May of 2008 camping trip to rock port http://video.yahoo.com/watch/2567568/7675855

 http://video.yahoo.com/video/play?vid=661271  click on this to see the craft flying.

 

Hi,

My name is Jeff Rossi, I started Building this Hovercraft Back in 1999. I always had a big interest in hovercrafts since I was young, I was given a remote hovercraft when I was 11 and I was hooked since. The concept of me building one came in the summer of 98. My good Friend Frank Ney took me on a boat trip From Point Roberts to Nanimo B.C. (about 50 miles) IT TOOK ALL DAY! we were going about 8 mph "I had to get out several times to make sure we were going forward"So, the whole time I was joking with him and saying I'm going to build this Hovercraft that would do circles around you and it would only take about 45 minutes to get there instead of all day,..... Well, after that trip I really started looking in to it and found UH's Web Site. I wanted something I could go camping in and fast too. There UH-17t looked perfect for me, I ordered the plans and thought I would have it done in a couple of months...LOL It took 7 years!!! It's amazing the vision you have when your young I was 19 at the time. Over the years many friends have helped on this craft and I owe rides to all of them, even my Ex.....one of these days, she did help alot. but I would never have gotten this far if it wasn't for my Best Friend Jake. He is the owner of Hotline Industries "see my main page". Jake and I go way back to 4th grade in Blaine WA, and to this day are best friends. Well anyway thats the story on the hovercraft. If you want to know more about me please visit me on Myspace,....www.myspace.com/wanttoknowme 
If there's anybody intrested in Hovercrafts and have any questions about the build feel free to contact me and I will try to help as best as I can. 

NOW FOR THE FUN PART,.....


The hovercraft finished out to be 22' long.
It took 6years 10months more than planned.
I built the cabin around a queen size air mattress.
It has a 20" plasma tv and built in x-box/dvd player.
10 white cabin lights, 10 red cabin light,& all running lights
4 bright flood lights for landing, 1 remote spot/flood light.
AM/FM/CD player, VHF, CB, SCANNER,
GPS, RADAR, ELECTRIC COMPASS.
2 fan red dot heater, anchor kit, flare kit, first aid kit, 
queen air mattress and 12v air pump, sleeping bag
1 oar, 1 skirt repair kit, 4 adult 2 kids life jackets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First cruise of the spring for the Pacific Northwest.

We take Jeff Rossi's UH17T super cruiser out and put it through the numbers Island hoping style!

I got the call on friday night that the ballistic nylon skirt material had arrived. Rossi was pumped to say the least. The word was already out that Jakes hot rodded briggs 27hp HOUSE lifter motor was ready for installation. We made a quick decision to all meet in the early AM. Work for as long as it takes to get R done. Test the new systems around the Islands and maybe slip in a new world speed record.

 

I live a couple hours away so I was off nearly at O'dark thirty for a 9:00 am arrival at the hover locker. I should say Rossi has a sweet storage set up. The marina has storage units that actaully go right to the boat launch. He has rented one and the craft fits like a glove. Cheapest marina slip I ever saw for a vessel and for sure the most apropriate use of one located at a marina. I arrived just a few minutes behind my ETA. My delay was from a picture i had to snap off. As I had come over the Ancortes bridge in the rally car a nice Turbo Porche dropped in behind me and we ran bumper to pumper untill we arrived at the Deception state park bridge were I  spotted this most awesome site. The fog was just starting to clear over the bridge but under it was flowing almost solid withjust a slight breeze. So slipped over t the pebbles on the road side and tapped the steering brakes and slipped in to a nice tight viewing area and snapped off these great pixs. I'll get the porche another day!

 

 

 

Arriving at the Rossi Mansion things were already starting to fall into full swing and in no time we were off to the marina. In no time this little girl had her skirt off and the lift power removed. In rossi style the crane was there and the craft was dropped on steel saw horses. Just like at the hydroplane races just sling'em and set up and down. Very cool every hover crafter needs a lift crane.

The skirt material was laid out and adjust for the new custom design changes and after double checking the measurments and patterns several times the scissors were put to the patterns. we had no extra material for mistakes. Jake freehanded a great corner joint for the patterns and it fits perfectly. this is his third skirt build and he doesn't even have a craft yet? His second lift motor and third thrust motor. Come to think about it i think he built the hull with Rossi. Time for jake to get a craft!

The lift motor jake built is a formidible power house. The briggs is ported polished and the compustion chambers have been welded up and reshaped to adjust for the pour quenching effect of the cylinder and bring the compression ratio up a couple points. The motor mount fits the craft like a glove and you should see the stainless dual exhuast on it. I'm not sure i got a pix of it really clearly yet but there beautiful! will get one up here soon for sure.

Okay i'll be back soon to finish this and add pixs

 

 

Jeff Rossi would like to share with all of you one of the most wonderful hover destinations maybe in the world. Just a few miles west of the San Juan islands located north of Deception pass. You will find Jeff Rossi's stomping grounds Bowman State Park. A protected cove on three sides with a beautiful smooth beach. A remarkable park with a huge dock into the bay. You could travel your whole life and never hover in such a wonderful spot. This is a super cool web page on Bowman bay.  Just click on your space bar and move the picture around to see this great park.  There are hot spots in the picture you can tun them on with the button at the bottom of the picture.  Select a hot spot and take a close up.  It's great have fun and play a while from home.  Bowman Bay Bowman Bay - The CCC Interpretive Center tells the story of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Washington State Parks. Open daily during the summer. Also home to the CCC Commemorative Statue honoring the men of the CCC. - Kayak rentals in season for exploring the fascinating offshore areas - Fishing dock for strolling, crabbing, and sightseeing - Several kitchen shelters for large picnics. - “Big Toy” playground - One lane boat launch - Small, secluded campground  close to the water Bowman State park is below where the anchor is located in the cove. The two bridges you see are Deception pass. Hover in dates to be announced very soon!!!