CeeGee, You've got the perfect setup for this plane, Saito 82 and 14x4W prop so take confidence in knowing the plane will hover. One of the most common problems with hovering is using too much expo. I use a lot of expo on all maneuvers except this one. If you are just practicing hovering use 10% or less. Also, use high rates on rudder and elevator and low rates on ailerons. Another item often overlooked is lateral balance. It is harder to hover this baby when lateral balance is off. Be very careful in balancing this plane. I hang my upside down with fish line on the center of engine mount and tailwheel. I tape the rudder in place so it doesn't move and add weight, usually small nails until it is perfectly balanced. That helps about as much as anything. Then the key is to anticipate the airplane's next move. You almost have to input corrections before it needs it. With little expo the small required corrections are easier. Just barely move the sticks. I know many people suggest a pumping action on the throttle but I don't do that. I just go to hover power, about 1/2 stick or so and try to leave it there with minimum input. Most people can hover this plane until it starts to torque roll and that's when they lose it. That's where practice comes in. But to accelerate your skills on that I use the thought process of moving the rudder stick towards the falling wingtip when the canopy is away from me. That way I don't have to think too much (always a good thing for me) When the canopy is facing you it all seems to make sense and I don't have problems but when it turns around I just move the rudder stick in the same direction as the falling wing. If you use this logic you can anticipate better and usually you will make smaller corrections, quicker. But as soon as you move the stick in the wrong direction is when it falls out. The other thing I do is fly with my eyes closed. It gives me a better "feel" for the plane.
Thanks,
Barry