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**StuM** · 02-10-2019, 18:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Perhaps take a trip down to Lee on Solent to the hovercraft museum to see how they paint their engines.

https://www.hovercraft-museum.org/

You could also ask about the fuel requirements for a trip to the Caribbean. They should be able to work it out for you.

Pete

And of course, you can fill up for free at all of those oil rigs you pass on the way: http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...ml#post2974245

GILow · 02-10-2019, 18:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuM

....
You will probably get more definitive answers if you ask over at Sailing Anarchy.

And I saw what you did there.

tomfl · 02-10-2019, 19:24

As someone who has actually piloted a hovercraft I suggest you do that first. As you can see in this pix they are so loud you need ear protection. The best description of how they handle is they are like wearing roller skates on ice. They are very fast but as some other posts have noted they are more like a helicopter than a boat; unless it is an air boat. They need to be fairly large to operate any place but calm water.

Not saying they don't have their place, just that they are not what you seem to think they are.

http://www.cruisersforum.com/gallery...&cutoffdate=-1

oceanblue123 · 02-10-2019, 20:24

Pete that is not a bad idea, I might just do that, I see on heir page they have the ones from James Bond so that would be cool just to see them.

They are loud but so are freight liners and cruise ship with their horns and while loud, they are not dangerous.
a64pilot, my guess would be the latter, at least judging by the videos....

Sailmonkey, you are correct, the fuel tanks are small but the company does advertise that it is willing to customise for you, so I assume that could be done and some of the back space used for larger tanks.
You can choose between diesel and petrol so I would be looking into diesel and seeing what kind of range I could get from diesels.

StunM, I did not mean take it ashore where there are people, I mean that seeing as there are many pacific islands that are uninhabited, a hovercraft is a great way of dotting from island to island and no-one would mind on an unused island.

That said, to "park" a hovercraft out of water they have to be ridden from the water onto the sand, as long as you do not ride up and down beaches or do it where there are people I believe that is ok, you don't attach it to a trailer from the water.

Caribbean nations follow British law, or a general form of it and here in Britain they are classed as boats so it would not be classed as a car or have trouble as long as it is parked away from people and I would move if asked of course.

Geez I can get free fuel for my hovercraft? Sweet! I assume that comes with sarnies to go, some water and maybe some DVDs to watch right?

oceanblue123 · 02-10-2019, 20:29

tomfl
I might, the hovercraft museum offers the chance to race one but those are small ones, I was offered by the company the chance to test ride one in Moscow which seems not so bad. Most likely I will try one out here in England and then decide.
I am still choosing and I am considering it but I might not get one.
I wouldn't have too much of an issue with the steering, it is just what you sign up for when driving one.
The one you linked me is different, it has a single skirt rather than a top skirt and then the segments and if i got one it would not be high speed but high power and medium speed due to the bigger size and that hovercraft in the pictures, it's cool, is it yours?

**StuM** · 02-10-2019, 22:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by oceanblue123

StunM, I did not mean take it ashore where there are people, I mean that seeing as there are many pacific islands that are uninhabited, a hovercraft is a great way of dotting from island to island and no-one would mind on an unused island.

You've clearly never visited pacific islands

Land and water resource custody are very important to pacific island communities. An "unused island" is a very, very rare thing indeed.

oceanblue123 · 02-10-2019, 23:03

You are correct, I have not, that said should I not? If I have never been how would I know what it is like?

There are still small uninhabited islands, in the Carribbean I know there are, some islands are uninhabited as they are too small. No reason not to park a hovercraft there and kayak to the mainland if you need groceries.

**StuM** · 02-10-2019, 23:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by oceanblue123

You are correct, I have not, that said should I not? If I have never been how would I know what it is like?

There are still small uninhabited islands, in the Carribbean I know there are, some islands are uninhabited as they are too small. No reason not to park a hovercraft there and kayak to the mainland if you need groceries.

They may not be permanently inhabited, but they will certainly be the traditional land of some family/clan/tribe/village (which term is appropriate depends on local customs) who use them for various purposes and will not look kindly on your using them un-invited.

It's attitudes like this that give cruisers a bad name and cause problems for those who come after you.

oceanblue123 · 02-10-2019, 23:40

Not every single island is used by them, I would not be going near tribes anyway, especially not those cannibals where you are and don't judge me and tell me I give you a bad name, you have no idea what I am like as a person and I have not made assumptions about you, as I said I would lave if asked so cut out out your own attitude.

Uncle Bob · 03-10-2019, 00:13

Quote:

Originally Posted by StuM

They may not be permanently inhabited, but they will certainly be the traditional land of some family/clan/tribe/village (which term is appropriate depends on local customs) who use them for various purposes and will not look kindly on your using them un-invited.

It's attitudes like this that give cruisers a bad name and cause problems for those who come after you.

Stu, I wouldn't worry about it, probably will never leave the comfort of the basement.

oceanblue123 · 03-10-2019, 00:20

And what is your problem? Another judgmental moron? Don't you have barnacles to remove?

Uncle Bob · 03-10-2019, 00:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by oceanblue123

And what is your problem? Another judgmental moron? Don't you have barnacles to remove?

Well yes I do but not sure of the best course of action, would you care to enlighten me ?

oceanblue123 · 03-10-2019, 01:33

Well sure, since I'll be getting my tank refueled free you can probably just call up the nearest firefighters, tell them you need to borrow the truck hose for a bit.....

Sos · 03-10-2019, 02:13

I would suggest that if you visit the hovercraft museum at Lee-on-Solent, that you also head to Southsea (not far away) and see the passenger hovercraft that go to the IOW.
That will give you a better idea of noise and how they steer (or don't very well!).
Only a few quid for a return trip