Hover Craft Business For Sale

Hover Craft Passenger Service

Wright International Ltd was honoured when it was approached and asked if we would be interested in marketing the sale of this very successful hovercraft business. The owner of this company has spent a small fortune rebuilding this hovercraft from top to bottom, bow to stern. The business also comes complete with a very professional website, large van, truck with crane, towing trailer and much more.

This hover craft has been used for a wide range of operations from passenger tourist runs, to film work, environment studies and much more. The beauty of this hovercraft is that you can perform operations on almost all terrains from the sandy beaches, rivers and lakes, fields, marsh and tarmac. This gives your company the greatest potential of being an overwhelming success.

Our company is being approached on a regular basis for companies looking to purchase or charter a boat for both corporate entertainment and corporate branding.  As an example, you have events taking place in the UK such as the Round Britain Power Boat Race or the London Olympics.

The hover craft that is on offer has the following basic specifications:-

This hovercraft was manufactured by Air Vehicles in 1980 with the design being certified under CAA Hovercraft Approval HAD/006 and complied with British Hovercraft Safety Requirements Issue 3. The owners of this company however have spent a great deal of time, money and effort rebuilding this hover craft and when you see the pictures on this advert, I am sure you will agree the vessel is better than new!

This hovercraft is constructed of welded marine aluminium and forms a unit with 3 compartment sections. These sections are:-

• Crew and Passenger Accommodation
• Engine Compartment
• Fan Bay and Drive

The hovercrafts design also includes buoyancy tanks both fore and aft. The flexible hovercraft skirt is attached as the secondary structure which is outboard of the primary structure and contains the lift engines and lifts fans. There is even further buoyancy provided by a six compartment outer hypalon/nylon inflated ring. The lower mid skirt is inflated by fan pressure and a bottom fingered skirt transfers the lift pressure to the ground.

The main propulsion of this vessel is provided by a 248hp, 5.9 litre V8 petrol engine, the same engine found in many Jeeps throughout the world. This allows servicing, spares and repairs to be carried out quickly and easily. The engine gives great power and speed but at cruising speeds only burns 18 litres per hour. This low fuel consumption is based on 2 crucial factors; one is that you only run on low revs by having a larger engine. The second is that a hovercraft basically floats on the waters surface; as such there is no drag in the water or friction.

This engine is connected to the upper propeller shaft by a toothed driving belt. Thrust is provided by a fixed pitch, four bladed propeller in a ducted enclosure and the lift force by an enclosed centrifugal lift fan. The slipstream from the propeller passes over five rudders for directional control. Its noise level is approximately 62 db making it one of the quietest hovercraft to date and thus suitable for work in any sensitive area. The engine drives the centrifugal fan and supplies air to provide ventilation for the passenger cabin.

The hovercraft cabin contains seating for 8 passengers and two pilots and is entered by port and starboard doors at the rear of the cabin. This area is heated through conventional heaters and guests have previously commented on how comfortable the cabin was. The port door at the rear end of the cabin doubles as an emergency exit. There are of course hand baggage racks provided at the rear of the cabin to allow guests to carry personal belongings with them.

As with any vessel, safety is of a prime concern. The owners fully appreciate this fact and have done everything they possibly can to make this boat as safe and as comfortable for all onboard. The interior of the cabin has been refinished in fire retardant materials and two hand held fire extinguishers have been added including updating of the fire detection system. The individual seats that are provided for each person on board is fitted with a safety restraint belt.

Life Jackets are provided for each person and additional equipment such as flares, oars and anchors are carried. There are both electrical and manual bilge pumps. 2 throw out life rings are fitted and there is a first aid kit and multi signalling equipment.

There are warning and information stickers around the craft to mark specific areas or items. The passenger cabin emergency exit is clearly marked and easily accessed. Anti slip surfaces have been applied to the walkways and treads and industrial spec safety steps are used for access into the craft.

There is a safety net to prevent accidental access to the propulsion system by persons or debris. An intercom and public address system is incorporated and external communications is by marine radio. A radar installation is provided for collision avoidance and in conjunction with the compass as a navigational aid.

The gasoline fuel system comprises of a stainless steel tank housed within its own sealed compartment. It has 2 separated external ventilation systems, internal anti swilling and anti combustible gas inserts and an external filling point. The fuel lines are stainless steel within the construction and run at low pressure with auto pump shut off and an additional manual fuel tap. The hovercraft fuel system is fitted with manual shut off and one way valves, fuel booster pumps and filters with water separators.

The hovercraft safety and navigation equipment comprises of:-

• GPS Chart Plotter
• Auto Compass
• Wind Display
• Marine Band Radio
• Radar
• Navigation And Rescue Search Lights
• First Aid Chest
• Signalling Light
• Red Parachute Flares
• Floating Line And Quoits
• Fire Axes
• Torches
• Knives
• Infant’s Life Jackets
• Crew Life Jackets
• Passenger Life Jackets
• Two lifebuoys are provided, one by each of the passenger doors.
• The life raft is capable of carrying all passengers and crew members.

The engine bay is separately vented by a fan extraction point. All electrical switch gear and relays are housed within spark proof boxes and away from ignition risk areas. Fuel splash guards are fitted to the exhausts. The engine itself has spark arrestor exhausts and uses a PCV recirculation to reduce any oil vapours emitted from the unit. The craft has anti spillage or discharge units to prevent contamination into the marine environment.

The hovercrafts engine bay is equipped with fire detection and double discharge fire suppression systems. 2 Independent Fire detection and suppression systems using Zero 360 gas injection (Halon replacement) are fitted. Both main and reserve systems are electrically independent and have current test certification portable, hand operated extinguishers are also carried in the rear and front of the passenger cabin.

The electrical system is powered by one engine driven generator, with an emergency services drawing power from an emergency battery. The entire electrical system is protected by aircraft type circuit breakers that act as the switches at the pilot position. The pilot also has an independent fuse array and a total shutdown switch.

As part of the package in buying this business, you will get an unbelievable amount of spares for the vessel and for the engine. The list of spares even includes a replacement skirt and a replacement engine!! You will soon be pricing how much it would be to build a second hovercraft using all the spares you have on offer.

The company is sadly for sale due to the owner’s ill health. This is a company that was being established with a long term dream but sadly health dictates otherwise. The owner is however able to give you full tuition on how to handle the vessel and can also give hints and tips on getting the most out of your company.

You simply will not find a better business opportunity for only £195,000.