[Buzz]

Very interesting stuff. I've been interested in wing in ground effect vehicles (WIG's) for quite some time as a viable means of coastal and inter-island transportation in the Caribbean.

The limitations of the original hulled configurations such as surface drag and the inability to operate safely over all but the flattest ground are negated in the hovercraft based configuration; and because the air cushion breaks surface drag, the craft can now take off in a (moderate) tail or cross wind as well as safely operate, land and takeoff on solid surfaces.

The potential as a recreational vehicle is obvious, but I am really interested in the viability of a larger design for commercial inter-island ferry duty. I need to learn more about payload/size/efficiency characteristics, but my instincts tell me it just may come in as a legitimate competitor for short-hop island flights (cheaper, safer, more versatile) and traditional sea ferries (faster, more versatile).