Have had to warranty my board…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 9/17/2016
Have had to warranty my board twice, now a third time if i wanted to keep it which i don't. And Brian (Hovie( says now i have to drive from Miami to wherever (St Pete?) to drop off the board then drive back to pick it up when he's done fixing issues they should have better controlled in the first place. The board leaked from new and also day 1 after the first time Hovie took it for months, gallons of water have come in while in calm water. Have had problems with my latest one since week 1 also. Paint bubbled up, issues on the side, contaminated from what i was told. It looks like eventually it will crack then i guess i'll have water getting under the paint. Also the fin box was worse off this time than first, doesn't leak anymore though so that's actually awesome! I'm afraid to get my carbon fins stuck in it or break one off. I have a plastic one i had to file down and if i press really hard it works... till you try to remove it.
All in all a really cool design, i have the patriotic American flag colored board and love it. Just haven't been able to paddle it half the year because it's been with Hovie for warranty or i was afraid I'd sink in the middle of the bay or open water if i paddled too far or encountered choppy water. It's an easy board to paddle, very stable, and quick. I did ride another 12'6" Hovie once in a 6 mile or so race, took on water and weighed me down just a little at the end, took 4th in my class.
Hopefully if you buy one the issues have been corrected and you don't have to deal with the stress or headaches I've had to. I paddle it some days now just waiting for an issue, when i have time i pump up an inflatable and ride that instead, never had an issue with any other board i've owned.
I just want to paddle as much as possible and ride a board I'm confident will perform as it should and that i'll return safe on. Some days i paddle 3-5 miles. On a good day i paddle 10 or more. If i had more confidence in my board or days i borrow a board from a friend i'll paddle 10-18 like i used to. It's amazing to be out all day, paddle all around the bay, islands, and communities in Miami.
If you're skilled at repair it'll be easy to take care of. Since Hovie doesn't do refunds I'll have to lose $600 or more selling it so i can finally move on. I supported a local Florida business, seems fair right?
Pros
The look
Cons
It leaked gallons of water
The paint / glass bubbled
Fin box is too tight for most fins
Usage
The intention was race and touring, since it has been back with Hovie half the time i have owned it and had so many problems it has been touring only a few times.
Here's 2 video to show part…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 9/17/2016
Here's 2 video to show part of my review. These boards leak bad, all the Hovie's i have paddled had issues from the 11' to the 12'6"'s! It's pretty scary when you are paddling 10 to 15 miles in open water and your board leaks this bad
https://youtu.be/Bwy88jtydvk
https://youtu.be/Hef2QKu7NMw
Pros
Fits in some elevators
Cons
Leaks a lot
Bottom softened
Had to warranty it several times now will lose $600-800 by selling it to buy a better board
Usage
Exercise, touring
I demo the new USA made…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 6/3/2015
I demo the new USA made molded Nomad in Sarasota FL and was amazed at how stable the new design was, how much glide it paddles with, with little effort. The bottom design really flows across the water well. I would buy this Hovie SUP.
Pros
Light weight, 28 lbs. Very durable molded construction, tough gel coat outer skin, very nice deck graphics.
Cons
Usage
touring, exercise, beginner racing
I took the Hovie nomad out on…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 6/30/2014
I took the Hovie nomad out on the weeki wachee river today and spent four hours on it.
It is an amazingly stable and fast board. It tracks very well, and the glide with each paddle is extremely well for a board that is not a race board.
Pros
stable, fast, easy to maneuver in the turns.I like this board, and will use it a lot.
Cons
I haven't found any.
Usage
exercise, touring
Very stable, good for…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 6/5/2014
Very stable, good for exploration. Plenty of tie downs
Pros
Stable. Lots of storage, very forgiving
Cons
Not a race board by any means but downwinded on first day without having to kneel
Usage
Touring, downwind, fishing
Best all around board I have…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 6/27/2012
Best all around board I have had. Great for the Big boy. Seems most SUP makers have skipped making boards for big boys.
Pros
Floats big boys, can take my dog on it, fish on it, It is the best all around board around.
Cons
Not great for surf, but then that why I have another Hovie for surf.
Usage
touring, exercise, fishing,
Great flat water touring…
Submitted by:
guest-paddler
on 6/18/2012
Great flat water touring board! Very stable and tracks wonderfully. I have 3 boards and this is my favorite.
Pros
Bungies fore and aft for packing dry bags. Handles for easy overhead carrying. Great for beginners and experienced paddlers.
Cons
None.
Usage
Touring and excercise