All I want for Christmas is a Hovercraft

The ultimate big boy's toy this Christmas has got to be a hovercraft; not the Radio Control variety that limits all the onboard fun to your hamster, but a proper ride-on leisure hovercraft designed for bigger boys. Hovercraft are so cool, you can glide on a cushion of air suspension which tends to smooth out the bumps you fly over, so the ride is far more comfortable than a Rib or Jet Ski (which tend to smack every wave)

The ability to fly over any flat surface provides real all-terrain fun - you can drive down the slipway or over the beach, do a little wave hopping, fly up the river, over the mud, sand, ice, submerged rocks, coral, snow, grass. Hovercraft have a very low footprint, weighing less when hovering, than a seagull standing on one leg, you can even fly over eggs without breaking any. There are fewer restrictions with hovercraft for when you can use the craft - whereas boats and PWC have to time their use to suit tidal conditions, for launching and retrieval onto trailer.

Typical cruise height is 9 inches above the surface at speeds of up to 40 mph, so this could appeal to people who would love to experience flying but are scarred of heights. Marine leisure hovercraft such as the Hov Pod www.hovpod.com can take up to 3 adults, or a small family, so the unique ride properties allow you to escape the crowds, to reach locations out of reach to other vehicles.

Driving is pretty easy, although you tend to accelerate into corners. The air cushion that supports you minimises any friction with the ground, so it is easy to do 360 spins, or 180 turns up the beach, or fly over sand dunes. Safer over ice than a snowmobile, if the ice gives way, no problem, just drive over the water.
Hovercraft can save journey time to work if you happen to have a river or lake in your neighbourhood.

If you cannot afford your own hovercraft, UK manufacturer Reaction International Ltd offer try before you buy vouchers (subject to location and availability of operators) and if you choose to buy a Hov Pod, you can claim back the cost of the experience ride. So if your partner cannot quite afford the whole hovercraft, you can hope to at least have the experience of flying one.