Hovercraft have been successful as large car ferries on the English Channel, as landing craft for the US Marines, and as Search and Rescue Craft for the Coast Guard. Although there appears to be considerable potential, small one person hovercraft have failed to become successful in either the recreational market or the light commercial market. The Spectra, which Ted has designed, has the potential performance to be a winner in these markets. Like all small hovercraft its performance is very dependent on the weight it is carrying. Heavy loads affect both its turning and acceleration rates.
Small hovercraft perform badly on hills, because they follow the slope.
Design Considerations Ted is deciding on the final configuration of the Spectra. He is an engineer and a pilot who loves high performance machines. He loves to talk about hovercraft and goes out on weekends to help hobbyists and amateur builders get the most from their designs. His design philosophy is to have the lightest possible craft with the maximum possible horsepower. It is over-powered for its weight and it is expensive, but it really goes.