Data for the UH-13T hovercraft that Stone Marmot's Sid built

Sid's Hovercraft (Data)

Aug. 22, 2008

Type:	UH13-T, built from plans published by Universal Hovercraft of Cordova, IL, USA. About 30 % modified from plans.
Capacity:	3 people
Payload:	600 lb. (273 kg)
Empty weight:	600 lb. (273 kg)
Flotation:	1500 lb. (680 kg)
Length:	14 ft. 5 in. (4.394 m)
Width:	6 ft. 8 in. (2.032 m)
Height:	5 ft. 8 in. (1.727 m)
Hover height:	8 in. (20 cm)
Cushion pressure:	About 12 lb./square ft. with an 1100 lb. (500 kg) gross weight.
Maximum speed:	About 60 mph (96 km/h)
Climb gradient:	About 8 degrees
Lift system:	10 hp Tecumseh vertical shaft lawn mower engine, electric start, weight 53 lb. (24 kg). Engine drives a 26 in. (66 cm), 6 bladed, 16 degree pitch aluminum lift fan designed and built by Sevtec specifically for hovercraft. 3 pint (1.42 litre) fuel tank.
Thrust system:	35 hp Cuyuna ULII-02 two cycle, 2 cylinder ultralight aircraft engine, electric start, weight 79 lb. (36 kg). Engine drives a 52 in. (1.32 m), 3 bladed, 11.5 degree pitch (33 in. (84 cm) pitch) Warp Drive composite construction ultralight aircraft propeller through a 2.48:1 reduction ratio Cuyuna gear drive. Maximum thrust about 210 lb. (934 N). 6 gallon (22.7 litre) fuel tank.
Fuel consumption:	About 2.5 gallons/hr. (9.5 litre/h) at 35 mph (56 km/h).
Hull construction:	Frame made of 1x1, 1x2, and 1x4 fir wood, with a skin made of 1/8 in. thick marine plywood. Whole craft glued together with epoxy. Entire craft waterproofed with at least two coats of the same epoxy. Painted with polyurethane paint. Engine mounts and propeller guards made of aluminum. All metal hardware aluminum or stainless steel whenever possible. Most of canopy, engine cowlings, front seat, and rudders made of epoxy-fiberglass or epoxy-aramid laminates over a foam core.
Construction time:	6 months (about 450 hr.)
Construction cost:	About $4000 US.

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