How environmentally friendly is
the Hov Pod Leisure Hovercraft?
The Hov Pod Leisure Hovercraft does not produce a
wake and does not exhaust in to the water. It has a very light footprint,
weighing less than a seagull standing on one leg! Unlike other vehicles,
it can travel over eggs without cracking them, ask to see video
demonstration. The Hov Pod has no propeller in the water to damage coral
or plant life. The Hov Pod is an ideal craft to use in sensitive areas,
for example bird sanctuaries etc. Contact us for an Environment Assessment
Paper.
What sound does the Hov Pod
Leisure Hovercraft make?
Although early versions of hovercraft were noisy,
(there exists a misconception that all hovercraft are noisy) we fit custom
designed two stage silencers to quite the engine exhaust and continue to
minimize noise pollution through consultation with local universities.
Technological advances have reduced sound emissions by 50% to 70% making
Hov Pods fall somewhere between vacuum cleaners and city traffic (70 to 80
decibels). We use a microlite 52 bhp engine that depending on conditions
generates around the same noise levels as a small motorbike (72 decibels
at 60 meters and 80 decibels at 25 meters). Compared to other watercraft
Hov Pod generates no water slap noise, and does not generate the high
speed repetitive whine of fast revving engines associated with personal
water crafts and speedboats as they jump waves or the deep reverberating
noise of diesels as exhausts are uncovered from the water. Current Rotax
engines are quieter than previously used Hirth engines, as they have
superior exhaust systems. It is recommended that driver and passengers
wear hearing protection, but 10 to 20 foot away from the craft, it is okay
to have a normal conversation.
Can the Hov Pod Leisure
Hovercraft carry passengers?
The Hov Pod Leisure Hovercraft is weight
dependent and the craft has been tested to take up to 250Kg or 310Kg
(550lbs or 680lbs) on water, depending on the size of engine plus
additional 25% weight on land (hence 312Kg or 387Kg (687lbs or 850lbs) on
land starts. We recommend the Hov Pod Leisure Hovercraft as a 2+ model
where each owners individual circumstances will dictate exactly how many
people can be carried (it could vary from 2 large to 4 small people). Many
small hovercraft have difficulties starting on water, so please refer to
our Buyers Guide to understand "Getting over Hump" a hovercraft term used
to describe starting on water. Be sure to check manufacturers payload
specification for starting on water - many can't, some even sink!