Hurricane (hovercraft)
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The Hurricane was built in Toledo, Ohio in the 1970's by a company called Windcraft M&M. It was the next generation design to the Skim-Air, otherwise known as the flying bathtub. Designed by Mike Clare, who went on to become one of the six founding directors of the Hovercraft Club of America, this particular craft is set apart from most "typical" hovercrafts in that the engine in placed in the front of the vehicle rather than the rear. The rider sits upon it much like a jetski or motorcycle.
Early incarnations of the craft used a single Chaparral/Xenoah 484cc snowmobile engine generating 45.5HP @ 7,000 RPM. The engine drove a 4-blade wooden prop that generated both lift and thrust. Later versions of the Hurricane were to include a 60HP water-cooled engine driving a 10-blade fiberglass fan.
The craft itself is made of fiberglass with two wooden runners on the bottom. It has a traditional bag skirt that it floats on. The controls are like those on a motorcycle with a twist grip throttle and handlebars that move two fiberglass pabels at the base of the tail to direct air flow. It was certified as a boat by the USCG and has the required lighting and moorings so it can be ridden over water.
