Hovercraft Cruising Club UK
Open Forums => General => Topic started by: rossfloyd on Sep 20, 2019, 7:14 pm
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Are there any other craft operating in the Somerset/ North Somerset area these days? We used to be very active and it now seems deserted.
I was planning to organise another charity run next year but if there are no active operators it isn't worth doing any planning. :-(
Is it that operators are not members of this club, that they just do their own thing or that they've given up ?
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I would support a charity run. Might fly in from Gloucester if the weather and tides are favourable!
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I'd be happy to join, in subject to a few hours test flight piloting the surveyor before hand and timing that fits with my present commitment. :)
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MIKE--- your picture needs updating, or I won't recognise you---- ;)
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i am unwell so will not be flying for the foreseeable.
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i am unwell so will not be flying for the foreseeable.
I hope your on the mend soon Jon
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Sorry to hear that Jon. Precarious is good health.
At 70 it gets even more difficult.
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All the best Jon
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From us too Jon ! Ross 'n Gill
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Hi Jon
Karen and I haven’t met you yet.
But hopefully when you are back on top we will meet and have a natter and go hovering.
All the very best
Ronnie and Karen
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From the responses it seems that the Bristol Channel club presence is down to one craft with another on the Severn and two supporting members. What happened to all those craft parked up at Sharpness and on the River Avon for the charity run.
:-[ :-[ :-[
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Hi Ross,I am new to the hovering scene - I have just completed a rebuild of a BBV3 and am based in Warminster. I have no experience whatsoever but I am interested in the idea of cruising and would like to join in with zany events in the SW and get hints and tips along the way. I am taking it down to Hope Cove near Salcombe the last week of October for its maiden voyage since the rebuild. It’s a nice smooth beach and shallow waster that is relatively sheltered if it is an offshore wind (here’s hoping for my week away). Beyond that I have no idea of any other sites to use it in the SW so any pointers would be gratefully received. I did ask the Salcombe Harbour Master if I could launch there an explore the creeks upstream but I got a very firm no!Cheers
Neal Wreford
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Welcome to the group, those BBV's are a tough strong craft.
i recently ask one of our local harbour masters about the harbour speed limit,, was told 5knt but told not to do it as I'd get run over by everything else coming in :) :)
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Welcome Neal, If you hover over "about" on the forum at the top, a number of drop down articles will help you get up to speed on most things hovering, and cruising.
Like most "strange hobbies" this takes a little work to learn the whats to do (and NOT to do) ::)
Always good to have new chaps, and there is a huge amount on here of past cruising events,
and its good to peruse whilst also watching average TV.
Marinising the electrics is (most definitely) THE most important aspect to get right before venturing into the salty stuff.
BRINE is extensively trained to seek and destroy anything that is not "marinised".
Articles on this available when you hunt around the forum,
Good luck.
PS FUN is there for the taking, just make sure its on YOUR terms! ;)
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Welcome.
I used to live in Warminster and spent around half of my life living in the Wylye valley.
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Contact Gary Hansford based in Plymouth knows the River Tamar well
I know hope cove and salcombe well from my boating days and would not go out from in hovercraft given next weeks forecast
Also Ross Floyd has Bbv just south of Bristol will give you help and info
Rgds Dean
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Hell Neal,
BBV3 is a very good craft - not the most efficient, but very tough with good handling and fair speed. I sold my Sev and kept the BBV as it was more suitable for my activities. The Sev is a far better marine craft but not when you have fishing stakes, rocks and wartime debris on your patch!
Before going to sea it is absolutely essential that you take basic precautions regarding marinisation, protecting the electrics and getting some basic training. You also need a vhf radio and obviously lifejacket etc etc.
The issue is that we have to use industrial engines and equipment in a very harsh marine environment with flying abrasive ( sand ) and corrosive spray ( salt water ). It absolutely destroys engines and electrics and a hovercraft is incredibly vulnerable if it has a failure. Our engines were never intended to run in a safety critical environment or in these conditions. I have seen new engines reduced to an anchor weight in less than a year after operation without preparation or post operation wash and anti corrosion spray. It isn't a 5 minute job but your time on cushion will be brief if you do't go through the process. Worse, you may - if lucky - get a free trip to shore with the RNLI. It really is that important.
As a basic test, run the engine at tickover and empty a full bucket of water over the engine cowling and lift/thrust air intakes. If it misses or stops ( .... or disintegrates because of water ingestion ) then it isn't correctly prepared for sea operation. Obviously this needs common sense or there will be a an expensive noise ... and silence, but I can turn the hose on my engines and wash down while running and they won't miss a beat.
If you would like to bring the craft over to North Somerset before you go to sea, I would be happy to give it the 'evil eye' ( as an amateur - not a formal inspection ) and go thro. some of the basic stuff. I might be able to arrange for a bit of basic handling training at the same time, but our training area seems out of bounds at present although I can ask. If anyone else wants to, perhaps we could have a club training day if I can get a slot?
Happy to help if I can.
Ross
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Hi Ross, I would like to take you up on your offer of a bit of training and a critique of my beast. I have only used it on grass prior to undertaking a major rebuild of the hull when I went replace the skirts that were totally worn out. At this point I found major holes had been fixed with chicken wire and hand fulls of chopped strand f/g. I have made it solid but not pretty by laying up new hull skin on two pack expanded foam - I just hope I have not added too much weight. I’ll try and send you a before and after if I can figure out how to upload pics to the site.
Cheers
Neal
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Before
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After
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On trailer
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Contact Gary Hansford based in Plymouth knows the River Tamar well
Thanks for the mention Dean, However I prefer to spell it Hannaford lol.
Neal, I am more than happy to take you out on the Tamar but it will have to wait until next year. I am currently putting what little spare time I have into building a Sevtec Surveyor with my local Air Cadet Squadron (1387 (Liskeard) Squadron RAFAC) All going to plan I will be back out flying spring 2020, until then building one is all the hoverfix I can manage
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Thanks Gaz.
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Ian is your GRP expert - I would guess there could be long term issues on water soaking into the foam but as the craft is ashore almost all the time it is IMHO unlikely to be relevant. I did an absorption test and left a lump of cut open 2 pack foam in my water barrel - after 5 years it had about 2 mm ingress and after 7 years continual water contact it began to deteriorate, so in this case I doubt personally it will be a problem. In a boat it might be different however. Comments Ian ?????
Let me know when you are ready to go and I will see if I can get access to a training area.
Are you sure its a 3 ? Presumably the lift system is drawing air from the cockpit ?
Hi Dean !!!!! :-)
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Your thrust engine is going to need a cowl for (salt) water operation !
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This is the standard BBV3 cowl fitted to Britannia. There is a low pressure air feed into the cowling at the back of the seat. This comes from the lift system and through the centre console to ventilate the tanks and provide additional air to cool the thrust engine.
We had been out in Weston Bay looking for a lost anchor, hence the mud, although that is fairly standard for the B.C.
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Hi Ross, I understood it is a BBV3 but as a beginner I may be wrong! I got the ‘bonnet’ from Bill at BBV (he lives around the corner from my parents) - the one it came with had slots cut in it for racing ( presumably to aid airflow and removed all its structural strength) but I thought for cruising a proper cover would be better. I had a go at getting the hovercraft off and on the trailer today. This did not go too badly , but I did have a worrying issue. The craft hovers ok on a solid surface but bottomed our on grass which I did not think was too long (see photo). Any thoughts? I would expect it to work on grass this long.
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Grass length
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Did you try hovering it on the asphalt?
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Hi Al, it seems to work ok on my drive (this was just static while I was adjusting the new skirt). I was just surprised that it bottomed out on the grass.
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That craft is not a BBV 3 , it's a smaller craft that was modified with a lift engine, I've forgotten what BBV called it but I remember some YouTube video a few years back. I spoke to Bill about it several years ago.
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That craft is not a BBV 3 , it's a smaller craft that was modified with a lift engine, I've forgotten what BBV called it but I remember some YouTube video a few years back. I spoke to Bill about it several years ago.
Essentially a BBV 1 with a lift engine if I remember correctly. They were very quiet for the time, but only about 3 were made. The good news is that it's a pretty good craft. The bad news is that you've been poorly advised with the bonnet.
When I first saw the photos, I wondered how the lift air could get in through that tiny inlet. And it seems it can't! Possibly compounded by (if I remember correctly) a quite small lift engine, because they were intended to be able to race in F35 I think? The idea that it was possible to make a racer-cruiser was always flawed, but the BBV1/lift engine craft did make a half reasonable cruiser. There's some footage on utube somewhere of two of them on the Wye and Severn at one of the Berkeley treasure hunts.
So first thing, take the bonnet off and see whether that makes a difference. And let us know what the lift engine is.
Ian
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Here you go,
https://youtu.be/gO9aH82B6HI
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Hi Ian, thanks for the info - this is a picture of the hovercraft as I got it with the louvres in the bonnet. Bill sold me a new bonnet and a thrust engine cover - which annoyingly I can’t find. It may have inadvertently been left in a caravan I scrapped ☹️ . Out of interest - I notice that in the video one of the craft has a yellow light bracket at the top of the cowl - I have just removed one like that from mine - could it be the same one? I bought it from a chap in Banbury who had been racing it. I will get some shots of the lift engine this morning and post them, I notice that it seems to be working ok on mud and water in the video - do you think that will be the case for mine?
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Hovercraft as bought with lovers in bonnet
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Check out the hp of the lift engine. Bigger the better up to a certain point they get heavy. I’d say min should be 10hp.
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I notice that it seems to be working ok on mud and water in the video - do you think that will be the case for mine?
Probably is one of the ones in the video. Given that they were working ok back in 2008 it should be ok, although the bonnet will be a significant restriction on lift air flow. If you fancied bringing it over to Gloucester I'll be happy to take a look at it with you. It would need lifting points for the crane if we were going to drop it in the river though, but we can definitely check the lift system out.
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Lift engine fitted
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Lift engine p/n
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Hi Ian, that would be great thank you - when you say lifting points - it has four handles on the side (rope) is that good enough?
Cheers
Neal
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That's a 12 cubic inch lift engine, probably 6 - 8 hp.
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That's a 12 cubic inch lift engine, probably 6 - 8 hp.
I think they are 5 hp. IIRC, they had a 30 HP thrust, making them useable in the F35 of the day.
The 5HP lift will be challenging - thats the reason why it struggles in the long grass, there's no lift margin at all. This was a compromise to get the craft into the F35 formula, a cruiser of similar size would normally have a 10-12hp lift engine to provide margin - racing is on very short clipped grass only. Happily, it wont be too big a task to change it, although you should watch weight distribution, might need to move something backwards to counteract additional weight of a larger engine. But - it was clearly useable before, so I would put it to use and then think about any changes.
Regarding the handles - you'll need to be sure (best to test it) if anything breaks whilst on the crane it'll fall 20 feet and then get swept away! They'll probably need beefing up underneath as they arn't normally designed as lifting points. A big alumium plate underneath will probably do it. It needs to lift with the bow 1-2 ft higher than the stern.
Drop me an IM when you are ready to come over.
Ian
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Hi Ian, can you lift under the hull with straps - they could be stopped from slipping by looping them through the handling handles?
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Hi Ian, can you lift under the hull with straps - they could be stopped from slipping by looping them through the handling handles?
Hi
You need to be able to fit and remove them whilst floating in the river. They can't be left in place because the next time you see them they'll be in the fan :o It happened already! Fortunately the fan chopped them up and all was well but it was a near miss. Usually fitting lifting points just takes a bit of thought but isn't too hard, each one is probably only taking 150kg or less on a craft your size.
Ian
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Sorry for lack of response . ....had flu :-( :'(
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No worries Ross, hope your feeling better.
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Grass is a real issue for small craft as is vegetation for larger ones ! Due to the low ground pressure, the skirt can't compress the grass and thus there is an air gap under the skirt ..and all your cushion air is lost.
I would also think you might want to beef up the engine mountings and use box section steel. If the engine moves and the fan impacts the cowl you will have a catastrophic failure and won't be going anywhere until fixed, which is a nightmare job away from home. I have several T shirts for that one :-(
Engine sizes also depend where you are going to operate - at Weston you need a lot of spare lift due to surface conditions - if river cruising you may get away with less. I increased Britannia's lift from 8 to 13 bhp and it transformed the craft. Not particularly in the way of handling, but for obstacle crossing, mud gullies and more relaxed operation.
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Regarding cowlings, Britannia had the early BBV slotted cowl that was pulling a vacuum with the 13 bhp lift engine, so I cut them out and put a pair of large spray deflector intakes. It was quite a complicated GRP job with lots of compound curves ( hot melt glue and foam core works wonders ! ). It gave a huge improvement as the intake for lift air is unrestricted.
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Quote
" I would also think you might want to beef up the engine mountings and use box section steel. If the engine moves and the fan impacts the cowl you will have a catastrophic failure and won't be going anywhere until fixed, which is a nightmare job away from home. I have several T shirts for that one "
Regarding blades catching cowl, many years ago (about 40!!) I built a Scrad HC out of wood, the "lift cowl" was rigidly secured to the flexibly mounted ( with exhaust bobbins) engine frame. There was about 1.5 inch clearance between the cowl where it went through the deck, the flange of the cowl was sealed with foam to the deck. If I hit an obstacle the whole frame could move slightly without the blades catching!! It seemed to work ok and I could have minimum blade/cowl clearance!
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That's innovation ! :)
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Hi,
I’m living in Cornwall now but would be keen to attend any crusie in the Bristol area!
Loads of cruises going on up North and in the South East but would be really keen for one closer to home!
Thanks in advance :)
Rachael Gifford
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I will see about trying to arrange something next summer in the Bristol area but there was so little interest when I suggested an event that it hardly seems worth the effort to plan a big meeting if turnout will be minimal. The River Avon cruise and that run to the wrecks were great fun but I don't know where all the craft have gone - I seem to be on my own down here and most of my trips out this year have been by RIB. :'(
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Hi Ross
Karen and I would be interested in coming.
The only problem from my point of view
Is that there seems to be a requirement for qualifications at your location.
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Hi,
I’m living in Cornwall now but would be keen to attend any crusie in the Bristol area!
Thanks in advance :)
Rachael Gifford
You'll be welcome to launch from my place (upper Severn) although it might be a long way round. I'm out solo quite frequently although occasionally someone joins me. If you had a word with Bryan I reckon he would organise a launch from Berkeley - I'll come down the river and meet you there.
The other person you should hassle is Gaz, there's a number of decent launch places into the Tavy and Taymar for a great day out.
Ian
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Weston needs a PLS2 and insurance to launch but that is a fairly basic qualification and I am sure we could package the entire thing into a weekend. If we had enough interested people I could try and set something up. Alternatively Berkeley is qualification free and offers some superb cruising - but needs permission.
Weston is rather weather dependent and can be scrubbed on the beach before departure - also it is very much a sea trip so a bit of a challenge if you haven't tried it before. Have a look at my videos on you tube.
http://www.youtube.com/channel/UCg2DBCykerb_S36-TDQHJLQ
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I am normally always up for a cruise on the Tamar but for once can't having put a hold on flying to build the Surveyor for Liskeard ATC. My craft has sadly been neglected for over a year to allow me to concentrate on the new build, I know my craft needs new bearings in drive train so it won't be out on it till I have had chance to do that and some other essential maintenance.
All going well the surveyor should be ready March/April so I look forward to flying the surveyor and my craft late spring.
Rachael, do you have your craft down hear now or is it still stored elsewhere?
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My craft has a new engine waiting to be fitted perhaps prior to my next cruise, as the present engine (and exhaust system) is a little past normal "use by date".
For once the "farty noise" is nothing to do with turkey stuffing. ::)
Once the holiday stuff is over- the workshop heat will be powered up again, as nowadays my hands get so chapped.
Red and scaly skin is not a good look, (says Jane)
The South West IS a great area to cruise, (if quite a drive) so personally need "A few days" to make the journey worthwhile in the M/Home
Perhaps Mr Gaz would join me (as "moveable ballast) with just a hint of glamour?
Ive been culturing excess nasal hair to help filter out some of the famous TAMARRGH mud.
Im no fool-------
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Perhaps Mr Gaz would join me (as "moveable ballast) with just a hint of glamour?
Just say when, next best thing to flying your own hovercraft is being passenger in someone else's, Glamour? in my dreams :'(
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Gaz- do you have any thoughts/plans as per areas, campsites etc?
Have you stumbled across any "friendly farmers"?
I do find they are few (and far between)
Theres an expression,,,,,
"A touch of the Farmers" which rhyming slang translates as "SMILES"
Perhaps they've had a poor harvest?
There MUST be someone out there who isn't "too grumpy" to let us use their land to launch onto a deserted bit of "estwarrie"
translated as "salty inlet".
Gaz- if you're coming up light on the glamour, you need to upgrade this noble search ----
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Friendly farmer wise I have been doing some work for a farmer with a place I could use to launch on to the Tamar :o ... unfortunately its several miles upstream of the tidal limit so can't actually use it :'( >:(
As the 1387 Sqn build is sucking up my spare time I haven't been actively researching possible alternatives to public access and established campsites. Fingers crossed this will be on the 2020 "got it done" list. Please note I did not say "to do" as these lists tend to stay "to do"
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Ref " above tidal limit," are we not allowed to use this, as its under river control rather than salt water estuary?
Could we not "float/boat" to/from the tidal limit?
Yep- understood you are putting plenty work in already--- :-*
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Ref " above tidal limit," are we not allowed to use this, as its under river control rather than salt water estuary
Other opinions (mine included!) is that you have the historical (common law) right to navigate anywhere you like unless there is a specific criminal law prohibiting it (and, in almost 100% of cases, there isn't!). Challenge whoever tells you otherwise by asking them to provide the statutory evidence. In general, laws prohibit particular things - they don't need to permit something that was normally carried out (i.e walking along a street or navigating on water - both common rights).
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TBH I dont think its feasible to navigate in anything other that a canoe! Above the tidal limit (which itself is a sizable weir) the river has become overgrown and there's two low bridges. I doubt a Surveyor sized craft could get under either.
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You'll be welcome to launch from my place (upper Severn) although it might be a long way round. I'm out solo quite frequently although occasionally someone joins me. If you had a word with Bryan I reckon he would organise a launch from Berkeley - I'll come down the river and meet you there.
The other person you should hassle is Gaz, there's a number of decent launch places into the Tavy and Taymar for a great day out.
Ian
Thanks Ian! Sorry only just seen this, forgot my password :-\ . Will definitely get in touch with Bryan about organising something out of Berkeley after lockdown. Would be great to get on the Severn again. :)
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Thanks Ian! Sorry only just seen this, forgot my password :-\ . Will definitely get in touch with Bryan about organising something out of Berkeley after lockdown. Would be great to get on the Severn again. :)
That would be cool. I'll meet you there - quicker for me to come down the river rather than all the way round by road.I haven't been down Sharpness way since before Christmas - last time I was down I discovered that the Old Ferry at Beachely was shut down - what a disaster!
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Was that the closed hostel near the bridge northern shore? :'(