How much propulsion would i need to move my 300 pound hovercraft?

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SUMMARY

To effectively move a 300-pound hovercraft, approximately 1KW of propulsion is recommended, particularly for maintaining lift and thrust. Racing hovercraft typically utilize engines ranging from 40 to 60 BHP, with about 30 to 40 BHP allocated for thrust to achieve reasonable speeds. The design considerations must account for environmental factors such as frontal area and wind conditions, as real-world scenarios often differ from ideal conditions. Practical experience in boating emphasizes the importance of adapting designs for various water conditions.

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  • Understanding of hovercraft propulsion systems
  • Familiarity with engine power ratings (BHP)
  • Knowledge of aerodynamic principles affecting lift and thrust
  • Experience with environmental factors impacting hovercraft performance
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  • Research hovercraft design principles for varying water conditions
  • Explore the specifications and performance of 1KW fans for hovercraft
  • Study the impact of wind resistance on hovercraft efficiency
  • Learn about the physics of lift and thrust in hovercraft operation
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Engineers, hovercraft designers, and enthusiasts interested in optimizing hovercraft performance and understanding the dynamics of propulsion in varying environmental conditions.

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How much propulsion would i need to move my 300 pound hovercraft?
 
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This is rather a "how long is a piece of string" question but as it takes very little force to move a hovercraft once it is air born I would go for about a 1KW fan.
 
Bryce said:
How much propulsion would i need to move my 300 pound hovercraft?
How fast does one want to travel, or accelerate.

Is one asking about the hovering, or the lateral travel?
 
Google found this page which has details of several 150kg/330lbs racing hovercraft...

http://hovercraft.herts.ac.uk/craft.html

Seems they use a 40-60 BHP engine with 25% used for lift and 75% used for thrust. So looks like about 30-40bhp for thrust would make it reasonably quick.
 
syhprum said:
This is rather a "how long is a piece of string" question but as it takes very little force to move a hovercraft once it is air born I would go for about a 1KW fan.

Unless it has a large frontal area, and you are traveling into a headwind.

I've spent 20+ years boating up and down my river. Reality trumps textbook all the time.

It's easy to design a hovercraft to travel across a glass smooth lake, with no wind. It's totally another thing to design one to traverse 6 foot swells, with a 30 mph headwind.

2584a12584dcea216e766c4bbcb514eb.png


Bryce, solve for Fd.
 

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