United Kingdom

Hov Pod

The Hov Pod Hovercraft will be making an appearance at the Monaco Boat Show aboard the 50m superyacht Exuma. The Hov Pod 3-seater Hovercraft is manufactured from unique HDPE hull, and is configured with Weber Automotive 120HP Turbo engine. The Hov Pod provides access 24/7 over any flat surface, to allow access to shore over tidal mud, sand, and in shallow waters without fear of damaging propellers on submerged rocks, coral or marine life. Top speed, around 40 miles per hour.<img alt="" src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/125304/image/large-d0cf643a06ef9c241537291a3c10c0b0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125304" class="legacy"> <img alt="" src="https://photo-assets.superyachttimes.com/photo/125305/image/large-28c121fdd199614faaf00d1a40485af7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125305" class="legacy"><a data-gid="gid://syiq/Yacht/1939" data-legacy="true" href="#managed-by-application">Exuma</a> was conceived and created with a strong aptitude for exploration in mind, and has the capability of stowing large amounts of equipment on board to allow exploring the most beautiful and remote areas of the world. These include an amphibious 16.4 ft vehicle, completely customised with Iveco Campagnola mechanical components and frame, a Hov Pod 12 ft hovercraft housed inside the two fore lateral garages with gull-wing door openings, two tenders, respectively measuring 21 ft and 14 ft, two electric land scooters, two Seabobs and a Sea-Doo RXT 250 jet ski. The SuperYacht is also equipped with diving areas and equipment.

Hov Pod Hovercraft at the Monaco Yacht Show

Hov Pod announces a new model to their range of personal leisure hovercraft, the Hov Pod SPX 120 Turbo, which utilises a 120 HP 4 stroke Weber engine. This engine delivers a quieter yet improved performance and greater operating range per tank of fuel. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125303/image/large-f6a26e9c28726b227951124de46a7844.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125303">Hov Pods allow access to beach or SuperYacht 24/7 – they traverse above small rocks and submerged coral and other obstacles in their path, and skim over tidal streams, mud, sandbars etc. When the water runs out, just drive up the beach or slipway in style, these craft are true all-terrain vehicles. The Hov Pod’s unique hull design utilises High Density Polyethylene – this material has been used in the past in the construction of F1 crash barriers and artificial joints. HDPE is very light, very strong and impact resistant, and extremely buoyant so makes an ideal material for hovercraft construction. The Hov Pod design resulted by accident – company founder Peter Ward suffered a nasty paraglide landing, so not wanting to give up flying but consequently scarred of heights, he looked for alternative ways to fly, a little closer to the ground. Hov Pods fly 8 inches above the ground, indeed any flat surface at speeds of up to 50 miles per hour. People get a real buzz driving at that speed particularly on land to water transitions – you expect a bump but feel so comfortable. Upon returning to land, you hear your passengers gasp as they expect you to slow up at the water’s edge – but Hov Pods just keep on flying. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125304/image/large-d0cf643a06ef9c241537291a3c10c0b0.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125304"> <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125305/image/large-28c121fdd199614faaf00d1a40485af7.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125305">As you have no wheels or brakes for that matter, floating on a cushion of air enables a completely different yet extremely comfortable ride. For example, a quick flick of the steering handles, and you can effect a 180 turn, or 360/720 spin – almost as if you were driving some anti-gravitational futuristic craft, back from the future. These versatile craft handle water, sand, mud, ice, snow, any flat surface; driver and passengers get literally blown away. Hov Pods are designed for marine leisure, so there are many safety features included as standard. The sheer versatility of the craft make them ideal for all manner of applications, such as tenders, rescue craft, allowing exploration to places other craft and people cannot reach, such as winter ice-bound island homes, shallow rivers, or deserted islands surrounded by coral-reefs. With no propeller to disturb marine life, they are also eco-friendly – you can fly over eggs without breaking any, and when hovering, they weigh less than a seagull standing on one leg. <img alt="" src="https://syt-store-production.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/photo/125306/image/large-6950403e8786ba6875f34b30eeee9ea9.jpg" data-gid="gid://syiq/Photo/125306">Hov Pods seat three adults, weigh 310 Kilos, measure 12 feet by 6, and can be fitted with lifting points to store on deck.