After owning a Scat 12HP, and having the opportunity to cruise with many different types of hovercrafts in many different conditions I started to learn exactly what I wanted in a craft. Unfortunately nobody builds a craft like I am looking for so I started searching for plans with the intention of building the craft myself. I didn't walk into this blindly. In the past I have built racing "Hydroplane" type boats from marine plywood, whitewater kayaks from kevlar and "S" glass, and I spent 18 years in the Carpenters Union collecting a garage full of tools and building experience.
After perusing the "Web" for months I finally happened upon Michael Nell's Website in Australia. I decide to purchase a set of his "Viper Cruiser" plans, and after a week of waiting they showed up at my doorstep. Michael must have spent an ENORMOUS amount of time on these plans- He once mentioned in an email that he was striving to have the best plans available, and I truly believe that he has achieved that goal. The Plans come in notebook with each page in a plastic page protector. In the first section of the plans there is a complete index of pages followed by technical specifications, material lists, construction methods, and then assembly instructions. The next section contains the detailed plans. In addition to the plans there is another section of "panel layouts"- in other words all the hard work of laying out pieces to save on waste is already taken care of ! There are also many detail sheets, and a full size finger skirt template included with the plans.
Plans "book" from Michael Nell of Australia
"Spec" sheet (For Rotax 503 powered craft)
Typical Plan Sheet
Typical Layout Sheet
I studied the plans for a few weeks and decided that the "Viper" was exactly the craft that I was looking to build. I held many Email conversations with Michael about the craft and finally committed to building it. I decided to make my life as easy as possible by importing the duct, engine mount, and other parts that I thought might be difficult to either get or build. I ordered -
Skirt Hooks
Fibreglass Air Deflector Kit
Fibreglass Engine Bay Floor Supports
Decals
Skirt Link and Securing System
Steering System (Less Rudders)
Fiberglass Windscreen
Rudder Kit (Carbon fiber rudders )
Gunwale Impact Strip (Inc Carbon Fiber join caps)
Duct
Fan
Pullies
Belt
Flex hub
Engine Frame & Fasteners (galvinized)
Engine mount, (kit)
Air Cavity Duct seal
Heavy Duty Vinyl (nylon) Covered Fan Guard assy.
1 front/side finger skirt
1 rear finger skirt
I wired the money to Australia, and month or so later I received a phone call from O'hare International Airport here in Chicago.
Anyone who decides to homebuild anything- be it an airplane, hovercraft, boat, car, etc.. Needs to study Dixon's Laws..
Dixon's Law:
No matter how bad things get they can always get worse!
Utilizing Dixon's Law I blindly dove into my project by ordering parts from across the world... just like I would order parts from across the city.. I didn't really even think about it until I received the phone call from the airport bright and early on Monday morning...
Airport: "Mr. Dixon? We have an International Shipment for you here... Who is your Customs Broker?"
Me: "Ummm.... Customs Broker??!! ..... Excuse my ignorance, but what exactly is a Customs Broker and why do I need one??"
Having never imported anything I was oblivious to the dealings of US Customs, and after some explanation I was convinced that it would be in my own best interests to find a broker. First I called US Customs to see if it was possible to act as a broker bring your own package through Customs. Customs said that Yes indeed you could, but only once. They explained about the 20 million steps it would take, and I promptly found myself a competent Customs Broker. Basically what your doing (like most things!) is trading money for convenience.
Wednesday morning my Customs broker called and informed me that everything was ready and that my shipment had cleared customs. I forked over some money to her and received the necessary paperwork and directions to the warehouse that had my parts. The warehouse was open until midnight so I had plenty of time to go home first. When I got home I flew the Scat off of it's trailer and hooked it to my Jeep. I ate dinner, grabbed my 2 sons, and then headed to the airport.
Might I redirect you to Dixon's Law???
40 minutes of driving pulling an unloaded hovercraft trailer that was doing it's best NBA dribbling imitation finally had me at the warehouse. I maneuvered through all of the 18 wheeler traffic and finally found a place to park. I grabbed the paperwork and went inside. The guy behind the counter took my paperwork and walked away to a computer. 5 minutes later he came back and told me that US Customs had put a "hold" on my parts and that I could NOT pick them up... Needless to say I was not real happy. Acting as referee between the battling siblings in the back seat (aged 20 and 28..... go figure?) I'd finally had enough, ......... the rest of the ride home was fairly quite!
Go To Viper Build Page
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13
|
