4wings.com Hovercraft development HC-11 Port Isabel - 78578 - Texas, US Tel.: (956)943 5150
HC - 11 Michigan 706

78578 Port Isabel - Texas -
US
 

Tel .: (956)943 5150


 
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Welcome to Hovercraft designs!

In the following pages you won't find the blueprints for the british Hover ferry but links to several new or outstanding Hovercraft designs. 
All Hovercraft or surface effect vehicle are designed on common rules. Minimum weight, maximum strength, well balanced with the center of gravity just a little bit aft the centerline of the craft. 
Quite big surface for the given payload (to hold cushion pressure low) and a skirt around the outer perimeter of the craft to hold the pressure under the craft. 
But this does not mean that all surface effect vehicle have to look alike. 
From Hovercraft which can circle around a peanut to high speed yacht tender - you will find a multitude of design variations from different designer. We will feature different craft from time to time as the information from the designers comes in our mailbox. 
Pass by often and do not forget to tell your friends. 
 
Please use our mailing list if you want to get informed about new design updates!

 
 

Design outlines for
4wings - Hovercraft.

These design outlines are just for our project's and crafts - and every daredevil can skip them. Even if we believe you should hold them in mind if you build your own craft.
Our background is extensive cruising in the Golf of Mexico region - 3 hurricanes and 7 tropical storms aboard our catamaran "Water-bug". After all this wet history, we are mostly concerned about the safety of a water craft - Hovercraft or sailboat does not make any difference in a squall.
But we want to mention here that we are into cruising Hovercraft  and not racing.

Flotation :
A water craft shall have adequate flotation to hold itself and the passengers   under all conditions a float.  This positive flotation shall be in form of fixed foam ( Panels, injected or poured) .
The craft shall have on the bottom places to grab on / hold yourself to the craft for the purpose of rescue.
Cockpit:
The cockpit on an open craft shall be self draining  or equipped with a self draining system, allowing spray to run of without getting the craft ashore. It shall be under max. payload above sea level - outlets should have adequate diameter to drain the area. Safety gear should be easy accessible for all passengers.
On closed crafts should be at least one self draining outlet, for cases like broken windshield.
Safety equipment:
All crafts should be equipped with current safety and navigation equipment after US Coast Guard standard for small crafts. Navigation lights or at least  360 degree strobe light are built in the electrical system of the craft.
Structural parts:
All structural parts should be sealed with resin against rot. Engine mounts should be connected to the main frame of the craft - as ducts should be laminated to give driver and passenger safety in case of fan blade rupture.
Materials:
All used materials should reflect the technical standard of the day the craft is designed!
For special application we consult people with the qualifications in that field and implement their suggestions.
 

These are our standards and they don't qualify for the harsh environment of racing - just for the cruising environment where max. speed is not the question but save landing on an deserted place! We are not building production line crafts - only one off's since everybody has different needs and we want to have the possibility to adjust the craft to your needs!
 

Our craft's are : 
The Alpha-I , 1-2 person cruising Hovercraft as seen at :  http://4wings.com/crafts/a1.html 
  

The Alpha-II ,  4,6 or 8 passenger high speed cruising Hovercraft as seen at :  http://4wings.com/crafts/a2.html 

 

If you have further questions give us a call @ 956-943-5150 or mail us @    michael@4wings.com
Thank you,
Michael Dolezal

Sub categories 
 Design update March 1999
 Design update May 1999
 Design update Jan. 2000
 Design update June 2000
 Design update Autumn 2002