If you live close to a lake or a river, you want to cross it rather quickly. Boats are slow. Airplanes or helicopters are very expensive. WIGs proved to be a solution in Russia.
The Wolga-2 was used from 1979 to 2000 to cross rivers or lakes. It could carry 8 passengers. Was powered by two 150 HP engines. There were fins just behind the props to guide the blown air.
Span: 7,6 m ( ), length: 11,4 m ( ), empty weight: 1950 kg, MTOW: 2850 kg, Flew 0,5 to 0,8 m high, speed: 120 to 150 km/h, Range: 400-500 km.
They made a lot of noise, but ... were very low in maintenance.
Below: The Ivolga EL-7 had a similar shape as the Wolga-2, but it had also wing extensions which made it possible to fly above ground effect (up to 15 m high (16,4 yard)).