Hovercraft - where can I get a ride in one?
Discussion
I mean one of those big f
kers - like the ones they used cross channel. When I was younger I always wanted to go on one - there was something impressive about them - but on the many torturous family continental excursions in his Cortina Crusader, my dad always chose the more economical ferry.
They were removed from service years ago, but did anyone buy them up? Is there anywhere else in the world where they still run them?
Cheer.
kers - like the ones they used cross channel. When I was younger I always wanted to go on one - there was something impressive about them - but on the many torturous family continental excursions in his Cortina Crusader, my dad always chose the more economical ferry.They were removed from service years ago, but did anyone buy them up? Is there anywhere else in the world where they still run them?
Cheer.
Edited by Emeye on Monday 6th October 14:02
BigBen said:
Does the one to the Isle of Wight still run ?
They do, we've just had a brand new one delivered:http://www.hovertravel.co.uk/
Emeye said:
I mean one of those big fkers - like the ones they used cross channel. When I was younger I always wanted to go on one - there was something impressive about them - but on the many torturous family continental excursions in his Cortina Crusader, my dad always chose the more economical ferry.
They were removed from service years ago, but did anyone buy them up? Is there anywhere else in the world where they still run them?
Cheer.
you mean one of these?kers - like the ones they used cross channel. When I was younger I always wanted to go on one - there was something impressive about them - but on the many torturous family continental excursions in his Cortina Crusader, my dad always chose the more economical ferry.They were removed from service years ago, but did anyone buy them up? Is there anywhere else in the world where they still run them?
Cheer.
Edited by Emeye on Monday 6th October 14:02
or to give more of a visual size
the SR.N4 where the cross channel hovercrafts.
these are currently based at the Hovercraft Museum that is currently being set up at the former HMS Daedalus site
more info at: http://hovercraft-museum.org/
and a video: http://video.google.co.uk/videosearch?client=opera...
We travelled on the hovercraft several times in the mid 90s - excellent fun - so quick, and the start up proceedure was brilliant (as a small boy) as the 4 engines started up one by one, with the skirt rising up to window level till suddenly the craft rose up, did a slow j turn and headed off down the ramp and accross the channel.
I went on one of the last x-channel crossings on one in Sep/Oct 200 (Princess Margaret IIRC) - we went to France on the hovercraft but came back by ferry as they retired whilst we were in France. Every time I cross the channel I lament them as it was a brilliant way to get across, about 30 mins I seem to recall.
3800 bhp and 5000 litres an hour fuel burn - fantastic!
According to this http://www.doverferryphotos.co.uk/pastandpresent/m... they are still for sale but in a very sorry state....how odd of this country to ignore our great engineering heritage (Concorde etc).
3800 bhp and 5000 litres an hour fuel burn - fantastic!
According to this http://www.doverferryphotos.co.uk/pastandpresent/m... they are still for sale but in a very sorry state....how odd of this country to ignore our great engineering heritage (Concorde etc).
I've had a go of one of those small hovercrafts.
I worked for an engineering company that had a sideline 4X4 training and hovercrafts.
I had a huge grass field converted into an assault course, including water hazards.
What a fun day, and all for the cost of eff' all!
Remember 10% steering wheel, 90% weight distribution!!
You do tend to get covered in grass though.
I worked for an engineering company that had a sideline 4X4 training and hovercrafts.
I had a huge grass field converted into an assault course, including water hazards.
What a fun day, and all for the cost of eff' all!
Remember 10% steering wheel, 90% weight distribution!!
You do tend to get covered in grass though.
Emeye said:
Cool - guessing these ain't as big as the cross channel ones? And it doesn't look like you can take your car.
Is the Isle or Wight worth a look this time of year? Any nice roads? If so I guess I could just do a return trip on the hovercraft then go back for the car!
No - hovercraft are foot passenger only, but they are the only commercial hovercraft service left in the world, so worth a go. They will take you from Southsea to Ryde, but I doubt Ryde will keep you entertained all day unless you are easily pleased (lots of pubs!). If you bring the car for the day there's plenty to do and it's deserted at this time of the year but although there are several decent roads (see the IOW thread in the Roads forum) it's small island and won't last you the day just for driving, however, if you're into boats, a few hours spent round Cowes and Yarmouth should please you.Is the Isle or Wight worth a look this time of year? Any nice roads? If so I guess I could just do a return trip on the hovercraft then go back for the car!
BigLepton said:
Emeye said:
Cool - guessing these ain't as big as the cross channel ones? And it doesn't look like you can take your car.
Is the Isle or Wight worth a look this time of year? Any nice roads? If so I guess I could just do a return trip on the hovercraft then go back for the car!
No - hovercraft are foot passenger only, but they are the only commercial hovercraft service left in the world, so worth a go. They will take you from Southsea to Ryde, but I doubt Ryde will keep you entertained all day unless you are easily pleased (lots of pubs!). If you bring the car for the day there's plenty to do and it's deserted at this time of the year but although there are several decent roads (see the IOW thread in the Roads forum) it's small island and won't last you the day just for driving, however, if you're into boats, a few hours spent round Cowes and Yarmouth should please you.Is the Isle or Wight worth a look this time of year? Any nice roads? If so I guess I could just do a return trip on the hovercraft then go back for the car!
Gassing Station | The Pie & Piston Archive | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff