First Airboat Help!!

O

OJMonty2

Member
What's up guys!!! I'm completely new to this forum but let me say you guys are awesome!! I've been reading these forums for weeks and have learned a lot!! Anyhow I'm looking for advice from some of the more experienced boaters.

I'm trying to get into my first boat and want to know what you all recommend. I'm looking at smaller hulls with 4 cyl aircraft engine. I only need it to hold 2 to 3 people but would like a boat that can run dry. I've seen a lot of boats for sale with Lycoming's and want to know if you believe a 4 cyl aircraft engine has enough power for what I'm looking for. My grandfather is an old timer in the everglades. He's been out of the glades for quite a while, but believes the only way to go is an 0540. While I'd love to get an 0540 that's a bit more than I'm looking to spend (got a wedding coming up and the fiancé isn't thrilled about the airboat, but i'm 10 minutes from the glades lol).

Any how any advice you guys can give would be much appreciated!! I'm hoping to be purchasing a boat within a month and looking forward to being able to ride with some of you.

BTW if anyone knows somebody looking to sell a boat I'm looking!
 
I agree. I bought a boat the same day that my divorce became final. My boat has an occasional problem but she never argues with me and does not contain when I am out late gigging, and has never threatened to leave me because I rode another boat.
 
Just don't tell her how much it really cost and you'll be fine, what she don't know won't hurt her lol
A 4 cylinder on a small light hull will run dry but 3 people is pushing it. Seems the general consensus around here is it takes about a 1 hp to 4 pound ratio to run dry with confidence assuming the bottom of the hull is good/straight so basically a 200 hp engine will push an 800 pound rig, 400 hp will push a 1600 pound rig and so on no matter how many cylinders. The best advise I can give you is to buy as much boat and motor as you can reasonably afford, don't be in a rush and settle for less than you really want or need... save up a little more while doing research on here and talking to as many airboaters as you can will save you a lot of time and money in the long run. The classified's on here are your best source to find a nice boat what ever type you decide on.
 
Swamp Thang said:
Just don't tell her how much it really cost and you'll be fine, what she don't know won't hurt her lol
A 4 cylinder on a small light hull will run dry but 3 people is pushing it. Seems the general consensus around here is it takes about a 1 hp to 4 pound ratio to run dry with confidence assuming the bottom of the hull is good/straight so basically a 200 hp engine will push an 800 pound rig, 400 hp will push a 1600 pound rig and so on no matter how many cylinders. The best advise I can give you is to buy as much boat and motor as you can reasonably afford, don't be in a rush and settle for less than you really want or need... save up a little more while doing research on here and talking to as many airboaters as you can will save you a lot of time and money in the long run. The classified's on here are your best source to find a nice boat what ever type you decide on.
Click to expand...

Excellent advice!
 
Well , im in the same boat as u ! Lol. , just bought my first airboat , its a gfx 11' with a 0320 150hp ,,,with a 6 blade warp , i need it to run dry , and up a hill to get outta my creek , wanted more power , but. $$$ and i have like only 20 min stick time in a v8 car motor diamondback. The engine i built for the owner , it was mid 600s hp. Small block chev , i loved the thing , But it did not feel over powered by any means ! I have not driven my 0320 powerd boat as of yet , im sure it wont have enough power , but i am hoping for the best , if anyone here has an opinion as to the o320 on a gfx glass boat and the 6 blade , i would love to hear the bad news ? Please chime in , i will ansewr your question in detail bout this time next week ! i figuer if i like the boat and if where i intend to use it works out , then this winter i will head south and get a newer boat and lots off hp ! Got to start somewhere ! Im stressin more over the prop ! The seller tells me it dont whine ,, i thik hes lying from what i see of warp drive 6 blades on video ,,, i really hope someone can give me feed bach on here bout it ?? Your post was the exact thing i was going to ask on here lol. ! Good luck , w
 
Thats correct , site unseen except for pics & the sellers word , he has serious health issues and is not able to do much , and its too far for me to get there with work scedule , its also "freshley majored and 15% more hp then stock " so he says ,, im not sure if that gain is even possible with these engines , i know absolutely nota bout these or any other aircraft engines , , I do build race engines for a living tho , car motors i know well ! Boat apears to be in great shape from pics ( exceptional ) And it was dirt cheap , i need to begin somwhere , i wanted an airboat for 30 years , my engine shop is rite on a creek that is 300 feet wide and over 30 miles long of great fishing and hunting ! Been using a 6x6 amphib , talk about a slow ride up stream ! Thank u fo answering w.
 
I'm hoping that you didn't find it on Craigslist. That just sounds generically suspect.

There is always the possibility of getting someone close enough to check it out for you, if not with you.
Somebody close(r) my be able to at least go check it out and offer an educated opinion.

Might cost ya a twelve pack and/or a couple bucks, but it's hard to imagine that not being money well spent.
 
Ehh ,,, real cheap ... not craigs , the guy is real as is the
Boat ... hes just really sick ... i dont want to bug him
I have a shop full of 3.8 supercharged V6s that make 340ftlbs at 2800rpm ... if its that bad
One of those can find its way into the boat pretty quickly ... they are fairly light weight also
But i would love the 0320 to work out ... that will be my first goal ! W
 
This sounds VERY suspicious.
Not wanting to see ya get ripped off, tell us this, and maybe somebody here can verify boat is
actually there and in the condition stated.
What city and state are you located?
What city and state is the boat located?
Maybe a pic or two of the boat will make it identifiable..
Did you at least get a copy of the title with the SELLER's name on it?
If you browse through this website, you will find MANY people that have reported being ripped off by
individual sellers and dealers alike. Been there done that..
 
How do u send pics on here ? , i appreciate your concern , I verified there actually being a boat at the
Location,, im from New york state (NOT City ) , its cash on pic up , so not sure what the point would be
Toying with me , i guess its possible tho , i wouldnt be my first pic of people to do that 2 ..
lol ...Nope ! I hope a 0320 150 is at least able to teach and show me a fair attempt at airboat fun ,
That and every video ( not many out there ) i can find with a Warp 6 sounds like my X wifes hi piched voice going rite thru me .... ! Reading posts on this site has been helpful , i have allot to learn ...
I did find today that several of my engines have ended up on airboats .. although built for circletrack
And i will probably end up with something like that if i like this stuff ! I ran the reg , its a 2002
GFX , BTW , im thinkin it would be more likely to have a sour engine if anything , and that
Would suck , but nothing earth shattering if thats the case ! Maybe i can pm u pics ... im kinda retarded on the commputer stuff ! Thx Warden
 
Warden said:
How do u send pics on here ? , i appreciate your concern , I verified there actually being a boat at the
Location,, im from New york state (NOT City ) , its cash on pic up , so not sure what the point would be
Toying with me , i guess its possible tho , i wouldnt be my first pic of people to do that 2 ..
lol ...Nope ! I hope a 0320 150 is at least able to teach and show me a fair attempt at airboat fun ,
That and every video ( not many out there ) i can find with a Warp 6 sounds like my X wifes hi piched voice going rite thru me .... ! Reading posts on this site has been helpful , i have allot to learn ...
I did find today that several of my engines have ended up on airboats .. although built for circletrack
And i will probably end up with something like that if i like this stuff ! I ran the reg , its a 2002
GFX , BTW , im thinkin it would be more likely to have a sour engine if anything , and that
Would suck , but nothing earth shattering if thats the case ! Maybe i can pm u pics ... im kinda retarded on the commputer stuff ! Thx Warden
Click to expand...
BTW GFX is Gilileo & Sons or Gilileo Fiberglass Products
 
Did he say it was a 150? Could be 160. 15% sounds a little high. The warp drive is going to sound like a weed eater no getting around that. But if you get it cheap enough and it is what he says it is, you can change the prop. Sounds like your knowledgeable around engines to know if something is running correct.
 
The tag on the engine says 150 , im pretty sure the owner knows less then me about airboats ,, and that is pretty much nothing ! I was going to blow $30k on a used diamondback that was on ebay, but i figured i will just get this little galileo and see how me and the dog get along with it , its not enough $$ to worry bout it , maybe its junk , maybe i will get lucky ? I have to begin somewhere ! In my area , there are NO airboats , ZERO , not sure of the reason , perhaps i will find out ! Im sure the kyakers will be proud of me ! W
 
Posting photos of airboat for warden! :thumbleft:

MAHO6639.jpg

XHLP2835.jpg

AQCQ3786.jpg
 
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