Hovercraft dive platform

[Moosen]

hello,
Ive searched the interweb thingy and many sites for info, but couldnt find what I was looking for, I hope someone stumbles upon this and can possibly provide some guidance.

Im trying to find guidance about designing a hovercraft, for upto 6 adults, which upon arrival at its destination, could be used as a dive platform. The actual hovercraft isnt much of a problem, but the next bit may possibly be unobtainable. I would like to make the platform as stable as possible, and was thinking of incorporating a SWATHE design into it, utilising inflatable pontoons which are tucked up out of the way during transit, but are lowered when on site.

Thankyou for your time,
Paul.

[yipster]

first thought that came to mind:
blowing a swath up under a hoovercraft for stability going in the water is best done than true a hatch in the middle of the craft
gee, there is much more to think about...

[tspeer]

There's already a combination SWATH and hovercraft - it's called a Suface Effect Ship (SES). They have rigid sidewalls like a SWATH, and blow air underneath to support the hull like a hovercraft. See http://www.foils.org/skjold%20brief.pdf for an example of a SES that is of a size that might be appropriate for a dive boat.

I think you are a bit confused about your requirements. You say you want maximum stability. But the whole point of a SWATH is to have minimum stability.

[Tim B]

um, I'm not going to get into the discussion of what swaths are intended for against other craft, personally I thought it was primarily for low wave drag... anyway.

Moosen,

I don't know where you are in the UK, but I suggest you sketch out a few ideas and then go and talk to Gryphon Hovercraft in Southampton. They've been in the game for a large number of years, so they're probably the people to talk to...

Personally, I'd suggest a pretty standard hovercraft with tubes that were large enough for it to float with the engine off.

There are a lot of interesting question that will creep up in this project. I'll be interested to know what the outcome was,

Tim B.

[yipster]

imagine blowing up only a hoovercrafts sealed skirt and opening major size holes in the legs
for wild shallow water shorter wavelengts a smaller platform could work

[Moosen]

Thanks folks,
I think I forgot that people aren't sharing my brain waves, and I dont think I put the problem across well enough. Think I've spent too long thinking about it myself I suppose an easier way of discribing it, is that I would like a hovercraft for the journey, but a platform, that is lifted above the waves on arrival.

http://www.nektoncruises.com/Liveaboards/SWATH.aspx
is a good example of the "platform" effect I'm after, but a little large

the whole "I want a SWATH design" was a bit misleading... but "I want a pontoon thingy on legs that is lifted clear of the waves" confused even me, and I'm supposed to know what I'm after so sorry if I caused any head scratching

Cheers for the Griffon info Tim B, I've got a friend making my scribbles presentable, or at least understandable, and I think I'll give them a bell (I'm up North) and see if they have and guidance, always better to be laughed at by folks that do it for a living

Thanks again everyone for your time....

[yipster]

a quik second thought i saw and cant find back quik now is a ship that on location goes vertical ( takes a nosedive )
the resulting above waterline stern with 90 degree accomodation makes a small waterplane area for all seastates, not a really wide platform tho

[Moosen]

cheers Yipster,
I think i know the type you mention, I believe they were something to do with the oil industry, now that would be a sight, arriving on site and then deleberatly sinking half your vessle

[yipster]

"now that would be a sight"
like the interior on the wall in transit mode
but actually Tom has the asked solution...