WHITBY FREE PRESS, BOATING, ARIL 20, i988, PAGE A, Hovercrafts now produced for the general public If Martin Broeders had his way, snowmobiles and boats would go the way of the dinosaur. Instead, Broeders would like to see people use hovercrafts for recreation. "The hovercraft technology has been available for 20 years but it is only- recently they have been produced small and economically enough for the general public to use them," says Broeders, who, along with his son Marty, began selling the air-cushioned vehicles about a month ago. He says users of the new smaller hovercrafts are, for the most part, those people who in the past had to use snowmobiles in the winter and boats in the summer to get to their cottages. "This machine will get people to their cottages, as opposed to a skidoo. For safety reasons people will no longer have to worry about the thickness of the ice." The hovercraft works by moving on a cushion of air usually six to eight inches above the surface. "It's an all-terrain vehicle. It will go over sand, grass, mud, swamp, water and ice," says Broeders. But he does not recommend dri- ving a hovercraft on a hard surface such as a road. Broeders' company, Durham Hovercraft, located at 332 Thick- son Rd. S., sells hovercrafts produced by Hovertechnics Inc. of Michigan. The company's hovercrafts have only been available in Canada for six months, so Broeders says it will take a while for the public to become aware of their capabil- ities. Broeders says Hovertechnics has also developed a hovercraft desig- ned specifically for rescue work. He has been talking to local police and fire officials and to the Central Ontario Marine Associ- ation about setting up a seminar to introduce the hovercraft. As for the camper, Broeders says the. hovercrafts come with plenty of room for four adults and groceries. Broeders also says thà t no one will receive the keys to a hover- craft they have bought until they are able to properly drive them. He explains that, unlike a car that turns immediately when the steering wheel is turned, a hover- craft carries its momentum when MARTIN BROEDERS at the wheel of a Hovertechnics hovercraft. turning, which usually requires a distance of about 50 feet. Hovercrafts can travel at speeds up to 40 mph but Broeders says it doesn't matter to the ordinary person if it travels no faster than 20 mph as long as it gets them to their cottage safely. They range in price from $8,000 to $13,000 depending on the model and options. A hovercraft can also run on leaded or un- leaded fuel. They are also easily placed into the water, usually a one-man job, says Broeders, explaining that the trailer is placed as close to the water as possible then the hovercraft is driven off the trailer (along whatever surface) and into the water. The hovercraft comes with a six-month guarantee and if the engine develops a problem any authorized Yamaha dealer can probably repair it, says Broeders. For a demonstration call 430- 1519. YAMH