Airboat, Hovercraft Alternative...

[ApS]

I recently watched an on-ice demonstration video of a 14-foot craft that has features to put pricy ice-craft to shame.

It was a 12-or 14-foot aluminum rowboat (or jonboat). It was powered by small pull-srart engine driving a "blade".



The "blade" (diameter about 12- to 14-inches) was lowered outboard-style onto the ice, where it dug into the ice surface and the boat took off!

Of course, the aluminum bottom must have been battered, but the video didn't show any anticipated protections.

There are older previous threads on the subject. I'll try to find others.



https://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums...ad.php?t=13683

[fatlazyless]

An 11' x 32" inflatable stand-up paddle board, a sup, weighs just 20-lbs, will easily support a 225-person standing up and paddling .... www.youtube.com/shorts/mp_5hKLBN_s .... it on the water. When you get to an area of ice, it has a recessed handle in the center that really works good for carrying this sup across the ice.

So, wearing a dry suit with insulation underneath, a pfd, whistle, phone, sup, and paddle, a determined person can travel across the winter lake water/ice to get out to an island home especially if its a short distance.

The sup is supposed to be attached to the paddler's ankle with a sup leash so they do not get separated by the wind or something.

Hellooooo 911 ...... I'm out here somewhere close to Cow island ..... any chance you come rescue me? .......

[ApS]

"A typical configuration involves mounting a small outboard-style gas engine (often 5–10 HP) to the transom of a jon boat or small aluminum utility boat. Instead of a propeller in water, the engine powers a drive shaft connected to one or more large toothed wheels or screw augers positioned beneath the hull. These teeth dig into the ice, allowing the boat to "crawl" forward much like a snowmobile."

While this doesn't eliminate the hazards of Hovercraft and air boats for you island-folk, encountering open water assures you won't turn over or sink.



Maybe a battery-powered chainsaw would describe the principle of how this works. (?)

'Still going to find that video; but, meanwhile, a handyman built a homemade
"Ice Scooter" out of a battery-powered two-wheeled scooter.

https://www.instructables.com/Electric-Ice-Scooter/

He tows a sled behind him to carry things (like groceries).

��

[sunfishman]

Also, if you put two foam noodles lengthwise under the boat it will slide even more easily over the ice.

[ApS]

While this video is not the one that caught my eye, it does demonstrate the principle involved. He's got a sensible, inexpensive, strong, floatable and roomy answer to getting across the ice safely. At the reasonable speeds this would operate, hitting obstacles or ice ridges would be reliably survivable, if not readily avoidable.

(The drive "blade" was smaller and much more robust in the earlier video).

Factoid:
Early French missionaries crossed frozen North American lakes using fully loaded canoes. Some relied on sail power!



https://youtube.com/shorts/g1Icm8ePz...BF-uyGBgogt8IL

[fatlazyless]

Originally Posted by sunfishman

Also, if you put two foam noodles lengthwise under the boat it will slide even more easily over the ice.

If that 64 year old Cow Island guy who drowned ... www.youtube.com/watch?v=EdyAyBsZB1M .....while traveling alone in a hovercraft, somewhere on Lake Winnipesaukee close to Harilla Landing on April 9, 2011 was wearing a foam noodle tied tight around his waist, would he still be alive today on Friday, Nov 14, 2025 ....... as a 78-year old, Cow Island guy?

His pfd was found at the bottom of the hovercraft. Could be it was too warm a day for wearing a pfd?

Foam noodles save lives, twelve different ways, just like Wonder Bread ...... ..... you got that! ........ rolling small sailboat down the lawn with 2 foam noodles ..... another amazing use!

[fatlazyless]

January 5, 2026: For $2000 there's a 1995 Hoverguard-600, three person hovercraft (two rescuers on seat and one victim on floor) and a trailer for sale in Ashland NH with seven photos in Craigslist. It looks like one for some islander or a local town fire rescue to go roar across that lake ice and become a winter hovercrafter or something!

www.hovertechnics.com ....... Hoverguard-600

Posted Dec 31 in Craigslist. Excellent winter project for someone with a heated garage to bring it back to super-duper condition! Is orange and white. Probably just needs Gum-out, boat wax and Armorall to bring it back. Has a two-stroke, two cylinder, 60-hp engine with 220-hours.

Who can use a real 12'5", 700-lb hovercraft for $2000 with a trailer?

.........................

As of January 6, 10-pm ....... the price was lowered from $2000 down to $1200 ....... seriously, no kidding ..... this is a very low price and in the seven photos it looks VERY good.

Do I need a Hovercraft? No, not for me, but is a good one for some N.H. fire rescue squad .....a super hovercraft steal-of-a-deal located in Ashland, NH. Go to Craigslist-NH ...... all for sale ...... and enter Ashland in search to see the ad. It is not posted in boats.