February 2008
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, 19th February 2008 which was attended by Des Goss, Phillip Audsley, Angus Kerr, Peter Venn, Arthur Stead and Steven Odgaard. Cruise report - Muriel Street, Redland Bay - Saturday 16th February 2008. The last cruise was on Saturday 16th February starting from the back yard of Peter Venn's place in Muriel Street, Redland Bay. Taking part in this cruise were:- Des Goss - Turbo Wedge 225 Neville Bennett - Turbo Vortex David Venn - Hoverjet Peter Venn and Rusty Moore - Turbo TP6 Arthur and Judy Stead - Revtech Renegade Steven Odgaard - Billy Baker 2. Des, Arthur, Peter and Rusty, David and Neville set off at 9:20 am across the Redland Bay Channel and down beside Redbill Island to the Logan River. With a stiff breeze from the south they entered Moreton Bay and ventured across to Russell Island via Lagoon and Pannikin Islands. The wind intensified and made the shallow waters in the southern bay whip up some white caps slowing down the craft for their return journey. All craft returned via the Logan River at about 12:30 pm. Peter and Rusty led the way and came directly up the Redbill Passage, but somehow the other craft missed the turn and continued up the Logan River and had to double back. Peter Venn's TP6 Peter's back yard Des Goss It was a nice surprise to see Neville Bennett again and we heard all about his disappointing attempts to secure a permit to operate on the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park around his home on Magnetic Island in North Queensland. Worrying for us in south east Queensland as well with regulations tightening up in the Moreton Bay Marine Park and permits required for hovercraft operation anywhere in the bay area from September. Neville has reluctantly returned his craft to the holiday home at Evans Head in northern NSW. Arthur Stead made a spectacular high speed ascent up the backyard boat ramp, however the responsive Renegade was able to make a safe set down at the end of his trailer. Not bad for a cruiser with limited cruising time, although he has had the best instructors - namely:- Peter Venn, the Webber brothers and Bob Windt. David Venn Judy & Arthur Stead Neville Bennett Thanks to Peter and Elaine for the wonderful venue and the cups of tea and savouries to finish a perfect cruise. The neighbours were friendly too. (Boating enthusiasts.) 20th Anniversary of Expo 88:- The co-ordinators working on the 20th Anniversary of Expo 88 have approached the club to participate in the event being held on 10th May 2008. 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 Saturday 15th March 2008 at Muriel St, Redland Bay. Meet at 9:00 am at Peter Venn's place at 96 Muriel St, Redland Bay for a launch into the Redland Bay Channel. UBD Reference - Map 267 B9. Contact for the event is Steven Odgaard on 0400 798 404. Next Queensland branch meeting: 7:30 pm - Tuesday, 18th March 2008. SAAA hall at Archerfield Aerodrome. Beatty Road Qld 4108. Regards Steven Odgaard QSH secretary