Which is correct: hovercraft, hovercrafts, hover craft or hover crafts?
Even though you may see it spelled hovercrafts, hover craft, hover crafts, or even hoovercraft, there is only ONE correct spelling: hovercraft - whether singular or plural. You may have one hovercraft or you may have twelve hovercraft. It follows the same rule as the word aircraft: You may have one aircraft or twelve aircraft, but you never have any aircrafts, air craft or air crafts.

What does "Neoteric" stand for?
Meaning novel and contemporary, this word was chosen to exemplify our company's clientele, for they are individuals who want the latest and most unique technology.

What does "Hovertrek™" stand for?
With 'hover' meaning to remain suspended in air above a surface, and 'trek' meaning to make a difficult journey, Neoteric invented the name Hovertrek™ to symbolize their clientele's ideal: accessing hitherto unreachable terrain. This, of course, does not exclude its use for any purpose its owner may conceive.

How fast will a hovercraft go?
Depending upon the effects of terrain and weather, the average speed of hovercraft is 35 mph (56 km/h), faster on ice or when going downwind, slower when on dense grass or rough surfaces, or when there is a headwind.

Will a hovercraft float?
Yes. The Neoteric Hovertrek™ hull utilizes composite construction with US Coast Guard certified closed cell 2 lbs/cu. ft. (32 Kg/cu. meter) density BASF polyurethane foam. A total of 17 cu. ft. (0.48 cu. meters) of foam provides over 1,000 lbs. [454Kg] of positive buoyancy. In addition, the cockpit area affords an additional 1,000 lbs. [454Kg] of floatation. When totally swamped with water, the hovercraft remains floating and stable.
See a cross section of a Hovertrek Hull.

What is the payload?
The Hovertrek™ is designed to carry four people with an average weight of about 170 lb (78 kg) each. Payload can be increased dramatically depending on the experience of the driver and the condition of the terrain. For example, when flying over smooth ice, up to 1200 lb (546 kg) could be carried.

Do I have to put it together?
No. Not only does Neoteric offer fully assembled hovercraft, we also sell the only production hovercraft available in do-it-yourself, partially assembled hovercraft kits. This lets you save 25% and enjoy the process of building a hovercraft with your friends or family.

How difficult is it to assemble the hovercraft?
The basic partially assembled hovercraft takes about 40 hours to finish. Most of the work has already been completed at the factory. The machinery module is fully assembled and tested, along with the wiring harness, instruments, etc. The hull and body are already bonded. All you need are basic workshop skills, a work area the size of a one-car garage, and common hand tools such as electric drill, a pop rivet gun, sets of open-ended and allen wrenches, and a set of screwdrivers.

Who invented the hovercraft?
During the 1950s, an Englishman by the name of Christopher Cockerell developed and patented the first hovercraft. For his contribution to the British people and the Queen, he was knighted and named "Sir" Christopher Cockerell. Soon after, British Hovercraft Corporation developed the first commercial hovercraft for passenger transport across the English Channel. With the ability to carry up to 400 passengers and 50 automobiles, these passenger hovercraft have operated since 1968 and have carried more than 30 million passengers and 5 million automobiles.

How difficult is it to drive a hovercraft?
First, it is necessary to understand that you are actually flying -- low to the ground, but flying nonetheless. Therefore, you will need proper pilot training to ensure safe, enjoyable hovering. At Neoteric, great care is taken in preparing you for your first "hover". Before your first flight, you are schooled in the principles and preventative maintenance of hovercraft. Then, you will spend several hours hovering on land and water until you achieve sufficient pilot experience to receive Neoteric's certification of competency.

Do you need a license?
No. Hovercraft come under U.S. Coast Guard jurisdiction. When you buy a hovercraft, you will be assigned a Coast Guard hull identification number (HIN). These numbers are free and, if you decide to purchase a partially assembled Hovertrek™, your number will be provided by Neoteric. Using this number, you then register your vehicle as a boat. Some states may require an ATV license as well. Overseas customers should consult your local hoverclub or marine authority.

What are other safety and legal aspects?
All Neoteric hovercraft comply with all U.S. Coast Guard boating laws. Our craft also comply with the regulations of the World Hovercraft Federation as well as with the Hoverclub of America, Inc. and the Hoverclub of Great Britain Ltd. "Requirements for the Design, Construction, Operation and Maintenance of Light Hovercraft". Hovercraft should be operated in areas where the public, personal safety, and ecology are not placed in danger.

What is the gas mileage of a hovercraft?
As with most vehicles, the mileage is affected by climate conditions and the way in which it is driven. Generally, you can expect to get as little as 2-3 gph (7.6-11.4 l/h) of fuel consumption.

How is a hovercraft transported?
The Hovertrek™ is trailer-able and can be hitched up by one person in less than two minutes. Simply hover up to the end of the trailer, attach the winch cable to the craft, lift the trailer tongue and place the rear rollers under the front of the craft. Crank the winch until the craft is completely on the trailer. Fasten the locking arms at the rear, hitch the trailer to your vehicle, and go.

How does a hovercraft handle rough waves?
Since the hovercraft hovers on a 9 in (228mm) cushion of air, the ride is very smooth and small waves are not noticed. Larger waves can be handled providing their crests are spaced well apart. Operation in surf, and even in Class 5 whitewater, is possible with an experienced driver, but hovercraft operate best on sheltered water and over smooth ice.

Can a hovercraft be driven on the road?
It is first necessary to understand that roads are designed to be used by cars and have a camber, or slightly convex surface. This causes very unstable driving conditions for hovercraft. Also, the abrasiveness of the road's surface causes excess skirt wear. Therefore, while road travel is possible, it is not recommended.

What slope can a hovercraft climb?
The Hovertrek™ will accommodate a gradient of 1 in 6 (16.7%) [Note: a 45° slope = 100%], standing start, smooth surface, 400 lb (181 kg) payload. It can climb much more easily when the slope is approached at a running start than if standing still. Generally it is easier to ascend than to descend.

Do hovercraft hurt the environment?
No. The unique characteristics of the hovercraft make it one of the most environmentally friendly vehicles in the world. One of these characteristics is the hovercraft's low "footprint pressure." The pressure a hovercraft exerts on its operating surface is conservatively 1/30th that of the human foot! The average human being standing on ground exerts a pressure of about 3 lb per square inch (20 KPa), and that increases to 25 lb per square inch (172 KPa) when walking. In contrast, the average hovercraft exerts a pressure of only 0.33 lb (2.2 KPa) per square inch - even less as speed increases. This "footprint pressure" is below that of a seagull standing on one leg! Hovercraft have literally flown over a pedestrian without inflicting harm.

Environmental Impact of Hovercraft

What are hovercraft used for?
Hovercraft are so versatile that their applications are as diverse as the people who use them. They are most often used to reach areas that are inaccessible on foot or by conventional vehicles. A partial listing of present uses includes:

• Exploring the vast number of shallow and narrow waterways that cannot be reached by boat
• Rescue work on swift water, ice, snow, mud flats, deserts, wetlands, shallow water, swamps, bogs, marshes and floodwaters.
• Affordable, safe way to fly without a pilot's license.
• Transport in environmentally sensitive areas where habitat, erosion and soil compaction are a concern
• Wildlife conservation and research
• Transportation or "island-hopping" with clients for real estate purposes
• Fishing anywhere ... including ice fishing
• Traveling from land to water where there is no boat dock
• Military services
• Dive recovery teams
• Retrieving birds from tailings ponds at mining sites
• Water management
• Port authorities/drug enforcement
• TV and film companies
• Entertainment at Disney World water shows
• Agricultural spraying
• Survey work
• Forestation
• Heavy load movement across difficult surfaces
• Mosquito abatement
• Environmental testing
• Charter operations
• Oil spill clean up
• Removing leaves from Pecan farms
• "Bird hazing" – chasing geese from lakes in the vicinity of airports

What about hovercraft insurance?
Some people add hovercraft to their Home Owner's Insurance. It's important to call it a 'boat' and not a 'hovercraft' when talking to insurance companies. Legally, hovercraft are boats, and under US Federal Law, Neoteric Hovercraft, Inc. is considered to be a boat manufacturer. Keep in mind that it will always be less costly to add your hovercraft insurance to an existing policy or policies than it would be to purchase a stand-alone policy.

Contact the following companies through your agent:
Markel American Insurance
P.O. Box 906 Pewaukee, WI 53072-09066
800-236-9283
Fax: 262-548-3288

American Modern Insurance Group
P.O. Box 5323 Cincinnati, OH 45201-5323
866-884-6167

How large of a "step" can a hovercraft handle?
With an experienced pilot, it is possible for the Hovertrek™ to handle a 24" (610mm) drop. Stepping up is usually limited to the hoverheight of 9" (229mm). If the step is gradual, greater heights may be traversed.