Hurricane Hovercraft by Windcraft M&M, Inc.

What you're looking at is a Windcraft Hurricane hovercraft. The initial information I had on it was gleaned from a short post I unearthed from a now dead link online. It was built in Toledo, OH by Windcraft M&M Inc (no longer in business) in the 70's. While the company itself went out of business in 1983, the owner, Mike Clare, went on to become one of the founding members of the Hovercraft Club of America. While the post went on to say more, little was left about the craft itself.

I was finally able to purchase the Hurricane September 16th, 2005, after helping a friend move, for a cool $150. It had been sitting in someone's back yard for a number of years (it was traded for a sailboat) in southern Morrow County. I had taken photos (below) and talked to the owner previously and we setup a time to pick it up. It was loaded onto the trailer by forks attached to a backhoe with the Hurricane suspended by two chains wrapped around it. Unfortunately no photos of that event exist. A stop was made on the way home for gas where, upon leaving, we heard "What the hell is that thing?" from a group of kids.

After I got it home I set about seeing what I could see in the failing light. It had to be left on the trailer as it is too large and awkward for two people to lift, most of the weight being the engine. Quick measurements were taken so that a dolly could be made. After that it was time to look the whole thing over.

Body-wise the hovercraft is in excellent very good condition. As mentioned before it is a fiberglass. There are a couple chips here and there, but no cracks. The paint is faded and the graphics are peeling, but those are cosmetic. The controls are in working condition, though they need to be replaced or re-chromed. Interestingly enough, the throttle cable still moved just fine. Most of the non-stainless steel or aluminum parts on the craft also need replaced.

Through an access door in front of the controls we could see the engine. Power comes from a two-cylinder, two-stroke Chaparral 484cc engine with a pull start, also used in snowmobiles and 6x6 ATV's. Total horsepower for the engine is 45.5 @ 7,000 RPM, which is respectable. Propulsion is via direct connection to a ten-blade fiberglass impeller. Max weight, including gear, is only 225 pounds (which means I'll have to lose a little weight). Control is via a twist-grip on a set of handlebars, similar to those on a motorcycle, with cables leading to two fins on the back that channel the wind in the necessary direction.

As you can see, this isn't like your normal hovercraft. The fan sits in front of the driver and pulls the craft rather than at the rear and pushing. About 80% of the thrust is channeled through the hull and out the rear. The black flaps are the rudders that control the direction. Needless to say, as with anything that rides on a cushion of air, the driver needs to begin turning before absolutely necessary. The remaining 20% of the air keeps the skirt inflated. This particular hovercraft has a bag skirt which, unfortunately, will need replacing.

We did try to start the engine on the trailer. We were hoping might get luck and be able to just push it off. Not happening. From sitting so long, something was not working correctly. Suspect is the fuel and/or fuel line and filter. The tank, which is built into the body, will be drained and the lines and filter will be replaced. If that's not the cause then I fear the carburetor will need to be cleaned, rebuilt, or replaced. We did spray some starting fluid into both cylinders, though, and it did run for about three seconds. At least it's something.

Parts are, of course, going to be difficult to find. I'm told that just about anything for the Chaparral engine, save the pistons and rings, should be fairly available. Taking a look locally at both a motorcycle shop and a boat store yielded no luck. Perhaps a local NAPA? The shining bit of light is the carburetor of all things. It's a Mikuni Kogyo. While that might not sound like much, Mikuni is still in business and still producing carbs, except this time for Harley's and the like. Go figure.

As it is, work will continue. I hope to resurrect this into it's former glory. The skirt will need to be replaced since it has holes at corner junctions. New graphics will be made in the same style and will be reapplied after the craft is repainted. The controls will be taken care of and, if necessary, the engine replaced. All original parts are going to be kept and I do not plan to alter the body. As work progresses, though, updates will be made to this page and more information can be gleaned from this incredible machine.

Next