Hovercraft Buyers Guide

Buying a Hovercraft?What to consider before purchasing a Hovercraft

Based on what we’ve seen

Based on what we have seen and heard of other hovercraft, we remain convinced that the Hov Pod is the best small hovercraft available.

Our design approach sought to address and overcome issues that have plagued other hovercraft designs.

We ship more hovercraft than any other supplier.

Checklist - what to considerHovercraft are Weight Dependent

HDPE versus Glass fibre

Durability, skirt materials

On-water payload

Engineering

On-water use

Rear guard

Buoyancy

Documentation

Depreciation, value for money, opportunities

Drive Belts

Drive frames

Electrics

Engines

Hull materials, underside protection

Hump

On-water payloads

Ploughing

Salt water

Warranty

Hovercraft are weight dependent vehicles

Designers need to balance weight versus durabilty.

Most suppliers cut corners to reduce weight at the expense of durability and safety.

Many are made from thin glass fibre that shatters on impact - difficult to repair.

High Density PolyethyleneHov Pod - the only hovercraft made from HDPE - far more durable than glass fibre

Other suppliers knock HDPE, say it is heavier than thin glass fibre - it is, but it will last far longer, and is easier to repair.

Video footageHow Durable - Video Link?

Watch the mad man attacking a Hov Pod with a mallet - don’t try this on a glass fibre hovercraft,... or drive a glass fibre hovercraft over rough ground.

Hovercraft Issues

Hovercraft produce a pressure wave known as Hump when starting on their air cushion from an on-water start

Some suppliers are economic with the truth regardingon-water payload capability.

Payload on water

Hovercraft usually pick up 50% more weight when starting on land, so check on-water payload if planning to travel over & stop on water - otherwise you might not get home.

Engineering

Hovercraft need to be reliable in any marine environment.

To save weight, many suppliers fit lightweight engineering components

Check belt, drive frame, engineering quality.

On-water use

Getting home shouldn’t mean having to call out emergency services - check engineering quality and design, on-water payload.

BuoyancyThe Hov Pod is made from High Density Polyethylenewhich is very buoyant - glass fibre is not buoyant.

The Hov Pod has been tested to take over one ton in weight before water ingresses into the hull -1027 Kgs or 2,270 pounds.

Check SafetyHov Pod fit a rear guard to the fan assembly to protect passengers and spectators from fan blades spinning at 2000 rpm...

Most suppliers just fit a warning sticker - keep kids away from those fan blades if they want to take up piano.

Depreciation

An eagerness to save money can be short sighted if poor hovercraft construction results in fast depreciation and frequent repair/ requirement of replacement parts.

Documentation & Manuals

Hov Pod are supplied with full operator and technical manuals and help sheets with each craft

Full documention is available on-line.

Drive beltsWe fit high quality drive belts that last hundreds of hours to the Hov Pod - customers who have previously used other hovercraft remark how other suppliers fit inadequate belts that snap and need continual replacement.

Drive frames

Critical to the engineering integrity of a hovercraft is the drive frame which maintains alignment.

The Hov Pod drive frame is a top quality part - some suppliers fit shoddy drive frames.

Durability

See videos detailing how durable the Hov Pod hull, skirts and other components are - Hov Pod Durability

Image shows cross section of HDPE (SPX TCC)

Electrics

Electrical connections are made in dry compartments or using high quality marine IP66 or IP67 connectors - our customers don’t want electrical issues or short circuiting.

EngineeringWe use CAD to design parts - engineered to digitally tight tolerances.

CNC robotic lathes create components from aluminium billets that don’t fail - other suppliers use castings that can crack under load at high speeds.

EnginesHovercraft engines need power in reserve to get over hump when starting on water

Some suppliers modify cheaper engines thus invalidating engine manufacturer’s warranty cover.

Many people find out the hard way by choosing a cheaper engine from a small engine supplier - it is only when they need the parts and support that suddenly they wish they purchased Rotax or Weber engines.

Engine Pedigree & SupportWe have rejected engines used by other suppliers (including Hirth) since they lack full international support

We use world-wide respected brands Rotax and Weber, not engines that lack power, that are too noisy

We ship engines with great pedigree, safety, reliability and full warranty. Expect the best.

Engine Covers

The uniquely designed engine cover system offers excellent protection for the engine and electrics from the elements, yet is very quick and easy to remove.

Hull materialsHovercraft travel over rough ground, so need to be strong - HDPE is very robust and will last longer than thin GRP hulls

Top image shows HDPE tooling / manufacturing process

HumpAll hovercraft create a pressure wave when starting on-water - so check what weight they can lift when starting on-water

Don’t ask how many seats a hovercraft has, check weight lift for on-water start

On-water payloadsThe Hov Pod 65HP will lift up to 275 Kgs or 606 pounds from on-water start.

The Hov Pod 120HP Turbo will lift up to 325 Kgs or 717 pounds from an on-water start.

+ 50% more when starting on land.

PloughingMany hovercraft nose dive when travelling over water, known as ploughing-in - see video

The Hov Pod has auto trim and IAPSS skirt design to prevent ploughing-in.

Salt WaterSalt water is corrosive and can damage electrical connections and mild steel unless protected.

The Hov Pod utilises marine grade stainless steel and marine electrical connectors.

Skirt materialsWe tried thin skirt materials used by other suppliers but they rip too easily

We rejected thin Hypalon & Neoprene – (due to UV sunlight degradation).

We fit very strong and wear resistant unique Polyurethane / Nylon woven segmented skirts.

Underside protection

Hovercraft have to be far stronger than boats - hovercraft travel over land, so HDPE construction is more durable than GRP, plus we add aluminium runners, shock pads and wear bolts.

Value for money

Cheap hovercraft can turn out expensive when belts snap, skirts tear, glass fibre shatters, castings break, electrics corrode, engine warranty is invalidated and replacement parts require expensive shipping costs.

Check Warranty

Some hovercraft suppliers modify engines to get more power output - sounds great, but engine suppliers invalidate warranty claims - they don’t like their engines to have to run at max revs - we fit unmodified engines shipped with full warranty.

Summary

We all love a bargain, but cheaper hovercraft are not always what they seem - consider safety, durability, performance, depreciation, Get a Hov Pod!

OpportunitiesIf you buy a Hov Pod, sign up to our referral scheme - earn commission for sales you introduce to us!

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