Quote Originally Posted by phild View Post
They must have took some steering especially when the seas were rough, amazing how they did it
Well not really....you see the Hovercraft would be cancelled at the drop of a hat, if there was an increase in the sea breeze. The normal ferry would sale regardless but the Hovercraft...just wasn't reliable. Got there one day with a beautiful clear sky and it seemed pretty calm but it was cancelled......

Another interesting fact about the Solent crossing...mile for mile, it was/is the dearest stretch of water to cross in the world.....
Also,When it left the dock in Ryde Isle Of Wight...it took 15 minutes to cross to Portsmouth...and then it took 20 minutes to move into the shipping berth along side..... I use to get a connection train to London's Waterloo and there was always a touch and go feel to weather we would dock and disembark in time....