River is Meyer's playground

Gives air boat

rides at Riverblast

By FRITZ BUSCH

Journal Staff Writer

NEW ULM -- Howard Meyer loves playing on the river in his air boat.

If you've spent much time on or near the Minnesota River on Sunday afternoons in recent years, you may have heard the unmistakable sound of his craft.

"I'm down here (on the river) every chance I get. I love it," Meyer said. "Playing on the river is the way I enjoy life. Many people think I'm nuts and can't stand the sound."

Powered by a 454 cubic inch V-8 Chevrolet truck engine, Meyer's homemade air boat sounds much like an airplane as it bolts down the river at 30-45 mph. The boat accelerates almost like an airplane.

Saturday afternoon and early evening, Meyer was among a variety of boaters giving rides to anybody interested at Riverblast 2002 at Riverside Park.

The first thing air boat passengers do is put those big plastic and vinyl sound-deadening ear protectors on their heads. Then Meyer fires up his big, throaty-sounded motor with dual exhaust and tells you to hang on tight.

The feeling and sound is almost like you are racing down an airport runway in a modern day, gas-powered fighter plane. The little river waves start flying by as the engine pitch rises. The boat seems to lift itself out of the water, and according to Meyer, it is out of the water to a large extent.

The boat ride continues down the river channel. Meyer deftly steers the boat around the river's curves, getting very to shore at times. His boat can operate in much shallower water than an outboard motor could.

Meyer is at home on the river in more ways than one. His home is on the water, just south German Park.

"I can't swim but I love the water. I've been building boats since I was 13 when I made a kayak," Meyer said. Since then, he and his sons have been making air boats much of the time.

Nearly 74, Meyer is showing no signs on age in his air boat which he thinks could go 60 mph, depending upon the weather.

"Speed depends on the air," Meyer said. "Hot, dry air seems to slow it down. I like driving in cool, damp air. It makes the boat go faster."

On any Sunday afternoon until ice jams up the river, you can find Meyer zipping along the river between New Ulm and Franklin or Morton and as far as Mankato and St. Peter in the other direction.

Meyer spent $1,500 building his latest air boat. He spends that much on gas alone each summer. He usually burns about 1,000 gallons of gas per year in the boat. Fuel consumption depends on how fast he goes. It varies from 8-15 gallons per hour.

"I don't like high speed all the time, but once in a while, it's nice to know it's there," Meyer said. "But these air boats aren't toys for amateurs."

Meyer has his boat set just right to control it at higher speeds by making rudder and weight adjustments.

His wife Doris won't ride in the boat. She says it's too noisy.

Meyer drove his boat on the river until Dec. 15, 2001 due to the mild winter weather last year.

Dick Petermann of Evan and a friend of Meyer, helped him dock the boat between rides Saturday. Petermann camped out on the south end of German Park.

"It's (Riverblast 2002) pretty good doings," Petermann said. "I was surprised how many people were still here listening to the music late Friday night under the tent in the rain."

Scott Sparlin of New Ulm and the Coalition for a Clean Minnesota River, said Riverblast sponsors -- many of them local -- are what allows it to be free.

Saturday night musical entertainment included The Mud Puppies, an eclectic group from all over Minnesota and Twin Cities Chicago-style blues singer "Big" George Jackson.

Riverblast 2002 continues Sunday with Ojibway and Cherokee Master Storyteller Duke Addicks performing from 1-2 p.m. Polka music will be played from 2-8 p.m. The Northside Dutchmen will perform from 2-4:30 p.m. followed by an old time music and concertina jamboree with "Smiley" Wiltscheck, 4:30-8 p.m.

Boat rides, a farmer's market, arts and crafts, fortune telling and watershed educational information will continue throughout the day.