Airboats in SOMD

[LooseTooth]

I was told today that airboats are illegal here.

Any info on this?

 

[gumby]

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/sw_index_flash.asp

You might find something here.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/download/DNRB-240.pdf
I don't see where they would be. There is really no specification on the application. WTF Give it a try and let me know where you'll launch. I'll ride.

 

[Mikeinsmd]

I never heard that and even saw one in St. Clements Bay last summer. Why would they be illegal??

 

[Ken King]

The only thing that could make them illegal is if they exceed the noise limit restrictions, which I believe is set at 90 db, other than that I have seen nothing that bans them.

 

[LooseTooth]

WTF Give it a try and let me know where you'll launch. I'll ride.

Thanks for the info. I don't have one, but I'm looking into building a small one seater.

These things are banned from some areas due to the noise. My neighbor told me he thought that they were banned here, and that is why I was asking. Thanks..

 

[Ken King]

The navy uses hovercraft talk about noise u can hear um take off from the base,all the way to point no point! they dont have specail privaledges still in public water!!

They probably do have special privileges as those hovercraft are being tested and not routinely operated. Besides there are provisions for exceptions to the noise limitations and testing is one of the exceptions under the law. Another exception is that the law is only applicible to vessels manufactured after 1990.