Forgive me for asking so many dumb questions I'm learing. In middle GA. we have a lot of nice rivers. I've heard of a few people running airboats but they had problems. Such as running into river banks and so on. My question is it because they were not careful or is because airboats are to difficult to operate in smaller rivers ?
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Another dumb question
- Thread starter River Rat
- Start date
dragonfly470
Member
River Rat;
Without any more info on the conditions in which these other boaters operate, It sounds like they are inexperienced or something.
I can run my boat at speed through creeks and streams barely wide enough to turn around.
It takes a lot of practice to become a good pilot.
My hull still carries some of my learning dents!...lol...Jim J
Without any more info on the conditions in which these other boaters operate, It sounds like they are inexperienced or something.
I can run my boat at speed through creeks and streams barely wide enough to turn around.
It takes a lot of practice to become a good pilot.
My hull still carries some of my learning dents!...lol...Jim J
most mishaps occur because most people don't have a clue how to drive an airboat. they act like its just a regular flat bottom outboard......not the case. you have to learn how your boat will turn with different weight distributions, winds, water depth, current and how it will handle those at all different speeds. will it slide or bite? these are just the basics of what you need to know before you drive any particular airboat. its like flying a plane, its easy til something goes wrong. hehe....not my quote but i like it. also, a lot of newbies are scared of airboats. they want to putt around when sometimes, most of the time, more power is the answer to most problems. "when in doubt, gas it out"......kinda like a jet ski, it'll only turn when you gas it!!!
RiverRat, this is just my opinion but I think the small rivers and creeks can the most dangerous place to run a blowboat .....
One morning around 5 years ago I dropped my boat in and rode out alone just after daylight. I ran from my lake into the St. Johns river and turned South toward Julington Creek. The morning was perfect (smooth, no wind) and there wasn't another boat to be seen anywhere. Now mind you, the river is nearly 4 miles wide up here, and there was NO ONE but me on the water. It lulled me into a false sense of security.
At the mouth of Julington creek I was still on plane and all was well with the world. I came into the first blind bend in the water, a right hander, still on plane, and there in the middle of the creek were two crabbers, both of them in BIG jon boats with their bows toward the bank, and what looked like not near enough room to pass between their transoms. I got by, but not for skill but for Divine providence, and I probably got a good cussin' too that I probably deserved.
Small creeks and rivers require that you run expecting a surprise around every bend. Do that, and you won't have any problems.
One morning around 5 years ago I dropped my boat in and rode out alone just after daylight. I ran from my lake into the St. Johns river and turned South toward Julington Creek. The morning was perfect (smooth, no wind) and there wasn't another boat to be seen anywhere. Now mind you, the river is nearly 4 miles wide up here, and there was NO ONE but me on the water. It lulled me into a false sense of security.
At the mouth of Julington creek I was still on plane and all was well with the world. I came into the first blind bend in the water, a right hander, still on plane, and there in the middle of the creek were two crabbers, both of them in BIG jon boats with their bows toward the bank, and what looked like not near enough room to pass between their transoms. I got by, but not for skill but for Divine providence, and I probably got a good cussin' too that I probably deserved.
Small creeks and rivers require that you run expecting a surprise around every bend. Do that, and you won't have any problems.
If your new to airboats and have no one to teach ya your in for a handfull.
Airboats have a lot in common with airplanes in the control department. You sure wouldnt go out and try to fly an airplane with no instruction, though it has been done. Running an airboat is not much different.
Narrow tight areas require experience, intuition, and sometimes divine intervention. You can get yourself killed real easy on an airboat, or kill someone else, but you dont have to just because you know how. Its a great sport, but it can be evil and unforgiving to the unsuspecting or uneducated.
Try to spend time with folks who have already "paid their dues" to the sport and youll learn much easier. It will pay to spend time before money in that respect.
Scotty
Airboats have a lot in common with airplanes in the control department. You sure wouldnt go out and try to fly an airplane with no instruction, though it has been done. Running an airboat is not much different.
Narrow tight areas require experience, intuition, and sometimes divine intervention. You can get yourself killed real easy on an airboat, or kill someone else, but you dont have to just because you know how. Its a great sport, but it can be evil and unforgiving to the unsuspecting or uneducated.
Try to spend time with folks who have already "paid their dues" to the sport and youll learn much easier. It will pay to spend time before money in that respect.
Scotty
fatboy0054
Well-known member
Them guys telling you rite ! If you dont power no control ! The biggest problem with new boater just like my 12 year old son ! If has seen it done! or you tell him how to do it he will stop before you get done talking ,I say, I know how already ok !And be careful who you listen too !These guys wont steer you wrong great guys !Seat time is the only answer! Most of us on here dont stay in the water anyway and some of us look stupid with seat time !But remember these boys have seat time !Just remember its like STD S once you got it the disease ! You will always have it !Airboats are infectish So beware ! Like the one guy says ,most fun you can with your clothes on ! And welcome to our site ! 
:shock: It wasnt a dumb qeustion you were smart enought to ask ! Smart guys here ! Just like dating you are going to something someday that will get in trouble most of the time just your pride will be wrinkle a little !
:shock: It wasnt a dumb qeustion you were smart enought to ask ! Smart guys here ! Just like dating you are going to something someday that will get in trouble most of the time just your pride will be wrinkle a little !