At the moment the hover tanks do not control the way the PAC tank does in vanilla 2142.  However, the controls may change before release, though it is unlikely that they will change significantly.

afaik the PAC tank in vanilla is not actually hovering, its just driving around like the other, wheeled crafts

but the FS hover-vehicles are really hovering above the ground, meaning that they would probably hover over water (unlike the PAC tank), but since i didnt have the chance to try them at water yet, i cannot tell. anyways, the tanks are nice and will satisfy you for sure!!