An amusement ride vehicle for maneuvering over a travel surface having a cushion of water includes a vehicle body defining a vehicle undersurface disposed for travel generally along the travel surface and at least one drive assembly housed by the vehicle body. The at least one drive assembly comprises a driven wheel disposed for selective engagement with the travel surface to maneuver the vehicle generally along the travel surface. The at least one drive assembly operates between a neutral state having the driven wheel disengaged from the travel surface, a forward drive state having the driven wheel engaged with the travel surface and driven in a forward direction, and a reverse drive state having the driven wheel engaged with the travel surface and driven in a reverse direction.