Kachi22/George Possible hovercraft purchase need advice
 

George
I am very close to making an offer to purchase a 2006 Pacific Explorer 12 Hovercraft.
It will be for personal use
Do you know anything about them that I need to check?
How do I identify skirt wear
The machine only has 198 hours on it so it shouldn't need a lot of attention

any input would be appreciated

That's a large hovercraft, just like with motorcycles it is suggested that you start out small and work your way up.

Where do you live and where is the craft located? We might be able to get one of the HCA hovercraft ambassadors to look at it with you.

ContactUs - Hoverclub of America

Looks like they are updating the list. I can post an inquire for you in the HCA forum and see who speaks up.

EDIT: I at first thought it was a Sevtec knock off, but now see it is the same company which makes the Slider. The Slider is their smallest model, a very nice but heavy craft and it is expensive for it's size. This is the only model of theirs which I've seen in person.

Would you be doing any commercial ferry work with this craft? The Jones Act might prevent this along with a bunch of US Coast Guard regulations.

She is located in Cleveland Ohio I plan on going Monday to see it in person, so far I have only seen pictures. If I like what I see I am going to make an offer
Here is a link to it

2006 Hovercraft Explorer 12 Power Boat For Sale - www.yachtworld.com

From the photos it looks like the UV rays and long term floating in water have taken their toll on that skirt. That skirt is shot from the looks of it, confirmed if rigid or stiff to the touch.

One of the suppliers in the HCA forum offered and may have ended up making a combination (bag/finger) skirt for a similar craft. I'll check with him and see what a new skirt could cost. Also check with the original manufacturer, shipping could be a killer.

Weight is the enemy, if water got into the craft at any point, like the hole in the roof or through a hull hole, then there could be trouble. The trouble would be in the form of water soaked foam. There might not be foam used for flotation in this craft, it could use sealed cavities, this is something you need to research as cutting holes onto the floor will not be allowed.

Thanks for your help. I am glad I asked
and YES I too was concerned about the condition of the skirt and replacement.
If the skirt isnt soft that could potentially be a deal breaker for me.
I'd hate to pay alot for it and immediately have to make expensive repairs.

I took the liberty of posting a sister thread in the HCA forum. Non-members cannot post (you can post in the Classified section only), but you can read.

Send me an e-mail or PM if you need me to be a go-between.

If you are serious about buying a hovercraft I suggest you joint the HCA - it's cheap and worth it.

The Jones Act might prevent this along with a bunch of US Coast Guard regulations.

Tell me more about this.

Had considered that 2 or 3 years in the future we could use it for simple river tours and taking people for joy rides. That would require insurance, a business license and a Capt license for the operator.

George
What would you guess a skirt would cost if we had one made for it?
The hour clock in the dash only shows 198 Hours...would the skirt be bad that soon? I know the sun takes it's toll on it too

I forgot to mention that this machine is 32 ft long and 11 ft wide

I think there was a big thread in the boatdesign.net forum a couple of years ago. I found this old HCA thread, a few back and forth posts hold both opinion and fact - you will have to weed though it yourself.

Russian Hovercraft - The Virtual Hoverrally - Page 2

The skirt, connectors, and hull securing contact points should be inspected. The skirt can get dirty inside, the dirt will hold moisture, the moisture will host mold, and the mold shall eat everything and inherit the earth. A hands on inspection is required, not guesswork based on photos. Looking for wear is one thing, but like car tires the rubber coating on skirts ages and stops doing what it is intended to do with age.

I sent Jason at Slipstream (the guy who has supplied custom combination skirts before) a PM on your topic, you should contact him when you get serious.

Link:
Slipstream Hover Technologies - The best products anywhere for all your hovercraft needs!

The skirt Jason did I think was for one of the Canair models.

Canair Hovercraft 512

Canair Hovercraft 506