Ask an Expert: HOVERCRAFT PROPULSION SYSTEM

[ericw740]

I NEED HELP FINDING SOMETHING TO MOVE MY HOVERCRAFT I HAVE A HOVERCRAFT BUT IT DOES NOT MOVE AROUND! IF ANYONE HAS ANY IDEAS PLEASE POST!!!!!!!!!!!

[raytrent]

Depends on how fancy you want to get, but the typical answer is some variety of fan. I've heard that leaf-blowers are a reasonably affordable option, but really your problem is one of overall power, and any fan big enough to move a reasonable hovercraft is going to be somewhat expensive.

Of course, if you're just playing around with it, you could always use a pole and treat it like a gondola .

[megaman]

the problem with leaf blowers is that you would need at least 2 to propel a hovercraft. also what type of surface are you going to be using this on

[zzzzdoc]

Mythbusters built a few, I believe with old vacuum cleaner motors and leaf blowers. Worked fine on smooth concrete in the shop, not as well on sand.

Try a vacuum cleaner repair shop. Might get a few motors very cheaply.

[ericw740]

i already have a leaf blower but that just makes it hover i need something that will make it move around

[zzzzdoc]

i already have a leaf blower but that just makes it hover i need something that will make it move around

Point a second one horizontally.

A repeat of that Mythbusters was just on. It will probably be repeated sometime this week. I saw three leaf blowers on one of their designs.

[ericw740]

thanks!