lagasse@biomed.UUCP (Robert C. Lagasse) (05/31/85)
Has anyone had any experience with hovercraft? I have never seen one except in picture ads in the back of Popular Mechanics. Do they work O.K. on choppy water? What about on snow? How do they move forward? Are any commercially produced or are they all home-builts? It looks like a nice toy to add to the collection. Any and all responses greatly appeciated. Thanks Bob Lagasse @ MGH Boston
tw8023@pyuxii.UUCP (T Wheeler) (05/31/85)
I once watched a hovercaft try to manuever over ice. They could not keep the craft on a straight course and had to give up. Those I have seen over water do not fare that much better. They seem to need a lot of room to make a turn, and even then the turn is very tricky. A better idea is craft that rises out of the water on ski-like stilts. This leaves something in the water with which to control turns. A small hovercraft would be kind of fun for a project. You can build one yourself out of odds and ends (lawnmower engine, light frame, etc.). T. C. Wheeler