Are these type of boats allowed in South Africa? I

[thika]

Hermann,

Problem I think would be to steer accurately in narrower channels and so on...those things need a LOT of space to turn?

 

[peterCAPitAll]

thika wrote:

Hermann,

Problem I think would be to steer accurately in narrower channels and so on...those things need a LOT of space to turn?

NOT !! It comes into its own in narrow channels, they can turn like a "Caterpiller" on its own tracks. 

 

 

[peterCAPitAll]

Road signs for Boats or is it Boat signs for Roads ?

 

 

[SAfish]

Thanks for the great replies and info guys but like Crusty pointed out they are illegal on waters controlled by SANparks. I agree they (or some of them) creates a lot of noise but I still think they are better for the environment than jet boats or normal conventional motorised boats. When you walk on the flats here in the lagoon you can clearly see the "trenches" made by some ignorant fools that think their 18ft boats can clear a grass bed covered by 40cm of water. By the way the highly endangered Knysna Seahorse calls that grass bed home!

 

[BFC]

When living in Florida from 2003-2007 , was drawn to these things like a moth to a flame because its a new concept after seeing them only on TV , and been out on a few of them , and they are extremely specialized machines really meant for  Game Rangers/Police/Researchers.

In my opinion they are swamp Jet ski's .  Designed for 1-2 people to enjoy -makes noise like you will not believe, The ones I have been on had Lycoming - Piper Arrow motors fitted  as the Piper Factory was in Vero Beach.

Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia  are states that require these type of craft as the terrain lends it - canals- shallow swamps etc.  We dont have that type of terain anywhere in SA.

I can think of only 3 places in Southern Africa where this may be usefull

*Okavango delta - the noise will not work here.

*St Lucia - Upper Lagoon around Fanie's Island.

* Kosi Bay - The channels between the Lakes - getting to lake 1/2.

 

But will definately be nice having access to one to play with and get the urge out of the system. Maintanence on these boats are done by Aircraft Mechanics, and in SA they are not cheap.

 

[peterCAPitAll]

Airbboat Afrika have a very nice one on S A water had a demo on Harties last week

 

[BFC]

peterCAPitAll wrote:

Airbboat Afrika have a very nice one on S A water had a demo on Harties last week

Cool , What is the application of the boat ??

Leisure, Joyride, Access to area's not able to be reached by normal outboard driven boats or just general buggering around?

 

 

[peterCAPitAll]

Hi Chris use this boat for joy rides, airboats can be used anywhere other boats go plus, over sandbanks, very shallow water, dry ground, logs, ect. they come in all sizes from 10'-11' mini airboats with 30-40 hp. to 30' work boats. how about this one going up steam in a flood. 

 

[Scipio]

Hi Y'all, Hi Peter,
just saw your discussion...
Airboats come in all sizes, from Rotax 1-seater to 10 tons of cargo & 2,600 HP. Applications are:
- Tourism Eco-Ventures, Safaris, Birdwatching
- Film & Fashion Shoots
- Search & Rescue
- Nature & Wildlife Conservation
- Fishing
- Leisure
- Geometrics
- Law Enforcement
- Transport
Americans like aircraft engines, but try getting spares & Avgas in Africa. We use automotive (Chevy based & modified for airboating). Closed cooling circuit, no discharges into the water. Airboats will run dry ground if adequately powered, so no launch ramp required. Great for search & rescue, anti-poaching etc.
Propellers are carbon fibre these days, with re-enforced edges. Gear reduction to limit props to under 2500 rpm, so sound at pilot's seat about 85db. That's a lawnmower.
Comfy cruising up to 50 km/h, top speed 100. But that's scary.
Great visibility, you sit high up. safari, birding, fishing - awesome.
Models are here: http://www.airboatafrika.com/buy-airboats/models/
Only drawback: price of a luxury 4x4. Why? Really nice engine - 650HP - and carbon fibre prop. That's where the money goes.
SAMSA is cool with it, we are Cat.E certified.
We ride to slide!

 

[Mariusvj]

A lot of the estuaries have put a horsepower limitation of 150 hp, so you may have a problem there.

Thank the perlie poachers for that.

 

[Alien Invader]

Shooo, I would love one of these bad boys,,, many of our dams have been taken over by weeds making navigation impossible with a prop driven craft... So many nutrients and erosion/soil make it into our waters now it's simply a matter of time until more of our waters turn over... Just the noise would be a major concern for me. Perhaps in the states wildlife have become accustomed to this, here though, i'm not so sure.... Looks like it could be fun though!
Imagine a few of these cruising around the Vaal? Bwaaaaa haaaaaa haaaaa.... Boere gaan you stukkend skiet!

 

[Mariusvj]

I was sitting at my house, overlooking the swartkops river and I hear this microlight It sounded really close, so look at the sky and I cannot find any microlight.

The next minute I spot something out of the corner of my eye, on the flats and it was a small hovercraft.

That would be awesome to play with, but they are epensive.

 

[peterCAPitAll]

One can make a small hovercraft like this one I made for under R 20,000

 

[peterCAPitAll]

Would a 3 m 15 hp. be all-rite for those ?

 

[peterCAPitAll]

I have video of water birds surfing on my prop wash at olifants fontein gauteng on my first ride there November 13 2009.

 

[peterCAPitAll]

Out on "harties" 24 November 2013 my 10 ft. 15 hp. mini airboat and Airboat Afrika's 16 ft. 650 hp. airboat

 

[peterCAPitAll]

My Mini Airboat on Hartebees poort dam January 26 2014,
we ride to slide.

 

[peterCAPitAll]

David and Goliath at "Harties" after the floods 10'-15 hp.
and 16'-650 hp.

 

[Jswart]

Somehow I doubt it. The big ones with double props push winds up to 200km's/h.

 

[Jswart]

Somehow I doubt it. The big ones with double props push winds up to 200km's/h.