THE ECONOMIC FEASIBILITY OF PASSENGER HYDROFOIL CRAFT IN U.S. DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN COMMERCE

On the basis of 4 case studies (Intra-Hawaiian Islands, Miami-Nassau, Seattle to Bremerton and Point Defiance, and New York-Atlantic Highlands and Tour) passenger hydrofoil craft appear to offer prospects of profitable operation in providing short range water transportation service in the U.S. Hydrofoil craft offer considerably higher speed (up to 60 knots for first models) and better riding comfort than other waterborne vehicles. Potentially successful hydrofoil routes are limited by competitive modes of transportation, market characteristics and favorable environment. The total costs of the hydrofoil service for the 4 cast studies ranged between 4 and 7 cents per seat-mile. These costs are higher than those of land vehicles and small boats, and of aircraft and large ships at long ranges; they are less than those of aircraft, large ships, and helicopters at short ranges.

• Supplemental Notes:
  • SR 1 Project no. IMU-3532.
• Corporate Authors:

  Stanford Research Institute

  333 Ravenswood Avenue
  Menlo Park, CA  United States  94025
• Authors:
  • Haney, D C
  • Smith, S R
• Publication Date: 1961-8

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 223 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Economic analysis; Hydrofoil boats; Hydrofoils; Marine transit
• Old TRIS Terms: Economic analysis (Hydrofoil craft); Hydrofoil craft
• Subject Areas: Economics; Marine Transportation; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00026416
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Contract Numbers: MA-2510
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Mar 2 1978 12:00AM