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Good First Airboat

H

huntinislife2

Member
Hey yall im 16 and im looking for a good first airboat so i can run with my dad in his 0540. I would like some ideas on what kind of engine and horsepower i should get, since this my first boat i need one powerful enuff to get me onto the Ridge and any where i feel like going on ground but not to powerful that it will slip out from under me.....

thanks
 
I put my kid in a 10' Franny Taylor WPB boat with a 90HP GPU (PE60?) when he was 13 and he ran it til he was 20. They aint fast but they do go where needed aned they are easy on your wallet at the gas pump.

Still some of those old hulls around. I just bought a Tim Foley boat that looks kinda like a WPB boat at a decent price. Just stay involved and keep talking to folks.

Yer first boat should be docile and cheep to run.

Scotty
 
just in my opinion, a good first boat would probably be a real lightly rigged 4 cylinder boat, good on gas but capable of getting around anywhere.... u might be able to find one on here from someone or on airboattrader.com but i havent looked there latly... good luck with it tho, and ill let ya kno if i come accross anything, welcome to the site too buddy, i see u just joined today!
 
I've got my 4 cyl. boat in the classifieds: http://www.southernairboat.com/classifieds/showproduct.php/product/1134/cat/3

This boat floats extremely well & runs the hill good too. I ain't gonna say your Dad's 540 can't/won't get it stuck, but on a normal day's runnin, you'd be sitting right beside him...including the top of the Ridge.

I haven't been real serious about selling it yet, but will need to get that way soon because of another airboat project I'll be starting. If you're interested, make an offer.

Rick
 
yea rick, something along those linesis wat i was talking bout, runs dry just fine, good on gas and a little higher sides... thats a good option....
 
I can't think of a better boat for a Teens first one than Rick's. That Engine is just the ticket and its hard to find the hull's equal.

Only one drawback for a new airboater, it will SPOIL him on how airboats should handle. After running that boat a few years he won't be happy with anything else.

Whats next Rick !?

Scotty
 
Sorry to be the spoiler in all this, but boat you need is a 12 foot kicker boat with a 4 horse power Johnson. Believe me the fun factor will still be there without the stress and expense that an airboat requires. There is plenty of time for airboating later. Just get out there in the marsh and enjoy the outdoors with a more practical boat is what I'm saying. I can't speak for all airboaters, but I don't judge people by the boats they drive. I think we all share a common bond, just my the fact that we are all in the marsh living the good life. But at 16 I know you have the fire in your eye so good luck and listen to your dad.
 
i think u should get out there and start experiencing it even if at a young age with a small, practical boat... step up gradually over the years, but nothing for safe driving beats a seat an rudder stick time.... but just my 2 cents.....
 
I just got my first boat. Its a 13 glass hull with pe90 on it. Motor is strong and the hull is kinda deepsided so it will help with my learning curve. The best thing about it though is I saved my money for 4-5 months and its MINE and I know I worked hard for it. When I get the experience, and hopefully the money Im gonna get a lighter aluminum hull,
 
I agree with everyone about rick's boat. The hull and motor combo will take you where you need to go, and for the price you won't find a turnkey boat in better shape and ready to go. Just my two cents.
 
I would sit down with your Dad and see what you guys can put together.Either a do a project boat or go together and find one.But Rick's would be perfect.
 
I agree with rick and every one else Ricks boat that he has for sail would be perfect first boat if I had not all ready started on a second boat I would buy it you could not do better for a first boat
 
Not yet Dave. :)

Scotty, I bought that fuel injected O-470 runout from D-BREWSTER a few months ago. It's going on a 12' flat bottom Diamondback like Geneva0550 has. The boat project hasn't officially started yet, but the motor's gettin doctored up right now. I'll get some pictures posted soon.

Rick
 
Welcome onboard. My advise is to buy a first boat that will only carry two - so you don't overload it....and to pick a strong rider so he or she can help push it, pull it and break it loose. Few first boats will run with a 0-540. Rick's boat will do it all.
 
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