From our history

Explorer 22 TDi hovercraft.

The craft that took our Explorers diesel. We no longer build it, but its story shows how our hovercraft have progressed.

Explorer 22 TDi

Our first diesel Explorer.

In 2009 an Alaskan client asked for an Explorer with diesel power, a cabin and heat. We chose the 84 hp VW industrial diesel and scaled the craft up to 22 by 11 feet to suit it. It was the first craft we designed in 3D CAD, using Rhino 3D and SolidWorks.

We built four Explorer 22 TDi craft before VW pulled that engine from the US market. The first one, built in 2010 with a green top, ran in Wrangell, Alaska and the Stikine River delta, and made the trip up the Stikine River to Shakes Lake Glacier. It came back to our shop in 2023 for a complete refit and now provides service in Gates of the Arctic National Park.

Allen Marine also ran Explorer 22s on tours near Juneau.

The Explorer 24 we build today carries that work forward, with a larger cabin and a 164 hp Steyr marine diesel.

Bryan and Angela Phillips aboard the first Explorer 22 TDi

Bryan and Angela Phillips in the first Explorer 22 TDi.

Explorer 22 TDi running under the Harstine Island bridge

1 / 11The first Explorer 22 TDi under the Harstine Island bridge, Puget Sound.

Explorer 22 TDi running with another craft behind — Running in company.

Explorer 22 TDi heading toward the camera in fog — Coming out of the fog.

Explorer 22 TDi near Steamboat Island in winter — Near Steamboat Island, December 2010.

The first Explorer 22 TDi on the Stikine River near Wrangell, Alaska.

Allen Marine Explorer 22 on tidal flats below mountains — An Allen Marine Explorer 22 near Juneau.

Passengers inside the cabin of an Allen Marine Explorer 22 — Tour passengers in an Allen Marine Explorer 22 cabin.

Explorer 22 TDi at a floating dock with a hovercraft rides sign — Giving rides.

Two hovercraft running on grey water — Two craft on a grey day.

Explorer 22 TDi near icebergs on the Stikine River — The Stikine River, on the way to Shakes Lake Glacier.

Bryan Phillips beside an Explorer 22 TDi — Bryan Phillips with the first Explorer 22 TDi near Steamboat Island.

The first Explorer 22 TDi on our For Sale page

All galleries and videos

Search and rescue in Utah

Daggett County SAR on the ice.

In 2013 we built an Explorer 22 TDi SAR for Daggett County Search and Rescue, for winter work on Flaming Gorge Reservoir in Utah. Read about it on our search and rescue page.

Slow maneuvering on the ice during crew training.

Ice operation training on Flaming Gorge.

Daggett County SAR Explorer 22 TDi hovering on the ice at Flaming Gorge, skirt full, red cliffs behind

On its cushion of air below the red cliffs.

Daggett County SAR Explorer 22 TDi on its cushion of air on the ice, crew in the cabin

Skirt full, crew in the cabin.

Daggett County SAR Explorer 22 TDi maneuvering on the ice during crew training

Maneuvering close to the camera during training.

Specifications

Explorer 22 TDi at a glance.

For the record, from our 2010 Explorer 22 TDi, the first one built. The Explorer 22 TDi is no longer in production.

Size	22 ft x 11 ft
Weight	About 1,700 lb
Cargo capacity	1,600 lb
Passengers	8, in an enclosed, heated cabin
Engine	VW industrial diesel, 84 hp
Speed	32 mph cruise, 40 mph top
Fuel use	2.2 gal per hour at 30 mph
Lighting	LED night driving lights

See the Explorer 24 we build today

The first Explorer 22 TDi running under the Harstine Island bridge

Talk to the builder

Tell us the job, and we will tell you which craft fits it, or build one that does.

Call or email with where you operate, how many people or how much weight you need to carry, and when you need it.

Request information

Call 360-661-0875