2006 Hovertour 2000

2006 Hovertour 2000 Hovercraft

This 2006 Hovertour 2000 is a unique 22-foot, 9-passenger hovercraft powered by a GM 350 cubic inch 250 HP Ram Jet V-8 engine. It runs great and includes new skirts all around with extras. The interior is in excellent condition, and it comes with a triple-axle low-profile tilt trailer equipped with a winch and spare tire. Accessories include a full craft cover, operators and service manuals, David Clark headphones with communication, marine radio with antenna, and life jackets. With onboard cargo boxes for tools and extras, this hovercraft is well-equipped and ready for fun or commercial use.

Things I have done to the Hovercraft:

1. Replaced all 80 skirts around the craft with brand new ones. There are extra skirts, ties, clips, and cleats where the ties attach to the hull.

2. Replaced no less than 400 rivets with stainless steel rivets on the underside of the craft. This is where there are six aluminum runners that go from the bow to the stern that are there to protect the bottom of the fiberglass hull when unloading and loading, and any time it makes contact to the ground. The original aluminum rivets were failing due the the salt water. The runners are in great condition. They might be stainless steel?

3. Two new gauges on the dash that indicate the position of the Splitters and Shutters including new wires that run back to the rear junction box where additional wires run to the rams that operate the movement of the splitters and shutters. Also new sensor covers with wires that snap onto the four rams that electronically indicate the positioning of the splitters and shutters and send a signal back to the gauges on the dash. These gauges show if the splitters or shutters are open or closed or anywhere in between. They splitters and shutters control the amount of air flow from a hovering position when taking off or slowing down to when the craft is traveling at speed.

4. I did a total service on the engine, including plugs, oil and filter, and water separator fuel filter and more. Checked all fluids. Greased and lubricated all points on the engine, pulleys for rear thrust fans and other areas. Plus checked the drive belts for the fans. All good!

5. It comes with a Marine Radio with antenna of course.

6. Two new batteries. And a third new separate one for the winch which is located at the front of the trailer to help with loading as needed.

7. Prepped and painted trailer and greased the trailer jack.

8. Greased all six bearing buddies on the trailer excels.

9. It comes with a full set of new life jackets for all nine passengers, including a few for smaller people or children. 

10. It also comes with (9) nine David Clark headphones with throat style voice communications. Although we didn't use the voice communications option, just the headphones for ear protection. The communication system will need some cleaning and maintenance to get the voice communications working since it's not been used.

11. There are seat covers for when it's not being used, and the interior seating for nine is in excellent condition. And there's a full size cover for the craft, but it's a pain to put on and off. And it does a have rip. But I assume it could be repaired? 

12. It also comes with two small removable waterproof cargo boxes in the rear of the craft for extra skirts and other things needed. For instance, if you catch a skirt and it needs to be replaced, the extra skirts and ties etc. are there on board. I've had to stop and replace one during the ride. It usually only takes five minutes or so.The craft will still run even if a number of skirts and damaged. It's important to really watch where you're going and what's ahead. Although you do need to find a sand bar, beach or some sort of land to do the fix. Not out in the water. Although it could be done. You would have to get in the water.

I also carried tools, a first aid kit, flashlight, emergency water and more. There's also room under the seats. 

13. And a final note! I've had people ask me if it would sink if it quit out on the water?

I reply, "No, it's a boat". And it very stable. In fact you could stand all nine people on board on the platform on one side and it won't flip, or even come close. That's why emergency rescue teams use them. And when doing a rescue up North and you reach the point on a lake or river where the water is frozen, you can keep going!

Issues with the Hovercraft and trailer:

1. There's an issue with the new indicator gauges and or wiring for the positioning of the Splitters and Shutters. Not sure what's going on, but it's probably just an issue with the wiring and not getting a true reading. Possibly due to corrosion? It has to be minor since they are brand new! I did have an issue with running the new wires from the dash to the rear. Originally, the wires ran down the center of the craft under the floor where all the electrical, cables, etc. from the dash and steering to the rear run. Unfortunately I was not able to run the new wires in the original location due to lack of access. So I ran the new wires inside pvc tubing down the left side of the floor from the dash to the rear. I know it's not ideal, and I hope the new buyer might be able to rerun them correctly? 

2. There is also an issue with the movement and positioning of the splitters and shutters themselves, probably due to the electrical connections? I lubricated everything as usual, but I still had some issues?

3. The hydraulic pumps that operate the rams to the splitters and shutters seem to be fine and their fluid levels are correct. I flushed out the hydraulic fluid during maintenance and refilled with new fluid just in case.

4. There is some minor fiberglass damage at the bow around some . It doesn't affect the operation of the craft, but it needs to be repaired to bring it up to new condition. While gliding across the sand flats when the tide was down, I came across a rut formed by the water draining out. It was totally invisible until I was right on top of it. And due to traveling at approximately 25 or so miles an hour at that moment, although it will go a lot faster than that, it was impossible to stop or turn, and it hit the far leading edge. There is NO other damage or structural damage at all to the hull.

It's easily fixed.

5. The break shoes have been removed due to the conditions down here, but I have them. It's very common down here. Although the trailer has never been in the water, especially salt water, you can't help but have issues with them locking up and having issues. I have a 24' fishing boat, and I removed the shoes on it due to the same issue. Everyone does. The hydraulic line to the tongue of the trailer has been capped off due to the break shoes being removed. But it can be hooked back up.  

6. The tilt hydraulic pump on the trailer stopped working. I removed it and tried to fix it with no luck, so I took it to a place in town I figured could fix it, they couldn't. When I picked it up one part was missing. Nobody knew why or what happened? Mexico!!! 

I'm sure the part is available through the company. But the buyer might have to just replace it all. I was going to. It's not very expensive. I did come up with a temporary solution for it until I could get the new pump system. That will come with the HC.  

7. There are rollers in the bed of the trailer to assist in loading and unloading, but they have seized up due to the conditions down here. They just need to be removed and cleaned up and lubricated. 

8. So you're aware. Although I would thoroughly pressure wash it after every use, the salt water and even the salt in the air affects everything. I can take some up close pictures of examples and send them to you. There is nothing ruined that I'm aware of? And things can be brought back a lot with some cleaning.

9. And it does need (6) six new tires.

10. And last but not least, it needs a new windshield. It's got two breaks that I temporarily repaired. The material it's made from is called, "Poly carbonate". A four by eight sheet is around $100. The windshield is 24 inches wide, so you can make two and have a spare. I also have a template I made of the windshield, including the holes for attaching it to the craft. It makes it easier and will be included with the craft as well as everything that pertains to it. Located in Lukeville, AZ 85341 For more information, please call 833-265-6113 and mention ID 90646