The Hydrocopter Story —
Proven Technology. Built for the Real World.
In Estonia, what began as a fisher's idea for survival has evolved into a professional vehicle designed for the world's most unforgiving environments. The hydrocopter is a type of boat that utilises aerodynamic propulsion, much like a helicopter, rather than a traditional underwater motor — allowing it to drive not only through water, but also on ice, land, and shallow marshes.
Today, this craft is used by fishers, rescue services, border patrol authorities, and remote communities.
A Life-Saving Solution
The idea started with Raio Piiroja, a former professional football player turned fisher, when he fell through moving ice with a snowmobile, 12 kilometres from shore. The life-risking experience highlighted the absence of a reliable vessel to navigate Estonia's shifting ice and unpredictable coastal waters.
His solution: an amphibious, air-propelled vessel capable of safely accessing terrains that traditional boats and snowmobiles cannot. Built with a reinforced hull and a rear aircraft propeller, it travels across open water, thin ice, and shallow marshes — allowing fishers to work safely in conditions that would otherwise be too dangerous to navigate.
Why the Hydrocopter Works
Unlike a hovercraft, which requires complex systems to lift it off the ground, the hydrocopter maintains constant contact with the surface. This simplicity provides:
- Lower maintenance costs
- Increased reliability in extreme cold
- No expensive skirts to replace
- Ability to operate on water, ice, land, mud, and snow
Proven Performance
- Length: 7 metres
- Width: 2.5 metres
- Weight: 1.7 tonnes
- Engine: 500 horsepower
- Speed (water): Up to 80 km/h
- Speed (ice): Up to 200 km/h
- All-terrain: Water, ice, land, mud, snow, rocky coasts
Built for the World's Toughest Conditions
The hydrocopter is now a fully standardised, factory-grade product. The Estonian State Fleet uses it to patrol the eastern border on Lake Peipsi. Even in the most punishing winter environments — including scenarios where the vessel became completely encased in ice — it has proven to be exceptionally reliable.
Our Airboat Catamaran — Built on Proven Technology
Now imagine that same capability on a 15m catamaran platform — stable, high payload, and built for real work. That is what we are building.
- 15m x 6m platform — twice as long, much wider
- 20+ tonne payload — far more than the 1.7-tonne Vurr
- 50+ passengers — compared to 8—10
- All-terrain capability — water, ice, mud, land, snow, rocky coasts
- Diesel engines — safer, more efficient, longer range
- Retractable wheels and skis — true all-terrain
