12ft airboat in texas waters

[tacyb]

Hey guys I'm new to airboating and live in Baytown I bought me a 12ft boat and put a ls1 motor on it runs great took it out one time Every body I talk to say I'm crazy that boat is two small what do y'all think it looks just like a Florida boat it has 18 in sides with the high seats .. Any tips I'm running trinty river and bay

 

[Birddog247]

Deep water with 18 inch sides and a newbie at the rudder is a new artificial reef waiting to happen.

 

[tacyb]

Any tips on driving it in deep water

 

[Birddog247]

Stay on plane and don't make any unessary maneuvers. You should try to avoid deep water at all cost. But if you do and happen to loose power while running get to the bow ASAP!

 

[tacyb]

I was wondering if u are in deep water and on plane and say a bay boat comes hauling ass past u in the river what do u do slow down or just stay on plane and take the wake

 

[Birddog247]

Slow down but stay on plane and take the wake. Keep the bow towards the wake and you will be fine unless it's a sport fish yacht.

 

[tacyb]

Ok cool man thanks for the help just trying to get all the tips for a new guy

 

[tacyb]

Yea I have to run some deep water to get to the marsh went out there and wind picked up and water was white cappin in river got kinda scary

 

[SWAMPHUNTER45]

Airboat101

Rule#1: WHEN IN DOUBT POWER OUT !

 

[Bdriller]

not if but when, expect it and be prepared, read up on cold water effects on human body, the best swimmer in the world wont last but a few moments

 

[rbjscott]

What brand of boat?

 

[tacyb]

I'm not to sure the title says homemade buy u can tell it's not. I know on the bottom of boat on each side it has a upside down V some guy told me that helps u turning

 

[SWAMPHUNTER45]

Rule#2 - Turns should be made carefully at idle speed or on plane.

If not, in deep water you create a condition that will dip a corner sinking you in about 2.5 seconds :drunken:

 

[Blackcoffee]

If the locals are telling you no I would listen. Maybe trade for a larger boat or find a better place to ramp off without deep water.

 

[swampsquatch09]

Stay outa the bay, you have to go across deep water sometimes to get to shallow in the marsh,
Wana run sometime I know a few places to get some time in the seat without sinkin your boat.
If that engine has enough ass you can keep that water out your boat. In Time. You might learn it well enough to put "Deathtrap" on the rudders. That'd be cool

 

[coldairman]

Hopefully the first time you sink it will be in the Bay so you can recover it. If you sink it in the Trinity river you'll probably end up with only photos of it. 12' boat with car motor and inexperienced operator equals disaster in the rough bay or river infested with big boat wakes. Not trying to rain on your parade but would rather you use discretion to prevent loss of life and/or boat. As advised, get some stick time in hallow water before you attempt to operate this boat in deep/cold water.

 

[swampsquatch09]

^agreed I don't even like riding the trinity unless I'm goin straight to a camp house and parkin in the bank pontoon boats are a mother.

 

[FlatsFisher]

Sell it...you won't regret getting a bigger boat.