In 1997, BHC team members also discovered a passion for racing these awesome machines, and it’s impossible to exaggerate how much it has taught us – both from our own successes and failures and the help, input and advice from the super-talented enthusiasts and designers who compete in the sport. Racing really is at the forefront of small hovercraft design so various wins in national events including the challenging 'Coastal Series' championship was a real high-point, as we raced over beaches and tides in physically demanding endurance races.

In 2008, we thought we'd achieved the 'big one' when two of our personal hovercraft crossed the English Channel from Dover to Calais, passing through the busiest shipping lane in the world. The hovercraft then cruised home, taking under an hour each way and using only three gallons of fuel for the entire trip. No small hovercraft had managed that feat before and we were very chuffed with ourselves. In 2010 we did it again, this time with 2 people on board! Yet again the 2 way crossing was completed, this time with our chief pilot Benn Bristow on board - just to prove the first time wasn't a fluke!

It's this spread of knowledge from building personal, commercial, corporate events and race-winning hovercraft that make the BHC range the most accomplished recreational hovercraft available anywhere in the world.

We have now sold hovercraft in over 50 countries and want to reach 100 within the next five years under the new MD James Halligan and the team, without whom the craft would not get built.

BHC have warmly welcomed two young apprentices in 2021, with our ever expanding business and multiple orders for the USA, Canada, China, South America, Finland and also the UK, we have decided to become the first hovercraft manufacturing company in the UK to offer apprenticeships in Marine Engineering.

In early 2021 The British Hovercraft Company acquired the assets of Reaction International (Hov-Pod) and we will continue to manufacture BHC improved Hov-Pod recreational models, a testament to our expanding business.

We are also very proud to announce our collaboration with Keith Smallwood of Vortex Hovercraft Services to present our latest addition to the BHC model range, the eagerly awaited BHC700/750D Hovercraft.

This versatile hovercraft is a twin engine craft capable of carrying up to 9 passengers, depending on specification chosen. The BHC700/750D is perfect for commercial/utility, search/response & rescue applications, with various specs & options including a cockpit cuddy for easy deck access, or a partially enclosed deck, or a fully enclosed upgrade option with climate control, luxury seating and accessories. 

All craft have quick release seating to give the option of either more deck space or more seating capacity.