Hovercraft construction the easy way

Many schools and individuals embark on hovercraft construction projects, and kits range from the budget end model with balloon and CD disk, to fully working hovercraft capable of winning races.

Kids have a lot of fun constructing sit-on mini hovercraft constructed from plywood and leaf blowers, though for a cruising hovercraft, you need a non electric leaf blower without umbilical power cord connected to the electric wall socket, otherwise you wont get very far!

Hovercraft construction is fun and educational. Hovercraft have a number of characteristics to consider, they need to be lightweight to get best performance but if you make the hull too light, durability can be compromised, with disappointing results if you manage to collide with tree on your first trip out.

Hovercraft construction from original design is possible, and many hovercraft clubs have forums where you can get advice from more experienced club members. The Hovercraft Club of Great Britain for example has an excellent forum at http://www.hovercraft.org.uk/

Some hovercraft manufacturers offer their own hovercraft plans and kits; you can either take to long-term approach and start from scratch, and source parts and materials in a scrap-heap challenge approach, or purchase a fully functional hull to finalise construction of a vehicle that could be used for cruising pleasure. The scrap heap approach will offer plenty of challenges if this is what drives you, the thrill of overcoming obstacles creating something from nothing, taking recycling to new levels of accomplishment. If you are more focused on the final result, and wish to own a fully functional personal leisure cruising craft, Reaction International Ltd now offer the Hov Pod SPX LM, a fully functional
3-seater craft - LM denotes Local Manufacture, meaning that you can buy the hull to source and fit your own engine.

Depending on your budget you can purchase a number of options such as customised trailer, and comfortable upholstery, or you can decide to create your own seating, the choice is yours.

The Hov Pod Hull is unique among hovercraft, manufactured from High Density Polyethylene. This material is weight for weight far stronger, & more buoyant than glass fibre. The material has been used for Formula 1 Race crash barriers in the past, due to its superior impact properties. HDPE is also used for the construction of artificial knee joints. It is lightweight, and very strong, whereas glass fibre shatters on impact, is labour intensive to produce, and difficult to modify with fixings.

Hov Pods seat three adults. For more information, please visit www.hovpod.com