Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
0.5 and holding.

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AquaSegway

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Same thing as the land-based type but with a waterjet or propeller instead; while at speed a small hydrofoil keeps the operator totally abovewater; as the craft's forward speed slows, the jet/prop tilts towards vertical to ensure that the operator remains upright and (more or less) dry.

The Sport model eschews the traditional look for a lightweight structure that resembles a pogo stick with a gimbal-mounted tabletop fan stuck on the end.

FlyingToaster, Aug 17 2009

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       Why does it need to 'hover' when stationary?   

       If the footplate has enough bouyancy, it need only maintain stability like the Segway. It might benefit from a hydroplane just below the footplate to reduce drag once underway.   

       I suspect the auto stabilising function may be somewhat more complex than a Segway. Land tends to stay still while the passenger has a relatively high moment of inertia about the wheel centres. The water directly around the Wetway (?) can move easily and would provide a challenge for the software and propulsion mechanism to keep up.   

       Nice concept, though (+)
Twizz, Aug 19 2009
  

       I don't think the stabilization would be a problem: a couple gyros to figure out which way is up... I borrowed your "hydroplane" to sub in for "small horizontal fins" in the post.
FlyingToaster, Aug 19 2009
  

       Catamaran version? Or triamaran?
normzone, Aug 19 2009
  

       nonamaran: the craft is heavier than water.
FlyingToaster, Aug 19 2009
  
      
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