ORIGINAL: WALKERS210-RCU

There is a thread in regards to this type project in the boat section. I was lucky as a young man, in the early 70's I was assigned to a project the US Navy had going on this very subject. The ships we had were built with a soild side hull design and flexiable bow and stern seals. With the soild sides it helped prevent side slip while making turns. The SES (Surface Effect Ship) 100B was built by Bell Aerospace, powered by three 6500hp gas tubine engins fed thru 13 transmissions to variable pitch props, lift was provided by three 4500 hp gas trubines that put air under the boat. The total weigh of craft was around 100 tons, with overall length of 100 ft and width of 30 ft give or take a inch or two. In 1974 while operating in St Andrews Bay, Panama City, Fl the SES100B obtained a speed of 110 knts. What was sooo cool to see was when the ship was moving at or around 15 to 16 knots it was level, when it reached speeds of 18kts it did what was refered to as OVER THE HUMP, it would actually outrun its depression in the water, tail of ship would drop and it was gone like a rocket. The LCAT that is being used now by the Navy and Marines for landing was still on the drawing boards when I left the Navy. What your proposing is possible and very do able.