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FUEL CONSUMPTION

A 350 block will take more abuse than a 400 and when you run a larger heavier boat I recommend a 350 block over a 400 block any day of the week. You can always throw a 3.875’’ arm in a 350 and have a 396! Or a 4’’ and have a 408.
 
I havent checked that option out yet. I just know the 383 cranks are a great deal. How much more to go bigger yet? Do you need to run shorter rods or do they accomadate it with pin location? I do love torque!
 
Cold I have seen 427 sbc and 454 sbc although most don't think much of the 454 sbc. They got the parts if you got the money isn't that what alan jackson says LOL it aint no big thing.
 
Yeah i'm hooked, but from the onset I wanted a boat I could load my whole family on with a cooler and a little camping gear, (didn't want to look like a complete idiot so I didn't mention that) then I tried to convince myself that it would do everthing I want on 100 HP. I'm learning lots which is something I like to do before I start a project, Thanks to all of you! The boat has to run good enough to create a following up here.
 
To go really big, you need an aftermarket block. They start around 1800 dollars.
 
Cold .. you probably will need a big block to git-r-dun properly. You may get by with a 383 but if longevity means anything you really should look into a big block and there are plenty of old ones around which I have been told are better than the new ones ... that ought to get a new thread started LOL You probably should look towards a 16' hull as well depending on how you spell "the whole family" and what size cooler your talking about. High sides and polymer should be standard thoughts of yours as well. As for the glass/aluminum debate pick the one you like and don't worry because you will change your mind soon. Gear/belt ? again pick the one you want either will work belt drives are heavier but not that much I think like about 50lbs or so. ratio ? probably go towards a 2.38 or so because it is a torque multiplier so you pitch the prop to hit your torque curve. Props, well I would go with a 3 or 4 blade wide one because of the load your gonna be pushing around. seating configuration ? well depends on how many people and how cold of weather your gonna operate in and how tough the riders are. so there you go more questions than answers but that is airboating 101, life is about change and airboats will make you change things a lot but they are more addictive than most drugs and just a little more legal than most drugs, at least in florida. LOL BURN SOME GAS
 
I thought 16' would suffice. My family including me (5) comes in around 500 Lbs. The little ones will get bigger! Don't expect my wife and teen aged daughter to want to come along all the time. Thought I would get my buddy to build me a counter rotator with reduction that would mount to a standard bell housing with clutch, I like the idea of low C of G so thinking long belt, cant get used to the idea of all that engine sittin way up there! But I'm going to have to keep track of weight. My goal is to get it on the water for as little money as possible, while still being a quality reliable product. Components add up and so does time but more time than money. I work 4 days on and 4 off.
 
I'm sure the long belt really makes a stable airboat, and when I first started thinking about airboats, I thought it would be a good idea before I ever even saw or heard of one.

However, having seen what you can do with a direct drive BBC boat and not flip over, I really don't think a long belt drive is worth the weight or the expense.
 
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