November 2007
Queensland Sporting Hovercraft Club
A branch of the Australian Hovercraft Federation Inc (Vic)

Dear Air Cushion Vehicle enthusiast, The Queensland branch held a planning meeting at the SAAA hall at Archerfield Aerodrome on Tuesday, 20th November 2007 which was attended by Des Goss, Phillip Audsley, Angus Kerr, Peter Venn, Arthur Stead, Arthur Gangell, Tony Hogben, Jenny & Michael Nobel and Steven Odgaard. Cruise report - Pimpama River, Coomera - Sunday 28th October 2007. The last cruise was on Sunday 28th October starting from the Coleman Road boat ramp. Taking part in this cruise were:- Des Goss - Turbo Wedge 225 Phillip and Kerri Audsley - Turbo Wedge 225 and Steven Odgaard - Billy Baker 2. We met at the junction of McCoys Creek and the Pimpama River and due to wind conditions we stayed within the shelter of the mangrove lined river channels. Des and Steven ventured upstream to where the main broad channel ends at a new housing development still under earthwork construction. We searched through a narrow estuary to the left and found the main channel and continued on until we came to the Kerkin Road Bridge where Geoff Langford often launched when he lived at Pimpama in the early 90s. Due to the high tide we were unable to proceed under the bridge which had water lapping its underframe, however we were able to beach on a smooth dirt apron near the roadside next to a parked 4WD vehicle. When we returned to Coleman Road we found Phillip and Kerri ready to venture out and so all three craft made a trip back to the housing development. The wind started to freshen and Phil and Kerri decided to make an early retreat in case of rough conditions in the broad channel downstream. Des and Steven made a quick second visit to the Kerkin Road bridge then decided to get back as soon as possible before the conditions worsened. Steven made an attempt to hill climb the steep road at the ramp but with water in the bilge, the weight was too much and the craft had to be man handled up to the terrace. Des had a great day until it was time to pack up and his drive belt failed just as he was preparing to load onto his trailer. Bad luck; but better now than midway through next month's cruise. The trips up the Pimpama River were great and it proved to be a fine spot to cruise if the weather girl predicts high winds. Plenty of protection in the narrow mangrove lined estuaries. There are several passages yet to be ventured along in this vicinity. Other News:- Eric Yeomen of Childers is planning to build a Sevtec craft and is after a suitable supplier of urethane foam for its construction. Peter Ledwoch and Ann Dickinson are doing locum work in Walgett NSW, and may not be returning until the new year. They plan to work on locum duties in the future and this may take them to many destinations throughout Australia. Hovercraft for sale Hi Steve. With much regret I am offering my hovercraft for sale. It is a 2001 ASV Model made in Victoria equipped with a 65 hp Rotax engine. In good condition with new skirts and some spares new drive belt and fully operational with 130 hours. Just payed rego for craft and trailer asking price around $12.5K. Could you ask around and see if there is anyone interested within the club or clubs via the newsletters. For more details my email address is - ja32959@bigpond.net.au cheers Mike Rutterman World Hovercraft Championships - 2008:- The next World Hovercraft Championships will be held from the 20th - 24th August 2008 at Flottsbro in Sweden, about 20 minutes south of Stockholm. The proposal is for F1, F2, F50, FS and FJ racing - F3 may be included if there are enough entrants. Unfortunately, there will be no Endurance Racing (ER) at these Championships. World Championship Endurance Race:- In view of the fact that there will be no Endurance Racing at the 2008 World Championships in Sweden, the World Hovercraft Federation are seeking proposals for a World Championship Endurance Race at an alternative venue in a different country in 2008 or 2009, with the possibility of an attempt on the World Speed record at the same time. WHF Vice President (Asia) Owen Ellis, has suggested a 50th anniversary celebration of the Hovercraft's first crossing of the English Channel (25th July 1959) by creating a 2009 WORLD HOVERCRAFT WEEK. A commemorative cross channel cruise (Channel Charge) of both large and small craft could coincide with the anniversary of Sir Christopher Cockerell's SRN-1 crossing. Next club cruise:- The next club cruise will be held on Sunday 9th December 2007 at Colmslie Reserve, Morningside - 2 kilometres upstream from the Gateway Bridge. Meet at 9:00 am at the Colmslie Reserve boat ramp, for a launch into the Brisbane River - access to the Reserve is via Lytton Road. UBD Reference - Map 161 E2. Contact for the event is Steven Odgaard on 0400 798 404. January cruise:- As there is no Queensland Club meeting in December the January cruise is planned in advance. The first club cruise for the new year will be held on Sunday 13th January 2008 at Queens Esplanade, Thornside. Meet at 9:00 am at the boat ramp along Queens Esplanade near Bates Drive, for a launch into Waterloo Bay. UBD Reference - Map 164 H17. Contact for the event is Steven Odgaard on 0400 798 404. Next Queensland branch meeting: 7:30 pm - Tuesday, 15th January 2008 SAAA hall at Archerfield Aerodrome. Beatty Road Qld 4108. Regards Steven Odgaard QSH secretary