Hi Dan,
First off, where are you located?
Going to a really is a real good idea. Also purchasing a used craft might
get you more bang for the buck. Depending on where you live you will also
be
looking at having to purchase or build a trailer too, often a used craft
will come with a trailer.
As far as I am concerned you will not get anything useable past a novelty
item for use on the garage floor with a plywood leaf blower contraption.
I would step up to at least a two place craft from the gitgo. Most of
these
are really single place craft that "CAN" also take a passenger.
I would look at something like the 12T4, I doubt you can do one for a
grand
but if you carve your own props and buy used engines you can/maybe build a
very functional craft for maybe 1,500 or so, again used crafts or
somebody's
unfinished project might be the way to go. If you choose to go direct
drive
do not settle for minimum power if noise is an issue. With little engines
you will be running full out almost all the time which will create all
kinds
of racket.
You can check out my T4 at the site below
--
From the rocky shores of the Skykomish river
David Bosworth
http://www.premier1.net/~daveb/hovercrafts.html
<DanKMTB@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
news:1176497007.662415.102400@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> I'm thinking about building myself a small inexpensive first
> hovercraft. At the moment the novelty is strong, but so are the other
> draws on the budget. I'm thinking I want to build a small and
> expensive version to see how I take to it, and how the local boaters
> and LE take to me.
>
> I'd like to build from wood, primarily because I am decent working
> with wood and have access to any of the tools I'd need. I'm fairly
> handy. I'll also be able to repair wood when I break it.
>
> Use for this would be fairly sheltered waters though some strong
> currents, which I don't believe should be much of an issue?
>
> I'd like it to be reasonably quite. I don't need it to be silent, but
> I'd rather not have the switchboard light up with complaints when I
> fire 'er up.
>
> The only size req. is to fit one adult, and maybe a small dog. 250lbs
> or so. It doesn't have to last 20 years, be stable enough to stand
> and cast from, or have room for the family and the coolers. If I like
> it enough and decide this is for me I'll build another bigger, better
> craft - this is the feet-wet (though hopefully not literally)
> experiment.
>
> I'm thinking maybe a UH10? Is there a less expensive model? How
> cheap should I be able to assemble this? I've read under 1000, but it
> was from dated posts. It also didn't mention how much under 1000.
>
> I also considered a UH13PT. I like the idea of being able to take
> someone along, but don't want to jack the cost too high. If the first
> ends up costing too much, I'll never get started. If I like the first
> as much as I think I will I'll build more as time goes on.
>
> Anyone ever get anywhere with a few sheets of plywood, a couple leaf
> blowers, a tarp or two and some carpentry & engineering skills? I
> believe that I could build a platform that would hover me with the
> above, but I'm at a loss on propulsion. I seem to remember something
> from a vacuum cleaner from an old Boys Life magazine as well. As I
> said, if I can get something to happen on the cheap in relatively
> short order, I'm far more likely to pony up the coin and build a real
> one.
>
> I may try to attend a rally or something, but if I don't get the show
> on the road in relatively short order it's likely to fall to the
> wayside with so many other ideas...
>
>
> Thanks,
>
> Dan
>
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