Purchasing a Hovercraft? Intro Series #1

Intro To Hovercraft Purchasing #1
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 four (4) part series will guide you step by step through the important points to consider to ensure your safety, complete satisfaction and to 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.

Introduction to Hovecraft Types
Small hovercraft can be classified as race craft, kit-build or leisure marine vessels. Depending on your needs, most buyers will fit neatly into one of these three categories, which can be delineated fairly neatly:

1. Race craft focus on speed
2. Self-build focus on low cost
3. Leisure craft focus on safety and reliability

Buyers should consider the Cost versus Performance, Safety and Reliability, when choosing the vehicle to best suit their requirements.

Race Craft
For Race craft, speed is the key objective, so weight is reduced wherever possible. For example, to reduce weight, craft have very thin GRP thereby compromising safety. Race craft are often designed for land use rather than on water. Due to the lack of durability, any impact causes expensive damage. Safety features such as the fan cage may restrict airflow and increase weight, so safety is usually compromised by speed.
-- The Hov Pod is designed for safety rather than speed.

Self-build Kits are usually favoured by folk who prefer the low cost approach and have the mechanical know-how to build their own. The backyard job often results in a lowering of quality, safety and performance. People spend considerable hours building hovercraft (200 to 400 hours) only to experience major disappointment on the first outing. That said, some people love a challenge, and are happy to spend hundreds of hours creating their own craft. But at what cost? Too much work and not enough play can make Jack a dull boy!
-- The Hov Pod has taken years of development to eliminate the pitfalls associated with Hovercraft design and manufacture.

Leisure Marine And Commercial Craft
The third type of craft appeals to people who just want to have fun. Leisure Hovercraft demand safety, reliability, and ease of use. Not all leisure craft are built the same. Some manufacturers sell new hovercraft with second-hand engines, purchased from a local salvage yard. Or produce craft that dig the nose into water and stop suddenly with dire consequences (see our 3rd blog in this series, for "Ploughing In"). Craft that do not contain enough buoyancy and sink! Craft that don’t restart on water (a paddle could be useful). Single-piece skirts that cost megabucks to repair. Hulls that crack and let in water, craft you can’t steer without throwing your weight violently into the corners.
-- The Hov Pod may not be the fastest craft in town, but we do like our customers to have fun in safety and 45 knots is enough for most. We don’t scrimp on quality either. Check out the build quality and many benefits such as stainless steel fittings to combat salt-water use, or the high spec electrical components, for trouble free operation.

Well that's all for now folks. Keep an eye out for the next in this four part introduction to Hovercraft series. For more information visit:

www.hovpod.com.au