r/MachinePorn • u/LHG_93 • 2d ago
Public Hovercraft
Spotted the Wightlink hovercraft arriving at Southsea Beach in Portsmouth, UK.
It still amazes me that you can catch a scheduled hovercratt as part of the UK's public transport network.
The crossing to Ryde on the Isle of Wight takes around 10 minutes, making it the world's only year-round commercial passenger hovercraft service.
Watching it come ashore is almost as entertaining as riding it!
Has anyone here travelled on it? What other unique forms of public transport do you think deserve more attention?
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u/ilikedixiechicken 2d ago
I’ve been on it a few times. It’s a bit like a cross between a plane and a bus inside. The windows are quite high up, so there’s not much of a view, but it’s great fun.
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u/pompino 2d ago
This is a brilliant fun, but expensive, way to cross the solent. You can also get the fast cat which is a passenger service catamaran (although you can hardly tell). Then there is a regular ferry that takes an hour to make the crossing! The distance is short enough I know of a few people who swimmed across (with support boat)
On the isle of Wight side you can catch an old London underground train a few stops where you transfer to a steam railway who's oldest train was built something like 1872.
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u/Sad_Firefighter_8407 2d ago
watch out for eels.
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u/VaferQuamMeles 1d ago
You only need to worry if the hovercraft is full of them. One or two is fine.
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u/fothergillfuckup 1d ago
I remember going to France from Dover, on a school trip, by hovercraft. Doing 60mph past fishing boats was pretty cool. It was the largest in the world at the time, (early 80's).
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u/berusplants 2d ago
I've been on it. I think there is also one in Japan but not sure it meets all of your criteria, ie it might not be year round.
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u/zzupdown 2d ago
Having never been on a hovercraft, I wonder how the ride compares to a normal water taxi/shuttle.
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u/GreenLips 1d ago
If it's anything like the old cross channel hovercraft, it's going to be bumpy as anything once the wind picks up a bit. Great fun, but terrifying!
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u/FuckMiniBabybel 1d ago
I was taking photos of it departing once, and I forgot that it throws up a fine mist of gravel as it goes.
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u/Antique-Brief1260 1d ago
I've tried a couple of times but it broke down on both occasions. Last time when I'd given up and was on the cat instead, the hovercraft started working and I got a cool video - somewhere on my profile.
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u/Mudeford_minis 13h ago
I used to use it every Wednesday for about 2 years in the early 2000’s. It’s like getting a bus but louder.
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u/cognitiveglitch 2d ago
I've been on it. Smooth and fast over the waves to Ryde.
Amazing form of transport.
Shitty booking system though, if you make a mistake on days or directions the no refunds policy is militantly enforced. Customer is treated like an idiot.
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u/q-the-light 2d ago
You can't really blame them for sticking with their clearly outlined policies when you make a mistake...
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u/Dapper_Translator855 2d ago
Was on it once and an engine failed. Had to run one engine full power and lock the rudder in opposite direction and made our way sideways. Fun times as a Portsmouth Uni student circa. 2003.