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The Kneeslider

Doers Builders and Positive People

Motorcycle Powered Hovercraft

By Paul Crowe

Racing HovercraftIf you have an old motorcycle engine lying around and you’re not sure what to do with it, here’s an idea, build a hovercraft. You’re probably familiar with what a hovercraft is, an amphibious vehicle riding on a cushion of air contained by a skirt. Most of us have seen some of the really large commercial and military models but there is a much smaller segment designed for one or two people that you can build yourself.

Hovercraft can be built with a variety of engines depending on the particular use for which they’re intended. They can be purely recreational or used for racing in one of the various classes. The high end hovercraft get up around 80mph which could be pretty interesting, especially since you have no brakes! You slow down by throttling back causing the air cushion to shrink, increasing drag. You ride it like a motorcycle and you steer by leaning into the turns.

Photos of races indicate high excitement for the operator, especially since quite a few photos show attitudes far off the straight and level, some are even upside down. Yikes!

The construction guidelines are pretty general, using a variety of materials and as I said, a variety of engines including motorcycle engines. Sanctioning bodies exist in many countries throughout Europe, Scandanavia, Australia and Japan publishing guides for the different race classes. Very cool.

Thanks to Dave for the tip!

Hoverclub of America

Posted on January 29, 2006 Filed Under: Down Time, Workshop & Tools

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