Island Jetfoil

[Nick]

I searched for this topic to no end, and even though I remember reading something about the Jetfoil that ran between Victoria and Vancouver on here, I can't find it anywhere. I just searched the historical BCF photos thread by hand, to no avail. So my apologies if I missed something somewhere.

I remember seeing a pamphlet or brochure or something that was posted about the Boeing Jetfoil that ran a direct harbour to harbour service. It might have been from Wet Coast Kid, but I'm not sure.

If anybody knows anything about this, I would really appreciate it. I was having a discussion with my neighbour today, and the topic of this ship/boat came up. We couldn't figure out when it was in service. I also found out today (after living next to him for 18 years) that he was a junior engineer on the Princess Kathleen when she sank outside of Juneau. He had a lot of stories to tell about that ship. He showed me a bailer that he got out of the No. 3 lifeboat that he used to ferry passengers to shore.

[WettCoast]

To my knowledge/memory no Boeing jetfoil service ever existed between Vancouver & Victoria. One, however, was tried between Victoria and Seattle, and I believe that this was a long time ago, during the 1970's.

The service operated between Victoria & Vancouver in the early 1990's by Royal Sealink did not use Boeing jetfoils.

For more see:
- ferriesbc.proboards20.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=photos&thread=1187153508&page=3 (reply #66)
- ferriesbc.proboards20.com/index.cgi?board=generaltalk&action=display&thread=1201048229&page=2 (reply 35)

[Neil]

I've posted this before, but I can't remember where. Is this what you were thinking of?

[Nick]

Yes Neil, that is exactly the one I was thinking of. Thank you for re-posting that.

I'll have to print off those to show my neigbour.

Thank again, both WCK and Neil.

[Neil]

There was a bit of discussion last year on the jetfoil service which ran in the early '80s.

I believe this was the first service since CPR's night boat ended in 1948 which allowed a passenger to get on in Vancouver and get off in Seattle, albeit, this time, with a stop in Victoria. Still, 4 1/2 hours Vancouver to Seattle is pretty good time by water.

[Curtis]

That thing is one of the funniest things I've ever seen. Looks intresting though.

[queenofcowichan]

I believe that there was once a foot passenger only hovercraft service between Nanaimo and Vancouver.

[FNS]

I've been aboard a Boeing Jetfoil myself. Quite interesting to ride. This was in 1976 and her name was FLYING PRINCESS.

These were designed to travel through water in underwater wings. These wings had elevons that adjusted for wave actions for a smooth ride. They ran at about 40 or so knots.

It was funny to listen to these vessels on the VTS channels in fog. One moment, you'll hear "WE ARE NOW HULLBORNE DUE TO FOG". Another moment, you'll hear "WE ARE FOILBORNE, CLEARER VISIBILITY NOW". There was a hull mounted propeller to move this vessel when the foils were retracted for fog and docking operations.

[Northern Exploration]

Yes I remember seeing the former Govenor General Roland Michener getting on a hovercraft beside where the old cruise ship pier was. I am not sure if it was going to Victoria or Nanaimo though.

[Ex Pat BCer]

Hi all - new to the forum - and its a neat place! I grew up on the island and have always been a "ferryhead". - hmm that could be bad taken out of context. Anyway - i had a chance to ride the Jetfoil between Victoria and Vancouver - it was a brithday present from my folks. It really was a unique experience. when up on foils and turning the whole thing leaned over - closest i could compare would be like being in a helicopter cruising low over the water. too bad they couldnt make a go of it- it was a neat experience.

[Retrovision]

Thanks for your account of a rare jetfoil ride on our coast and welcome, Ex Pat BCer. Don't we all wish any one of those passenger only services of BC's past that have failed could have survived to enrich and inject competition into our local ferry market.

[Barnacle]

tsawwassenterminal said:

Don't we all wish... those passenger only services... could have survived to enrich and inject competition into our local ferry market.

Except the added vessels and service doesn't always result in added demand... take WSF's Seattle-Bremerton PO service, for example... not only were we splitting the ridership instead of adding to it, we were competing against ourselves! ;D

[ruddernut]

So whatever became of the technology used for it? Did it have any staying power anywhere?

I imagine it's a hog for gas.

[D'Elete BC in NJ]

I'll let you decide for yourself - here's a link to a number of hydrofoils, with their fuel consumption, engine output, top speed, and some with displacements.

[ruddernut]

May 14, 2008 11:48:36 GMT -8 D'Elete BC in NJ said:

I'll let you decide for yourself - here's a link to a number of hydrofoils, with their fuel consumption, engine output, top speed, and some with displacements.

My knowledge of navigation isn't up to speed to make much sense of the data, but based on the fact that they're not in common use, I'll assume that they are not very efficient.

[yvr]

Jet foils aren't dead yet. Here's a photo I took a couple of weeks ago in Busan (Pusan) Korea. This turbine powered foil appears to be a Boeing / Kawasaki. However there are subtle differences, such as the bridge being on a third deck, life rafts on the upper deck, plus the stern area seems more built up, giving it a slightly longer appearance.

Perhaps one of our members can identify it's origins.

YVR


tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2j4oolh&s=3

[Low Light Mike]

Thanks for posting that picture-link, Mr. YVR.

I'm not knowledgable about jet-foils, but I did appreciate seeing your picture of one in action.

[Northern Exploration]

I remember seeing the Boeing Jetfoil in operation. I asked my parents where we were when we saw it and got "either Seattle or San Fran."

There were two JetFoils here in one of the unsuccessful cross the lake ventures from Toronto to Lewistown or Rochester. If you remember seeing the Eastern European/Soviet ones in movies you would know what they looked like. Kind of rounded bubble glass and long and thin like the Amsterdam tour boats but on stilts . They were called Seaflight I believe.

[creter]

As I recall it was the summer of 85 that the Island Jetfoil ran out of Victoria. I spent a lot of time on the water fishing that summer. Just about every day in fact.
It was pretty amazing to see if she passed close to your small fishing boat. The water from the jet drive would shoot at least a hundred feet behind the ship. Yet she would leave next to nothing for a wake. I remember thinking back then what would happen should she hit a large deadhead with that front foil.
For some reason I think she did hit something at one point, though I might be wrong. Be interesting to hear from someone who might be able to answer that one way or the other.
I never did get a chance to ride the Jetfoil, another one of those missed adventures I guess.

[princessofvanfan]

Interesting. I don't remember this service at all. Must have been very short-lived.

[coastalgirl]

I worked for IJC (in the office) and made the trip from the island to Vancouver and back a number of times. It was in the mid 80's...I can't recall exact dates but '85 sounds about right. It ran from Ogden Point to the Vancouver Seabus terminal, and also from Ogden Point to Seattle. (I think a 1-way ticket was about $49). It was a fun ride. There was no exterior passenger space (too fast to be comfortable for most), it would 'taxi' on the hull and then when clear of the breakwater increase speed and rise out of the water to ride on the foils. Somebody commented about what if it hit something. I seem to recall that the foils were titanium...also, pretty sure the deck had all the usual radar etc...plus, it was pretty a maneuverable vessel. The interior was comfortable, with drink and some food service. It was a bit odd being on a 'boat' that sounded like an aircraft...but an enjoyable trip.
We had a good group of people in the company and I was sorry to see it end. There was misinformation out there about why it ended, but it's all ancient history now. I was glad to be a part of it though.

[Neil]

Mar 24, 2016 13:43:02 GMT -8 coastalgirl said:

I worked for IJC (in the office) and made the trip from the island to Vancouver and back a number of times. It was in the mid 80's...I can't recall exact dates but '85 sounds about right. It ran from Ogden Point to the Vancouver Seabus terminal, and also from Ogden Point to Seattle. (I think a 1-way ticket was about $49). It was a fun ride. There was no exterior passenger space (too fast to be comfortable for most), it would 'taxi' on the hull and then when clear of the breakwater increase speed and rise out of the water to ride on the foils. Somebody commented about what if it hit something. I seem to recall that the foils were titanium...also, pretty sure the deck had all the usual radar etc...plus, it was pretty a maneuverable vessel. The interior was comfortable, with drink and some food service. It was a bit odd being on a 'boat' that sounded like an aircraft...but an enjoyable trip.
We had a good group of people in the company and I was sorry to see it end. There was misinformation out there about why it ended, but it's all ancient history now. I was glad to be a part of it though.

Thanks for your insight into an interesting though short period in our transportation history. Very few of us experienced this operation, and any further reminiscences would be welcome. Do you have a take on the new Australian financed  venture here?