hovercraft

West Coast Hovercraft Inc.(WCHi), is a manufacturer and operator of high quality SEV style aluminum hovercrafts. WCHi builds 3 styles, with passenger payloads of 4, 25, and 80 respectively. A cargo model is also available.

Hovercrafts were invented by Christopher Cockerell in 1953. The British Government soon recognized this unique transportation system and implemented the SRN4 channel ferry built by Hoverlloyd. Since then, hovercrafts have found uses from the arctic to the jungle. Many more applications are still to come in both cargo transporting and passenger ferries.

WCHi sells primarily to government agencies, such as the Coastal EPA, for scientific use in estuary environments but also to commercial ventures operating tourist or transport businesses.

WCHi hovercrafts travel over water, land, mud flats, inter-tidal areas, swamps, rivers, rapids, snow, ice, and many other difficult terrains. Hovercrafts manufactured by West Coast Hovercraft Inc. are corrosion resistant for salt water applications. WCHi's hovercrafts are distinctive from other manufacturers' models with superior maneuverability, reliable performance, and improved safety.

Hulls are made of all aluminum construction consisting of structural beams and watertight skin. Built into every hull are compartments of closed cell foam which give the craft 200% positive flotation at gross weight loading. The hull design has a curving bow which prevents "plow-in", a major cause of hovercraft accidents.

The hovercraft skirt is a "bag" and "drape" design which prevents snagging and keeps spray to a minimum. WCHi reinforces the ground contact surface with Kevlar, eliminating daily maintenance from slash, tear, and abrasion.

Engines are simple and reliable. The smaller Seal craft uses a 4 cycle 35 HP Briggs and Stratton motor and the larger craft use "Hummer" diesel engines.

Few other Hovercrafts on the market have done as much work, so continuously, with such reliability and maneuverability, as the marine proven WCHi hovercrafts.