h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hiya, I'm Bluebottle, remember me? and I like history, including medieval, especially if it involves the Isle of Wight my home.
I'm currently researching the history of hovercraft for an article I'm writing at:
http://www.h2g2.com/A397668
and someone said that there was a hovercraft link between Tazmania and New Zealand. Is this true, and what do you know abnout it?

Thanks!

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Gooday Bluebottle,

Yes of course I remember you, it is nice to chat to you again. The short answer to your question is no, there is not and never has been a Hovercraft link between Tasmania (or Australia) and New Zealand. Not surprising really, the countries are maybe 2000 kms apart, which is probably well beyond Hovercraft range. In fact, I don't thing there are any Hovercrafts operating commercially in Australia, although having said that, someone will probably correct me. Good luck with the article. Take care,

Walter.

Walter, I referred Bluebottle to you. I thought I read somewhere ( a few years ago) about hovercraft being tested on the Tasmania - Aus-mainland route. Wrong again I guess.

Though not as wrong as our friend from the Isle of Wight who deserves a large black mark for confusing Australia with Godzone. He probably thinks blockhead Poms invented concrete.

Gooday again, Looneytunes,

I'm flattered that you referred Bluebottle's query to me. It may be that there is some confusion. We have a catamaran service plying across the Bass Strait between Georgetown and Melbourne. Obviously not just any old catamarans, they are whopping great fast ferries. They are built by INCAT, one of Tasmania's greatest success stories. INCAT sells heaps of the cats to Europe (and the rest of the world for that matter) - one of them broke the record for the fastest sea crossing of the Atlantic, in fact the Hales Trophy is currently on display at Hobart's museum. Before the cats came into service on the Bass Strait run, I think there was some sort of feasibility study into a hydrofoil service; you may be familiar with them, they are (or were) used on the Manly ferry run in Sydney. It may well be the case that hovercrafts were also looked at too, although you would think that the Bass Strait is probably too rugged for them; as it is cancellations of the service because of rough seas for both the cats and the conventional ferry are by no means uncommon. Take care,

Walter.

Got it. Yes that is what I was thinking about. Here in NZ we tried hydrofoils on the Cook Strait run between the North and South islands. They were abandoned and, now, along with conventional ferries Tasmanian Cats (Would Tigers be a classier name?) are used on the run.

Walter, why not write a h2g2 guide entry on the Incat thing. You obviously know quite a bit about them.

Loony, a caring man.

Gooday Looneytunes,

Thanks for the wrap, but I don't really know much about the Cats, although a friend of mine is one of INCATS top engineers. As for writing a guide entry, on boats or anything else, shivers, you might be assigned to sub it and then I would be in strife! As a matter of interest, the boats are usually referred to here as Devil Cats, and some have large, toothy Tassie Devils painted on them. It's probably a more apt description than naming them after a dead dog. Take care, caring one,

Walter.

Talking of strife, Looneytunes is currently subbing two of my enries - oh dear

and as for your comment, Looney,
"Though not as wrong as our friend from the Isle of Wight who deserves a large black mark for confusing Australia with Godzone. He probably thinks blockhead Poms invented concrete"
Nope - that wasn't me who started that Star Wars conversation - I was just talking about hovercraft and garlic.
So you deserve a VERY large black mark for confusing me with Marvin - especially since he had his name on the "From" header, and signed his name twice.

Gooday Bluebottle,

Looneytunes assures me that deep down he is a fair dinkum caring person and that's good enough for me. I think his occasional boisterous lapses come from drinking too much Steinlager and frustration because his beloved All Blacks keep falling over. I have been trying to persuade him to switch to another brand of grog, but there's not much that can be done about his football team. Good luck with your entries, I look forward to reading them. Take care,

Walter.