Winter Boating in Northern Climates

[64osby]

Extend your boating season if you have a little spare change

http://www.huskyairboats.com/ Checkout the Gallery Page

I also found this http://www.mlive.com/business/west-michigan/index.ssf/2010/12/see_what_west_michigan_ship_bu.html

Biondo Boats ....a 19?-foot search-and-rescue airboat......The $225,000 airplane-propeller driven boat will be used by the Coast Guard in Essexville.... the first vessel of a 13-boat contract with the Coast Guard.... His composite boat proved more effective than Coast Guard aluminum boats, which failed to cut through the ice... Biondo acquired Husky Boats, out of Vaughan, Ontario, which had been manufacturing the airboat model for 10 years.... built with a patented Kevlar-based composite five times stronger than steel.....

After the first 13, the boat builder may be hired to build 17 more....A base-model search and rescue airboat for fire, EMS and police sells for $160,000. Sports boats will begin at $90,000.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Winter Boating in Northern Climates

Ayuh,... There was a place up here buildin' those boats,...

About 10 years ago, you could step into 1 for about $26,000...

 

[64osby]

Re: Winter Boating in Northern Climates

I found it after seeing a CL ad for a West Mi Boat Co. for sale. I was looking to see who it might be. I'm thinking it is this or North American Sailing Co.

Regardless it looks like a great rescue boat if you can afford it, 90K is a little steep for a 16 footer sports boat

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Winter Boating in Northern Climates

Both the fire and police departments here have those in their fleets. Very versatile but LOUD. I've seen them on open water, broken ice, over marshland and even short distances across land. One thing I have noticed is that they are not very maneuverable over ice. They just tend to skid sideways as opposed to a controlled turn.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Winter Boating in Northern Climates

A little close to home. The first photo with the Cambridge Fire Dept. was taken about 300' from my house. They practice rescue on the river winter and summer. That boat has been responsible for a few people still being on this earth that otherwise would be nothing but memories.