Deep trees and mellow powder slopes are the Hovercraft 2.0’s natural territory. Its shorter, wider outline spreads surface area differently from a conventional freeride split. A long nose and pronounced taper put directional powder turns at the centre of the design.
Is the Jones Hovercraft 2.0 Splitboard 26/27 right for you?
The Hovercraft asks how much fun a slope can offer before it becomes particularly steep. Its wide nose and narrower tail move surface area forwards. In deep snow the tail is intended to settle more readily, reducing the need to spend the run leaning over your back leg. That design brief makes it worth a closer look for tree tours and snowy days.
Our older Hovercraft experiences explain why the name has remained part of our coverage for years. They do not remove the need to assess the current 2.0 separately. Its outline and tail shaping deserve their own consideration. Rather than asking how short you can go, look at how width, surface area and rider weight work together for the snow you are likely to encounter.
How does it fit your approach, size and setup?
On long approaches and firm traverses, the wide shape remains a deliberate choice. Compare it directly with the Solution if this will be your only touring board; as an additional powder option, specialisation is part of the attraction. Choosing the standard or Ultralight Hovercraft also involves more than price. Consider how often long ascents dominate your days and how much of your total setup weight comes from the board itself.
| Your decision | Our assessment |
|---|---|
| A good fit for | Powder, tree tours and compact directional turns |
| Think more carefully about | Expecting a symmetrical board or a particularly narrow shape for traversing |
| Compare directly | Jones Men’s Solution Splitboard and Jones Storm Chaser Splitboard |
What have we learned from earlier seasons?
Our Soul Selection describes the Hovercraft with Spark Surge as a classic first ridden in 2013 and repeatedly enjoyed afterwards. Older model coverage also highlights flotation, manoeuvrability and a powder emphasis. The value here is longer-term experience with the original concept. Today’s 2.0 is a later generation, so its tail shaping and current sizing should not be treated as equivalent to the old recommendations. This history supplies context, not a fresh 26/27 measurement or riding score.
Read the original report: Top 10 Splitboard Setups der letzten 5 Jahre - Soul Selection .
What has changed since 25/26 and earlier models?
This model already appeared in our 25/26 gear guide. When comparing purchases, check the appropriate size, exact version and the dimensions below. The current manufacturer page does not provide a complete construction change log, so a fresh graphic alone is not a reason to promise a different ride.
A specific data comparison for 148 cm, using our archived 25/26 page and the current manufacturer data:
| Detail | Archived 25/26 | Current 26/27 |
|---|---|---|
| Board weight (manufacturer) | 2.8kg / 6.1lbs | 2,8kg / 6,1lbs |
| Waist width (cm) | 25.5 | 25.5 |
| Radius (m) | 8.4 | 8.4 |
| Taper (mm) | 17.0 | 17.0 |
These are manufacturer and archive figures, not differences measured by us. Matching dimensions alone do not establish identical construction.
FAQ: What should you know before your first tour?
How much shorter should I ride the Hovercraft 2.0?
There is no universal centimetre rule. Current lengths, weight recommendations and widths need to be considered together. Advice from our original Hovercraft coverage should not automatically be applied to the 2.0.
Which Jones Hovercraft 2.0 Splitboard size should I choose?
Current listed lengths are 148, 152, 156, 160 cm. Start with the rider-weight range for each length, then check boot width and stance. Frequent kick turns favour manageable equipment; extra length purely for assumed flotation is not a universal solution. Reference points from the table: 148 cm: 90-140 lbs. / 41-63 kg., waist 25.5 cm; 152 cm: 110-160 lbs. / 49-73 kg., waist 25.9 cm. These are manufacturer recommendations, not weight limits established in our tests.
Which other boards should I compare?
Jones Men’s Solution Splitboard: One board for varied snow and active freeride touring. Jones Storm Chaser Splitboard: Deep days, trees and an additional powder split in the quiver. Choose around your usual tours and an appropriate size rather than favouring a model purely because of its position in the price list.
What original test experience do we have?
There is historical evidence: Top 10 Splitboard Setups der letzten 5 Jahre - Soul Selection . It concerns original Hovercraft, ridden since 2013 and is discussed above. It is a comparison with an earlier generation or related variant, not an identical 26/27 field test.
What do I need in addition to the board?
You need a compatible splitboard-binding system, suitable boots and skins matched to the length and attachment points. Where Jones specifies a skin group in the table, use it when selecting skins. Compare complete offers: the board price alone does not tell you what a ready-to-tour setup will cost.
Is an earlier-season version worth considering?
Yes, when model, size and condition suit you. Compare the specific model-history information rather than only the year label. For a used board, inspect the base, edges, inserts and connectors. An earlier test score cannot replace a condition check.
Which sizes and specifications are available?
Sizes: 148, 152, 156, 160 cm. Profile: Float CamRock. Manufacturer flex: 7/10.
The table contains manufacturer figures for the specified lengths.
What are the measurements for each size?
| Board size (cm) | 148 | 152 | 156 | 160 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight range (lbs/kg) | 90-140 lbs. / 41-63 kg. | 110-160 lbs. / 49-73 kg. | 130-180 lbs. / 59-82 kg. | 160-210 lbs. / 73-95 kg. |
| Ideal boot size (US / EU) | US 7-9 / EU 39.5-41.5 | US 7-9 / EU 39.5-41.5 | US 9 / EU 41.5 | US 11 / EU 44.5 |
| Board waist width (cm) | 25.5 | 25.9 | 26.3 | 26.7 |
| Skins group | C | C | C | E |
| Board size (cm) | 148 | 152 | 156 | 160 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Board weight | 2,8kg / 6,1lbs | 2,9kg / 6,3lbs | 3,1kg / 6,7lbs | 3,2kg / 7,1lbs |
| Surface area (dm2) | 39.41 | 41.1 | 42.83 | 44.59 |
| Contact length (cm) | 94.1 | 97.3 | 100.5 | 103.7 |
| Effective edge length (cm) | 116 | 119 | 123 | 126 |
| Tip length (cm) | 39.2 | 39.6 | 40.0 | 40.4 |
| Tail length (cm) | 14.7 | 15.1 | 15.5 | 15.9 |
| Waist width (cm) | 25.5 | 25.9 | 26.3 | 26.7 |
| Underfoot width - front foot (cm) | 26.8 | 27.2 | 27.7 | 28.1 |
| Underfoot width - back foot (cm) | 26.3 | 26.7 | 27.1 | 27.6 |
| Tip width (cm) | 30.2 | 30.6 | 31.1 | 31.6 |
| Tail width (cm) | 28.5 | 28.9 | 29.4 | 29.9 |
| Sidecut radius (m) | 8.4 | 8.7 | 9.0 | 9.3 |
| Taper (mm) | 17.0 | 17.0 | 17.0 | 17.0 |
| Reference stance (cm/in) | 52.0 / 20.5 | 54.0 / 21.3 | 56.0 / 22.0 | 58.0 / 22.8 |
| Centered stance (cm/in) | 52 / 20.5 | 54 / 21.3 | 56 / 22.0 | 58 / 22.8 |
| Insert pack | Splitboard Pack | Splitboard Pack | Splitboard Pack | Splitboard Pack |
| Stance setback (cm) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Where do the information and images come from?
Jones Snowboards: Jones Hovercraft 2.0 Splitboard, manufacturer information checked 15 October 2026. Product images: manufacturer. Earlier original coverage: Top 10 Splitboard Setups der letzten 5 Jahre - Soul Selection .
What does the board look like? (5 photos)
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