Ferry Bookings

Ferry Operator Information

Ferry Routes

Ferry Ports

Channel Crossings

Ferries to Ireland

English Ferry Routes

Scottish Ferry Tickets

Isle of Wight Ferries

Eurotunnel Tickets

Hovertravel Solent Express - Further Information and Vessel Description

The Solent Express is the lastest vessel in the Hovertravel fleet operating on the route between Southsea and Ryde on the Isle of Wight. Hovertravel's Solent Express is a BHT-130 which is the latest vessel to be Designed and built by Hoverwork Ltd. UK. The Solent Express makes it's crossing in just 7 minutes. She can carry 133 passengers (the highest capacity of the Hovertravel Fleet) As with most other hovercraft the service only accomodates foot passengers.
For full information on Hovertravel - Click Here.

The BHT-130 is the modern successor in their line of craft to the widely used BHC/Hoverwork AP1-88. Using many of the design principles of the AP1-88 (centre, elevated cockpit, bilateral bow thrusters, ducted rear propellers and more) the BHT-130 provides a quieter, smoother ride than its predecessor, and increased capacity for passengers. Hovertravel currently use AP1-88's and the BHT-130 craft on their 10-minute Southsea to Ryde route from the British mainland to the Isle of Wight. As well as the BHT-130 Solent Express Hovertravel's other vessels are both AP1-88s, the Island Express and Freedom 90. The new Solent Express is the flagship of the Hovertravel fleet.

Hovertravel Solent Express Hovercraft Statistics

• Length - 29.3 m
• Breadth - 15 m
• Speed - Service - 45 knots
• Engines - 4x DDC/MTU turbo-diesel engines
• Entered Service - 2007
• Yard - British Hovercraft Corporation, Isle of Wight
• Propellers - 2 x 3.5m diameter 5-blade propellers within 4.5m ducts
• Cars - 0
• Passengers - 133