Big block Chevy Airboat hull suggestions

W

WA454

Member
I am looking for a hull to build. I have a 454 BBC. I would like to have capacity for 2 or 3 passengers. My question is, how big should the hull be to be relatively stable with all that weight high up in the boat. I am leaning towards an aluminum hull and a gear reduction.
 
I am surrounded by lakes so deep water probably at least half of the time. I have to admit the thought of a roll over scares me, but I still like speed! I assume anything that has been cut down would be unwise. Would a flat bottom be more stable than a step bottom?
 
my first boat was a 7x15 with a iron head 454 and a belt drive with a high up drivers seat and yeah it was a lot top heavy and scary. This boat was on the bottom of the river a couple times before i got it and i almost put it there too.

I would say get something 8' wide and 15+" long with high sides if you want to be more stable. something like my current hull
 
Aeon said:
my first boat was a 7x15 with a iron head 454 and a belt drive with a high up drivers seat and yeah it was a lot top heavy and scary. This boat was on the bottom of the river a couple times before i got it and i almost put it there too.

I would say get something 8' wide and 15+" long with high sides if you want to be more stable. something like my current hull
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That is a great example of a huge difference in hulls. Boat #1 was 7' wide to start with but round sided makes true flat 5' or less. That is a great hull for dry ground to ankle deep, Aeon learned! The second hull is 8' overall with chines making flat bottom more like 7' + and much more stable.

The 3rd option is a 7' 4" deck over grass sled. 14' minimum length in all cases.

WA454 said:
I am looking for a hull to build. I have a 454 BBC. I would like to have capacity for 2 or 3 passengers. My question is, how big should the hull be to be relatively stable with all that weight high up in the boat. I am leaning towards an aluminum hull and a gear reduction.
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The second hull is what you are looking for when used primarily on deepwater lakes.

Also take note of an old quote of mine "454, all the weight of a big block, most of the power of a small block".

WA454 said:
I have a 454 BBC.
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Airboats cost wayyy more than any running engine I have laying around. What's the value of that 454, 2-3 K max??? I'ts like holding a 5 of spades card???

If you want an airboat, figure out what you want regardless of what you hold. If the answer is big block, cool, I suggest finding a used big block airboat of the 8x14+ variety and hold that 454 for spares. Alternatively, sell it and move on.
 
Slidin Gator said:
Airboats cost wayyy more than any running engine I have laying around. What's the value of that 454, 2-3 K max??? I'ts like holding a 5 of spades card???

If you want an airboat, figure out what you want regardless of what you hold. If the answer is big block, cool, I suggest finding a used big block airboat of the 8x14+ variety and hold that 454 for spares. Alternatively, sell it and move on.
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morgan-freeman-hes-right-you-know.gif
 
It still eludes me anyone building of iron these days on an airboat on purpose? It's almost like I want this project to fail of excess weight and invalid thrust of a little ls built correctly.
Dam my 572 boat was a pig that ate and ate with little returns vs my 346 boat needing more prop than the 572 boat 7 years ago.
But I can't go pull from junkyards to compare what's possible vs a valid build at modern day fuel cost over years.
More prop at half the fuel burn is a no brainer of correctly built.
Now this is assuming your not airboating for show and a reasonable fuel tank can last you all day?
 
Thanks everyone for the input. Looks like the big block will stay on the stand for a future project.
 
to show you the importance of weight... here is the same Hurricane hull in my first video. I blew up the 454 and did not want to build another so i stuck a stroked ls3 in it. its like 200 or some pounds lighter. yes the gear ratio and prop was wrong but OMG what a change. she was so freaking fun to drive and not top heavy like before. That motor later found its way into my big boat with right prop and gear
 
Can I ask about the Pup?
I got my boats covered but searching for another pup that airboats is depressing!
 
Weight by Block Type

Aluminum Blocks (LS1, LS2, LS3, LS7): Weigh 415–465 pounds fully dressed (including accessories, starter, intake manifold, and exhaust manifolds).

Cast Iron Blocks (Truck 4.8L, 5.3L, 6.0L): Weigh roughly 500–544 pounds fully dressed, as the iron block adds about 80 to 100 pounds compared to the aluminum version.

Horsepower vs. Weight Examples

5.7L LS1 (Aluminum): ~430–460 lbs / 305–350 HP (Stock ratio: ~0.76 HP/lb)

6.0L LS2 (Aluminum): ~450–465 lbs / 400–400+ HP (Stock ratio: ~0.86 HP/lb)

6.2L LS3 (Aluminum): ~415–440 lbs / 430–430+ HP (Stock ratio: ~0.98 HP/lb)

Truck 5.3L Iron (Iron Block/Aluminum Heads): ~500–530 lbs / 295–325 HP (Stock ratio: ~0.60 HP/lb)
 
Prototype said:
Can I ask about the Pup?
I got my boats covered but searching for another pup that airboats is depressing!
Click to expand...
that one is Tia my once in a life time dog. a real duck killing machine.

here is chip with me trying to go just fast enough to make his ears fly
 
Aeon said:
that one is Tia my once in a life time dog. a real duck killing machine.
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Thanks Man. I guess I'm lucky to have 3 to accept that roll but I'm greedy and want another of they never got hit by rattlers, airboating, as homefront dispatched them!
 
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