People are of different opinion where pocket rocket mini bikes are concerned. A pocket rocket mini bike is considered safe by some and a death machine by others. Some are even of the opinion that these mini rockets should be banned. But still these motorbikes are being sold like hot cakes and the supply is always limited.
What are these mini pocket rocket bikes about?
These mini bikes are really small as the name suggests. They are a miniature of a regular street bike. If you are driving even a small sports car and someone is riding a mini pocket rocket behind you, you won’t be able to see him or the motorbike. So you can imagine its small size. But those who have ridden them say that they are really exciting to ride and look sleek as well.
These bikes come in either gas or electric. The electric version has rechargeable batteries. They are designed with powerful wheels for all the thrills and turns for you to experience when you’re riding.
How safe are these bikes?
Experts are of the opinion that these pocket rockets are not fit for highways or high traffic zones. The rider can have the misfortune of being ridden over by a truck or van – it’s that small. Parents are always advised not to buy these pocket bikes for their kids. It may look like a child’s play toy but it’s not.
These pocket rockets are designed for racetracks but the places where these pocket bikes are being sold – most of them don’t have a racetrack. So the buyers have no other choice than to take their precious bikes on the road thus risking their lives.
Safety measures for pocket rocket bike riders
Steer these bikes away from your kids. Make sure the person is an expert rider with proper riding gear like helmet and pads. If your kid is riding it make sure he stays on your backyard or within your driveway. Keep an eye on them when they are riding. Parental supervision is highly advised.
Ivan Goertzen is a freelance writer who writes articles for his webpages. He designs webpages such as, http://www.1st-pocket-bikes.com/. He has been in the IT industry for years and also works as a freelance web designer.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ivan_Goertzen
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Go Kart Frames - Choosing the Right One for You
Karting enthusiasts emblazon the image of the perfect chassis in their minds: lightweight, yet powerfully durable material capable of launching a kart forward without the slightest wear or tear. Rare material that comes with the likes of professionally built popular race-cars like the illustrious McLaren. What about karts that could rip through side turns at speeding bullet speeds without raising a wheel a centimeter above the ground, gliding swiftly like a falco such as the futuristic cars in I, Robot? And along with perfect frames comes perfect tires, tires “grooven” to perfection providing the finest traction and downright freakish controls when running the curve.
Let’s discuss the intricacies and place a perspective on frames for your go-kart. The chassis as it is called in professional and enthusiast circles, is by far the most important piece of this machine. The construction is paramount in maintaining a solid go-kart. What constitutes a frame? Think of a frame simply as parts holding a component together. In the case of these speedsters, the frame is welded together by torsion bars. Stiff frames are a result of shorter bars crossed together, and more flexible frames are associated with longer bars.
Stiff frames that do not provide flexibility were the backbone of earlier go-karts and broke down easily. First off, simpler go-karts do not have the specifications needed (most important, suspension and tire traction) to ease the punishment frames go through while turning, accelerating, and stopping. Running on 2 or 4 cycle engines does not help compensate the health of a frame. A lack of traction on your tires will cause uneven weight transfer and stability on your frame, ripping one or both sides loose at the same time. In essence, the frame is responsible for determining how well your vehicle moves zipping on asphalt, concrete, or dirt – dictating your performance on wide turns and shorter turns.
A sturdy, well-built frame is the key to manoeuvring well on the track, especially when turning. Wait, isn’t a frame supposed to be resistant to the rigors and demands of punishing your go-kart as it explodes forward? Of course – but the most important criteria for an excellent frame is to negotiate turns well. Frames are directly responsible for how well go-karts turn left and right. Weaker go-karts with cheap components are known to slide and drift along turns – in some instances, flipping to its side entirely with careless driving. “Side bite” is referred to keeping a go-kart planted to the track without sliding. Without the proper frame, go-karts will manoeuvre out of control, even shutting off in some cases due to over pressure to the engine.
The design of the go-kart chassis has everything to do with how well it moves on turns and maintaining side bite. If the width of the rear rails (go-kart frames constitute front rails and rear rails) is narrow, with measurements ranging from 24¨ to 25¨ - from “kingpin” to “kingpin”, the ends of the rail – it will have less side bite. Wider rails barely ever exceed 30¨ on standard go-karts. The dynamics of the front and rear rails can be effectively pictured using this example: suppose you had two bottles – a two-gallon jug and a 16 oz. Water bottle. Giving it a swift, hard poke to its side – which container has the best chance of tipping to its side? If you guessed the water bottle, you guessed right! Wider rails provide stability and “foundation” while turning, reducing the side bite overall.
Choosing the right frame for your go-kart can largely depend on the surface you are riding on. Whether it is asphalt, concrete, or dirt – different types of frames behave differently according to surface. For example, dirt track frames should consist of a short front rail and a longer back rail. Dirt tracks place a lot of stress and challenge on the front rail and stiff back rails zipping through dirt can cut power to the engine while cutting a turn. The best frame for riding dirt tracks are ones with narrow fronts and longer backs, vice versa to asphalt and concrete.
The A-1 performance of a frame largely depends on tire traction as well. Low traction tires (tires that do not “stick” well to the ground) are not grooved enough to withstand the rigors of the surface, rattling the stiff frame to oblivion. It also causes uneven weight transfer throughout the go-kart, and that is a no-no for maintaining optimum control of your money maker.
Consider this scenario: you have two pairs of roller skates. One has wheels half-an-inch in width and the other has 3-inch-wide wheels. Which pair would provide better balance as you roller skate? If you love mathematics, treat traction as a formula with the equation: traction = stability. Go ahead, transform yourself into a karting aficionado with this valuable piece of knowledge!
A major issue among karting enthusiasts is the durability and longevity of flexible frames. Exposure to punishing breaks and turns, along with the gruelling hits to track walls every now and then, can distort the frame which cannot be “popped” back to its original condition. Experts recommend replacing frames every year. There are many maintenance techniques you could practice on your kart to keep flexibility intact like running your kart through a course backwards. Racing a kart using the finish line as your starting point and your starting point as the finish line will have a “reverse effect” on the frame, shaping it opposite of what it would be shaped if you were racing the course normally. It’s like turning back the hands of time on your speedster!
The question over choosing the right go-kart chassis boils down to flexibility. High traction tires and a stiff frame is a recipe for disaster, causing your machine to turn stiffly and generate strenuous effort on the curves. Low traction tires will cause uneven weight transfer and break apart your frame like bread crumbs. Options for frames mainly depend on what type of go-kart you’re riding, as each go-kart and their engine work best under certain scenarios. Stiff frames are a staple of 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines and flexible frames are found with higher horsepower engines. Remember, the more rigorous the circuit, the more flexible a chassis should be!
Michael Walker is a freelance author providing information about a variety of go-kart topics including go kart kits, go kart frames and go kart parts. His articles prove to be both a useful and entertaining resource of valuable information for the karting enthusiast.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Walker
Let’s discuss the intricacies and place a perspective on frames for your go-kart. The chassis as it is called in professional and enthusiast circles, is by far the most important piece of this machine. The construction is paramount in maintaining a solid go-kart. What constitutes a frame? Think of a frame simply as parts holding a component together. In the case of these speedsters, the frame is welded together by torsion bars. Stiff frames are a result of shorter bars crossed together, and more flexible frames are associated with longer bars.
Stiff frames that do not provide flexibility were the backbone of earlier go-karts and broke down easily. First off, simpler go-karts do not have the specifications needed (most important, suspension and tire traction) to ease the punishment frames go through while turning, accelerating, and stopping. Running on 2 or 4 cycle engines does not help compensate the health of a frame. A lack of traction on your tires will cause uneven weight transfer and stability on your frame, ripping one or both sides loose at the same time. In essence, the frame is responsible for determining how well your vehicle moves zipping on asphalt, concrete, or dirt – dictating your performance on wide turns and shorter turns.
A sturdy, well-built frame is the key to manoeuvring well on the track, especially when turning. Wait, isn’t a frame supposed to be resistant to the rigors and demands of punishing your go-kart as it explodes forward? Of course – but the most important criteria for an excellent frame is to negotiate turns well. Frames are directly responsible for how well go-karts turn left and right. Weaker go-karts with cheap components are known to slide and drift along turns – in some instances, flipping to its side entirely with careless driving. “Side bite” is referred to keeping a go-kart planted to the track without sliding. Without the proper frame, go-karts will manoeuvre out of control, even shutting off in some cases due to over pressure to the engine.
The design of the go-kart chassis has everything to do with how well it moves on turns and maintaining side bite. If the width of the rear rails (go-kart frames constitute front rails and rear rails) is narrow, with measurements ranging from 24¨ to 25¨ - from “kingpin” to “kingpin”, the ends of the rail – it will have less side bite. Wider rails barely ever exceed 30¨ on standard go-karts. The dynamics of the front and rear rails can be effectively pictured using this example: suppose you had two bottles – a two-gallon jug and a 16 oz. Water bottle. Giving it a swift, hard poke to its side – which container has the best chance of tipping to its side? If you guessed the water bottle, you guessed right! Wider rails provide stability and “foundation” while turning, reducing the side bite overall.
Choosing the right frame for your go-kart can largely depend on the surface you are riding on. Whether it is asphalt, concrete, or dirt – different types of frames behave differently according to surface. For example, dirt track frames should consist of a short front rail and a longer back rail. Dirt tracks place a lot of stress and challenge on the front rail and stiff back rails zipping through dirt can cut power to the engine while cutting a turn. The best frame for riding dirt tracks are ones with narrow fronts and longer backs, vice versa to asphalt and concrete.
The A-1 performance of a frame largely depends on tire traction as well. Low traction tires (tires that do not “stick” well to the ground) are not grooved enough to withstand the rigors of the surface, rattling the stiff frame to oblivion. It also causes uneven weight transfer throughout the go-kart, and that is a no-no for maintaining optimum control of your money maker.
Consider this scenario: you have two pairs of roller skates. One has wheels half-an-inch in width and the other has 3-inch-wide wheels. Which pair would provide better balance as you roller skate? If you love mathematics, treat traction as a formula with the equation: traction = stability. Go ahead, transform yourself into a karting aficionado with this valuable piece of knowledge!
A major issue among karting enthusiasts is the durability and longevity of flexible frames. Exposure to punishing breaks and turns, along with the gruelling hits to track walls every now and then, can distort the frame which cannot be “popped” back to its original condition. Experts recommend replacing frames every year. There are many maintenance techniques you could practice on your kart to keep flexibility intact like running your kart through a course backwards. Racing a kart using the finish line as your starting point and your starting point as the finish line will have a “reverse effect” on the frame, shaping it opposite of what it would be shaped if you were racing the course normally. It’s like turning back the hands of time on your speedster!
The question over choosing the right go-kart chassis boils down to flexibility. High traction tires and a stiff frame is a recipe for disaster, causing your machine to turn stiffly and generate strenuous effort on the curves. Low traction tires will cause uneven weight transfer and break apart your frame like bread crumbs. Options for frames mainly depend on what type of go-kart you’re riding, as each go-kart and their engine work best under certain scenarios. Stiff frames are a staple of 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines and flexible frames are found with higher horsepower engines. Remember, the more rigorous the circuit, the more flexible a chassis should be!
Michael Walker is a freelance author providing information about a variety of go-kart topics including go kart kits, go kart frames and go kart parts. His articles prove to be both a useful and entertaining resource of valuable information for the karting enthusiast.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Walker
Big Air Jumps Making Big RC Buggy Problems?
Who can deny that one of the big thrills of driving your off-road RC buggy or truck is going wide open throttle off an incline and hurtling thru the air like a missile? It's awesome!
Of course, everything that goes up, must come down, and your RC buggy is no excemption. And the 2nd best thrill is arguably the 4 point landing (landing on all four tires). However, if your ride is not setup right, it may bounce like a jello mold or bottom out like a tank. Both of those are bad.
If racing is your thang, bad landings add time to your laps, and if you are just bashing your RC buggy, well... we can't be losing style points now, can we? Whether your landings are resembling Dom DeLuis' double chin or have all the precision of a block of granite, changing your shock fluids could be the cure.
Changing the fluids to a thicker variety will help solve your RC buggy bouncing problem. Your ride should dampen, and keep it composed on the landings. You will also reduce chassis roll.
If your bottoming out and adding nasty scrapes to your RC buggy chassis under-side, use a thinner shock fluid to let your ride have a little more "give".
Every track is different, so a good thing to do is ask local racers what they use. Especially other racers who drive your same model of RC buggy.I guarantee you will get many different answers, and most likely they will use different shock oils on the front and the rear, like I do. That can compensate for where the wieght is distributed on your buggy or truck, or even driving style. Experiment with this. And thankfully, shock oil isn't that expensive. So have fun with it.
J.P. Turner, is the author of "The RC Insider's Unfair Advantage Radio Controlled Car Secrets Guide", at http://www.rccarsecretsguide.com and also runs an RC blog, RC Smackdown, at http://www.rcsmackdown.com
This article may be reproduced in its entirety only if unaltered and the resource box is included.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_Turner
Of course, everything that goes up, must come down, and your RC buggy is no excemption. And the 2nd best thrill is arguably the 4 point landing (landing on all four tires). However, if your ride is not setup right, it may bounce like a jello mold or bottom out like a tank. Both of those are bad.
If racing is your thang, bad landings add time to your laps, and if you are just bashing your RC buggy, well... we can't be losing style points now, can we? Whether your landings are resembling Dom DeLuis' double chin or have all the precision of a block of granite, changing your shock fluids could be the cure.
Changing the fluids to a thicker variety will help solve your RC buggy bouncing problem. Your ride should dampen, and keep it composed on the landings. You will also reduce chassis roll.
If your bottoming out and adding nasty scrapes to your RC buggy chassis under-side, use a thinner shock fluid to let your ride have a little more "give".
Every track is different, so a good thing to do is ask local racers what they use. Especially other racers who drive your same model of RC buggy.I guarantee you will get many different answers, and most likely they will use different shock oils on the front and the rear, like I do. That can compensate for where the wieght is distributed on your buggy or truck, or even driving style. Experiment with this. And thankfully, shock oil isn't that expensive. So have fun with it.
J.P. Turner, is the author of "The RC Insider's Unfair Advantage Radio Controlled Car Secrets Guide", at http://www.rccarsecretsguide.com and also runs an RC blog, RC Smackdown, at http://www.rcsmackdown.com
This article may be reproduced in its entirety only if unaltered and the resource box is included.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_Turner
Tuesday, November 28, 2006
Honda ATV (ATVs) By Marsha Maung
When it comes to buying ATV, there’s nothing more important than knowing that the machine is not only nice on the eyes, but it’s also professionally designed and is absolutely safe! This is when brand and history of the company that develops the ATV comes into the picture. The name Honda is legendary and when you look at a Honda ATV, you know you’re looking at quality and reliability. Honda first developed and sold its first ATV back in the 70’s and it has come a long way since then. Today, Honda is one of the leading ATV providers in the world. There are many reasons for that but one of them is this - Honda ATVs are not only creatively designed but it’s also of exceptional quality. In its earlier days, Honda ATVs are better known for their functionality as a reliable workhorse. But today, things have taken a turn because many people enjoy riding ATVs for fun. Hence, Honda recognizes this change and have been producing top of the line Honda ATVs to meet market needs.
With their experience in manufacturing various types of vehicles whether for transportation means or for recreation, Honda ATVs are always developed with their customers in mind. On top of that, Honda produces a wide range of designs and models to suit different market like the Sports series for people who like to ride ATV for fun, the Utility series for work purposes and finally, the Leisure series. As the demand for ATV increases, the number of models for Honda ATV also increases….including Honda ATVs for kids. Honda ATVs are developed for fun and safety…and that’s important to ATV enthusiasts! That’s why Honda has emerged as one of the leading providers of ATVs the world over.
Honda ATVs are packed with powerful features that improve handling and increase the level of fun one will have. This is especially important for kids. Honda ATVs are usually packed with many safety features which make Honda ATVs very kid-friendly.
And one of the best things about buying a Honda ATV and not other brands is this…not only does Honda produce a wide range of Honda ATV models but they also release an amazingly extensive line of tools and accessories to make your riding experience a more exciting but safe one. On top of that, it’s easy to find replacements and spare parts for Honda ATVs too…compared to other less-known models. Honda ATV accessories and spare parts (even used Honda ATVs) can be found in your nearly ATV outlet or on the Internet! This is the advantage of choosing a Honda ATV…availability. The reason why Honda ATVs are so easy to find is that Honda’s American Honda’s Motorcycle Division distributes ATVs, motorcycles, scooters and watercraft in the US and they have a large number of associates to help them handle distribution.
So, is it any wonder why one of the world’s first ATV producers is leading the pack by a mile today as an ATV manufacturer?
Marsha Maung is an ATV enthusiast enthusiastically promoting ATV riding as a sport and family activity! She runs and is one of the staff for one of the hottest and fastest-growing ATV sites right now...http://www.atv4kids.com. Upload and share pictures, articles, views, advice, reviews, ideas, tips and tricks to ATV riding with other ATV enthusiasts through ATVspace, http://www.atv4kids.com/atvspace.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marsha_Maung
With their experience in manufacturing various types of vehicles whether for transportation means or for recreation, Honda ATVs are always developed with their customers in mind. On top of that, Honda produces a wide range of designs and models to suit different market like the Sports series for people who like to ride ATV for fun, the Utility series for work purposes and finally, the Leisure series. As the demand for ATV increases, the number of models for Honda ATV also increases….including Honda ATVs for kids. Honda ATVs are developed for fun and safety…and that’s important to ATV enthusiasts! That’s why Honda has emerged as one of the leading providers of ATVs the world over.
Honda ATVs are packed with powerful features that improve handling and increase the level of fun one will have. This is especially important for kids. Honda ATVs are usually packed with many safety features which make Honda ATVs very kid-friendly.
And one of the best things about buying a Honda ATV and not other brands is this…not only does Honda produce a wide range of Honda ATV models but they also release an amazingly extensive line of tools and accessories to make your riding experience a more exciting but safe one. On top of that, it’s easy to find replacements and spare parts for Honda ATVs too…compared to other less-known models. Honda ATV accessories and spare parts (even used Honda ATVs) can be found in your nearly ATV outlet or on the Internet! This is the advantage of choosing a Honda ATV…availability. The reason why Honda ATVs are so easy to find is that Honda’s American Honda’s Motorcycle Division distributes ATVs, motorcycles, scooters and watercraft in the US and they have a large number of associates to help them handle distribution.
So, is it any wonder why one of the world’s first ATV producers is leading the pack by a mile today as an ATV manufacturer?
Marsha Maung is an ATV enthusiast enthusiastically promoting ATV riding as a sport and family activity! She runs and is one of the staff for one of the hottest and fastest-growing ATV sites right now...http://www.atv4kids.com. Upload and share pictures, articles, views, advice, reviews, ideas, tips and tricks to ATV riding with other ATV enthusiasts through ATVspace, http://www.atv4kids.com/atvspace.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marsha_Maung
Enhance Your ATV Riding Skill This Winter By Marsha
Although many ATV fans wouldn’t mind forging through the winter chills just to ride their ATVs outside, there are some others who would rather curl up beside a fireplace, warm cocoa in hand while dreaming of riding their ATVs outside…in the summer. First of all, we encourage those who are not too keen on riding ATV in winter to try it out for a little while and quit it only if you are sure winter ATV riding is not the thing for you. well, instead of sitting there hoping, wishing and dreaming about ATV riding, here’s something else you can do to keep your enthusiasm for ATV riding alive…Off Road Fury 4, that is.
It’s not the real thing but hey, it’s really close! Listen, if you’re going to be sitting there dreaming about ATV riding this winter, might as well practice your ATV riding with this game. Off Road Fury 4 is a PlayStation Game that is developed by Climax Racing and it is a big hit with many ATV fans. In fact, it’s so realistic and fun that some people actually turned into ATV fans and ATV riders after being introduced to the game!
Critics have officially given it their thumbs up…especially to the new improvements that Climax has made to the ATV game recently. So, while your REAL ATV is parked in the garage for the winter, Offroad Fury offers players more than 30 different types of ATVs and offroad vehicles. The ATVs there are designed in a very realistic manner and so are the 64 tracks. In fact, once you try it out, you’ll agree that this ATV game offers ATV fans tracks and trails that is not quite possible to fine in real life! So, don’t just sit there moaning about how cold it is and how you wish you could dust your ATV off and head on outside, instead, start practicing and enhancing your ATV riding skill with Offroad Fury Pro instead. And who knows…by the time winter is over, you’ll be even better than you were before.
RacewayATV is a leading online ATV, ATV parts, ATV accessories provider today. Please visit http://www.racewayatv.com for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marsha_Maung
It’s not the real thing but hey, it’s really close! Listen, if you’re going to be sitting there dreaming about ATV riding this winter, might as well practice your ATV riding with this game. Off Road Fury 4 is a PlayStation Game that is developed by Climax Racing and it is a big hit with many ATV fans. In fact, it’s so realistic and fun that some people actually turned into ATV fans and ATV riders after being introduced to the game!
Critics have officially given it their thumbs up…especially to the new improvements that Climax has made to the ATV game recently. So, while your REAL ATV is parked in the garage for the winter, Offroad Fury offers players more than 30 different types of ATVs and offroad vehicles. The ATVs there are designed in a very realistic manner and so are the 64 tracks. In fact, once you try it out, you’ll agree that this ATV game offers ATV fans tracks and trails that is not quite possible to fine in real life! So, don’t just sit there moaning about how cold it is and how you wish you could dust your ATV off and head on outside, instead, start practicing and enhancing your ATV riding skill with Offroad Fury Pro instead. And who knows…by the time winter is over, you’ll be even better than you were before.
RacewayATV is a leading online ATV, ATV parts, ATV accessories provider today. Please visit http://www.racewayatv.com for more information.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Marsha_Maung
Yamaha Jet Ski WaveRunner By: Low Jeremy
Yamaha’s venture to the marine water craft began as early as the 60’s but the company’s production of the personal water crafts came in later, in 1986. There are several reasons why Yamaha decided to produce PVC. One of them was the increasing interest of the public with Kawasaki’s Jet Ski and Bombardier’s Sea-Doo. (The names Jet Ski and Sea-Doo have become the generic terms for stand-up and sit-down personal water craft respectively.) The sales of the two brands kept on rising that prompted the entry of the WaveRunner into the marine recreation picture.
The very first Yamaha PVC at the same time the very first sit-down PVC was the WaveRunner 500 or the Marine Jet 500T. Although the Sea-Doo first released the sit-downs, the WaveRunner set today’s sit-down market.
A year later, the WaveRunner was shortly replaced with the name WaveJammer 500 or the Marine Jet 500S. This model was considered as the world’s first solo riding sit-down PWC. Same with the WaveRunner 500, the WavaJammer was very agile with its combination of small hull and fixed steering column.
The sit-down model was still very popular during the 90’s and resulted to the introduction of the WaveRunner III 650 or the Marine Jet 650TL. This model was given the recognition as the world’s first PVC that was designed for 3 passengers. It featured high-performance engine, great stability, speed, and a larger hull. This model became the parent of the later Yamaha WaveRunner models as the demands for larger PVC’s increased over the years.
Before the introduction of another WaveRunner (except for the WaverRunner VX650 in 1992) came several other Yamaha PVC’s. These include Super Jet 650 stand-up (jet ski), WaveBlaster 700 that rode like a motorcycle, WaveRaider 700, WaveVenture 700 with a 3-seater capacity, and the WaveBlaster II with a very powerful 760cc engine.
In 1997 came the WaveRunner GP 1200 with one of the most powerful engines in the market. From hereon, the power, size, style, and features become the priority of Yamaha. More models with these characteristics came out. The WaveRunner XL 1200 came a year after. In 1999 two models, the WaveRunner SUV 1200 and WaveRunner XL 1200 Ltd was released.
In 2000, the Yamaha PVC, the WaveRunner GP 1200R, has 155 hp engine with amazing body design. It was followed by the WaveRunner XLT 1200, WaveRunner FX140, WaveRunner GP 1300R with 1200cc engine, WaveRunner FX Cruiser High Output higher performance 4-stroke engines, WaveRunner VX Deluxe, WaveRunner FX Cruiser High Output, and WaveRunner VX 700. All these models are performance driven, stylish and most of all, very affordable.
This content is provided by Low Jeremy and may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more info on Jet Ski, please visit http://jetski.articlekeep.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Low_Jeremy
The very first Yamaha PVC at the same time the very first sit-down PVC was the WaveRunner 500 or the Marine Jet 500T. Although the Sea-Doo first released the sit-downs, the WaveRunner set today’s sit-down market.
A year later, the WaveRunner was shortly replaced with the name WaveJammer 500 or the Marine Jet 500S. This model was considered as the world’s first solo riding sit-down PWC. Same with the WaveRunner 500, the WavaJammer was very agile with its combination of small hull and fixed steering column.
The sit-down model was still very popular during the 90’s and resulted to the introduction of the WaveRunner III 650 or the Marine Jet 650TL. This model was given the recognition as the world’s first PVC that was designed for 3 passengers. It featured high-performance engine, great stability, speed, and a larger hull. This model became the parent of the later Yamaha WaveRunner models as the demands for larger PVC’s increased over the years.
Before the introduction of another WaveRunner (except for the WaverRunner VX650 in 1992) came several other Yamaha PVC’s. These include Super Jet 650 stand-up (jet ski), WaveBlaster 700 that rode like a motorcycle, WaveRaider 700, WaveVenture 700 with a 3-seater capacity, and the WaveBlaster II with a very powerful 760cc engine.
In 1997 came the WaveRunner GP 1200 with one of the most powerful engines in the market. From hereon, the power, size, style, and features become the priority of Yamaha. More models with these characteristics came out. The WaveRunner XL 1200 came a year after. In 1999 two models, the WaveRunner SUV 1200 and WaveRunner XL 1200 Ltd was released.
In 2000, the Yamaha PVC, the WaveRunner GP 1200R, has 155 hp engine with amazing body design. It was followed by the WaveRunner XLT 1200, WaveRunner FX140, WaveRunner GP 1300R with 1200cc engine, WaveRunner FX Cruiser High Output higher performance 4-stroke engines, WaveRunner VX Deluxe, WaveRunner FX Cruiser High Output, and WaveRunner VX 700. All these models are performance driven, stylish and most of all, very affordable.
This content is provided by Low Jeremy and may be used only in its entirety with all links included. For more info on Jet Ski, please visit http://jetski.articlekeep.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Low_Jeremy
Tuesday, November 14, 2006
Craft And Hobby Woods - Basswood - Balsa Wood and Others
By Paul Wonning
Many hobbies involve building, carving, or wood burning which require speciality woods. These hobby and craft woods are available for just about any purpose. Hobbyists may choose from balsa, basswood, plywood, walnut, cherry, maple, among others for their project needs. Sheets or strips of these fine woods are available in thicknesses from 1/32 " to one inch, and in widths from 1/16 through six inches. You may purchase either sheets or strips.
Balsa is the most versatile of the hobby woods. Native to South America, these sixty foot trees are grown on large plantations. The wood is lightweight and strong. South Americans have been using balsa for boat and raft building since antiquity. Anyone who can recall Thor Heyerdahl's Kon Tiki adventures will know of his successful attempt to reach the Polynesian Islands from South America on a balsa raft.
Balsa's fine grain combined with its strength and light weight have made it valuable for a great number of uses. Its heat retention ability has made it useful for insulating refrigerator and ship holds. It is used in aircraft to reduce vibration. Surfboards and life preservers have also been manufactured from balsa wood.
Crafters and hobbyists will find balsa very easy to cut and carve, making it ideal for a multitude of projects. It can also be painted or stained any color the hobbyist desires. Its greatest value for hobbyists is undoubtedly in the construction of model airplanes. Free flight , control line, and radio control aircraft are all made primarily from balsa wood. Other uses for this versatile wood include model boat building and dollhouse construction, as well as many other craft projects. Model railroaders can use balsa for scratch-building houses and other structures, bridges, and structural support for scenery.
Basswood, or linden, is another wood crafters and hobbyists find very useful. This North American wood is grown primarily in northern Michigan and Wisconsin. Heavier than balsa, it shares many of it's characteristics - close-grained, strong, and lightweight. Basswood's hobby uses mirror those of balsa, but its heavier weight limits its use in building model airplanes. Because it carves easily, it is the premier choice for both beginning and advanced woodcarvers. Novice wood burners will also find basswood friendly, as it burns well. Like balsa, it is available in strips and sheets. Additionally, specialty shapes for dollhouse building include molding, siding, and roof shingles.
Special project needs may require the use of hobby plywood. This extremely high quality plywood ranges in thickness from paper thin 1/32 of an inch to 1/4 inch. Birch is the wood used, so it can take any stain desired. It is very durable and suitable for many uses.
Other woods are available for specialized hobby projects, including walnut, maple, cherry, and mahogany. Twenty four inch lengths include both strips and sheets. The maximum width for sheets is four inches.
Basswood and balsa are the most commonly available hobby/craft woods. Other types may need to be special ordered from your local craft or hobby shop. Check out the selection today for all your project needs.
Paul Wonning is the owner of Toys, Hobbies and Crafts.com a web site which has information about many hobbies and crafts.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Wonning
Thursday, October 26, 2006
R/C cars and trucks - Beyond the toy store shelves
by Mike Eggert
From the high pitched whine of a nitro engine, to the whirring of an electric motor. All across the land, on any given weekend, you can find them bashing about everywhere from vacant lots, to parking lots. RC car and truck racing has become one of the hottest hobbies in recent memory.
You've probably seen them on the shelves of your local discount store, toy store, or electronics store. But, the real excitement this sport has to offer can only be found at a real RC hobby shop.
The RC cars, trucks, and other various RC vehicles found at the discount chains can be a great deal of fun, but if you never venture beyond these toys you might find yourself feeling a bit let down by their quality and excitement level. The difference between the "real" RC vehicles, and the chain store toys can be quite amazing. Obviously, there is a difference in cost, but as the old saying goes, "You get what you pay for."
The electric cars and trucks, which are powered by rechargeable battery packs, are probably the best place to start your new hobby. Some of these can reach speeds in excess of 40 miles per hour! As time goes by you may find yourself craving even more speed and excitement. Look no further than the gas powered beasts that run on a blend of nitromethane and methanol for their fuel. Some of these radical rides can approach an amazing 70 miles per hour!
You can jump right in with a Ready to Run (or RTR as they are known in the sport) car or truck, or take on the challenge of a completely unassembled kit. The latter does require a bit of mechanical ability, as well as a dose of patience, but can be a very rewarding project to undertake with your son or daughter, teaching them valuable skills as well as just having a great time together.
No matter which type of RC vehicle you choose, you are sure to have a wonderful time enjoying a wholesome family activity in the great outdoors.
So stop by your local hobby shop or online retailer and see what the "real" world of RC cars and trucks has to offer. You'll be glad you did.
From the high pitched whine of a nitro engine, to the whirring of an electric motor. All across the land, on any given weekend, you can find them bashing about everywhere from vacant lots, to parking lots. RC car and truck racing has become one of the hottest hobbies in recent memory.
You've probably seen them on the shelves of your local discount store, toy store, or electronics store. But, the real excitement this sport has to offer can only be found at a real RC hobby shop.
The RC cars, trucks, and other various RC vehicles found at the discount chains can be a great deal of fun, but if you never venture beyond these toys you might find yourself feeling a bit let down by their quality and excitement level. The difference between the "real" RC vehicles, and the chain store toys can be quite amazing. Obviously, there is a difference in cost, but as the old saying goes, "You get what you pay for."
About the Author
Mike Eggert is an R/C car and truck racing enthusiast, and author of the RC information website http://www.rc-hq.com
You can choose from a wide variety of styles of RC vehicles, from mild to wild, and everything in between. From two wheel drive cars, trucks and buggies, to four wheel drive buggies, stadium trucks and monster trucks.
Mike Eggert is an R/C car and truck racing enthusiast, and author of the RC information website http://www.rc-hq.com
You can choose from a wide variety of styles of RC vehicles, from mild to wild, and everything in between. From two wheel drive cars, trucks and buggies, to four wheel drive buggies, stadium trucks and monster trucks.
The electric cars and trucks, which are powered by rechargeable battery packs, are probably the best place to start your new hobby. Some of these can reach speeds in excess of 40 miles per hour! As time goes by you may find yourself craving even more speed and excitement. Look no further than the gas powered beasts that run on a blend of nitromethane and methanol for their fuel. Some of these radical rides can approach an amazing 70 miles per hour!
You can jump right in with a Ready to Run (or RTR as they are known in the sport) car or truck, or take on the challenge of a completely unassembled kit. The latter does require a bit of mechanical ability, as well as a dose of patience, but can be a very rewarding project to undertake with your son or daughter, teaching them valuable skills as well as just having a great time together.
No matter which type of RC vehicle you choose, you are sure to have a wonderful time enjoying a wholesome family activity in the great outdoors.
So stop by your local hobby shop or online retailer and see what the "real" world of RC cars and trucks has to offer. You'll be glad you did.
The Rules of Go Kart Survival
by Larry Johnson
You may think that driving a go kart is safe, but when you're screaming down the track at 160 mph anything is possible. Sure, most go karts do not reach speeds this high, but by following a few safety measures you can make your go kart experience fun at any speed.
Back in the olden days, when the only go kart tracks in the neighborhood were located at the nearby family fun centers, accidents were few and far between. But with the specialized go kart tracks and the higher speeds we see today it is wise to be aware of and to follow a few simple safety precautions. With the lower speeds of yesteryear it was easy to drive safely, but times have changed. Nowadays you must be aware of what can happen on the track and be prepared for it. But with a little bit of preparation go karting can be a thrilling experience. Racing takes all forms, from ATVs to scooters, from motorcycles to mopeds, but go karts are the only form that will give you the thrill of Formula One racing without as much of the danger.
It's hard losing control of a go kart when it's traveling at a top speed of 5 mph, but it's a very common thing at 60 mph. It's the drivers who have the attitude "it won't happen to me" that seem to end up in trouble more often. And when a driver thinks of his gokart as a toy instead of a racing vehicle that's where the trouble can begin. But on the contrary, it's the drivers that take safety precautions seriously that have the most fun with the least accidents. So driver beware.
There is a certain amount of risk at any speed, but most accidents can be prevented with some common sense and preparation. From the type of go kart you buy to the type of safety equipment you use can determine your level of risk. Anything is possible once you're on the track, head injuries, broken bones, fires and more. That's why it's necessary to have all of your safety measures in line before actually climbing into your gokart.
The first step to being safe is to race your go kart in a class that you are prepared for. There are many go cart classes that will cater to every age range from kids to adults and to every experience level from none to professional. Learning to drive go karts is a skill that can be mastered fairly quickly, but becoming a great driver may take a much longer time. It's best to drive in a class with drivers of your same experience level. Once you improve your skills you can then advance to the next carting level. Racing against drivers that are much better than you can spell trouble on the track, so it's smart to move up in class only when you have acquired the skills to do so.
With the high speeds we see today is it actually possible to race go-karts safely? There are two answers to that question. On the one hand, if you are well-prepared with safety in mind it is possible to keep your risks low and remain relatively safe on the track. On the other hand, any sport can be dangerous if you haven't carefully prepared and throw caution to the wind.
So exactly how fast are we talking about when we say that go karts reach some amazing speeds today? A normal racing kart can reach speeds of up to 60 mph. But an enduro kart can get up to 90 mph and a shifter kart 160 mph or possibly even faster. Now that's burning rubber! Flipping your vehicle over or getting hit from the side at any of these speeds is not something you want to do. That's why it's important to take precautions at every stage.
We have already mentioned that if you don't feel comfortable at these high speeds you can race in a class that matches your experience level. So don't start sweating just yet. The number one cause of accidents is carelessness. And no matter how careful you may be you must remember that you will be racing against drivers that may not be as careful. So race in a class that fits your comfort zone.
Helmets are a must at any speed. Find a quality helmet that will protect you from serious head injury if the unforeseen should happen. Head injuries are usually the most serious of injuries when racing and avoiding these types of injuries is priority number one. Clothing is also important. Go-carts carry fuel which can catch fire in a crash. This is why it's important to wear a fire-resistant racing suit, gloves and protective shoes. If the front of your gokart should hit another car or barrier it's the feet that most often get injured. A special pair of shoes can protect you from many foot injuries.
Buying a safe go kart is another important thing to think about. Most gokarts these days have a cage that protects the driver during a rollover. They also have strong side bars that prevent injuries when another driver rams into the side of your vehicle. These are two important safety features that you should not be racing without. It's better to spend a little extra money on a well-built go kart than to skimp and leave yourself less protected. In order for you to have fun you must lessen your risks as much as possible.
By keeping safety as your number one goal your go karting experience should be a fun one instead of a risky one. And with a little practice maybe we'll be watching you race alongside Tony Stewart one day.
About the Author
This article is presented by Go Karts Supreme, a top online source for racing go karts. If you are looking for information about racing or off road go karts visit Go Karts Supreme.
Mini Off-Road Buggies and Go Karts are now All the Rage
by Stephen Hopkins
Large adult go karts, also called mini buggies, are becoming more and more popular with families of all ages due to increased safety, and controllability over ATV counterparts.
Have you driven a mini buggy yet? These off road go karts are becoming all the rage among outdoor adventure loving families. People of all ages agree that once they try the new types of off road full suspension go karts, there is no going back.
Chinese manufacturing has brought a whole new era of go kart technology to the forefront and as a result buggy riding has been brought to a new level. Some of the original mini buggies of this type were imported by Dazon and TJ Powersports. Many more brands have emerged as popularity has grown. Carter Brothers, long time builders of classic go karts,contracted with TJ Powersports and the Talon line of imported buggies was born. Since then Blade Powersports, Kasea, Peirspeed, Stinger International, Awesomebuggies, Yerf Dog, Baja Motorsports, Tomberlin, MotoUS, Joyner, Kinroad, and KPX have arrived onto the market.
Recently forums have been developed for enthusiasts of these buggies. The user forums offer technical information for engine breakdowns, technical issues, parts searches, etc. They also offer photo galleries, upload space for videos and the like. Such off road buggy and go kart forums include this one:
About the Author
Stephen Hopkins is an off road buggy / go kart enthusiast and owner of several off road go kart forums and user sites including http://www.buggyinfo.com/ , http://blog.buggyinfo.com/ and http://www.buggynews.com/ off road buggy and go kart forums
Thursday, July 20, 2006
New Personal Hovercraft Designed for the Marine Leisure Market
by Kevin Urban
Remote control hovercraft have been a popular "boys-toy" recently, and many have wondered what it must be actually like to drive a personal hovercraft for real. The Hov Pod is a new three-person small leisure personal hovercraft designed and manufactured for marine leisure use.
While PWC users and boaters wait for high tide, Hov Pod Personal Hovercraft users are off and away over mud, sand, shingle, grass, ice, in fact any flat surface. They can hover over objects like car tyres, with clearance of up to 8.5 inches. They make an ideal vehicle for inshore rescue, particularly in situations where mud or ice poses a threat.
Of course, Personal Hovercraft aren't new, but it has taken a long time for leisure hovercraft ownership to become viable. Most people perceive hovercraft to be large, noisy commercial vessels, or small home made kit hovercraft that take time to make and are often hard to handle. The Hov Pod dispenses with the conventional lift engine, and uses one engine to generate air to lift the craft, and to propel it at speeds approaching 45 miles per hour. One engine makes flying easier, the craft less noisy, and easier to maintain. Previous designs for small hovercraft have not always performed well on water, and suddenly stop by "ploughing-in", a term to describe when the nose of the hovercraft dips into the water, causing sudden deceleration, and craft and passengers to part company. Floatation and restarting on water have also been problems to overcome.
The Hov Pod development team have spent 7 years to develop the craft specifically for marine leisure use, and consequently, the personal hovercraft is suitable for salt water use, has never ploughed in, and has no trouble "getting over hump" a term to describe the difficulty some craft have to generate sufficient power to start on water and more forward on the cushion of air. According to engine size, payload for the Hov Pod on water starts is 550 pounds (250 kilos) or 725 pounds (330 kilos, according to engine size, and the craft can carry three adults, or one adult and three small children. Driving a Hov Pod Personal Hovercraft is easy, although the experience challenges your natural instincts, and this is what makes hovercraft as a hobby very exciting. For example, PWCs and Boats usually stop when they return to the beach or slipway, whereas the Hov Pod just keeps going! With this new found freedom, you can use sandbars and mudflats to have fun, turning the craft into graceful loops, sliding, gliding, or into tight 180 turns or 360 spins, a bit like a sit-down skateboard and magic carpet combined. And because you have a cushion of air underneath you, there is no discernable join when land meets sea, not heavy jolting to jar your lower back, you just skim out over a river or lake, great for coastal properties cut off at low tide (Realtors take note!). Hov Pods are far more versatile than land based "all-terrain" vehicles too, better than a Quad-bike on water, better than a PWC on land! No need to wade into the wet stuff to hitch the trailer, Hov Pods just hover up the slipway or beach, thus enabling passengers to step out onto dry land.
The Hov Pod Personal Hovercraft offers enormous fun and excitement, and the ultimate adrenalin rush, without compromising safety for driver and passengers. They are easy to tow with purpose designed one-man operated trailer, to allow you to explore far-flung places, to reach the parts that other people never see. Being above the water has other benefits, you don't get pushed along by tidal streams, or need to worry about submerged rocks or coral, so exploring is much easier; and the craft are light enough to be lifted onto bigger yachts to use as tenders. Hov Pods are environmentally friendly craft, as they do not have propellers to damage the marine environment, or pump exhaust gas into the sea. Hov Pods have a very light footprint, weighing less than a seagull standing on one leg. There are many commercial applications for the craft too - of particular interest for rescue organisations, ideal craft for rescue from mud-flats, sand, swamps, floods, shallow rivers, iced over lakes, or areas where there might be submerged rocks or coral."
Manufactured in Southampton, England, close to where the first Hovercraft were developed and tested, Hov Pods Personal Hovercrafts are enjoying tremendous success and are now being exported all over the world.
About the Author
Kevin Urban is the editor for Inflatable-Boats-N-Kayaks.com, a comprehensive consumer guide on inflatable fishing kayaks, new and used inflatable boats, catamarans and personal personal hovercrafts.
Tuesday, March 14, 2006
Electric RC Airplanes
By Andre McFayden
Until recently, most rc airplanes were powered by small two-stroke engines, using liquid fuels. Models powered by electric motors were very uncommon, due to the excessive weight of the power system and battery. However, the electric rc airplane has become commonplace, especially in models meant for beginner pilots.
Electric power advantages include reliability, convenience, low noise, low vibration, and clean operation. The disadvantage of early systems was low power relative to weight. However modern electric airplane motors, combined with advanced batteries, have increased the performance of electric rc airplanes by leaps and bounds.
In the more common Brushed motors, current switching is done using sliding contacts known as brushes. These brushes get hot and wear out over time. In Brushless motors, the switching happens electronically using a special speed controller. This second type of motor and its controller are more expensive to make. Its advantages are no maintenance and higher performance.
There are three main types of battery packs in use for electric airplane motors. These are Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium Polymer (LiPo). LiPo batteries are lighter for a given application, but are more expensive than NiCad or NiMH.
Electric rc airplane types include powered sailplanes, indoor flyers, scale models, aerobatic models, and ducted fan (jet-type). Virtually any type of rc model can now be electric powered. Even electric helicopters are now a practical reality. For the beginner, something slow and stable is recommended for a trainer aircraft.
Visit the RC Airplane Advisor for more info about Electric RC Airplanes.
This article may be reprinted if proper credit is given and all links left intact.
Copyright©2005 RC Airplane Advisor
Andre is a regular contributor to the RC Airplane Advisor:
By Andre McFayden
Until recently, most rc airplanes were powered by small two-stroke engines, using liquid fuels. Models powered by electric motors were very uncommon, due to the excessive weight of the power system and battery. However, the electric rc airplane has become commonplace, especially in models meant for beginner pilots.
Electric power advantages include reliability, convenience, low noise, low vibration, and clean operation. The disadvantage of early systems was low power relative to weight. However modern electric airplane motors, combined with advanced batteries, have increased the performance of electric rc airplanes by leaps and bounds.
In the more common Brushed motors, current switching is done using sliding contacts known as brushes. These brushes get hot and wear out over time. In Brushless motors, the switching happens electronically using a special speed controller. This second type of motor and its controller are more expensive to make. Its advantages are no maintenance and higher performance.
There are three main types of battery packs in use for electric airplane motors. These are Nickel Cadmium (NiCad), Nickel Metal Hydride (NiMH) and Lithium Polymer (LiPo). LiPo batteries are lighter for a given application, but are more expensive than NiCad or NiMH.
Electric rc airplane types include powered sailplanes, indoor flyers, scale models, aerobatic models, and ducted fan (jet-type). Virtually any type of rc model can now be electric powered. Even electric helicopters are now a practical reality. For the beginner, something slow and stable is recommended for a trainer aircraft.
Visit the RC Airplane Advisor for more info about Electric RC Airplanes.
This article may be reprinted if proper credit is given and all links left intact.
Copyright©2005 RC Airplane Advisor
Andre is a regular contributor to the RC Airplane Advisor:
http://www.rc-airplane-advisor.com
Article Source:
Article Source:
Saturday, March 11, 2006
Owning A Sports Car As A Hobby
by Gregg Hall
There are those who decry sports car ownership as poor decision-making. They maintain the limitations in functionality, high maintenance and insurance costs, and other factors make owning a sports car a poor move. They don't understand the value of purchasing a sports car and will espouse the numerous virtues of more "reasonable" choices.
Even if one were to concede their arguments, however, it would not degasify sports car ownership. What those who critique the logic underlying sports car purchases fail to recognize is the residual value of hobby entertainment. They perceive automobile value as being found in quantifiable terms such as cost, fuel efficiency, available space and average maintenance costs. They fail to value beauty, character and fun into their decision-making calculus.
Although a more expensive than crossword puzzles or knitting, sports car ownership is a hobby. It is not just an automobile decision. Instead, sports car ownership is part of a hobbyist lifestyle. One can find great satisfaction in a hobby. Grown men spend countless hours with model trains and planes. Others spend their spare hours in workshops building chairs and tables. Some opt for a comfortable chair and a well-read library of classics. Hobbies are attractive to all of us, and the sports car hobby offers unique appeal.
Sports car ownership creates the chance to spend your spare time doing something you enjoy. As an alternative to watching television or spending spare time aimlessly, a sports car is hard to beat. One can spend their time caring for the vehicle, learning more about it and its history and, of course, driving it.
Driving the sports car is really the core of the hobby. There is nothing that compares to sailing down winding roads in a precision machine that responds perfectly to your every whim. Sports car driving can be said to represent the perfect merger between man and machine and can create a thrilling experience unlike any other. The entertainment value of driving a great sports car cannot be quantified, yet it still must be considered when one analyzes the decision to purchase a high-performance automobile.
Sports car ownership also creates an opportunity to develop and enjoy an extended social network of likeminded enthusiasts. Sports car fans band together in clubs, attend fun functions, and socialize in a variety of other fashions. One doesn't just buy an automobile when they invest in a sports car. They also come into possession of a developed social network filled with people who certainly share some of their interests and may share much of their outlook on life. Sports car ownership isn't just about the driving. It is about forging relationships with others as well as growing acquainted with the car itself.
There are, of course, more practical automotive choices than a sports car. You can find more reliable vehicles. You can invest in a more spacious and comfortable car. Fuel efficient and functional alternative abound. None of these options, however, create a hobby. It is that intangible hobby value that separates sports cars from the pack. No other vehicle offers quite the same collection of benefits and joys.
Cars merely provide transportation. Sports cars, on the other hand, provide thrills, fun and unique opportunities. When one assesses these intangible benefits, it's not hard to see why so many drivers eschew generic sedans and practical station wagons and instead opt to slide behind the wheel of high-performance sports cars.
About the Author
Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. For innovative car care products go to http://www.stopwaxing.com
There are those who decry sports car ownership as poor decision-making. They maintain the limitations in functionality, high maintenance and insurance costs, and other factors make owning a sports car a poor move. They don't understand the value of purchasing a sports car and will espouse the numerous virtues of more "reasonable" choices.
Even if one were to concede their arguments, however, it would not degasify sports car ownership. What those who critique the logic underlying sports car purchases fail to recognize is the residual value of hobby entertainment. They perceive automobile value as being found in quantifiable terms such as cost, fuel efficiency, available space and average maintenance costs. They fail to value beauty, character and fun into their decision-making calculus.
Although a more expensive than crossword puzzles or knitting, sports car ownership is a hobby. It is not just an automobile decision. Instead, sports car ownership is part of a hobbyist lifestyle. One can find great satisfaction in a hobby. Grown men spend countless hours with model trains and planes. Others spend their spare hours in workshops building chairs and tables. Some opt for a comfortable chair and a well-read library of classics. Hobbies are attractive to all of us, and the sports car hobby offers unique appeal.
Sports car ownership creates the chance to spend your spare time doing something you enjoy. As an alternative to watching television or spending spare time aimlessly, a sports car is hard to beat. One can spend their time caring for the vehicle, learning more about it and its history and, of course, driving it.
Driving the sports car is really the core of the hobby. There is nothing that compares to sailing down winding roads in a precision machine that responds perfectly to your every whim. Sports car driving can be said to represent the perfect merger between man and machine and can create a thrilling experience unlike any other. The entertainment value of driving a great sports car cannot be quantified, yet it still must be considered when one analyzes the decision to purchase a high-performance automobile.
Sports car ownership also creates an opportunity to develop and enjoy an extended social network of likeminded enthusiasts. Sports car fans band together in clubs, attend fun functions, and socialize in a variety of other fashions. One doesn't just buy an automobile when they invest in a sports car. They also come into possession of a developed social network filled with people who certainly share some of their interests and may share much of their outlook on life. Sports car ownership isn't just about the driving. It is about forging relationships with others as well as growing acquainted with the car itself.
There are, of course, more practical automotive choices than a sports car. You can find more reliable vehicles. You can invest in a more spacious and comfortable car. Fuel efficient and functional alternative abound. None of these options, however, create a hobby. It is that intangible hobby value that separates sports cars from the pack. No other vehicle offers quite the same collection of benefits and joys.
Cars merely provide transportation. Sports cars, on the other hand, provide thrills, fun and unique opportunities. When one assesses these intangible benefits, it's not hard to see why so many drivers eschew generic sedans and practical station wagons and instead opt to slide behind the wheel of high-performance sports cars.
About the Author
Gregg Hall is a business consultant and author for many online and offline businesses and lives in Navarre Florida with his 16 year old son. For innovative car care products go to http://www.stopwaxing.com
Friday, March 10, 2006
Customer Testimonials by: Donald White
After moving back to Texas about 2 years ago I started
looking for something to take the chip seal roads better than my CADD 5
Cannondale R2000. I also wanted to go to a triple chain ring to compensate
for the additional years on the engine since I had ridden the Hill Country rides
last. I visited all the LBS close by and test rode several steel and carbon bikes.I spent a lot of time in the bike forums only to getmore
confused by the hour. I remembered looking at an Airborne at the LBS in
Marietta, GA several years ago and went online to find more info only to find
out that Airborne had ceased to exist basically overnight between August 31 and
September 1. I emailed Flyte and got the story on what had happened. Over the
next month I purchased an SRS 2 aluminum with carbon stays from Flyte.
Rode it, liked it but it was not what I really wanted. Called
Flyte and spoke with Jason and Dan and explained, they recommended I return the
SRS 2 and go with the Defiant. No hassles, no questions asked. I did so and got
the Defiant about 2 weeks later. Flyte helped me through every step from
measuring to deciding on what components to go with. I am absolutely thrilled
with the fit and the feel of the bike. I have been riding about 13 years and
this is the first time that I can say I feel like my bike is a natural extension
of my body.Took it out for the first longer road ride yesterday and got
a good taste of how it feels on the chip seal roads and broken pavement. I
cannot believe the difference from my old aluminum frame. I can truly say this
bike will keep me coming back for more and more. Overall I could not be happier
with both the shopping experience and the bike itself.The guys at Flyte were great to deal with and probably got
really tired of all the questions but remained calm and walked me through it. I
will be spreading the good word for them (and no I am not a shill, just a very
happy customer).
Thursday, March 09, 2006
Go-cart Construction
by Mitch Johnson
For some the thrill of go carting begins before the actual ride. Kids and adults enjoy building their own go-carts for the self-satisfaction. Building a go cart is essentially a simple task because of the simplicity of most go cart designs. For decades taking on a go cart construction project has been a typical father-son bonding activity. It is also a hobby that is just plain fun for anyone, any age. Go carts are the perfect do-it-yourselfer because they are a complex machine that runs like a car, but not too complex where ordinary people cannot comprehend the construction.
These days it is not difficult to find the information you need to get started on building go carts. The internet has innumerable resources for all types and designs of go carts. The hardest part for you is choosing the design you want our homemade go cart to resemble. Perhaps the most helpful piece of knowledge for making that decision is to know what your uses of the go cart will be. You will most likely be choosing between a street cart or an off-road set of wheels. Children looking to make a go cart with little or no adult help are fortunate enough to have easy access to blue prints and go cart kits, making the job easier. With a set of go cart plans to build off of you are made aware of all the necessary building materials and construction tools. Knowing these things prepares you to make a list and find all the equipment.
The beauty of building your own go cart is in the work and effort put into the construction and the pride that comes with the finished product. Little money is needed to build your own go cart, however, if you are in the market for a fancy, self-made set of cart wheels, there are more elaborate plans to follow. For kids building go carts with their parent or friends, or for adults who enjoy go cart construction as a hobby, most all building materials are scraps that can be picked up around the house or easily found other places.
An even easier way to build your own go cart is to buy a go cart building kit. Kits can be ordered online and they include every material you need to complete your own go cart, even the engine. Young kids are capable of completing a project themselves by following the guide included with go cart kits. The kits will be more expensive than using scrap materials, but you will probably have a sharper looking end product, although the quality or look of a go cart is not why all people build their own. Go cart kits are great for those who want to save time by not having to search for the building materials, but some people still prefer getting all done themselves, completely from scratch. The choice is yours.
About the Author
Mitch Johnson is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for http://www.atv-parts-n-accessories.com/ , a site that focuses exclusively on atv reviews, as well as tips on choosing parts and accessories. His articles have also been featured on recreational automotive sites such as http://www.go-cart-plans-n-kits.com/ and http://www.best-scooters-n-mopeds.com/
For some the thrill of go carting begins before the actual ride. Kids and adults enjoy building their own go-carts for the self-satisfaction. Building a go cart is essentially a simple task because of the simplicity of most go cart designs. For decades taking on a go cart construction project has been a typical father-son bonding activity. It is also a hobby that is just plain fun for anyone, any age. Go carts are the perfect do-it-yourselfer because they are a complex machine that runs like a car, but not too complex where ordinary people cannot comprehend the construction.
These days it is not difficult to find the information you need to get started on building go carts. The internet has innumerable resources for all types and designs of go carts. The hardest part for you is choosing the design you want our homemade go cart to resemble. Perhaps the most helpful piece of knowledge for making that decision is to know what your uses of the go cart will be. You will most likely be choosing between a street cart or an off-road set of wheels. Children looking to make a go cart with little or no adult help are fortunate enough to have easy access to blue prints and go cart kits, making the job easier. With a set of go cart plans to build off of you are made aware of all the necessary building materials and construction tools. Knowing these things prepares you to make a list and find all the equipment.
The beauty of building your own go cart is in the work and effort put into the construction and the pride that comes with the finished product. Little money is needed to build your own go cart, however, if you are in the market for a fancy, self-made set of cart wheels, there are more elaborate plans to follow. For kids building go carts with their parent or friends, or for adults who enjoy go cart construction as a hobby, most all building materials are scraps that can be picked up around the house or easily found other places.
An even easier way to build your own go cart is to buy a go cart building kit. Kits can be ordered online and they include every material you need to complete your own go cart, even the engine. Young kids are capable of completing a project themselves by following the guide included with go cart kits. The kits will be more expensive than using scrap materials, but you will probably have a sharper looking end product, although the quality or look of a go cart is not why all people build their own. Go cart kits are great for those who want to save time by not having to search for the building materials, but some people still prefer getting all done themselves, completely from scratch. The choice is yours.
About the Author
Mitch Johnson is a successful freelance author that writes regularly for http://www.atv-parts-n-accessories.com/ , a site that focuses exclusively on atv reviews, as well as tips on choosing parts and accessories. His articles have also been featured on recreational automotive sites such as http://www.go-cart-plans-n-kits.com/ and http://www.best-scooters-n-mopeds.com/
Monday, March 06, 2006
Choosing Your First RC Airplane
by: Andre McFayden
You've decided to buy a radio-controlled (rc) airplane, for yourself or a as a gift. There are an overwhelming number of these airplanes on the market, with a huge range of prices. What factors should you use in your purchase decision? Performance should really come first. At this stage, it's really all about the flying.
About the Author
Andre is a regular contributor to the RC Airplane Advisor: www.rc-airplane-advisor.com
by: Andre McFayden
You've decided to buy a radio-controlled (rc) airplane, for yourself or a as a gift. There are an overwhelming number of these airplanes on the market, with a huge range of prices. What factors should you use in your purchase decision? Performance should really come first. At this stage, it's really all about the flying.
You will need something that is slow, and stable. Ease of assembly should also be high on your list. You'll need good, complete instructions. If you have the time, consider building from a kit, as a wooden kit plane can turn out very light (good for performance).
Crash resistance should not be your main consideration. Airplanes designed to withstand crashes tend to be much heavier than is good for decent fight performance. Because of this they end up doing a lot of crashing! Cost is usually on someone's mind when they get into any new hobby, and rc airplanes are no different. Just remember that you usually get what you pay for.
The cheapest system is generally not the best. Looks should be the last thing on your mind when you get your new rc airplane. You will not have a fun experience trying to fly a scale model as your first. You can scale the airplane down, but you can't scale down the forces of nature. Scale models will be too fast and unstable for a beginner.
For more information about choosing that perfect first radio controlled model, including specific recommendations, visit the RC Airplane Advisor.This article may be reprinted if proper credit is given and all links left intact. Copyright©2005
About the Author
Andre is a regular contributor to the RC Airplane Advisor: www.rc-airplane-advisor.com
How to get started flying RC airplanes
by Michael Cottier
For thousands of years man has dreamed of flight. Nothing has amazed people as much as flying machines have in the past century and there is still more to come. What is even more amazing though, is the progress in personal flight toys. You can fly everything from a miniature helicopter, to a one 20th scale Cessna, which you can build at home yourself.
The more amazing thing about today's RC airplanes is the fact that anyone can fly them, and some airplanes are very easy to fly. For example, I bought a $50 Hobby Zone airplane and the controller had two controls, one that could steer the plane left or right and then the second was throttle (speed) control. How can you get any simpler then that!
As easy as it can be, it still can be difficult for beginners to get started in this hobby. Since I now have the knowledge that every beginner should know, since I was a beginner once, I wanted to share it with other people so everyone can enjoy the RC airplane hobby.
The first thing a beginner needs to know is their power sources. RC airplanes can be powered either electrically or by an engine that runs on fuel called nitro methane. This is very important when deciding on purchasing your first radio controlled airplane. You need some knowledge of both power sources, as they both have their pros and con's. First I would like to state that for all beginners' I recommend an electric RC airplane over a gas RC airplane. Why? Because an electric airplane is cheaper, like under $100 cheap, and much easier to operate. In fact, all you have to do is plug in the battery and flick the ON switch. They are also much quieter and produce no fumes in the air. Plus not much maintenance is required besides keeping it in a cool, dry place.
A gas powered RC airplane has its advantages to of course. If you are a realist and what an authentic looking and sounding remote control airplane, then an airplane with a gas engine is what you want. An RC airplane with a gas engine is bigger and bulkier then an electric R/C airplane, so it is more to scale and realistic. It also sounds like a real airplane does, and is kind of like a real little miniature airplane since the engine requires fuel, tuning, and other adjustments. These types of airplanes cost a little more and take longer to assemble. Plus, they require much more maintenance and you have to continue to spend more money since you need special fuel, oil and some other small accessories.
Now that you pretty much know what type of airplane you want to purchase, let me help you get it running and teach you some tips and tricks that you will find handy out on the flying field.
If you have never flown a model airplane or a real airplane before, then you might have some trouble taking off, flying and landing. The first thing to remember is that you need a good open field to fly at, unless of course you have a slow flyer or park flyer, which can be flown in small areas like indoors or parks. A good local flying field can be located online by searching through a search engine, like Google, for a local club. Flying fields always have a club, and they are usually full of friendly people who are willing to help you learn.
Most of these clubs have flying instructors that will either help you for free, or charge you a little money. Either way you will have a guide that can teach you a lot. You also can be sure that if something goes wrong with your airplane, people will be there that have the knowledge to fix it.
Another way you can learn to fly is of course teaching yourself, but that can be costly if you crash a lot. If you are going to teach yourself, I suggest you start off with a cheap $50 electric RC airplane that has only left and right steering control and throttle control. These types of airplanes can take off from a flat surface or can be easily hand launched into the air by applying full throttle.
After you get started, there will be no stopping you and the rest will come naturally. There still is some other much needed accessories that I suggest no beginner go with out. Like a good RC airplane book, a field box, a car charger for an electric plane, and extra batteries for your transmitter. With all these tips in mind, start your flying experience right and keep the wind at your back.
About the Author
Michael Cottier has been flying RC airplanes most of his life and can help you get started in the hobby with his website, no matter what age the pilot is. Just check out his RC airplane website.
by Michael Cottier
For thousands of years man has dreamed of flight. Nothing has amazed people as much as flying machines have in the past century and there is still more to come. What is even more amazing though, is the progress in personal flight toys. You can fly everything from a miniature helicopter, to a one 20th scale Cessna, which you can build at home yourself.
The more amazing thing about today's RC airplanes is the fact that anyone can fly them, and some airplanes are very easy to fly. For example, I bought a $50 Hobby Zone airplane and the controller had two controls, one that could steer the plane left or right and then the second was throttle (speed) control. How can you get any simpler then that!
As easy as it can be, it still can be difficult for beginners to get started in this hobby. Since I now have the knowledge that every beginner should know, since I was a beginner once, I wanted to share it with other people so everyone can enjoy the RC airplane hobby.
The first thing a beginner needs to know is their power sources. RC airplanes can be powered either electrically or by an engine that runs on fuel called nitro methane. This is very important when deciding on purchasing your first radio controlled airplane. You need some knowledge of both power sources, as they both have their pros and con's. First I would like to state that for all beginners' I recommend an electric RC airplane over a gas RC airplane. Why? Because an electric airplane is cheaper, like under $100 cheap, and much easier to operate. In fact, all you have to do is plug in the battery and flick the ON switch. They are also much quieter and produce no fumes in the air. Plus not much maintenance is required besides keeping it in a cool, dry place.
A gas powered RC airplane has its advantages to of course. If you are a realist and what an authentic looking and sounding remote control airplane, then an airplane with a gas engine is what you want. An RC airplane with a gas engine is bigger and bulkier then an electric R/C airplane, so it is more to scale and realistic. It also sounds like a real airplane does, and is kind of like a real little miniature airplane since the engine requires fuel, tuning, and other adjustments. These types of airplanes cost a little more and take longer to assemble. Plus, they require much more maintenance and you have to continue to spend more money since you need special fuel, oil and some other small accessories.
Now that you pretty much know what type of airplane you want to purchase, let me help you get it running and teach you some tips and tricks that you will find handy out on the flying field.
If you have never flown a model airplane or a real airplane before, then you might have some trouble taking off, flying and landing. The first thing to remember is that you need a good open field to fly at, unless of course you have a slow flyer or park flyer, which can be flown in small areas like indoors or parks. A good local flying field can be located online by searching through a search engine, like Google, for a local club. Flying fields always have a club, and they are usually full of friendly people who are willing to help you learn.
Most of these clubs have flying instructors that will either help you for free, or charge you a little money. Either way you will have a guide that can teach you a lot. You also can be sure that if something goes wrong with your airplane, people will be there that have the knowledge to fix it.
Another way you can learn to fly is of course teaching yourself, but that can be costly if you crash a lot. If you are going to teach yourself, I suggest you start off with a cheap $50 electric RC airplane that has only left and right steering control and throttle control. These types of airplanes can take off from a flat surface or can be easily hand launched into the air by applying full throttle.
After you get started, there will be no stopping you and the rest will come naturally. There still is some other much needed accessories that I suggest no beginner go with out. Like a good RC airplane book, a field box, a car charger for an electric plane, and extra batteries for your transmitter. With all these tips in mind, start your flying experience right and keep the wind at your back.
About the Author
Michael Cottier has been flying RC airplanes most of his life and can help you get started in the hobby with his website, no matter what age the pilot is. Just check out his RC airplane website.
A Guide to Gas Powered RC Cars
by: Greg Root
If you're a fan of radio-controlled vehicles, but find standard RC to be lacking in power and running time, you might want to consider looking into gas powered RC cars. These cars, which run on a nitromethane-based fuel that is often referred to as "glow fuel" or "nitro", offer a level of realism and performance that you just won't find on battery powered cars. Gas powered RC cars are also often highly customizable, allowing hobbyists to utilize a variety of engines and design types... there are even different types of transmitters available depending upon how you would prefer your car to work. Below are some of the options available for gas powered RC cars, giving you an idea of the level of customization that you can achieve.
Engines
Fuel
Sport vs. Competition
Kits vs. RTR
About the Author
Greg Root owns and maintains http://www.rccarssite.com. A website that provides basic tips on how to buy, build and race electric and gas powered RC cars.
by: Greg Root
If you're a fan of radio-controlled vehicles, but find standard RC to be lacking in power and running time, you might want to consider looking into gas powered RC cars. These cars, which run on a nitromethane-based fuel that is often referred to as "glow fuel" or "nitro", offer a level of realism and performance that you just won't find on battery powered cars. Gas powered RC cars are also often highly customizable, allowing hobbyists to utilize a variety of engines and design types... there are even different types of transmitters available depending upon how you would prefer your car to work. Below are some of the options available for gas powered RC cars, giving you an idea of the level of customization that you can achieve.
Engines
Obviously, one of the more important aspects of gas powered RC cars is the engine. A variety of different engine models are available for you to choose from, but in general most cars of this type will have what are commonly referred to as "glow" engines. A "glow" engine is a 2-cycle internal combustion engine, creating the power that gas powered RC cars are known for and adding a bit of realism to the car with the exhaust that is produced. Instead of the spark plugs that a full-size automotive engine would have, these engines use a "glow plug" that is heated by what is known as a "glow starter" This heat is then held by the plug and is used to fire the engine strokes for the remainder of the running time.
Fuel
As mentioned above, the "gas" used by gas powered RC cars isn't actually gasoline... it's a special fuel that is nitromethane-based and formulated for the cars' engines. Special lubricants are added to the fuel mixture to protect the engine from excessive heat and wear; the lubricants work in much the same way as gas-oil mixtures in some chainsaws and other small-engine equipment. Other fuel accessories may be needed to go with your car. A pump or special bottle may be used to get the fuel into the RC car's fuel tank, and filters in the fuel line may need to be replaced from time to time.
Radio The radio that you use to control your gas powered RC cars can be the same type that is used to control an electric model of RC car. A 2-channel radio system. It's important to keep in mind that just because the car's engine runs on a liquid fuel doesn't mean that you have no need of batteries. In addition to the battery that powers the radio controller, you might find yourself in need of batteries to supply power to the radio receiver in the car itself. Of course, with some receivers it may be possible to have the power supplied by the motor of the car itself. The type of receiver that you use and the power supply that it needs are one consideration to keep in mind when comparing different parts or different cars.
Radio The radio that you use to control your gas powered RC cars can be the same type that is used to control an electric model of RC car. A 2-channel radio system. It's important to keep in mind that just because the car's engine runs on a liquid fuel doesn't mean that you have no need of batteries. In addition to the battery that powers the radio controller, you might find yourself in need of batteries to supply power to the radio receiver in the car itself. Of course, with some receivers it may be possible to have the power supplied by the motor of the car itself. The type of receiver that you use and the power supply that it needs are one consideration to keep in mind when comparing different parts or different cars.
Sport vs. Competition
A variety of different options and body styles exist for gas powered RC cars. You can choose from trucks, sedans, buggies, popular car models, and even stock cars. Once you've decided upon the body style and layout that's right for you, however, you may find yourself facing one additional choice. Many of the car models available commercially come in two distinct types; a sport version, and a competition version. Sport cars tend to cost less, and offer basic options that are popular with beginners and casual hobbyists. For those who want to race their cars against other dedicated hobbyists, though, there are the competition cars which tend to have more power and higher speeds and offer advanced options such as oil shocks and ball bearings.
Competition models may not be a complete car, however, since they are designed to allow for more customization... many of these kits require you to get the engine that you want to go with it separately, as well as the car body in many cases (since the kit only provides the main chassis.)
Kits vs. RTR
If you've decided that you want to buy gas powered RC cars, you often have to make a choice between buying a kit, so that you can build the car yourself, or buying a ready-to-race car (also known as RTR) that is ready to be fueled and go right out of the box. RTR cars are good for beginners or casual hobbyists, but aren't highly customized. Kits, on the other hand, may require additional work but allow the builder to decide exactly how they want their car put together. Should you use a kit, it's important to remember that you'll need to make sure that you have the engine that you want, paint and basic tools on hand for assembly and decoration, and additional tools and parts depending upon the kit that you purchase. Regardless of the type of car that you buy, though, you're certain to find yourself amazed at the power and performance of these cars loved by hobbyists and racers around the world.
About the Author
Greg Root owns and maintains http://www.rccarssite.com. A website that provides basic tips on how to buy, build and race electric and gas powered RC cars.
RC auto racing for NASCAR wannabes
by: Ian Tham
Always dream of owning one of those high end sports cars but never could afford it? Never mind, there is always a way out. Have you thought of owning your own radio control car which is a replica of your favourite car?Here are some reasons why rc cars are so popular. The cost of owning a rc car is a fraction of the original thing.
About the Author
The writer is the webmaster of digiteevee.com which covers the use of technology in your daily life. Here is where you can find more radio control and remote control gadgets.
by: Ian Tham
Always dream of owning one of those high end sports cars but never could afford it? Never mind, there is always a way out. Have you thought of owning your own radio control car which is a replica of your favourite car?Here are some reasons why rc cars are so popular. The cost of owning a rc car is a fraction of the original thing.
You have the option of buying a ready to run model or you can get a kit where you assemble the different parts together. When you have built it, you feel a sense of pride and dignity and achievement. You can actually custom it so no one else has the same car as you. The advantage of kit assembly cars is that you can always repair and change the parts as you wish. This is a really fun hobby.
Just driving the rc car around sure attracts attention. This is a good way to meet and make new friends. I 'm sure your kids will be thrilled to play with rc cars too. You can develop a father child bond and relationship by playing the rc cars together. You can race the car without getting injured. For those who haven't learnt driving this is a good way to race cars. Driving rc cars improves your hand eye coordination.
You learn about physics, maths and laws of motions as you compete in car races. Building, tuning or upgrading and driving RC cars also builds up your knowledge of how a car works. It is advisable for beginners to start off with electric rc cars as they are cheaper to own and maintain. They are also simpler to maintain. As you learn more about rc cars you can upgrade to gas powered rc cars. They are faster and the run time can be limitless as the refuel time takes only a few seconds. They make car engine noise and emit exhaust fumes adding to the realism of actually driving a real car.
You can choose from off road or on road vehicles. Off road vehicles are versatile and let you drive them on practically any terrain. There is no need to hunt for a special ground to drive your RC car. If you are game for it, you can take part in informal or regional competition or you can take it to the next level and compete in international competition organised by the International Federation of Model Auto Racing.
About the Author
The writer is the webmaster of digiteevee.com which covers the use of technology in your daily life. Here is where you can find more radio control and remote control gadgets.
Monday, February 27, 2006
Hov Pod Hovercrafts-Better Than Sex?
Author: Stewart Alexander
Hov Pod Hovercraft is a new three seater leisure hovercraft
made especially for marine usage.
Unlike PWC (personal watercraft) owners, Hov Pod Hovercraft users do not wait for the
tide to rise. Nope!
They simply jump into their personal hovercraft and before you know it they are off and away over mud, sand, shingle, grass, ice, in fact any kind of flat surface you can imagine.
Bystanders have bared witness to Hov Pod Hovercrafts hovering over objects such as car tyres! Can you imagine that? Hov Pod Hovercraft has proven time and time again how it can hover at
heights of up to 8.5 inches.
This part of the Hov Pod Hovercraft technology is particularly useful for inshore rescues, especially when mud or ice pose a hazard.
Hov Pod Hovercraft Ownership - Reality or Dream?
You maybe thinking... "So what's new? And quite rightly so, being as hovercrafts have been around for quite some time. However; having said that, the latest news is that leisure
hovercraft ownership has become an actual reality for many Hov Pod Hovercraft enthusiasts. In fact, gone are the days when people used to imagine hovercraft as huge, loud commercial
vessels or something for crazy enthusiasts that spent all their time and money putting home made kits together.
I'm sure you know the home made hovercraft kits I'm talking about.
Hov Pod Hovercraft Engine Design
Hov Pod Hovercraft designers have used the conventional lift engine which uses (one single engine) to generate tremendous air lift.
This one Hov Pod Hovercraft engine is capable of hurtling a Hov Pod Hovercraft forwards, sideways and into 180 and 360 degree turns. The icing on the cake are the hair raising top speeds of up to 45 miles per hour.
This One Engine Design is Responsible for Easier handling i.e.. driving Reduced noise outputs And easy maintenance Hov Pod Hovercraft Design Challenges
When it came to performance on water, previous small hovercraft designs produced a few obstacles. Development teams faced challenges known as "Ploughing in"... i.e.. When the hovercraft's nose dipped into the water, it caused the craft to suddenly stop. This sometimes lead to craft and passengers parting company!
Further challenges which the Hov Pod Hovercraft team had to
solve were:
Floatation Restarting on water
It took the Hov Pod Hovercraft development team 7 years to design and develop a safe personal leisure hovercraft for marine usage. As a result, the Hov Pod Hovercraft can be safely used in
salt water conditions and makes light work of the term "Getting over the hump."
"Getting over the hump." is a term used to describe the problems some small hovercraft experience in:
Generating enough power to start while on water Forward movement on a cushion of air Hov Pod Hovercraft Payload
Depending on the Hov Pod Hovercraft engine size... on water payload starts at:
550 pounds (250 kilos) or 725 pounds (330 kilos).
A Hov Pod Hovercraft personal leisure hovercraft is designed to carry up to three adults, or one adult and three small children.
Hov Pod Hovercraft Handling
Handling a Hov Pod Hovercraft is a breeze! Your natural instincts will be challenged, which adds all to the excitement of a Hov Pod Hovercraft adventure!
For example. With your new found hobby, you'll find yourself using sandbars, navigating mud flats, doing graceful loops, flying over any kind of flat surface, sliding and even gliding into breath stopping 180 degree turns or 360 degree spins.
Hov Pod Hovercraft Commercial Applications
Not only great as a personal leisure hovercraft for having the most amazing fun, the Hov Pod Hovercraft has proven itself to be a proven winner as a commercial application. Here are but a few commercial uses for:
Rescue organizations:
mud-flat rescues
sand dune rescues
swamp rescues
flood rescues
shallow river rescues
iced over lake rescues
and areas of submerged rocks or coral
About the author:
Stewart Alexander is the author and webmaster of: Hov Pod Adventures.
Visit Hov Pod Hovercraft Request Form for more information about
Hov Pod Personal Hovercrafts.
Author: Stewart Alexander
Hov Pod Hovercraft is a new three seater leisure hovercraft
made especially for marine usage.
Unlike PWC (personal watercraft) owners, Hov Pod Hovercraft users do not wait for the
tide to rise. Nope!
They simply jump into their personal hovercraft and before you know it they are off and away over mud, sand, shingle, grass, ice, in fact any kind of flat surface you can imagine.
Bystanders have bared witness to Hov Pod Hovercrafts hovering over objects such as car tyres! Can you imagine that? Hov Pod Hovercraft has proven time and time again how it can hover at
heights of up to 8.5 inches.
This part of the Hov Pod Hovercraft technology is particularly useful for inshore rescues, especially when mud or ice pose a hazard.
Hov Pod Hovercraft Ownership - Reality or Dream?
You maybe thinking... "So what's new? And quite rightly so, being as hovercrafts have been around for quite some time. However; having said that, the latest news is that leisure
hovercraft ownership has become an actual reality for many Hov Pod Hovercraft enthusiasts. In fact, gone are the days when people used to imagine hovercraft as huge, loud commercial
vessels or something for crazy enthusiasts that spent all their time and money putting home made kits together.
I'm sure you know the home made hovercraft kits I'm talking about.
Hov Pod Hovercraft Engine Design
Hov Pod Hovercraft designers have used the conventional lift engine which uses (one single engine) to generate tremendous air lift.
This one Hov Pod Hovercraft engine is capable of hurtling a Hov Pod Hovercraft forwards, sideways and into 180 and 360 degree turns. The icing on the cake are the hair raising top speeds of up to 45 miles per hour.
This One Engine Design is Responsible for Easier handling i.e.. driving Reduced noise outputs And easy maintenance Hov Pod Hovercraft Design Challenges
When it came to performance on water, previous small hovercraft designs produced a few obstacles. Development teams faced challenges known as "Ploughing in"... i.e.. When the hovercraft's nose dipped into the water, it caused the craft to suddenly stop. This sometimes lead to craft and passengers parting company!
Further challenges which the Hov Pod Hovercraft team had to
solve were:
Floatation Restarting on water
It took the Hov Pod Hovercraft development team 7 years to design and develop a safe personal leisure hovercraft for marine usage. As a result, the Hov Pod Hovercraft can be safely used in
salt water conditions and makes light work of the term "Getting over the hump."
"Getting over the hump." is a term used to describe the problems some small hovercraft experience in:
Generating enough power to start while on water Forward movement on a cushion of air Hov Pod Hovercraft Payload
Depending on the Hov Pod Hovercraft engine size... on water payload starts at:
550 pounds (250 kilos) or 725 pounds (330 kilos).
A Hov Pod Hovercraft personal leisure hovercraft is designed to carry up to three adults, or one adult and three small children.
Hov Pod Hovercraft Handling
Handling a Hov Pod Hovercraft is a breeze! Your natural instincts will be challenged, which adds all to the excitement of a Hov Pod Hovercraft adventure!
For example. With your new found hobby, you'll find yourself using sandbars, navigating mud flats, doing graceful loops, flying over any kind of flat surface, sliding and even gliding into breath stopping 180 degree turns or 360 degree spins.
Hov Pod Hovercraft Commercial Applications
Not only great as a personal leisure hovercraft for having the most amazing fun, the Hov Pod Hovercraft has proven itself to be a proven winner as a commercial application. Here are but a few commercial uses for:
Rescue organizations:
mud-flat rescues
sand dune rescues
swamp rescues
flood rescues
shallow river rescues
iced over lake rescues
and areas of submerged rocks or coral
About the author:
Stewart Alexander is the author and webmaster of: Hov Pod Adventures.
Visit Hov Pod Hovercraft Request Form for more information about
Hov Pod Personal Hovercrafts.
Fast Go Karts - Cheap Excitement!
Author: Sally Johnson
Are you ready to discover a thrilling recreational activity? Racing or off road go karts could be the ultimate in excitement!
The thrill of skidding sharply around a blind corner in your go kart is an experience that is hard to surpass. Racing down the track in one of your speedy go karts, maneuvering around curves
and slower gokart drivers, is fun at its best. Pressing down hard on the accelerator as you pass by slower drivers is about as adrenaline-pumping as it gets. And with gokarting for every
level anyone can experience the fun and heart-pounding excitement of go karting.
The smell of the dirt track and the distinct aroma of the gas and oil burning in the gocart engine is enough to excite any enthusiast, even when watching from the stands. If you have ever
watched an Indy Car or Formula One race in person or on TV you know how exciting it can be. But imagine climbing into one of those off road or racing gokarts yourself. Starting out slow,
taking out to the track, the anticipation is almost unbearable. But then, once on the track, you press the accelerator on your gocart to the floor, feeling an immediate thrust forward, and your adrenaline pumping just as fast. What a thrill. Go karts cannot be beat.
Gokarts are how you can experience the thrill of Formula One racing without the danger. At least with the beginner go karts. And you can find those just about anywhere, at family amusement parks, fun centers and other recreational areas where you live. And if you are really serious, it is a good way to get started toward a career in professional racing. Once you master driving go karts it is time to take the next step into the arena of professional racing. But if you are not quite so brave remaining in a go kart can still be exciting.
Go karts are geared toward beginners in either off road or paved track racing. Beginner gokarts are easy to drive and control. And if you do lose control there are usually not serious consequences to deal with afterward. No, it is just plain fun racing go karts. Go karting is a simplified version of Indy Car or Formula One racing. But like anything else there are different levels that you can become involved in.
From total beginners to professional go kart racing. From the least experienced drivers to ones that are training to become professional drivers. You can choose your own competition. No need to get involved over your head. The main objective is to have fun. And once you get into your own go kart, no matter what level you are competing in, the fun just never ends.
Once you get addicted to go karting there is no limit as to what you can do. You can purchase a brand new gokart ready for racing, or you can buy inexpensive kits and build your own go
carts. Installing rack and pinion steering to changing tires will become easy over time. Or how about the installation of a brand new engine designed for improving the speed of go karts? Maybe you will be after a brand new frame that will be the envy of all around. Perhaps you will want to get into electric gokarts instead of gas powered go karts. The way gas prices are climbing these days that might be a good idea.
But the bottom line is this: speed is where the excitement comes in. And these go karts can reach speeds up to 90 MPH or more. That is fast. But once again, there is no need to start getting nervous just yet. There are opportunities for thrills at every level. You do not need to go 80 MPH to experience a thrilling ride. So if you have ever thought about getting involved with go karts it is never too late and you are never too old. Go out and experience the thrill of go karting now.
About the author:
Sally Johnson is an amateur when it comes to go karts. But that doesn't stop her from having fun. She enjoys racing or going off road. Please visit her go karts site for more information about
go karts and go kart parts.
Are you ready to discover a thrilling recreational activity? Racing or off road go karts could be the ultimate in excitement!
The thrill of skidding sharply around a blind corner in your go kart is an experience that is hard to surpass. Racing down the track in one of your speedy go karts, maneuvering around curves
and slower gokart drivers, is fun at its best. Pressing down hard on the accelerator as you pass by slower drivers is about as adrenaline-pumping as it gets. And with gokarting for every
level anyone can experience the fun and heart-pounding excitement of go karting.
The smell of the dirt track and the distinct aroma of the gas and oil burning in the gocart engine is enough to excite any enthusiast, even when watching from the stands. If you have ever
watched an Indy Car or Formula One race in person or on TV you know how exciting it can be. But imagine climbing into one of those off road or racing gokarts yourself. Starting out slow,
taking out to the track, the anticipation is almost unbearable. But then, once on the track, you press the accelerator on your gocart to the floor, feeling an immediate thrust forward, and your adrenaline pumping just as fast. What a thrill. Go karts cannot be beat.
Gokarts are how you can experience the thrill of Formula One racing without the danger. At least with the beginner go karts. And you can find those just about anywhere, at family amusement parks, fun centers and other recreational areas where you live. And if you are really serious, it is a good way to get started toward a career in professional racing. Once you master driving go karts it is time to take the next step into the arena of professional racing. But if you are not quite so brave remaining in a go kart can still be exciting.
Go karts are geared toward beginners in either off road or paved track racing. Beginner gokarts are easy to drive and control. And if you do lose control there are usually not serious consequences to deal with afterward. No, it is just plain fun racing go karts. Go karting is a simplified version of Indy Car or Formula One racing. But like anything else there are different levels that you can become involved in.
From total beginners to professional go kart racing. From the least experienced drivers to ones that are training to become professional drivers. You can choose your own competition. No need to get involved over your head. The main objective is to have fun. And once you get into your own go kart, no matter what level you are competing in, the fun just never ends.
Once you get addicted to go karting there is no limit as to what you can do. You can purchase a brand new gokart ready for racing, or you can buy inexpensive kits and build your own go
carts. Installing rack and pinion steering to changing tires will become easy over time. Or how about the installation of a brand new engine designed for improving the speed of go karts? Maybe you will be after a brand new frame that will be the envy of all around. Perhaps you will want to get into electric gokarts instead of gas powered go karts. The way gas prices are climbing these days that might be a good idea.
But the bottom line is this: speed is where the excitement comes in. And these go karts can reach speeds up to 90 MPH or more. That is fast. But once again, there is no need to start getting nervous just yet. There are opportunities for thrills at every level. You do not need to go 80 MPH to experience a thrilling ride. So if you have ever thought about getting involved with go karts it is never too late and you are never too old. Go out and experience the thrill of go karting now.
About the author:
Sally Johnson is an amateur when it comes to go karts. But that doesn't stop her from having fun. She enjoys racing or going off road. Please visit her go karts site for more information about
go karts and go kart parts.
Go Karts Are Fun, But Are They Safe?
Author: J Larry Alan
Go karts are thrilling, but are they dangerous? By taking a few safety precautions you can eliminate just about all of the dangers.
Go karts are fast, exciting and easy to handle, and there are tracks all over the country catering to every age range from kids to teens to adults. Gokarts are generally easy to drive, easy to control and are how you can experience the excitement of Formula One racing without as much of the danger.
Go-karts are just beginning to come into their own and are geared toward beginners in either off road or paved track go kart racing. They are built to withstand years of use and abuse and are terrific when it comes to performance, styling and low maintenance.
There are many types of vehicles that are built for fun. These include ATVs, dirt bikes, scooters, mopeds, mini bikes and go karts. If you are looking to find some excitement with 4 wheels then you have to discard the dirt bike, scooter, moped and mini bike. And the all terrain vehicles are typically made for traveling off road. That leaves the go kart. If you want to go racing like the big boys, with a mighty gasoline powered engine and relative safety, go karts are what you will want to be racing.
Whether you just want some cheap racing fun or would like to someday become a professional race car driver, the go-kart is a great way to begin. Many NASCAR drivers today got their start by racing go karts when they were as young as five years old.
Carts have been around for a lot of years, but have increased in popularity only recently. Back in the olden days, carts were only available at the neighborhood Family Fun Center or Amusement Park. And these gokarts only had two speeds, slow and slower. But were they safe? Let's just say it wasn't easy to get hurt traveling at just 5 mph.
But even at the slower speeds they were still loads of fun. Imagine the thrill you can experience now with the faster speeds and the bigger and better track selections. Great go-cart tracks have been sprouting up all over. But have the increased karting speeds made the go carts unsafe?
They used to be so terribly slow that no helmets were even required. But with the speeds attained today helmets are required at tracks everywhere, even the kiddie's tracks. But
don't let that scare you, they are still extremely safe and there is never any need to go faster than your own comfort dictates.
You can control, for the most part, the amount of danger you experience in a go kart. Your decisions, from the go kart you buy, to the safety equipment you use, to your level of caution
expressed on the track, determine how safe you will be. The faster you go the more chance of sustaining a substantial injury. So taking every safety precaution is always a smart idea.
Carting is generally very safe if you follow a few simple rules. One important thing to remember is that they are not toys. Don't treat them like a toy, treat them like a vehicle. As far as safety rules go, number one is "always wear a helmet." In the event of a crash it can spare you from a serious head injury. Also, never forget to fasten your safety harness. This will prevent you from being tossed out during a roll. Never race at speeds that you don't feel comfortable with. If speed is not your thing you should remain in the lesser levels of racing groups.
If you decide to race, even in a kid's competition, you should be wearing a fire safety suit, racing shoes and protective gloves. The shoes and gloves should also be fire retardant. There is not much gas in a gocart, but if it should happen to catch on fire the fire-safe equipment you use could save you a lot of pain and discomfort.
Gocarts today all have roll bars that rise above the driver's head. In the event that you lose control, causing your go kart to flip over, the roll bars and safety harness can keep you from
harm's way. You may think that it could not happen to you because you are such a great driver, but the other racers on the track may not be so great. This is the reason why a gokart has
side bars that will protect you in the event that another racer loses control and rams your kart.
With all of these precautions how can anyone get injured? It's possible, but the chances of experiencing a serious injury are severely limited by simply following a few safety rules. Go
karts are just about as safe as you want to make them.
About the author:
J Larry Alan loves driving cheap go karts. Nothing is better than a little fast go kart action.
For more information about go karts please visit J's site about go karts.
Author: J Larry Alan
Go karts are thrilling, but are they dangerous? By taking a few safety precautions you can eliminate just about all of the dangers.
Go karts are fast, exciting and easy to handle, and there are tracks all over the country catering to every age range from kids to teens to adults. Gokarts are generally easy to drive, easy to control and are how you can experience the excitement of Formula One racing without as much of the danger.
Go-karts are just beginning to come into their own and are geared toward beginners in either off road or paved track go kart racing. They are built to withstand years of use and abuse and are terrific when it comes to performance, styling and low maintenance.
There are many types of vehicles that are built for fun. These include ATVs, dirt bikes, scooters, mopeds, mini bikes and go karts. If you are looking to find some excitement with 4 wheels then you have to discard the dirt bike, scooter, moped and mini bike. And the all terrain vehicles are typically made for traveling off road. That leaves the go kart. If you want to go racing like the big boys, with a mighty gasoline powered engine and relative safety, go karts are what you will want to be racing.
Whether you just want some cheap racing fun or would like to someday become a professional race car driver, the go-kart is a great way to begin. Many NASCAR drivers today got their start by racing go karts when they were as young as five years old.
Carts have been around for a lot of years, but have increased in popularity only recently. Back in the olden days, carts were only available at the neighborhood Family Fun Center or Amusement Park. And these gokarts only had two speeds, slow and slower. But were they safe? Let's just say it wasn't easy to get hurt traveling at just 5 mph.
But even at the slower speeds they were still loads of fun. Imagine the thrill you can experience now with the faster speeds and the bigger and better track selections. Great go-cart tracks have been sprouting up all over. But have the increased karting speeds made the go carts unsafe?
They used to be so terribly slow that no helmets were even required. But with the speeds attained today helmets are required at tracks everywhere, even the kiddie's tracks. But
don't let that scare you, they are still extremely safe and there is never any need to go faster than your own comfort dictates.
You can control, for the most part, the amount of danger you experience in a go kart. Your decisions, from the go kart you buy, to the safety equipment you use, to your level of caution
expressed on the track, determine how safe you will be. The faster you go the more chance of sustaining a substantial injury. So taking every safety precaution is always a smart idea.
Carting is generally very safe if you follow a few simple rules. One important thing to remember is that they are not toys. Don't treat them like a toy, treat them like a vehicle. As far as safety rules go, number one is "always wear a helmet." In the event of a crash it can spare you from a serious head injury. Also, never forget to fasten your safety harness. This will prevent you from being tossed out during a roll. Never race at speeds that you don't feel comfortable with. If speed is not your thing you should remain in the lesser levels of racing groups.
If you decide to race, even in a kid's competition, you should be wearing a fire safety suit, racing shoes and protective gloves. The shoes and gloves should also be fire retardant. There is not much gas in a gocart, but if it should happen to catch on fire the fire-safe equipment you use could save you a lot of pain and discomfort.
Gocarts today all have roll bars that rise above the driver's head. In the event that you lose control, causing your go kart to flip over, the roll bars and safety harness can keep you from
harm's way. You may think that it could not happen to you because you are such a great driver, but the other racers on the track may not be so great. This is the reason why a gokart has
side bars that will protect you in the event that another racer loses control and rams your kart.
With all of these precautions how can anyone get injured? It's possible, but the chances of experiencing a serious injury are severely limited by simply following a few safety rules. Go
karts are just about as safe as you want to make them.
About the author:
J Larry Alan loves driving cheap go karts. Nothing is better than a little fast go kart action.
For more information about go karts please visit J's site about go karts.
Monday, February 13, 2006
Parts of a Hydroplane
Hydroplanes are the boating equivelant of "open wheeled" race cars (eg. Formula 1, Formula Ford, etc), they have been designed purely for speed. That is the sole purpose of this boat design.
Also known as a "3 Point Hydroplane", the main characteristic of the hydroplane are the sponsons that are built lower than the main bulk of the boat. At speed, the boat will partly lift out of the water, leaving only the two sponsons and propeller (the 3 points) in contact with the water. This is how a hydroplane can have so much speed with relatively low horsepower, because there is less boat surface in contact with the water, causing drag.
The types of hydroplane design basically boil down to 2 types:1 - Conventional (rear seater)2 - Cabover (front seater)
The main differences are that a Conventional has the driver behind the motor and has a big round "shovel" nose, whereas a Cabover has the driver in front of the motor and a "pickle fork" front.
Conventional hydroplanes are older in design and generally slower than Cabovers. Although, a Conventional hydroplane with the right set-up can very much still battle against the newer, more efficient, Cabover designs.
TOP VIEW
Cabover on left, Conventional on right
1 :Engine
2 :Cockpit - Lending explanation to the terms "Cabover" & "Rear Seater"
3 :Gearbox
4 :Rudder - The rudders are offset to either side of the back of the boat so the rudder can control the steering in the "clean" water, out of the propeller wash. As for which side of the boat ?? There is no hard & fast rule.
5 :Propeller - On a Conventional hydro, the propeller is located under the back of the boat
FRONT VIEW
Cabover on left, Conventional on right
This illustration directly illustrates the concept of the boat lifting out of the water at speed, showing only the sponson tips in contact with the water.
Notice the older design on the right with the higher centre of gravity, therefore not allowing the boat to turn easily.
1 : Air Trap or Tunnel - This key to a hydroplane. The air is trapped by a sponson on either side and has to continue under the boat. This air pressure (when sufficient) will cause the boat to lift out of the water
2 : Sponsons
SIDE VIEW
Conventional above, Cabover below
1 : Skid Fin - Due to most of the boat being out of the water, a fin is added so the boat has something to "grip" the water with as it turns
2 : Cockpit
3 : Air Trap - These panels keep the air trapped in the tunnel until further towards the back of the boat. These can be extended or shortened to fine tune the boats handling
4 : Engine
5 : Gearbox
6 : Propeller Shaft
7 : Skeg
8 : Propeller
9 : Rudder
Hydroplanes are the boating equivelant of "open wheeled" race cars (eg. Formula 1, Formula Ford, etc), they have been designed purely for speed. That is the sole purpose of this boat design.
Also known as a "3 Point Hydroplane", the main characteristic of the hydroplane are the sponsons that are built lower than the main bulk of the boat. At speed, the boat will partly lift out of the water, leaving only the two sponsons and propeller (the 3 points) in contact with the water. This is how a hydroplane can have so much speed with relatively low horsepower, because there is less boat surface in contact with the water, causing drag.
The types of hydroplane design basically boil down to 2 types:1 - Conventional (rear seater)2 - Cabover (front seater)
The main differences are that a Conventional has the driver behind the motor and has a big round "shovel" nose, whereas a Cabover has the driver in front of the motor and a "pickle fork" front.
Conventional hydroplanes are older in design and generally slower than Cabovers. Although, a Conventional hydroplane with the right set-up can very much still battle against the newer, more efficient, Cabover designs.
TOP VIEW
Cabover on left, Conventional on right
1 :Engine
2 :Cockpit - Lending explanation to the terms "Cabover" & "Rear Seater"
3 :Gearbox
4 :Rudder - The rudders are offset to either side of the back of the boat so the rudder can control the steering in the "clean" water, out of the propeller wash. As for which side of the boat ?? There is no hard & fast rule.
5 :Propeller - On a Conventional hydro, the propeller is located under the back of the boat
FRONT VIEW
Cabover on left, Conventional on right
This illustration directly illustrates the concept of the boat lifting out of the water at speed, showing only the sponson tips in contact with the water.
Notice the older design on the right with the higher centre of gravity, therefore not allowing the boat to turn easily.
1 : Air Trap or Tunnel - This key to a hydroplane. The air is trapped by a sponson on either side and has to continue under the boat. This air pressure (when sufficient) will cause the boat to lift out of the water
2 : Sponsons
SIDE VIEW
Conventional above, Cabover below
1 : Skid Fin - Due to most of the boat being out of the water, a fin is added so the boat has something to "grip" the water with as it turns
2 : Cockpit
3 : Air Trap - These panels keep the air trapped in the tunnel until further towards the back of the boat. These can be extended or shortened to fine tune the boats handling
4 : Engine
5 : Gearbox
6 : Propeller Shaft
7 : Skeg
8 : Propeller
9 : Rudder
Sunday, February 05, 2006
What is A Hydroplane?
A hydroplane (or hydro, or thunderboat) is a very specific type of motorboat (motorboat: A boat propelled by an internal-combustion engine) used exclusively for racing.One of the most unique things about these boats is that they only use the water they're on for propulsion and steering (steering: The act of setting and holding a course) --when going full speed they are primarily held aloft by a principle of aerodynamics (aerodynamics: The branch of mechanics that deals with the motion of gases (especially air) and their effects on bodies in the flow) known as "planing (planing: planing has several meanings:...[follow hyperlink for more...]) ", with only a tiny fraction of their hull (hull: The frame or body of ship) actually touching the water.
Build a Picklefork a 9 1/2' hydroplane
Source: http://www.glen-l.com/
I had been searching the internet for boat designs for i am planning to build one. I was thinking of a simple motorized outrigger for me to build.
While browsing for designs, i encountered the these Hydroplane design. I find it very interesting and i began to change my mind of what im gonna build this summer. This fast boat planes over the water using the 3 point hydroplane design. Check this out you mught find it intresting. This Hydroplane is designed by Glen L.
Built from plywood and has the following dimensions:
Length overall ------------ 9'-6"
Beam -------------------- 5'-3"
Hull depth ---------------- 14"
Average passengers ------ 1
Hull weight (approx.): ---- 90 lbs.
Hull type: Picklefork type three-point hydroplane developed for sheet plywood planking.
Power: Short shaft outboard motor to 80 lbs.
While browsing for designs, i encountered the these Hydroplane design. I find it very interesting and i began to change my mind of what im gonna build this summer. This fast boat planes over the water using the 3 point hydroplane design. Check this out you mught find it intresting. This Hydroplane is designed by Glen L.
Built from plywood and has the following dimensions:
Length overall ------------ 9'-6"
Beam -------------------- 5'-3"
Hull depth ---------------- 14"
Average passengers ------ 1
Hull weight (approx.): ---- 90 lbs.
Hull type: Picklefork type three-point hydroplane developed for sheet plywood planking.
Power: Short shaft outboard motor to 80 lbs.
You can see photos and list of materials on the links below.
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
Dune Buggy
A dune buggy is a recreational vehicle designed with big wheels and tires to handle rough terrains and on sandy surfaces. It is made very light either built from recycled engines and scraps or modified Volswago Beetle. The modified engine is mounted on an open chassis made out of tubes as frames.
To learn more about Dune Buggies i reccommend these links:
http://www.dune-buggy.com/ - it covers almost all you want to know about buggies.
http://www.dunebuggiescanada.com/build.htm - This page shows a pictorial step-by-step on how to build a Street legal buggy from scratch.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have any picture of other exotic toys and want to share it in this post just send it to
this email add: chalacuna@gmail.comIf possible, please include some text or description for your shared picture and include your
name for credits.All comments about this post are highly appreciated and will be included in this post as updated.Thanx for viewing this post and im happy sharing ;-)
A dune buggy is a recreational vehicle designed with big wheels and tires to handle rough terrains and on sandy surfaces. It is made very light either built from recycled engines and scraps or modified Volswago Beetle. The modified engine is mounted on an open chassis made out of tubes as frames.
To learn more about Dune Buggies i reccommend these links:
http://www.dune-buggy.com/ - it covers almost all you want to know about buggies.
http://www.dunebuggiescanada.com/build.htm - This page shows a pictorial step-by-step on how to build a Street legal buggy from scratch.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
If you have any picture of other exotic toys and want to share it in this post just send it to
this email add: chalacuna@gmail.comIf possible, please include some text or description for your shared picture and include your
name for credits.All comments about this post are highly appreciated and will be included in this post as updated.Thanx for viewing this post and im happy sharing ;-)
Hovercraft
A hovercraft is a crossbreed between an airboat and an airplane. The hovercraft floats over water and land or on all flat surfaces. Its use is more like of a boat but it more effecient because it has less drag because it hovers on a thin bed of air. . A hovercraft is 100% more fuel-efficient compared to a boat of similar capacity or size. It has been used in military operations as personnel carrier on remote places. Recently, it has been widely used as a recreational vehicle and has been developed into a new sport in the european countries. The hovercraft has been seen as a future means of transportation.
A hovercraft is a crossbreed between an airboat and an airplane. The hovercraft floats over water and land or on all flat surfaces. Its use is more like of a boat but it more effecient because it has less drag because it hovers on a thin bed of air. . A hovercraft is 100% more fuel-efficient compared to a boat of similar capacity or size. It has been used in military operations as personnel carrier on remote places. Recently, it has been widely used as a recreational vehicle and has been developed into a new sport in the european countries. The hovercraft has been seen as a future means of transportation.
To learn more about Hovercraft check out these links:
http://www.hovercraft.com/ - Want to build hovercraft from kit or plans?http://www.piteraq.dk/hover/ - This page gives you a detailed idea on the steps of building your own hovercraft.
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