Airboating in New Hampshire
 

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

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?

Airboat
 

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

Dan

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

www.hardwaterairboats.com

www.alaskaairboat.com

www.diamondbackairboats.com see "Alaskan Style".

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.

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

Air Heads
 

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/...0/270-25-a.htm

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/...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!

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

Like thishttp://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...r_Boat_023.jpg
http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...1144&ppuser=15
More photos here.

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!

Legal question?
 

Skip:

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

Misty

Misty Blue
 

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

The History Channel had a segment on an Aero Sled.

Here is a link to the magazine article
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?f...type=3&theater

It appears the OP is a real glutton for wallet trauma.:D

BOAT=a hole in the water that you pour money into

AIRPLANE=a machine for boring holes in the sky that you pour money into

AIR BOAT=???

Very nice
 

That is one really nice looking boat. Just curious though, don't you worry about pressure ridges when out on the ice. I would imagine one would do some serious damage.
105 was that on the ice or water, I had a 25 Baja and at 70 that was extremely fast, I can only imagine what it feels like in a much lower to the water boat like this one.
Very cool looking boat. :)

105 was on ice with a few inches of fresh snow on top. It was not fast on water, probably 45-50mph. When cornering on water though you tended to get a bit wet.

I had no problem seeing pressure ridges well before I got to them so I was never concerned, plus the high speed run was back over a path I had already traveled. It had brakes that worked very well. and steered fine.

AIRBOAT=A hole in the water that you BLOW money into.:laugh:

Noise factor
 

The Lake amphibians were popular around the lake at one time. I have heard of no one being cited for noise and they are loud! Technically it is a plane when airborne and a boat when in the water. FAA rules in the air and USCG rules in the water. I don't think there are any NH RSA reqarding amphibous aircarft. http://www.lakeamphib.com