Windfoil, Wing, SUPCrossoverboard Naish Hover in test

Stephan Gölnitz

 · 13.09.2021

Windfoil, Wing, SUP: Crossoverboard Naish Hover in testPhoto: Thomas Pfannkuch
The Naish Hover in windfoil use
Test of crossover boards for waving, SUPing and windfoiling: The Naish Hover in the individual evaluation

The crossover shape comes from a genuine wave SUP (Naish Raptor) for small to medium waves, and it hasn't forgotten how to do that. In the waves, with a paddle and four fins, the Naish is the most radical, easy-turning board in the group. For more experienced wave paddlers or very light wave beginners, it is a fast, lively board, but with a volume of only 120 litres and a short length, it demands a lot of practice from an 80-kilo paddler in a choppy line-up. With the matching Naish foil in the box, the board is suitable for windsurf foiling - with appropriately positioned straps - and also for wing foiling - without straps. The foil characteristics with sail are typical of Naish: the board only wants to be edged a little, you stand upright rather than hanging fully on the sail. With a comparatively short fuselage - this is a compromise for sail and wing - the foil is a little more sensitive around the transverse axis, but you quickly learn to control the slight up and down. In wind holes and in the jibe, the large front wing keeps the board in the air for a long time, but here too it tends to be ridden flat and with moderate turning, the foil doesn't like a lot of edge pressure in the jibe. The strap positions worked well with the Naish foil and a 5.3 mm sail, but with a more powerful comparison foil from the test (Slingshot) the strap and foil positions did not match.

Wing beginners simply push the same foil all the way forwards in the Naish rail and enjoy the comparatively compact, light board feel. At 120 litres, it's a good size for quick learning, but the relatively short board is also fun for fast wing cruising. With a short fuselage, the board can also be easily manoeuvred through wind holes by pumping with the legs. The stance position is centred on the board and the agile foil is controlled with a slightly wider stance. Straps are not provided for wing-foiling - and are not required for cruising. This saves a noticeable amount of weight.

surf conclusion: The Crossover is a radical wave SUP, a good windfoil cruiser and perfectly suitable for wing foiling.

Low weight; SUP surfing; versatile

Wingfoiling only without loops

-

surf/image_03719a1fad48844ebe3d866ba93fb494

Technical data Naish Hover

Naish HoverPhoto: Stephan Gölnitz

  • Weight: 8.4 kg*
  • Length: 223.5 cm
  • Width: 76.2 cm
  • Volume: 120 litres
  • Fins: 2x4.5"/2x3.5"
  • Price: 1649 Euro

*surf measurement


RATING_THUMBS_HEADLINE

Most read in category Windsurfing