Some of the most spectacular boats in the Regatta are the small, mid and grand Hydroplanes. When not performing in the water, the hydros are stored in a cordoned-off section of the Wolfeboro Town Docks called the Hot Pits.
Because hydroplanes run on top of the water, are difficult to tie at a dock and are prone to leaking, they are kept on their trailers when not running on the course. Maintenance crews work on the boats, engines and drive trains, and cranes lift the boats to and from the water.
This can be a dangerous place, with the boats being moved overhead. While not likely, there is a chance that a lifting sling might fail and drop a boat but additionally there will probably be hot water draining from boats during recovery. For these reasons, spectators are not allowed into the hot pits while race boat demonstrations are going on. The boats in the Hot Pits can be viewed by spectators over the fence.
