How to Get Your Airboat Unstuck

An airboat is a watercraft that is propelled forward by an aircraft engine. Both the fan propeller and the engine remain within a cage in order to protect the vessel from plants, wildlife or manmade debris. Although the first of these flat-bottomed apparatuses was reportedly built in Canada, airboats are extremely popular in subtropical swamplands. They are common in the Florida Everglades, Louisiana bayous and other Gulf regions of the United States. Airboats are often used in the tourist as well as game, fishing and wildlife industries.

Many airboat excursions are called safaris. As a result, a common misconception is that an airboat can travel as easily on dry, rough terrain as it does in water. On the contrary, airboats can only navigate shallow, unobstructed waters. The sleigh-shaped front is intended to avoid obstruction. Still, operators often drive airboats into ditches, mud or banks. Complicating the situation, not only do airboats steer from the rear, but they cannot brake or reverse.

Things You'll Need

  • Paddles
  • Shovel
  • Machete
  • Metal push pole
  • Personal flotation device
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Instructions

    • 1

      Turn off the engine.

    • 2

      Make sure the operator and all passengers are wearing personal flotation devices. The Florida Department of Environmental Protection reports that 90 percent of airboat fatalities result from capsizing or falls overboard. Of those, 80 percent were linked to not wearing personal flotation devices. Wear a safety vest in case of an emergency capsizing or fall overboard during extrication of the airboat.

    • 3

      Make sure the front of the boat is on water. If possible, exit the airboat in order to position it on water and in the direction in which you wish to travel. Remember that airboats cannot travel in reverse, so you cannot back out of tight spaces. At a minimum, the sleigh-shaped front of the airboat should face and touch open water.

    • 4

      Use tools to a clear path. It is a good idea to keep a shovel, a pair of paddles, a metal push pole and a machete in your airboat at all times in case of an unexpected obstruction. Use a shovel to clear mud banks, a pole to push from tight spaces and the machete to cut reeds, mangroves or other entangling plant life.

    • 5

      Face the boat toward an open area. Fortunately, airboats are lightweight and can easily be maneuvered without engine power. Use a metal pole or paddle to change directions.

    • 6

      Throttle until the airboat extricates. Turn on the engine and gradually throttle until you have acquired enough force to free the airboat from the obstruction.