Cross Channel Hovercraft
Discussion
I once chose to use a hovercraft to cross in the misplaced hope that it would be better for my mal de mer affliction than a ferry. Oh boy, was I wrong! It was March and very windy - almost too windy to cross. At one point I floated weightless above the seat as the craft dropped into a wave trough. That was just before I threw up my breakfast... God awful contraptions!
motco said:
God awful contraptions!
+1My impression was of a high speed tin tray being bashed along the surface by the waves.
BANG BANG BANG BANG every second for an hour or so.
High speed certainly, but plenty of vibration and noise. Glad I did it, but I wouldn't
bother about any other hovercraft ever again.
Best bit was straight up onto the beach in France and drive off.
Princess Anne, Princess Margaret and Swift. and another small craft I forget the name of
Did most routes
Dover calais / boulogne
Ramsgate boulogne
Was fast, rough and noisy.Although once you had landed it would take me an hour to recover from the crossing, in effect nulling the speed advantage.
The catamarans that replaced them were a world apart.
Did most routes
Dover calais / boulogne
Ramsgate boulogne
Was fast, rough and noisy.Although once you had landed it would take me an hour to recover from the crossing, in effect nulling the speed advantage.
The catamarans that replaced them were a world apart.
The hovercraft museum is about a mile down the road from me. They have 2 of the massive cross-Channel beasts as well as several other smaller ones. You can spot them on Google Earth.
You can still get a passenger hovercraft from Southsea to Ryde if you want to experience one. It's fun, but noisy and as comfortable as a 1970s bus!
You can still get a passenger hovercraft from Southsea to Ryde if you want to experience one. It's fun, but noisy and as comfortable as a 1970s bus!
I remember my parents using them when we went on holiday to France in the 'Seventies and early 'Eighties. They were certainly noisy and bumpy, but as a child I found them quite exciting.
I remember staff used to ask people if they wanted their car to be washed during the journey. My dad never took them up on this since he reckoned they'd use salt water!
I remember staff used to ask people if they wanted their car to be washed during the journey. My dad never took them up on this since he reckoned they'd use salt water!
motco said:
I once chose to use a hovercraft to cross in the misplaced hope that it would be better for my mal de mer affliction than a ferry. Oh boy, was I wrong! God awful contraptions!
Yes indeed. I ordered a gin & tonic on board and couldn't understand why it arrived about half an inch deep at the bottom of a plastic pint glass, with a straw. All became clear quite soon after we left the beach....Mind you, the so-called Jetfoil wasn't much better. A Boeing creation which was supposed to offer a smooth ride. Ho-ho!
I believe they're both now to be found only in Jurassic Park.
Ozzie Osmond said:
Yes indeed. I ordered a gin & tonic on board and couldn't understand why it arrived about half an inch deep at the bottom of a plastic pint glass, with a straw. All became clear quite soon after we left the beach....
Mind you, the so-called Jetfoil wasn't much better. A Boeing creation which was supposed to offer a smooth ride. Ho-ho!
I believe they're both now to be found only in Jurassic Park.
I seem to remember coming back from Ostende on a jetfoil once & feeling like a proper international man of mystery. Mind you, the so-called Jetfoil wasn't much better. A Boeing creation which was supposed to offer a smooth ride. Ho-ho!
I believe they're both now to be found only in Jurassic Park.
I also caught some of the older ferries from there as well, they were deal classy with lounge seats in wipe clean-able brown leatherette.
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