Performance Comparison - UK Hovercraft
Flying Fish Marlin 2 |
HovPod SPX120 |
HovTek Otter 4 |
|
|
Length |
3.3m | 3.63m | 4.32m |
| Width | 1.85m | 1.86m | 2.1m |
| Weight | 225Kg | -unspecified- | 223Kg |
| Max. Payload (water start) | 170Kg | 320Kg | 350Kg |
| Max. adult passengers (water start) | 2 | 3 | 4 |
| Engine Power | 37-50HP | 120HP | 35HP |
| Hull Construction | Glass reinforced plastic | Polyethylene | Core composite |
| Top speed | 45mph | 45mph | 37mph |
| Cushion Type | Single Compartment, seg skirt | Single Compartment, seg skirt | Dual compartment, loop skirt |
| Brake | None | None | Foot operated |
| Stability control | None | None | Automatic pitch control |
| Seating | Pillion foam pad | Pillion foam pad | Side-by-side air suspension |
| Controls | Handlebar & spring throttle | Handlebar & spring throttle | Steering wheel & fixed throttle |
You are now probably thoroughly confused! The question you may be asking is:
How come the Otter, which is larger AND has a lower power engine, carries more payload than other hovercraft???
The answer is actually quite simple and is fundamental to understanding how hovercraft work. First, the larger the craft, the more efficient it is (due to the lower cushion pressure). Secondly, the lighter the craft, the better the performance will be. It should be obvious from the above that adding more engine power can never compensate for a heavy, or too small, hull! Fitting a larger engine is also environmentally damaging, AND hits you right in your pocket with high running costs!
You are probably thinking that the Otter must be too good to be true, and that we are being "economical with the truth"! However, unlike the other craft mentioned above, the Otter has been through two full years of field testing in all of the conditions it's expected to operate under and we can absolutely guarantee that will do exactly what we say it will.
