prophecy, Burton Cartel, Burton Cartel Limited, Burton Diode, Union Force, Flux DMCC, Flux SF45, Burton Genesis, Union SL
Boots: Burton Ion, Burton SLX, Burton Imperial, Nike Kaiju, DC Judge, Nike Zoom Ites
Setup: Usually 23″ wide, 18 front, 0 back, set back a bit or all the way
Conditions: Hard Groomers to soft groomers and a few powder days with up to 2 foot plus of powder.

The Jones Hovercraft waist is pretty wide for such a short board, but it is still very easy to transition from edge to edge. The mostly hybrid camber shape with lots of rocker in the nose floats really well, not just for its size but for any powder board in any price range.

The -20mm setback and 11mm taper makes the Hovercraft not super fishy like you would think it would ride, but you can get pretty slashy. Compare this to the most popular fish, the Burton Fish, which has a -20mm setback and a 30mm taper, and you see why this board is better on groomers than the fish. Also, the mellow magnetraction is borderline excellent, so a hard pack on a non-powder day or ice on the way to powder is more than manageable.  We are surprised at this statement, but we almost had as much fun with morning groomers with the Hovercraft as with the Jones Flagship and the Yes Pick Your Line.

Updates

The 2011 and 2012 Jones Hovercraft have not changed much, except they added some new sizes, so you should be happy with either year. This is a great choice for those who have always wanted a powder board or those looking for a new powder board. It also comes in a split version.

The 2013 Jones Hovercraft is the same board with a faster base, a little bit more camber and a better build quality so this year is the best call.

The Jones Hovercraft seems like it would be awkward anywhere except for those who like a surfy approach to deep powder.  This is where this quiver board surprises you.  All of us at The Good Ride had a blast on the Hovercraft in and out of powder.

On Snow Feel

I thought this would be an average groomer board, but instead, the Hovercraft performs like a good camber board. It has a very fun, stable, directional kind of ride.  If you don’t set the stance too far back, you have a pretty good carving board for morning corduroy. The real surprise here.

Powder

This is what the Hovercraft is made for, so you know it’s going to be good. We have had a lot of fun over the years on this ride. It’s not as slashy as, let’s say, the Burton Fish, but when you are on the tail of the Hovercraft, it can still be pretty slashy/surfy.  The wider waist gives this the surface area of a bigger board, and along with the special nose, the float is exceptional. The taper is minor compared to similar boards of this size, but 11mm still does a pretty good job of helping you sink the tail.

All in all, this isn’t a typical powder ride, but it sure is fun. If you surf, you will feel like you are riding a thick fish that makes you feel like you are floating above the snow instead of being a little bit in it like you are on a shortboard.

Turn Initiation and Carving

The waist ranges from 25.6cm to 26.4cm, which is pretty wide. You would think the Hovercraft would be hard to throw around, but it’s not bad at all. The 11mm taper, set-back hybrid camber big nose helps you turn pretty easily.  It’s not super easy, but it’s right about the middle of easy.  Making quick tight turns like in trees or narrow chutes is pretty easy.  When getting out on normal snow, the Jones Hovercraft is really fun to carve out a turn.  We almost had as much fun on the Hovercraft as we did on the YES Pick Your Line and Jones Flagship.  Whether you are making quick, tight turns or big, wide-open carves that send you back up the hill, you will be pretty happy on the Hovercraft.

Speed

This $400 board has a fast base and is pretty damp, so picking up speed is not a problem. The 2013 base is faster than the 2012, but the stability/dampness of all the models is the same. You can feel more glide in the flats, and the speed picks up a little faster than last year.

Uneven Terrain

It’s a little wide between the waist so that a regular-footed rider might have a little trouble edge-to-edge in the moguls or tight spots, but its shock absorption is pretty good under the foot. With good shock-absorbing binding underfoot, it’s not bad at all.

Approximate Weight

Feels normal

Edge Hold

Usually, tapered boards like this are not very good when it comes to edge hold, but the Hovercraft’s mellow magnetraction side cut combined with the hybrid camber shape makes for boarder an excellent edge hold.  Even going out in moderately hard snow, the Hovercraft is more than capable.  East Coast ice might be too much for the Hovercraft, but snowment is doable.

Flex

This is on the medium side of stiff but very playful for a board of this flex.

Switch

It’s not very easy, but that is expected with a tail like this.

Rails/Jibbing

Don’t bother.

Pipe

The hovercraft is actually okay in the pipe thanks to its edge hold, but its directional ride limits your pipe options.

Jumps/Pop

The pop on the Hovercraft when it comes to ollie power is acceptable but not super springy. It’s still pretty easy to hit a wind lip or cat track.

All in all, we were impressed with the depth of the Jones Hovercraft. We thought it would just be a powder board, but it is also a great groomer board. The Jones Hovercraft rides big and lives up to its name.