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January 20, 2009
“Having made a wooden hull, two-engine hovercraft
many years ago with plans from Universal Hovercraft, I
could see the many advantages of Neoteric’s advanced
design with its reverse thrust system, including a light
fiberglass hull and no large exposed prop subject to rapid
tip damage from water spray.
The Neoteric hovercraft is a fine piece of engineering
… I am finding the assembling of such a beautifully
designed hovercraft very rewarding, and know that the
understanding that I am gaining will make me much more
confident in being able to maintain it properly.” |
January 19, 2009
“I am really enjoying putting together such a beautifully
designed craft! Also am taking key pictures & notes for
Hover Garage.” |
Don Kerr
Minden, Ontario, Canada
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Note: Don
Kerr built his hovercraft from a Neoteric partially
assembled hovercraft kit. For a photo gallery of the
hovercraft building process, see
Hover Garage.
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March 12, 2006
"I love your product. I'm quite happy with it and really enjoy it." |
Gerry Gibb, Dealer
Microfast, Inc
Homosassa Springs, Florida USA
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March 2, 2006
"I hover nearly every weekend and have clocked up some good experience, 50+ hours. I have been in Gale Force 3 conditions: 0.5m – 1 m waves and winds around 35km/h in Durban Harbour. (SA Hovercraft took their craft out of the water.) It really was fun – challenging, but fun. The wind was too strong to drive straight into the wind and waves, but tacking worked well and WOW this hovercraft can surf on the waves!" |
Winstone Jordaan, Director
Extreme Fun
Pretoria, South Africa
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January 5, 2006
"I'm Rich Stuart's son, and I took our hovercraft out the other day on Geist Lake, which is totally frozen over, and it was a complete blast! I love how much easier the craft skims across the ice than the water. Do you have any hovercraft trips planned soon? My dad and I would be very interested in exploring a river or something like that with other hovercraft enthusiasts."
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Sincerely,
R.J. Stuart
Indianapolis, Indiana USA
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Note: Rich Stuart and his son built their hovercraft from a Neoteric partially assembled hovercraft kit. For a large photo gallery of the building process, see Hover Garage. |
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November 3, 2005
"Back in 1988 we drove to your factory in Terre Haute, bought the Racer Hovercraft Kit, and have used it ever since at our remote cabin in Canada. We have been very satisfied with the hovercraft, its performance, and your company. With Rae now being 73 and myself nearly there, we decided we'd better not risk long periods in the remote during the "ice out season" anymore. Those were some memorable events and we were able to have them with the hovercraft as our emergency vehicle.
We have the hovercraft listed on eBay, where it is getting a lot of attention . over a thousand lookers and more than 50 have it on their list to watch. Some are asking questions and we are mentioning your web site in our answers. Yours is the most impressive site on the Web; it's informative, covers every aspect, and is exciting. We hope many others will visit the site and all take a trip to Terre Haute.
Thanks again for all the help you were to us. Owning one of your hovercraft was an exciting part of our lives."
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Sincerely,
Rae and Audrey Henneman
Baudette, Minnesota
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January
10, 2005
"Last Saturday
and Sunday we got to
run the hovercraft though
it was windy[over 15
knots] and rough. It's
a wonderful little machine,
booming all around the
place, fun machine,
wonderful device, very
well thought out..." |
Barry
Bowen |
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March 9, 2005
"Really enjoying my craft. Was
on the river last week. I have about
10 hours on craft so far. Takes a long
time to load and unload because of everybody
at the river wanting to talk about the
craft!!"
December 28, 2004
"I have flown the hovercraft a
few times in my field (open and flat)
and am practicing slow speed land maneuvers
like loading and unloading from trailer
as well as getting use to the thrust
buckets etc. Having a great time and
really enjoying the craft, it is an
excellent machine." |
Have
a Happy New Year,
Dr. Roger Miller
Cleveland, Tennessee USA |
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December
11, 2004
Everything went great on the trip
home. The trailer worked perfect. The
best trailer I have ever hauled! My son
and I really appreciate the time you spent
with us at the shop and in training. I
am looking forward to more experience
in my hovercraft. I think the quality
of workmanship as well as the engineering
in the craft are second to none. Thanks
again for a great experience. |
May God bless you,
Dr. Roger Miller
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August
24, 2004
"Went out for about 2 + hours
on Saturday and did quite a distance.
Explored a nearby river to the township
of Katikati then went out and claimed
an Island and a sandbank so we now have
a Neoteric Island and sandbar! Trust
everyone at Neoteric is impressed with
their new claim.
It is really a great machine; the more
I drive it the better I like it. I was
not impressed with the Neoteric trailer
at first glimpse, although I must admit
that it became very clear that it was
practical after our first outing.
Congratulations on a fine design and
well thought out craft. I must say it
is comforting to have a full set of
instruments; maybe a volt meter would
be useful in the future. Cheers from
a happy owner." |
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Bryce Woods' HoverTrek
prior to shipping |
August
15, 2004
"Had a couple of interesting
moments driving [the Hovercraft] down
the water. One in particular where [the
craft] just wanted to side swipe the
hedge, but after a serious chat to it,
it settled down and behaved. I did a
test out in front to reacquaint myself
with the controls, etc., and then took
Rose for a short flight. All was good
so we stopped for a while, put on the
head phones, and hovered up the estuary.
We did a couple of 360s, and a little
bit of backwards movement. Great craft
- I am really pleased with it. Thanks
a bunch. " |
Bryce Woods
First Flights
New Zealand
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March 2004
"It's so beautiful...its
a blast!" |
Gerry Gibbs
Florida Dealer
Homossa, Florida
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September
3, 2004
"I had quite an adventure
navigating the Tippecanoe
river for about 7 hours
yesterday. Going places
where I'm sure no hovercraft
has ever gone before.
I was constantly pushing
through downed trees,
going over logs and branches,
picking my way through
the smallest holes, under
walkway bridges where
I had to go off cushion
to squeeze under. Without
reverse thrust there would
be no way to do any of
this! It was almost a
total success except for
when I backed into a tree
and cracked both buckets
(trying to stop in reverse
before I hit the tree).
Amazingly they still worked
100% effectively and I
continued for several
hours. The other amazing
fact is I never broke
a single skirt tie the
entire day! Can you give
me some advice on fiberglass
repair? (See attached
photos). I expect I should
just sand the damaged
areas down and apply several
layers of glass on both
sides overlapping the
damage by about an inch,
then sand smooth. I'm
not an expert. Can you
offer a few suggestions? |
January
2004
"Craft is running
great, and I've been exploring the icy
lakes here [Northern Indiana]. I told
my wife if I were selling Hovertreks,
I think I could have sold two last week,
based on the crowd of enthusiasts that
practically followed me into the parking
lots at the boat ramp." |
Dave Reyburn
Goshen, Indiana USA
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September
2003
"Chris:
I'm very happy with my hover! I have a
little scratch from the long distance
shipping from Terre Haute to Acapulco,
and the boat cover had some little holes.
But it is an engineering beauty. The red
color also and the performance and sensation
of freedom is better than in my Harley
Davidson. Once again, thanks and congratulations!" |
Your
Friend,
Carlos David Ugarte Catano
Acapulco, Mexico
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September
2003
"Hello Chris:
In August, Marty Van Lishout and I performed
in our Neoteric hovercraft for a fundraiser
at the Two Rivers Rogers Street Museum.
Aided by my son Jeff, who helps people
on and off the hovercraft, this is the
third year we have given rides at the
annual event.
Each year we do a
short water show for
the spectators. This
year, as were gliding
along at a fairly good
speed, the cable on
my left side bucket
broke, causing me to
touch Marty's machine.
Everyone thought it
was part of the show!
I ran the rest of the
day without the port
side bucket, so we didn't
do all our usual maneuvers.
When we perform, the
crowd loves it as we
head toward each other
then put both hovercraft
in reverse at the very
last minute and fly
backwards.
We gave free rides
from 11:00 to 3:00 to
two or three people
at a time. Even though
we requested that there
be only one ride per
person, we still had
to turn people away
at the end of the day.
We could have used at
least one additional
hovercraft, as each
year the crowd gets
bigger.
This is a big weekend
for the entire area.
Manitowoc has an annual
Children's Hospital
benefit on the short
of Lake Michigan at
the same time that Two
Rivers holds their benefit
for the Rogers Street
Fishing Museum on the
West Twin River, and
thousands of people
come to the area to
enjoy the two events.
It was a great day
of Happy Hovering!" |
Richard Sleep
Manitowoc, Wisconsin USA
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| "I am
a very satisfied customer and one who
believes in your product. It seems to
be getting better with age as all good
things do." |
Matt Litter
Chillicothe, Ohio USA
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| "I really
love this hovercraft and run it a lot.
You have a unique and practical watercraft
that is more than a pleasure craft. It's
performing perfectly." |
Patrick O'Connell
North Muskegon, Michigan USA
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"What
a great getaway sport! My hovercraft is
very dependable and easy to repair...I
may want to buy another one."
(He did.)
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"My new
hovercraft is now 4 years old, has 930
hours and runs like a charm. The windshield
is really appreciated in cold weather.
Took a ride of 20 miles up river this
afternoon - there were a few snowmobilers
pressing their luck (lots of thin ice
& open water). It was beautiful -
one of those quiet days that didn't take
much power."
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"Hovercraft
is running beautifully since your overhaul.
Really enjoy the extra RPM. With one person,
it seems to jump over the "hump".
We passed the 1000-hour mark this afternoon."
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June 2000:
"Like the new "rear hovercraft
skirt" which you installed. It
is showing a little wear after approx.
20 hours. We have been enjoying a pair
of eagles that are nesting 30 minutes
up river. Will have to talk nice to
my wife Darlene, then we can buy one
of your new side-by-side hovercraft."
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November 2002:
"Greetings from Reedsville, Wi.
Just a note to say that for the first
time since owning the Hovertrek, I
installed the “winter”
windshield. What a neat accessory.
Much improved from the one we had
on the old Questrek. Attachment nice
and solid. Nice roomy, open feeling,
and it cut the wind even when going
sideways. It is one of those cold
gloomy days in Wisconsin, with ice
forming on the river. Went up river
about one hour and was very impressed
with the windshield.
A person
sure gets spoiled
using Reverse Thrust.
People who use other
brands without this
feature really are
missing out on a neat
option."
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| Winter
windshield installed. (part #3675 Cabin
Front Windshield and Mounting Hardware) |
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September 2004: [In
September 2004 Marty Van Lishout took
delivery of his fourth recreational
hovercraft from Neoteric.]
"Really appreciate new engine.
Very responsive and much more pleasing
to the ears. I like the new front skirts
too. Started using 40 pound bag of sand
in the nose which trimmed the craft
quite well for me. Then I replaced 10
of the new front skirts with regular
ones, and was able to remove the sand
bag. I still get a little spray on turns
which can be eliminated by moving way
forward.
Beautiful Machine! |
February 2005:
"Sure glad you convinced me
to trade up. What a beautiful machine.
Really enjoy the performance of the fuel
injected engine (no more bogging down
on right hand turns). Have 50 hours on
the machine, and no major problems. Used
your suggestion on freeing up the frozen
rudder cables, still do have occasional
icing problem with throttle cable." |
Martin Van
Lishout
Reedsville, Wisconsin USA |
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| "I enjoy
traveling with safety where I would otherwise
fear to go by other means." |
Ron Ramsden
Chicago, Illinois USA
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| "I've
been on the river in my hovercraft when
it was so low that all the other boats
were parked, and I've been on it when
the rapids kept everyone away... this
thing's great!" |
Ron Mundell
Lafayette, Indiana USA
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| "My family
enjoys our Neova 8. We have hovered in
the ocean and traveled many rivers. Hundreds
have flown with us. The Canadians really
loved the hovercraft. In one winter's
day we took 150 of 'em for rides." |
Scott Brownlee
President, World Hovercraft Federation
Tipp City, Ohio USA
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| "Earl
and myself have enjoyed our hovercrafts
so much, we have been places even horses
couldn't get to!" |
James Cassell
Tucson, Arizona USA
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| "This
hovercraft (Hovertrek) is very maneuverable
on small rivers. Even Val (my wife) is
asking when we can go again! We have an
unbelievably controllable hovercraft,
can turn on your own axis. I can negotiate
any boat ramp I've come across. I've been
through white water, over two low-head
three-tiered dams and I've just got it
down going backwards." |
Jonathan Rich
Broad Brook, Connecticut USA
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| "The reverse
thrust system on your hovercraft is what
sets it apart from anything on the market
at this time. It's the best system I have
ever experienced." |
Philippe Marcil
President, Hovercraft Club of Canada
Gatineau, Quebec Canada
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| "I have
never had anything this small that has
gone so fast and is so smooth." |
Ted Gierke
Belfair, Washington USA
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| "Since
I purchased my Hovertrek for ice fishing
in Jan 2000, we have flown 25 hours and
caught over 6000 bluegill & crappies.
It's a real nice machine, it's a lot of
fun. Last weekend we went to Devil Lake
in ND and caught 120 perch. Operated in
a blizzard but we just kept going. We
had a really good time. I want you to
know that I really like my hovercraft." |
Mick Rockweiler
Viroqua, Wisconsin USA
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| "I have
over 200 hours on my hovercraft and I
have had a lot of fun with it." |
Tom Hallam
Marshalltown, Iowa USA |
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| "I
have more enjoyment out of my hovercraft
than anything I have ever owned. It
runs like a top, it's sure been a good
craft. The bass fishing boys say, 'Boy
you can get where we can't go!'
Best money
I've ever spent!"
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Carl Roberts
Indianapolis, Indiana USA |
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| "Thanks!
You have provided us with a method of
conquering the river. You can’t
imagine how much we appreciate this
hovercraft. The Hovertrek is 10 times
better than an airboat. It’s the
best thing we can think of for the river.
It’s doing a fantastic job. If
it wasn’t for the reverse buckets
it just wouldn’t work, you just
have to have them; it’s the perfect
thing. It crosses shoals as smooth as
silk. The fishing platform works great.
John and I have been everywhere on the
river – we have mastered 50 miles
from log jams to crossing dams and fish
traps, even 3 ft drops. The river is
like an obstacle course 1 to 4 ft high
rocks for up to ½ mile stretch.
We couldn’t ask for anything more.
Yesterday we blew past a 90 HP jet boat
that had gone as far as it could go."
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| Rena
Waid
Atlanta, Georgia USA |
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| "The
hovercraft is a good Moose hunting machine,
it sails over the sandbars at 35 mph.
Everyone that looks at it thinks it's
goofy, until they go for a ride."
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Don Scheie
Wasilla, Alaska |
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| "I
really like my hovercraft. I have been
climbing and descending canoe ramps
on the Milwaukee River. These are quite
steep, almost 45 degrees and high. I
have over 127 hours on the hovercraft
in less than six months. Recently, I
went on Lake Michigan in six-foot waves
and 25 mph winds, the craft worked well.
I took my 80-year-old mother for a 60-mile
trip. I certainly like my machine.”
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Tom Dienhart
Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin |
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| "I
just wanted to send you
a note to let you know
how much I'm enjoying
my Hovertrek! I've got
about 25 hours on it,
I'm having a blast and
the hovercraft is performing
flawlessly. I've been
exploring the Saint Joe
River up here in Elkhart,
Indiana, discovering new
boat ramps and finding
out where all the dams
are located. Everywhere
I go I get a crowd of
enthusiastic onlookers,
always wanting to know
how fast it goes, if it
can go on land etc.
A few weeks ago we
had a family reunion
at our home with my
three sisters and their
families coming from
different parts of the
world so, of course,
we had a day out on
the hovercraft. I took
about 12 people one
by one for rides up
and down the river.
Everyone had such a
thrill, having never
ridden on a hovercraft.
We had to dodge groups
of students kayaking
downstream, but they
were waving and thought
the hovercraft was really
cool. We even attracted
some attention from
the press, as there
was a reporter from
an Internet newspaper
called the Bristol Sun
taking pictures and
interviewing us about
the reunion and the
hovercraft. I made sure
she got the correct
information about Neoteric,
the maker of this fine
machine, and sure enough
at 8 pm that evening
our story was on their
web site, complete with
photos and video of
us hovering along (that
was about two weeks
ago so it's off their
site by now).
I still have not yet
seen any other hovercraft
out on the waterways,
and I guess I enjoy
being so unique, but
at the same time I realize
that for the health
of the hovercraft industry
it would be much better
if there were more of
us around.
We're heading up to
the Wisconsin Dells
for four days of vacation
this week. We're towing
the Hovertrek along
and plan to do some
serious hovering on
the Wisconsin River.
We're going to attend
the Muscoda Hover-in
on Friday and Saturday;
it will be our first
hover-in so we're really
looking forward to that.
I'm still working on
the idea of making the
front seat into a power
seat with push button
trim control. I've ordered
a linear actuator and
the rest of the electrical
(switch, fuse holder
and wiring) is mounted
and ready to go. I'll
need to have a small
bracket welded to the
seat frame to mount
the actuator. The truth
is I can't stop tinkering
with it, but I think
it's going to turn out
really well. I'll email
you a photo when it's
complete.
By the way, my youngest
sister is a professional
videographer and she
shot some footage of
us operating the Hovertrek,
(some nice on-board
footage from the back
seat too.) She's going
to edit it into a nice
little QuickTime hovercraft
video (put to music)
that I can distribute
through the Internet.
Maybe you could have
a section on your web
site of videos that
potential customers
could download to get
the feel for riding
on a hovercraft. When
she's done with it I'll
send you a copy. Well,
I hope that business
is good but not overwhelming
you! Hope to see you
at the September 12
Hover-in at Terre Haute.
PS: Attached is a photo
from our recent outing
(my sister Annie in
rear seat). Check out
the ultralight helmets
and intercom system." |
Dave
Reyburn
Goshen,
Indiana |
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