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Difference in Hulls / Aircraft vs Auto Power

G

Gbenzx

Well-known member
In our quest to find a good used Auto Power Airboat, 15 or 16 we are finding some with Aircraft engines &/or hulls which had A/C engines.

If we decide on an Airboat that has or has had an A/C engine will we be ok to assume it will handle say a V8 small block? Big block?

Are we barking up the wrong tree here?

Alum or FB make a difference?

Thanx, Gben
 
In the 15 - 16 range I would say the hull will be better with a carmotor and box/ drive. If it is a little hull like 10-12 range then I would say you better be good at driving one cause there are interesting times ahead of you.
 
It's a slippery slope you are walking, my friend.

Aircraft powered airboats work best on small hulls 13' or less in length. Auto engines work best on boats over 14' in length. Put an auto motor on a low sided 13' hull and you will surely add to the artificial reef program.

For a new airboater, pick a 14' = 16' hull and a SBC with belt or gear drive. You will tear things up getting started and the SBC is the cheapest to fix. Pick a hull with poly because you will not understand how to stop your boat at first and poly keeps plenty of stuff from busting through an airboat's hull. Make certain you install a large capacity bilge pump - 2,000 gph minimum.

Forget taking 4 or 5 guests. Most airboats can handle an operator and two riders safely. Load a boat to capacity and trouble will hunt you down. Until you are experienced - at least 18 months of contnuous operation, insist all on the boat wear impact resistant life vests just in case your boat stops and the passengers don't.
 
Year_Manufactured: 2000
Asking_Price: $5000.00 obo
Owner: Mike
Address: Shoupe Road
City: Plant City
State: FL
Zip_Code: 33565
Phone: (813) 719-2020 (evn)
Cell_Phone: (813) 918-0465
Date: July 01, 2005
14' deep sided Combie hull with good poly bottom. Conduit rigging wit pancake cage and seating for five, front triple and rear driver/passenger singles. 500 cadi direct drive with 78/32 wood prop, edlabrock alum. intake and carb, and stainless mufflers. Dual batt. and bilge pumps. Great for the family and idles slow and quiet for gigging or hunting.
 
I think you want about a 22-24" deep sided boat.

A 15 foot boat with 22" sides shouldn't have a problem floating a V8.

Aluminum or fiberglass? Never ending debate there my friend. Either way I think the polymer is a good idea so it probably makes no difference other than aluminum is lighter and will last indefinitely if taken care of. Fiberglass will get brittle eventually unless you never take it outside. If you're looking for a hull by itself, I'd recommend buying new for fiberglass, and REALLY check out any used aluminum before you buy. Look at the stringers real close and check all the welds if it's a welded hull. I've seen a few older aluminum hulls start to crack in these areas.

I don't think it's worth it to try to re-rig if the boat is already set up with an engine. Lot of work when the AC or GPU engine on there will get you started and probably still make the next owner happy.
 
Ok Guys let's see what I learned so far.

1- 10 to 12 foot = Very interesting times ahead.

2- 13 Foot Auto = Slippery slope but does help the Artificial Reef Program.

3- Will tear things up with sudden stops & will need 2k gph Bilge pump & 3 ten quart buckets.

4- Must fly solo for 18 months with signs either side of boat that read, Danger Keep Back 250 Feet, after which time the ole lady & the dog may go along if sound approved by the FWC.

5- Warning; All Passengers must come to a complete Stop when this Boat Stops. No Exceptions unless otherwise provided hereon!

No, you know I'm just kiddin. :)

But what is really interesting is the straight talk one can get from this Forum. Priceless that you've awakened me to a couple things tonite I hadn't even thought abt. :)

Thanx Bigdad for the ad, have been scrolling to the bottom over there just abt everyday & so many that don't give the hull dimensions.
Ebay, Traderonline, Newspapers & Mike at Floral City Tues am to tally up & see what a new 15 or 16 as I said above would really be. :(

Thanx Guys, Gben
 
I started with a 11ft 7in fiberglass with a 350 and boy what a ride only sunk it once but never took it in deep water.i just up graded to a 14 ft aluminum 2005 hamant hull and it rides like a cadillac, as for a buying a brand new boat for the first time I would find a good cheap starter boat run it for a while then see about a new one, you can learn alot before you spend alot and will be able to see what will best suite you for what kind of running you do.I've seen alot of un happy people that have bought brand new boats and wish they could have changed alot of things because they just did not know. I my self have been up gradeing my boat for the past 4 years and I now have a sweet ride and I don't owe a dime on it (just takes time or deep pockets)
 
I forgot to mention a impact flotation vest for your dog....very good idea. Seems like they might be good candidates for upgraded insurance as well.

CChardt just gave you terrific advice. Remeinds me of the thousands of Florida transplants that move here, buy their first boat with a birth and a head, then pile it up on one of our pristene grass flats - and then she sits high and dry in a marina for a year or two. Thousands of these broken dreams are racked and stacked all over our state.

Used boats allow for "learning experiences" without breaking the bank. You cannot possibly know what you want in an airboat - or how to run and handle an airboat - until you have attended the University of OhChit. Good Luck.
 
Thanx Guys but you've got to lighten up. Verna Lee is gonna be skeert half to death :(

Just kiddin agn & we appreciate your effort here. She has trusted me for 45yrs on the water, on rails & in the air in some rather mean machines.
I decided early on however that an Airboat being in a different category & not far unlike those of Aircraft would require an experienced operator to get us started.

Now I know I'm being a little picky abt finding a boat but when considering all the information we've assembled in the last 9 or so months it must be at least a 15 but may go a little more than 16 but not like the 18 we looked at in north Ga. Must also be an 8 wide.

Very few boats have we found in this size & price range of upto 15k we're willing to pay for a Good used one. Could live with direct or gear but not belts or A/C engine. Saw the 15 with A/C & reason for the thread but just like Red says swapping out to Auto may call for deep surgery. :(

So, we'll further the search for a while yet anyway.

Thanx agn Guys, Gben

BTW, Thanx Cntry & Bigdad for the media to Alachua, gave us pointers on what we wanted to send.

Allen, got your pm & Thanx
 
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