• If you log in, the ads disappear in the forum and gallery. If you need help logging in or getting registered, send request to: webmaster@southernairboat.com

Full cage, or Pancake ?

K

K-mac

Well-known member
Heard a few guys talk about pancake cages for less weight, and they
do look like they would be a lot easier to fabricate. but on the flip side
the exposed exhaust don't look to cool, and also looks like a tree
limb may be more likely to slide over a full cage before doing any damage
than on a pancake style. I'm sure some of you guys have thought this
one over before and have all the answers so what do you think ?
 
PANCAKE JUST EASIER TO MAINTAIN ! I RUN THE SALT WATER MORE THAN MOST !JUST EASY TO CLEAN AND KEEP UP WITH THE DEAL ! EXHAUSTS IS A FACTOR ! BUT THEY COOL OFF SO FAST ! JUST DONT PARK IN THE PLAY GROUND ! :D AND STAY AWAY FROM OAK TREES !
 
I'm on my 5th boat and haven't had one yet I didn't have to replace a cylinder on. I like the pancake cage just because it makes it easier to work on. You can add braces to the cage to help move the tree branches out of the way. The two braces I have are good enough for me but you could add more. The open exhaust is bad but I live with it. No one is allowed behind the drivers seat but me. If you park where people are going to approach the boat when the exhaust is hot I would say to go with the full cage or add some protection for the hot pipes. The weight difference isn't that much. I like the pancake for ease of working on the engine. Not for less weight.

airboat_0022.jpg
 
Just what Des said,and also so when the car motor guys blow up,they can pull the motor off with out pulling the cage.And as far as the exhaust goes,it won't take them long and they will figure it out.All my boats for now on will have pancake cages.
 
I just boils down to what you want and the area you run if you in the lakes most of the time a pan cake would be fine
if you run it alot of trees with limbs they are hard on a pan cake cage

but that is only my opinon.
 
Pancakes for what Des said. Its so easy to work on a motor. A lot of times a full cage means your standing knee deep in water to work on something or you have to wiggle yourself up around the prop to get to something in the motor.
I just put a pancake on mine. I'll be honest I am not a huge fan of the way it looks. But for the simple fact I can work on the motor no matter where I am. Think about it. Your out on a lake in 20 foot of water. And your starter wire has come loose at the starter and you have a full cage. Now what? Granted full cages with large hinged access doors may solve that problem but I haven't seen one in person.
I have seen some guys making pancakes and then running two bars about 1' across from the cage to the seat stand on each side and the put wire on them to protect you from bumping the header. Gives you something to lean on too if your working on a hot motor.
 
I like a full cage because I do alot of hunting and prefer to park my boat in amongst the trees and bushes. Also, I think that the pancake cages look odd. As for being able to work on the engine easily, that's not really a concern for me because I run a Lycoming. :D
 
That's funny. The two Lycoming engines I had were the ones that needed the most attention. It wasn't the Lycoming's fault though. The previous owners just didn't take very good care of them and I had to add or replace oil coolers and several cylinders. I do agree that if you're going to the woods a full cage is best.
 
I was looking at the wire size question and was wondering what the relationship is assuming same wire size for both, Airflow/Drag between pancake and full cage? :?
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top