Floatplanes and the speed limit
 

It is my understanding that floatplanes must follow boating laws whenever they are in contact with the water, even if they are on step about to become airborne. In the FAA Seaplane handbook (found here: http://www.faa.gov/regulations_polic...-8083-23-2.pdf) I found this sentence: "Seaplanes operating inshore of the boundary line dividing the high seas from the inland waters must follow the established statutory Inland Rules (Pilot Rules)."

Floatplanes must comply with boating right of way rules, and if they are considered boats when in contact with the water I assume they should also be subject to the Lake Winnipesaukee speed limit. If they can't go faster than 45mph when in contact with the water, how can they legally take off?

My brief search hasn't uncovered a definitive answer. Can anyone here offer an educated opinion or point to a documented answer?

discussed before
 

Back in 2005, there was a good thread on this topic. Skip posted this, which implies that the speed limit is not an issue while taking off or landing. However, part II makes things a bit vague.

Until the first plane is successfully fined for speeding, I wouldn't worry about it. My take (IMNAL) is that they can be restricted from arriving or departing a body of water, but if allowed, they don't have to worry about the speed limit while doing so.

TITLE XXXIX
AERONAUTICS
CHAPTER 422
NEW HAMPSHIRE AERONAUTICS ACT
Prohibitions and Penalties
Section 422:27
422:27 Seaplanes in Operation on Public Waters. –
I. All seaplanes shall be considered boats while in operation on the waters of the state and shall be subject to the marine rules of navigation, except that they shall be exempt from all laws and rules concerning the operation of boats for the purpose of landing and taking off from such public waters.
II. The operation of seaplanes shall be subject to any restrictions placed upon the use of public waters by rules adopted by the department of safety or the department of environmental services.
Source. 2002, 6:1, eff. July 1, 2002.

A float plane (or seaplane) can also take off in a no-wake zone and will not be breaking any laws.