Airboating in New Hampshire [Archive]

pmcpherson

10-30-2009, 09:29 AM

I plan on getting an airboat in the next couple of years. I want to run it on Winnipesaukee in the winter and the Connecticut and Merrimack river in the summer. A call to the Marine Patrol said that there were no restrictions against airboats. How do airboats get around the motorboat noise levels set in RSA 270:37? What are your favorite airboating locations in New Hampshire?

Pat M.

NoBozo

10-30-2009, 10:42 AM

I plan on getting an airboat in the next couple of years. I want to run it on Winnipesaukee in the winter and the Connecticut and Merrimack river in the summer. A call to the Marine Patrol said that there were no restrictions against airboats. How do airboats get around the motorboat noise levels set in RSA 270:37? What are your favorite airboating locations in New Hampshire?

Pat M.

Please define "Airboat". Are you talking about flat bottom John Boats driven by an aircraft engine and propeller such as used in the Everglades.. OR... "Hovercraft"...OR...A sharp runnered "Iceboat" propelled by an aircraft engine and propeller. Just wondering. NB

pmcpherson

10-30-2009, 12:46 PM

The airboats I am looking are designed for water, ice and snow. Aircraft or Chevy (GM) engine, propeller driven, ice brakes, high sides and beefer bottoms with polymer coating. Windshield in front with steering wheel and full canvas covering with heater. Not a hovercraft and not your typical swamp airboat. These are used in northern states, Alaska and Canada.

OCDACTIVE

10-30-2009, 01:10 PM

The airboats I am looking are designed for water, ice and snow. Aircraft or Chevy (GM) engine, propeller driven, ice brakes, high sides and beefer bottoms with polymer coating. Windshield in front with steering wheel and full canvas covering with heater. Not a hovercraft and not your typical swamp airboat. These are used in northern states, Alaska and Canada.

Can you post a picture to help clairify?

ishoot308

10-30-2009, 01:34 PM

I would assume he is talking about something like this...

Dan

pmcpherson

10-30-2009, 01:44 PM

Here are a couple of web sites for ice/snow/water models.

www.hardwaterairboats.com

www.alaskaairboat.com

www.diamondbackairboats.com see "Alaskan Style".

codeman671

10-30-2009, 08:16 PM

As a previous owner of a 1000 Islands Airboat I can tell you it was a blast to drive and it could go anywhere. It is made for winter use, I don't think it will be that enjoyable for summer use. There are numerous pictures/posts of my boat on the forum, search sunsetbob's photos. Airboating Magazine did an article on it, which I believe mcdude posted. On glare ice prepare to get beat up badly. With a bit of snow cover it was a dream. 105mph on gps with throttle left... It felt extremely safe and predictable, and the transitioning from ice to water and back was unreal.

ishoot308

10-31-2009, 12:53 PM

Codeman;

That thing looks incredible!

I am curious why you got rid of it... Looks like an awesome machine and I bet a lot of fun!

Dan

SBC

11-01-2009, 07:22 AM

Aside from the standard safety equipment and registration requirements you may want to also be aware of these rules:

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/XXII/270/270-25-a.htm

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/html/XXII/270/270-37.htm

Any air boats I have encountered are usually the result of being heard first which rouses the curiosity factor. I home in on the sound and eventually get to check out the excitement.

Like that heater idea. Think we should get that in some of our boats for us hardcores that stay out late in the season-may be good at ice-out time too!

codeman671

11-01-2009, 07:24 AM

Codeman;

That thing looks incredible!

I am curious why you got rid of it... Looks like an awesome machine and I bet a lot of fun!

Dan

The usual issues, a wife that didn't like me being away playing, 2 small kids, etc. I had hoped to be able to use the place more in the winter but at that point in life it just wasn't happening. Basically it was a $50k toy that I wasn't using enough to warrant keeping. Talk about a blast though! Everytime I went to Glendale it gathered crowds.

ishoot308

11-01-2009, 11:06 AM

The usual issues, a wife that didn't like me being away playing, 2 small kids, etc. I had hoped to be able to use the place more in the winter but at that point in life it just wasn't happening. Basically it was a $50k toy that I wasn't using enough to warrant keeping. Talk about a blast though! Everytime I went to Glendale it gathered crowds.

I can understand and respect that...

How did you get from the trailer to the ice??... did you do just drop it off the back end of a trailer onto the ice?

Dan

Sunset Bob

11-01-2009, 02:28 PM

I can understand and respect that...

How did you get from the trailer to the ice??... did you do just drop it off the back end of a trailer onto the ice?

Dan

Like thishttp://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/502/thumbs/Air_Boat_023.jpg ('http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/502/Air_Boat_023.jpg')
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=11144&ppuser=15
More photos here.

cowisl

11-02-2009, 02:58 PM

We have two hovercrafts and love them for the winter. You will not be popular using them in the summer due to the noise. Good luck on your search!

Misty Blue

11-02-2009, 06:46 PM

Skip:

Is there a NH RSA or law against having too much fun or being too cool?

Misty

Pineedles

11-03-2009, 07:22 AM

It may take Skip a little while to answer. He's running for Mayor of Dover, NH today.