User:Eurographic/Hov Pod Hovercraft

New article name is Hov Pod Hovercraft

Hov Pod Hovercraft were first launched at the Southampton International Boat Show in September 2002. The original model was product named the Hov Pod ACX 52 and Hov Pod ACX 65HP. The Hov Pod was initially configured with Hirth Aviation engines manufactured in Germany. From 2005, engines were supplied by Rotax. The Hov Pod 52HP was configured with the Rotax 503 air-cooled engine, the Hov Pod 65HP configured with the Rotax 582 water cooled engine.

Although some hovercraft are designed with two engines, with one engine to create lift, and another engine to generate thrust, the Hov Pod was designed for one engine - 25% of the air was channeled to provide lift, 75% of the air was split to provide thrust. Hovercraft are weight dependent vehicles, so designers have to keep weight down to a minimum, so microlight engines are usually chosen to keep weight to a minimum.

In 2005, design focused on an alternative hull design, launched in 2008 as the Hov Pod SPX model. This hull design used HDPE.

In 2009, Rotax discontinued the Rotax 503 52HP engine, and a 4-stroke replacement engine was sought as a replacement. The Hov Pod SPX 120HP configured with Weber Automotive turbo powered engine was launched in 2009.

Hov Pod Hovercraft are manufactured in Southampton, UK by Reaction International Ltd