New Florida Guy Here, and Thanks Already!

[Tedwards]

Hey guys, I have been lurking here for a few weeks now because I was interested in buying an airboat to get to Reds in the Gulf.

I read through many, many posts trying to decide what to get. Well, Tuesday, I went and picked up the boat below. It is a 13'6"x7'6" fiberglass with a poly bottom. It has a Chevy 350 DD. The previous owner said it ran the hill just fine, I will have to see for myself. :lol:

The only major things I am not sure about are the new laws concerning us in Florida. So we need to 1) Install mufflers, and 2)install a Flag of certain size, and height. Is that it?

Also, does anyone live near Suwannee/Horseshoe/Keaton area that wants to get together maybe next weekend and show me where to run? :wink: I'll buy the gas! (Up to a certain extent of course)

This is the boat, but it isn't me in the pic.

Thanks,

Tom

 

[Ms. Wizard]

Welcome Tedwards! Looks to me like your new ride has mufflers...or am I seein things? Also looks like you did alright for yourself. Are you taking it to the Poker Run this weekend on the Kissimmee chain?

Welcome to the SA family!

dawn

 

[Anonymous]

Tom, that's a Great lookin' airboat and Welcome!

To answer you questions:

1) Yes, mufflers are required by July 1st. I'd recommend a pair of stainless muffs, and you might as well get a pair that are large enough to really make a significent difference in your sound signature. A lot of folks are trying to "satisfy" the new requirement by buying little 'look like muffler' junk. The whole idea is that if we don't quiet these magnificent boats down we're gonna lose 'em. Get good mufflers. Big mufflers make horsepower.

2) Yes, an orange flag at least 10"x12" will be required soon. It needs to be displayed anytime your boat is being operated, and it needs to be at a height of 10', measured from the bottom of your hull.

Again, welcome. We'll all look forward to meeting you.

feather

 

[Dan]

Welcome Tedwards,
Nice looking boat! I have read many places that mufflers have to be installed by July 1st, but I was told by the Volusia county sheriffs dept. that the law is already in effect and has been for along time. I got stopped at Mullet Lake ramp and he wouldn't allow me to put the boat in the water. The deputy said that the FWC might not ticket you until after that date but Volusia County Marine Units will.
Since I'm new to airboats and didn't know for sure I thought it better not to argue, and just get them installed..

Anyway again welcome tothe board, you're gonna love these people!

Dan

 

[Anonymous]

Dan, what you've unfortunately just been exposed to is misinformation. Mufflers have never been required before, and won't be until July 1st, but you did the right thing ...... don't argue and go quietly on your way. Water cops are as confused as a lot uf us right now.

A few weeks ago, Swampjet and I were talking to a very nice JSO officer at the big Boy Scout Jamboree that was being held up here in the Jacksonville area, and that the FAA was supporting with a display. When we dicussed the new requirements with him it became real clear real fast that no one had ever told him what the new requirements are. He was only operating on what he'd heard.

In this transition period we are all going to have to be a little tolerant until everybody gets on the same page. Educate yourself so that you know what is required of you in that County or where you are running. Be courteous, but unless you feel like going to court don't get too adamant about your rights. An uninformed officer is an officer nonetheless. He can cause you a lot of hardship (court date, etc.) even if you're right. It's the world in which we live.

feather

 

[Whitebear]

I think some may be confusing reqired as required by statute. Mufflers have been a requirement by GFC for 20 or so years or more, but they have chosen to not enforce it. That does not eliminate the requirement. Remember the comission has constitutional authority in Florida. Ask any GFC officer about this.

Begining in just a few days now they WILL be enforcing it.

Scotty

 

[SwampMatt]

Dan - At Mullet Lake Park the cop was right to stop you. In fact, from what I've heard and seen, if it was a Seminole County Sheriff's Deputy... you got off easy.

Mullet Lake Park is in Seminole County, and that is one of the counties that has had the county-wide muffler ordinance for quite a long time now.

I've heard stories of Seminole deputies hassling airboaters in a convienience store gas pump, with the boat on a trailer for not having mufflers. Add in my own clashes with that county dept. over the years, and I believed the stories. (I got a ticket for having an electric trolling motor on my canoe, and the canoe did not have "FL numbers" on the hull) :roll:

Personally, I've kept my boat out of seminole county on the road AND on the water until about 5 months ago when I finally put on mufflers myself.

It's a moot point now, since it's a statewide law pending the Gov's signature.

matt.

 

[rick]

Welcome to Southern Airboat Tom. Good looking boat...I know you're gonna have a blast with it.

Mufflers have been required for several years in Seminole & Volusia Counties. They've been writing warnings & tickets for 3-4 years that I know of. Seems that they took advantage of the loose terminology in the statutes and didn't agree with the state that flex pipe could be considered an "improved muffling device": http://myfwc.com/boating/airboat_sound_faq.htm

I personally had two written warnings from Seminole & one from Volusia County before I installed my mufflers a few years back. I hate to say it, but if you want to be legal for sure, you have to be familiar with local ordinances, as well as state law wherever you plan to run.

That's a neat area up there where you're at. I've got a few pictures in my gallery that I took of an airboat at Horseshoe Beach:
http://www.southernairboat.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/234/cat/500/ppuser/2
http://www.southernairboat.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/233/cat/500/ppuser/2
http://www.southernairboat.com/photopost/showphoto.php/photo/232/cat/500/ppuser/2

Also the "Heading Out" wallpaper series was taken there (scroll down):
http://www.southernairboat.com/photopost/showgallery.php/cat/2

Thanks for registering & posting.

Rick

 

[Anonymous]

http://www.southernairboat.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=2266&highlight=

Here is posting on many coutny & city airboat restictions.

If you want a group to ride with, you might join the North Florida Airboat & Conservation Club in Live Oak. Good group of folks. They run the Suwanee, Steinhatchee & Cedar Key area and are working to open inland areas up to recreation.

Contact Chris Awl for info at
H 386-658-1092
c- 386-362-8661

 

[Cajun]

Welcome to Southern Airboat, you will have alot of fine reading and chances to meet alot of great folks. Is that a Rivermaster hull? Don't forget we have a classified section on here for things you may want later. Love the set up of that hull. Enjoy. Later Cajun

 

[Tedwards]

Thanks for all the information guys. I look forward to getting out and meeting all of you some day at one of the events.

Thanks for the tip gatorstick, I am going to give Chris a call.

I am going to get my boat ready with mufflers, and a flag, and outfit it for holding fishing poles before I am really going to take it out anywhere. I would take it to the river this weekend to try it out (never driven an airboat) but it will be too busy for the holiday, so I will wait.

Tom

 

[Buster]

welcome Tom you will find a world of information here and many good people to know lots of folks ride in the orange lake and lockloosa area and at horseshoe on the gulf have fun and take it slow and easy to start

 

[calbrigsr]

Suggest learning to drive it in very shallow water if you have never driven one before, would also help to have an experienced airboater with you, at least on your maiden voyage. :roll:

 

[SwampMatt]

If you/ve never driven an airboat before, definitely read these threads here...

http://www.southernairboat.com/phpBB2/v ... php?t=1075

http://www.southernairboat.com/phpBB2/v ... php?t=1363

http://www.southernairboat.com/phpBB2/v ... php?t=1919

Have you ridden on an airboat? If not, pay a few bucks, and take a ride on one. Tell the tour operator you've bought your own boat, and you'll get a wealth of knowledge right there.

You have definitely come to the right place Tedwards! Welcome to the gang. Looking forward to seeing you on one (or more) of the group rides too.



matt.

 

[Tedwards]

If you/ve never driven an airboat before, definitely read these threads here...

http://www.southernairboat.com/phpBB2/v ... php?t=1075

http://www.southernairboat.com/phpBB2/v ... php?t=1363

http://www.southernairboat.com/phpBB2/v ... php?t=1919

Have you ridden on an airboat? If not, pay a few bucks, and take a ride on one. Tell the tour operator you've bought your own boat, and you'll get a wealth of knowledge right there.

You have definitely come to the right place Tedwards! Welcome to the gang. Looking forward to seeing you on one (or more) of the group rides too.



matt.

Thanks for the links Matt, there was a lot of useful information in there. My Father-in-Law has an airboat, and I have been on it a few times, so I know what NOT to do (from riding with him). Unfortunately, he left it in his canal one weekend, and went out of town. A big storm system came in, and sunk it. He just now put the rebuilt engine back in. I doubt he will have it ready by the time scallop season hits, so we will be using mine.

I am planning on taking it real slow, on a nice calm day in a shallow area of the gulf just staying by shore, and not venturing too far away from the boat ramp.