Build Your Own Hovercraft In A Weekend

Hovercrafts, also known as Air-Cushion Vehicles (ACV), are amphibious vehicles that move on a layer of pressurized air. Because of their unique design, they can cruise over virtually any surface: water, road, grass, snow and ice. As a result of their flexible nature, Hovercrafts have a great advantage in military applications, but they aren't just for the military. Lots of hobbyists love them too, especially since they are easy to build and with a good set of plans you can build a Hovercraft in a single weekend.

Some hobbyists prefer building and racing radio-controlled hovercrafts, which much like toy boats and helicopters, are controlled from a distance. But theres a lot more fun to be had than watching a small toy hovercraft fly around the local pond. You can actually build a hovercraft for yourself, and then get in it and take it for a drive. You can take your hovercraft for a nice leisurely cruise on the lake, or you can race your kids in the crafts you helped them build! If you get even more involved in hovercraft construction and operation, there are clubs to join as well so you can race fellow hobbyists and share building tips that will help you get more speed out of your craft.

And I have to say, Im a big klutz and even I managed to follow these plans without hurting myself or anyone else in the vicinity. On a weekend trip to my sisters, who happens to live near a lake, I made a short supply run to Lowes and then arrived on my sisters doorstep with plywood stacked up in the car. Her husband, myself and my brother put the Hovercraft together in less than a day and then spent the early part of the evening fighting over who got to use it next, so I think next time were going to try putting two more together so we can all race each other. Having done it once, Im pretty sure now I could just build the next one myself. The plans are easy to follow and well-illustrated for even a hardware newbie like myself to follow. And they really are just an incredible amount of fun. I'm actually looking forward to winter so I can try it out on the ice.

Want to build your own Hovercraft? Get a good set of Hovercraft Design Plans and get started on your weekend project. Convince a couple of friends to join you, and you can start racing them.