It's been running for months now. The Hurricane Clipper, at full chat, blasts along the Thames at 30 kts. Doesn't sound alot at first glance, but on water, on the river, it ROCKS.

It's a beautiful, sleek, airline styled boat (in fact, better than boing or a bus) that turns heads, especially when it's wound up to full speed; you sit and watch everyone on the banks stop and stare. It's the Thames' Concorde.

So, PR? Marketing? It's not drawing the numbers. This is good, if temporary, news for passengers. You can easily get a place at the back, out with the engines, to watch this thing propel down the river at amazing speeds.

What saddens me is that, like a life shortened version of Conc, this boat will disappear. Not profitable, etc etc. Ken has been doing alot to try and make the river part of the infrastructure, but it doesn't look like it has permeated the capital's psyche quite yet. The river is a grimy shoal, something for tourists, something to stare across but never to use. Shame.

They only go to top speed briefly, but just watch everyone aboard grinning. Our patch of water has never been better, and all for four pound fifty. Maybe next week I'll waterski behind it.

Catch it while you can.

Looks fun (piccy here) (http://www.shipphotos.co.uk/pages/hurricaneclipper.htm) Goes at the same speed as the fast ferry to Ireland from Holyhead - been on that a few times, bloomin' great.

They now have water taxis of this ilk (but smaller) going round Manhattan Island, stopping at various places. Very good, quite cheap, and goes like snow off a shovel. (if you chat the driver up to show you what it can REALLY do!) :ok:

Saw the title - thought it was a new idea for the retired BA Concs :)

Just imagine them, fitted with floats on the hull and wings, geting up to 200kts before gracefully lifting off (and the sound of full reheat in central London:}

They have these operating a service on the Brisbane River in Australia.

Truly fabulous experience. They are like buses but you can do the round trip just for fun.

Keep the faith. They'll become popular if the advertising is right.

That fits - the Hurricane Clipper was made in Australia. Lovely bit of kit. I went for ride on the commuter service today which runs a bit further out of town. They get to hoof it most of the way. Lovely way to travel to and from work.

Hi Paulo. How about we (people going to her b-day bash) go on it for Penguinas birthday? Can you have a look at the logistics of that and let us know, where to, where from etc?
Wouldn't mind a go on it before the drinks...... :)

Hey Xeque,

Remember when the River Cats first started and the true commuters at who they were targeted couldn't get in cause of all the random punters taking a jolly from Bretts Wharf up to UQ and back again ?

And the b@<hidden> wouldn't let you on in the evenings if you look more than a little inebriated.

Yeah Jerricho,

Guilty as charged. I was visiting friends in Brisbane last Christmas. Sorry if my midday trip stopped you from getting home from work.

Cheers.