I (Abi) went on a hovercraft to the Isle of Wight and really enjoyed it. What I don't understand is why don't they use this type of transport more often?
2006-09-04 22:59:05 · 12 answers · asked by Bazil A 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Other - Cars & Transportation
Hovercraft are noisy, expensive, inefficient and tricky to control. They also require a lot of maintenance, especially if used over land. (They kick up a LOT of dust on land, which then gets into the mechanical components and causes them to wear out.)
2006-09-04 23:04:39 · answer #1 · answered by pvreditor 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, I guess there are several good reasons.
A goodly invention, but they have limitations.
Used them on cross-channel a few times, and, as you say, on the old SRN's to the Isle of Wight.
First off, they don't tolerate rough weather conditions.
They do not behave well in winds, hovering in a strong cross-wind is not favourable.
Big ones are also very expensive to manufacture & operate.
Steering little one-man fun ones is interesting, spending most of the time going sideways.
I built one from a flat pack with instructions when in the Mid-East, much to the amusement of all when it rose and slid into the sea.
I was trying to keep it on the wet sand.
Great things, but only for certain applications.
2006-09-05 01:19:38 · answer #2 · answered by Bob the Boat 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They still usde the Hovercraft on the Isle of Wight, run by Hovertravel.
There used to be 2 large hovercraft that crossed the english channel between Dover and Calais, but they were simply too old and too costly to run any more.
The person above me here, is referring to a catamaran.
2006-09-04 23:02:35 · answer #3 · answered by Will M 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Because they cost more to run and maintain, and to buy from new.
They are fun though !!!!!!! The i.o.w has just had some new hovercrafts put into service so they will be there for a few years yet *:)
2006-09-04 23:06:15 · answer #4 · answered by Jabba_da_hut_07 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it must because they can only sail if the sea is really calm. I know this because I went on one to Ireland and on the way back they couldnt sail, we ended up getting on a ferry which took us to holyhead instead of Liverpool. Very annoying.
2006-09-04 23:02:28 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They are very expensive to run and build,thats probably the main reason.
2006-09-04 23:04:59 · answer #6 · answered by frank m 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I dont know why they stop using them I used to always go on them as a child when crossing over to France and me and my family loved them........!
2006-09-04 23:04:40 · answer #7 · answered by Angelkiss85 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Ever hear of stop hovering over me? LOL
2006-09-04 23:04:09 · answer #8 · answered by Gigi 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Noisy and vibratory - American Marines still use them though.
2006-09-04 23:31:36 · answer #9 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
to much broken glass they all got punctures
2006-09-05 00:37:10 · answer #10 · answered by dollysdress 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋