Dear Air Cushion Vehicle enthusiast,
The Queensland branch held a planning meeting at the SAAA hall at Archerfield Aerodrome on
Monday, 20th March 2006 which was attended by Des Goss, Phillip Audsley, Angus Kerr, Peter
Venn, Arthur Stead and Steven Odgaard.
Cruise report - Clontarf and Schulz Canal at Nudgee - Sunday 12th March 2006.
The monthly cruise was held at Clontarf on Sunday, 12th March with 4 craft in attendance.
Des Goss had his Maroon Turbo Wedge 225
Peter Ledwoch had the Simple Cyclone
Kerri Audsley had the Yellow Turbo 225 and
Steven Odgaard had a Hovermac
Peter Ledwoch and Ann Dickinson had their powerful Cyclone operating in peak performance
after a visit to Doctor Dan. Danny Venn had altered the carburettor and now the Yamaha is
revving out to 7,000 rpm under load.
Visitors were Phil and Kerri Audsley, a workmate from Otis, Tony Hogben, John Wheeler
(Marketing entrepreneur) and Gavin (commercial fisherman).
The bay was borderline with 15 knot winds producing some undesirable swells and white caps, so
after several test runs close to the rock wall and boat ramp, we decided to seek calmer waters
and the flotilla of 4 craft made its way south to Schulz canal at Nudgee. (on trailers)
Des, Peter and Ann launched again and enjoyed a long trip upstream to Toombul and back. Phillip
and Kerri Audsley had the Yellow Turbo 225 on their trailer for display only and Steven Odgaard
brought a Hovermac belonging to Cary Breakey, along for display. This 1970s craft still has the
manufacturer’s stickers on the deck.
Hovermac built at Green Glades Nerangba Qld.
Report on Camp Quality at Lake Macquarie - Sunday 19th March 2006.
The trip to Newcastle was enjoyable and I met Karl and Judy Bowman, Eugene and Robyn
Zanozine, Peter Hardi and Ian and Vicki McKinnon from the NSW branch.
We had dinner at the Station Master’s café in Toronto on the western shore of Lake Macquarie.
Accommodation was at the Paradise Palms caravan park in Toronto on Saturday night and the
hovercraft activity was at Myuna Bay Sport and Recreation Centre for Camp Quality.
Bryce McIver from Bonville was studying at the Newcastle University and travelled to Lake
Macquarie to see the hovercraft with a fellow student. The 2 Revtech Renegades performed well
and efficiently and Peter Hardi’s Nell Viper was shiny black and thunder-some, but the poor old
Billy Baker just sat around going nowhere suffering from a burst crankshaft seal on the Robin lift
engine. It was such a long way to tow a 700kg load for no net gain, but the NSW gang made me
feel at home and it was great to receive their hospitality.
I also had the opportunity to visit Stephen and Lee McIver at Bonville, and Neil Batley of Taree.
Neil occasionally cruises on the mighty Manning River with another hovercraft owner in the area, John.
Arthur Stead produced a DVD of the 2005 Camp Quality at Lake Macquarie and a copy of this
proved to be popular among the NSW club. Thanks Arthur for your fine handywork at the editing desk.
Tony Westwood has reset the AHF web page and this can be seen on www.aushover.tk
Thanks Tony for your work on this information sheet and the Victorian branch newsletters.
News from Central Queensland:-
From: gordon wright
To: steven odgaard
Subject: Finally found!!!
Dear Steven,
Thank you again for sending me the details of your last meeting and one day I may see
the word 'Mackay' mentioned. However, I want to tell you that at last I have found Ray
Sullivan and had a very interesting meeting with Ray and his Wife, Jean at their property
at Seaforth. The reason for the delay was that he was away picking fruit, then his letter
which he returned to me went to a caravan park I had left and moved more to the centre
of Mackay. I met the Manager of the Caravan Park where I am now and she said she had
a letter for me but didn't know where I had moved to.
So finally I got in contact with Ray and arranged a meeting on the Saturday last.
He took me to see his large Hovercraft which he said originally came from the USA and
you (Angus) delivered it to him along with another gentleman, and that you had another
for sale at the time.
His hovercraft while in excellent condition is now for sale for $22,000, like his property.
We had a lot of talks about the various aspects of air-cushion vehicles and I took a photo
of his which I can send you if you would like it.
I have decided to stay with my original plan to construct a smaller vessel and at present I
am awaiting the arrival of plans from Universal hovercraft.
Well at last I have met Ray and his wife and we have become friends with like interests.
His wife never liked his hovercraft!!
Kind regards...........
Gordon Wright.
News from the Victorian branch:-
From: tony westwood
To: steven odgaard
Subject: F1 Hoverpod Racing coming to Australia
http://www.f1hoverpod.com/opportunity/index.html
These guys are looking at setting up Hovercraft racing in Australia
Looks like a bit of a pipe dream but who knows???
I have had some contact with them and they are looking for interested persons to set up Racing
clubs. Good luck to them I say.
Regards
Tony
Ken Osmond, President of the Australian Hovercraft Federation, indicated that Lake Cargelligo
might be on again for a joint club meeting in September 2006, possibly 23rd and 24th.
Letter from South Australia:-
From: richard rogers
To: steven odgaard
Subject: skirt material
Hi
I'm in Adelaide and I've been trying to find our local hovercraft club and i am starting to
get the feeling that there isn't one.
Could you let me know if there is a club in S.A. and if there isn't I was chasing some info
regarding skirt material, I have a 1991 "Hovercruse 6" from Hoverworld, most of the skirt
seems to be original ( heavy material and not very flexible ) I've noticed the new
hovercraft's have almost parachute like material.
I wish to completely replace the skirt.
If there are any better skirt design's and material I would appreciate it if you could send
me some information about them and where to purchase the material and approximately
how much material I would need for 65 to 70 segments.
Thanks Regards
Richard Rogers.
Next club cruise:-
Due to the windy situation at the last cruise, Des decided that more sheltered waters should be
selected this month and so the Pimpama River near Dreamworld was chosen.
9:00 am - Sunday, 2nd April 2006 Coleman Road Yawalpa, launch into McCoys Creek junction with
the Pimpama River.
Take the Dreamworld exit off the Highway and follow Foxwell Road and continue straight into
Coleman Road. (Don’t turn right towards the Coomera River)
Next Queensland branch meeting:
The next meeting at Archerfield was due to be held on Monday 17th April 2006, but as this
conflicts with Easter, we will discuss an alternate date at the cruise on Sunday, 2nd April.
After the cruise we briefly discussed the next SAAA meeting and decided to keep it on the 3rd
Monday which is 17th April 2006. (Easter Monday) 7:30 pm.
SAAA hall at Archerfield Aerodrome.
Beatty Road Qld 4108.
Regards
Steven Odgaard
QSH secretary