Hovercraft Problems to look out for
Hovercraft are weight sensitive vehicles, so race hovercraft tend to be made from very thin glass fibre to get the high speeds required to win races. Unfortunately, constructing hovercraft from thin glass fibre can compromise durability - any collision or knock can shatter this GRP and require expensive repair. So what other things should you consider when buying a hovercraft?
Here are some of the tricks hovercraft manufacturers play that could spoil your day.
1/. Staring on water - getting over hump
All hover craft create a pressure wave when starting on water, referred to as The Hump. If you are carrying passengers who have eaten too many pies, starting on water could become impossible, (and require a long swim home) so drill down to the on-water payload capability. Some suppliers quote payload as starting on land - because the hump problem does not apply when starting on land, so generally hovercraft will carry 50% more weight when starting from on land. Some suppliers regularly show images of hovercraft gliding over puddles with 3 or more people on board - this is deliberately misleading - drill down to what weight can be carried when starting on water. Hump is even more difficult in shallow water. Tip - never ask the question - how many seats does this hovercraft have, this marks you out as a complete novice, ask what weight will this hovercraft carry from an on-water start?
Hovercraft are weight sensitive vehicles, so race hovercraft tend to be made from very thin glass fibre to get the high speeds required to win races. Unfortunately, constructing hovercraft from thin glass fibre can compromise durability - any collision or knock can shatter this GRP and require expensive repair. So what other things should you consider when buying a hovercraft?
Here are some of the tricks hovercraft manufacturers play that could spoil your day.
1/. Staring on water - getting over hump
All hover craft create a pressure wave when starting on water, referred to as The Hump. If you are carrying passengers who have eaten too many pies, starting on water could become impossible, (and require a long swim home) so drill down to the on-water payload capability. Some suppliers quote payload as starting on land - because the hump problem does not apply when starting on land, so generally hovercraft will carry 50% more weight when starting from on land. Some suppliers regularly show images of hovercraft gliding over puddles with 3 or more people on board - this is deliberately misleading - drill down to what weight can be carried when starting on water. Hump is even more difficult in shallow water. Tip - never ask the question - how many seats does this hovercraft have, this marks you out as a complete novice, ask what weight will this hovercraft carry from an on-water start?
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