A vessel resembling a science-fiction flying saucer has taken to the water on a Vietnamese river. Its creator, Tran Long Ho, known online as Mr. Ho Thanh Che, built the working boat by hand from sand and scrap metal, using fiberglass and resin for the hull.
The craft’s distinctive shape comes from an unconventional building process. Instead of using an industrial mold, Mr. Ho shaped a large, symmetrical mound of sand on the ground and reinforced it with salvaged metal. He coated the form with cement to create a mold, then applied layers of fiberglass and resin to form the upper and lower sections of the hull. Joined together, those sections created the boat’s rounded shell.
Handcrafted Engineering
Acrylic windows, LED lighting, and solar panels give the boat its flying-saucer appearance. Inside, it has a reclined pilot seat, a custom steering wheel, and a finished dashboard. The construction and detailing give the homemade craft a distinctly futuristic look.
Jet Propulsion, No Exposed Propeller
Rather than a conventional outboard motor, the boat uses a jet propulsion system similar to those in personal watercraft. The engine sits beneath the pilot’s seat. It draws water from under the hull and expels it through a rear nozzle; steering redirects the jet. The setup leaves no exposed propeller beneath the boat and allows tight turns on the river.
Solar Power and Futuristic Details
Exterior solar panels power onboard electronics, including the LED lighting and electric doors. Tinted windows and rounded contours complete the sci-fi styling. The low-profile design and lack of an exposed propeller are also visible during the craft’s river test runs. Videos of the build and maiden voyage have appeared on Mr. Ho Thanh Che’s YouTube channel.
Talent24h has highlighted the project for its creative approach and practical skill, along with the resourcefulness behind it. Mr. Ho has also built other vehicles by hand, but the UFO-shaped boat stands out for its unusual form and construction.
The craft is not intended for commercial production. Built by hand from basic materials, the homemade saucer brings an imaginative design onto the water.
