Let the building begin! April 17th 2009 foam will arrive
"Its never the destination its all about how you get there"
Below is takin from the plans web site to give you a idea of what the craft is capable of. If you click on the Prospector up above you will be directed to the plans page for more detailed info.
Right off were going to make some changes to the craft for fun and for performance.
The engine will be the all aluminum Honda Prelude engine. Designated the F23A motor from 1992 to 1996 U.S.A. model non v-tec 2.3 liter 4 stroke twin cam. The engine will be installed with the factory fuel injection. 2.3-litre for the "Si" (DOHC H23A1, 160 hp (115 kW) @ 5800 rpm, 156 lb·ft (212 Nm) @ 5300 rpm). Plus it ways almost exactly the same as the soob engine.
The Northwest Hoverclub gets it's motors from Engine world of California, best prices and cheap shipping. Here's the link.
EA-82 soob specs are below. To give you a idea of what were changing. This is the plans engine.Exceptional performance, using a stock 1.8L automotive engine. Prospector has plenty of payload. Either build it as an open boat or add windshield, soft top, and a heater, and cruising comfort may be had. With a hull size of 8 feet by 16 feet or the preferred 18 feet, Prospector is a scaleup of the Vanguard design, and uses a Subaru 1.8L EA82 engine. Prospector uses a drive similar to the North to Alaska Explorer. With a top over water speed of 46 mph with a 1.8L engine and fuel use of around 2.5 gallons per hour at cruise, this sev can run relaxed at 30mph plus speeds on less than half power. This sev can haul over 900lb payloads over big and small waters.
The Subaru EA-82 engine was produced from 1985 to 1994. It came with a carburetor, single point fuel injection, or multi port fuel injection. Most of the technical advancements introduced to the EA82 were utilized in the Subaru EJ engine, specifically, the SOHC valvetrain, and multi-point fuel injection.
So all said were going to double the horse power with the same weight. It should be noted a Honda motor spins the opposite direction as a soob for prop ordering purposes. For this application will be using a actual aircraft aluminum prop three blade from the aircraft bone yard. Its cheaper than a ultra light prop and will take the water and HP load much better than a wood or composite prop does on the water. plus I can fix it and rebalance it with the aluminum welder when it finaly errodes the leading edge and it will be just like new again.
As well as were going to add a three more rudders to really make her steer good.
Instead of installing expensive ralley driving lights for night time crusiing. We are going to try and incorporate Some high tech automotive head light assembelies. The automotive market has some of the best 12 volt lighting ever developed. With some creative glass work in the bow and on the lift fan bay we should be able to create some low to no glare super bright lighting. Currently the idea is to install 4 sets of lighting housing. Two sets up front and two in the rear with one set on a angle lights the sides of the craft. With ahigh and low beam option in all the housings the light out put should be enough for high speed night cruising we hope. each bulb pulls about 5.5 amps and there is the possiblity to have all of them on if the charging system is up to the task, if its not will set them up as groups so as to not tax the alternator to much. The Honda engine has from 90 amps to 180 amp alternator available so we can run like a big dog if we need to. If your looking for a alternator try these guys ebay link.
I'm just loving this Honda power. There are just so many low cost add on's out there.
Stainless complete header with flex pipe and down pipe for about $80.00 click here
Need like 300 hp to 400 hp but dont really think a chevy big block will fit the family cruiser. Your in luck for about $3k you can have that in a nice reliable daily cruiser motor. Imagine the next generation of hovercraft racers runing these light weight h23a motors with a simple bolt on turbo kit.
Who would not like to see some 16 ft craft racing the course with this kind of power. You can build this kit yourself if your fairly handy for a lot less. I have done several of these for street vehicles. Best to keep your hot rod in the garage instead of trying to keep up with this kind of power. A stock carburated big block puts out about 310 hp on average. These kits start out there and when your not in the throttle they still get 30mpg. But then these motors have almost as much power as a stock small block and are dead ringers for a 5 liter v8 with out any of that cast iron weight.
Hard to be a Hovercraft fan with out one of these.
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Availability: Usually Ships in 1 to 2 Weeks Product Code: HRD-FAN-HASCON
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The Hascon Wing is becoming the new standard in hovercraft fans. They have been consistently winning hovercraft races around the world, and are now becoming common in all hovercraft from big cruisers to world class racers. They make an excellent upgrade on any hovercraft.
Common uses for Hascon Fans: Wood Lift Fan Upgrade
Hascon Fans are the perfect upgrade for the wood lift fan in your home-built craft
Accurate, consistent airfoil means a more efficient lift system - Most wood fans are cut by hand from hand-drawn templates then sanded to final shape. This can result in widely varying pitch and airfoil shape from fan to fan and blade to blade. The shape of a Hascon blade is calculated by engineers using state-of-the-art software and is manufactured from a mold. This guarantees that each blade is built exactly the same and at the optimum shape for your application.
Weight savings - The weight of a wood fan can vary considerably with variations in the wood structure, the amount of finish glass, and the amount of balancing weight added. Hascon fans are built the same each and every time.
Peace-of-mind - With a Hascon fan, you don't have to worry about being stranded if you have a fan failure on that long cruise. Just carry a few spare blades in your craft and you'll be back on the water in just a few minutes. Extra blades are light weight, small, and easy to change in the field.
Cost - In almost all cases, a Hascon fan is far more economical than an equivalent finished wood fan.
Stock Fan Replacement The average performance improvement over stock fans on a manufactured hovercraft is around 20%! On some models, particularly older SCAT hovercraft, the improvement can be far greater.
We use the very best materials for our hull construction. You'll find fiberlay has great prices and will pay the shipping usuallly over a $300 order. top notch supply's and great help over the phone or stop in for hands on help.
Website email watercatwn6535nd@yahoo.com I post a lot of picts. Some I take, some I take from you. I always try to give every one credit. Try not to wine about it. But if it bothers you let me know. I'm just trying to have fun and promote my hobbies. More than likely it helps promote you!!
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