If purchasing a hovercraft for the first time, there are quite a few items you need to be aware of in order to determine the right vehicle for your needs. This 4th and final issue of our Intro to Hovercraft series will guide you step by step through the important points to consider to ensure your safety, complete satisfaction and that the hovercraft you choose is durable & strong.
Many issues affect Hovercraft performance, just as they do a boat, aeroplane or helicopter. Since the Hovercraft is partly all three of these vehicles, it is important that you consider a range of factors from durability, performance and safety, to the type of hovercraft skirts and hull materials used in construction. In addition, operational considerations and terms such as "ploughing-in" and "getting over the hump" should be understood and the manufacturer questioned on these items, before choosing the model and brand that will best fit you.
OTHER HOVERCRAFT CONSIDERATIONS
Workmanship and Craft Quality
Check how the vehicle is made in general. Is the Hovercraft constructed of GRP (fibreglass), has GRP chop strand mat been used, or quadraxial mat? Quadraxial mat is much stronger and forgiving than chop strand fibreglass. A whack with a mallet shouldn’t offend. GRP when new nearly always looks great but if not made by experts in a controlled environment it will soon suffer from many hidden problems. Ask to see an older model to check the quality of the GRP, which can crack and delaminate after 6 months. An immaculate looking fibreglass craft on day one can, after 6 months, look very forlorn. GRP repairs are costly.
If not Fibreglass, what is the Hovercraft made of and what are the advantages or disadvantages of an alternative material. HDPE (High Denisty PolyEthylene) is the same material used in Kayaks and increasing runabouts. It is a wonderful option and upgrade to Fibreglass for a vehicle that is meant for use on land AND water.
-- The Hov Pod is made of HDPE - independantly buoyant, flexible, UV stabilised and extremely hardy, we invite customers to strike the Hov Pod hull with a baseball bat. I doubt many other manufacturers would encourage this practice. After many years of Fibreglass production and some costly personal experinces, no Hovercraft I own will ever be made out of Fibreglass again.
Bumper Protection System
Does the craft have a really solid bumper protection system? Can you give the impact areas on the side and bottom of the craft good hard whacks with a mallet? Can you sit on the side quite happily without breaking it?
-- The Hov Pod is re-inforced with aluminium and Rubber bumpers, Aluminium impact sheets, runners and wear bolts.
Ease of use
On Water:
- Can the craft be used in the conditions you intend to use it? (On water, sit on the side, climb in, climb out)
- Will it topple over?
- Does it plough in?
- Will it float?
- What weight can it lift in on water-starts?
- Has any government provided safety certification?
- Can you perform an emergency stop?
- Can you maintain control when doing this?
- Does the craft travel in a straight line?
- Do you have to throw your weight when cornering? (many craft will not turn unless you move your weight to the side of the craft).
- Is driving instinctive to use with handlebars and throttle? (or are complex joysticks and elevator controls needed to use the craft?)
- Can the hovercraft be used safely on land or is it likely to disintegrate?
-- The Hov Pod design was deliberately focused on product quality, ease of use, ease of servicing, safe to operate, reliable, durable and most importantly - fun! To understand our marketing approach, I recommend you read the Hov Pod Design Philosophy Document. Stretching the dollar is important for everyone, but so too is value for money, no one wants to spend thousands on a vehicle that is unsafe or difficult to repair.
Hov Pods are extremely easy to drive, similar to a motorcycle, and fantastic fun. In demonstrations, we can usually hand over the controls to a person after 5 - 10 minutes tuition. Hov Pods were specifically designed for marine leisure and commercial use and have many features that you will not find on other hovercraft. Many Hovercraft owners choose other vehicles before the Hov Pod, only to return after months or years of frustration.
Thank You For Your Time!
Thank you for reading our Introduction to Hovercraft Series. We hope you will arrange a demo of the Hov Pod for yourself soon. Let one of our local Dealers show you the superior features of the Hov Pod so you may determine for yourself: why the Hov Pod remains arguably the best leisure hovercraft available anywhere in the world today.
To arrange your own personal demo today, email sales@hovpod.com.au in Australia or sales@myhovpod.com worldwide. For more information, please visit our website:
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