My Sevtec Explorer project

Explorer operation (2001-01-20)

Saturday was a sunny day and temperature just below freezing point. This time it wasn't going to be so much of hovering but ice fishing and "fry some veggies"-on-bonfire day out.

We experienced some problems with high idle after start, but it was fixed by itself after a while and we were on our way. There was only two people on board and i thought that was the reason for more difficult control as well as strong wind we had.

We didn't go far stopped the craft so that it would protect us from the chilly wind. I drilled couple of holes, but that was enough for me for one day. There was at least 70cm (2,2ft) ice and even with sharp ice drill is just too much to enjoy the time spent on ice.

We didn't catch any fish and changed place when ice fishers close to us left and used holes they drilled. No fish there either. We got to a small rocky island and started to make a bonfire. I wisely parked the craft to a distance from the fire. Once we started to build the fire we discovered that matchbox we took with us had only five matches left. As an old boy scout this didn't worry me too much, but we were up to 3rd or 4th when we got visitors. I was concentrating on feeding the fire, but had to interrupt that and talk to visitors since they were a police and frontier guard who stopped by.

I had noticed few snowmobiles and been listening to engine sounds longer. I did told them that route they used wasn't all that safe since it's not that many weeks ago there was open water where they just drove not to mention car that took a dive just few weeks back. They asked to see the papers, asked how far we driven and asked about skirt wear. I tried to answer their question meanwhile keeping an eye on the fire. They didn't bother us for too long. I'm not quite sure if they stopped just for pure interest or had someone filed a complaint about my hovercraft. They didn't check the fishermen for their papers and permits required and after talking to us they turned back and headed to direction they came from.

We managed to get a decent fire and enjoyed our veggies. After we let the fire to burn and cleaned the remains of it we shoot some footage and took off to hoverport.

I had some difficulties again to control the craft in tight places. It seemed like craft turned easier to other direction than to other. At this point i though it's just very smooth ice causing this and got back ashore safely. Total of just maybe 5km (3miles) was done today.

Clip #28 - Sun drive #1

Versions:

Driving in slippery smooth ice on a sunny day. Notice the alignment of SEV.