Light hovercraft for rivers, ice and rough water
Surveyor 16 light hovercraft
Five adults, 40 mph, 1.6 gallons an hour, and a belt drive you never have to re-tension.
The download leaves out prices. For the brochure with pricing, send us a request.
5
Adults, or 1,100 lb of payload
40 mph
Top speed, 30 mph easy cruise
1.6 gph
Fuel burn at cruise
595 lb
Empty weight
Overview
Our newest craft, with more power where it counts.
The Surveyor 16 carries a 999 cc, 37 hp Kohler EFI engine for more speed, more payload and better headway into a strong wind. It cruises easily at 30 mph.
The carbon fiber belt drive does not slip, runs more efficiently, never needs re-tensioning and does away with belt covers and touch bars. The idlers use double sealed bearings that last far longer than the old v-belt idlers.
These rugged craft handle rough water, rivers, rapids, swamps, mud flats and ice while carrying heavy loads, with low noise and high fuel efficiency. We also provide full maintenance, training and repair.
A Surveyor 16 with the full enclosure option.
On the water
Surveyor 16 at work and play.
A Surveyor 16 riding up and over a rock ledge on its cushion of air.
Running up a shallow river.
Pulling crab pots.
Sand bars are no problem.
Out on the ice at dusk.
What sets it apart
Simple to own, easy to keep running.
Direct drive lift
A vertical shaft engine drives the lift fan directly and the propeller through a single carbon fiber belt.
Brakes that steer
The pilot can vent the forward compartment for smooth slowing, stopping and turning, a feature not found on any other hovercraft.
Heat in under three minutes
An optional stainless muffler and heat exchanger puts warm air on the dash, adjustable with a damper.
Seven bulkhead hull
Hull, deck and seven bulkheads bonded together, with three sealed compartments for 1,500 lb of flotation. No wood.
Also sold as a kit
Build your own Surveyor 16. Kits range from plans and parts to a nearly finished craft, so call us to work out the kit that fits your build.
Quiet cruise
A 76 inch carbon propeller keeps noise to 78 dBA at cruise, measured at 25 meters.
Standard features
What comes with every Surveyor 16.
- Kohler ECV-980 EFI engine
- Carbon never slip propeller drive
- 12 gallon gasoline tank
- Tachometer and voltmeter
- Three ultralight hovercraft seats
- Black urethane skirt, about 1,500 hours of life
- 12 volt system with 680 CCA AGM battery
- Navigation lights
- Stainless propeller guard
- Fiberglass engine cover
The Kohler EFI engine and lift fan.
Specifications
Surveyor 16 specifications.
Specifications from the current Surveyor 16 brochure
| Cushion | 16 ft x 7.5 ft (4.9 m x 2.3 m), 103 sq ft (9.6 m²) |
|---|---|
| Length overall | 16 ft (4.9 m) |
| Cockpit space | 100 in x 52 in (254 cm x 132 cm) |
| Height off cushion | 7 ft (2.1 m) |
| Hard clearance | 11.25 in (28.6 cm) |
| Payload | 5 adults or 1,100 lb (500 kg), including people, fuel and gear |
| Empty weight | 595 lb (270 kg) |
| Speed | 30 mph (48 kph) cruise, 40 mph (65 kph) maximum on flat calm water |
| Fuel use | 1.6 gal (6 L) per hour at cruise |
| Hull | Molded composite with epoxy resin, carbon and glass fiber and structural cores. Hull, deck and seven bulkheads bonded together. Three sealed compartments with 1,500 lb (680 kg) of flotation. No wood |
| Engine | Kohler ECV-980, 37 hp (27.6 kW), EFI, 4 stroke V-twin, 999 cc |
| Drive | Vertical shaft engine drives the lift fan directly and the propeller through a single carbon fiber belt |
| Thrust propeller | 76 in (193 cm), 3 blade carbon fiber, adjustable pitch |
| Lift fan | 24 in (61 cm), 9 blade, adjustable pitch nylon |
| Skirt | Multi-compartment with front and inner divider curtains, large bag skirt on sides and rear. 35/23 oz dual weight urethane, about 1,500 to 2,000 hours of life. For heavy duty work over barnacle covered rock and oyster beds, we hot air weld urethane reinforcements onto the wear areas |
| Brakes | Operator controlled. Reduce pressure in the forward compartment for smooth slowing, stopping and turning |
| Noise | 82 dBA at full power and 78 dBA at cruise, measured at 25 m over grass |
| Warranty | 2 years or 1,000 hours, whichever comes first |
Options
Make it yours.
Call for factory direct pricing.
- Saltwater series, including a stainless muffler and full engine painting
- All carbon fiber composite body for more payload
- Carbon fiber windshield frame with glass windows and dual wiper and wash
- Partial dodger or full enclosure
- Stainless muffler and heat exchanger with dash vents and control
- Rare earth magnet door closures
- Camouflage paint
- Fly on/off trailer or standard bunk trailer
- Backlit digital tachometer, chrome wheel and LED driving lights
- Boaters’ safety package with extinguisher, signal device, boat hook, flares, skirt repair kit and tools
Carbon windshield frame with glass windows.
Prices are FOB Shelton, Washington and do not include shipping. We prefer payment by wire transfer and also accept money orders. Personal checks need five business days to clear. PayPal adds a 3% processing charge. Our labor rate is $137 per hour. Prices and specifications are subject to change.
Surveyor 16
See more of the Surveyor 16.
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.