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mini airboats

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14' Predator
double stack
Little Red
520 on hawk step
dean rd and university
Front View of the Boat
T

tf

Well-known member
I’m new to airboats. This forum has a lot of knowledgeable guys and know their airboats.

The mini airboats interest me. What do you know about the 61 B&S airboat marketed on mosquitoairboats? It seems as if the 31/35 B&S engines do well with the smaller airboats that the 61 HP might perform a bit better? How does it perform with a couple of guys?

Also, what do you know about the flounder pounder built by American Airbaots?

Thanks in advance,
tf
 
Talk to Dave over at Alumitech airboats he is affiliated with mosqito airboats. call 407 826 5373 ask for dave
 
Make sure you post what you find out, theres some other folks interested in them also. Good luck
 
If I remember Dave said the 58 hp briggs version will run around 35 mph maybe a little faster. 1 average size guy on board. They use a alumitech agi hull (has tricks) that is 11 ft long and i think it is 7ft wide on top and about 6 ft wide on the bottom. They use a belt drive reduction and power fin prop this is their top of the line "airboat style" boat but they also offer the 31 and 35 hp models as well as a full bolt on unit for your own hull or jon boat hull. I know the 58 hp version which is worked brigs 31 will also start and stop on dry ground but wont run the hill ofcourse. As I said if ya wanna know more give Dave a call at Alumitech he will be glad to answer your questions. also if you are interested in fiberglass airboats unlimited in Georgia also offers one 229 246-5760. Snyder airboats in Millersburg also offers an even smaller aluminum version. http://www.snyderboats.com 717 692-4294

... Mike...
 
Take a look at the Airboats Unlimited website posted on here. Paul Dixon builds a little boat called a Twister that is very sharp.

Ken
 
Lamarr Cox @ 321-243-1035 is the dealer over here in Melbourne & runs the Alumitech hulls.

GREAT BOATS!!!

Took one out for a spin & if I wasn't guiding, I might just think about buying one.
 
Where can one find information on the Vanguard 54 HP WASP and the Vanguard Mantis 61 HP? A google search produces no results. These engines are listed on mosquitoairboats.com > products but no further information can be found on the net. *scratching head*

What HP model did you test Capt Jeff? What was the speed? How many people can ride? What is the cost? Can it run the proverbial "hill"?

Keep the mini airboat information coming. You guys are great!

tf
 
tf sorry I've been out of pocket doin some duck hunting but I do have some info that you might find helpful on mini's and as you may have noticed I have mine listed for sale on the site. Mine was manufactured by Red River Airboats and I have experience with two of his little boats and have been impressed with both but unfortunately some financial issues have come about and I need to sell my new one. When I recover I will probably have him build me another one as it's perfect for what I do. Give me a call and I can give you lots of info re: cost and performance etc.

281-687-3825

Kevin
 
seems to me if you want a mini, build a 10ft boat with a 180 and go where you want to go? 65hp seems to little for any type of grass or mud down here. Although, I would like to hear or see some video in Florida on those MINI's everyone is talking about.
 
Rich,

Quotes in this forum supporting mini airboats that appeal to me are:

· “i run my minis all over the place and can hang with the big boats and even go where they cannot go�

· “Inexpensive is the key word for me? 8 gallons for a long day of running is just what I want to hear.�

· “If I had the money for the aircraft engine and the parts its something breaks I would go with it. But I stress again I see those gas prices still rising and I know of a lot of people having to put the big boys up cuz they cant afford to run them.�

· “Also not to mention cheaper synthetic props, Powerfins only run about $700 vs. Powershift which run in the 1,500 range. $800 is a lot of money to me.�

The major points reflect fuel economy, ease of locating parts for the B&S engines and running with the big boys. In my area I don’t know where to get a Rotax or Lycoming engine worked on but a B&S engine should pose no problem. IF this craft goes 35 mph with one person, then it meets my needs.

Your experiences with airboats far exceed mine as I have never ridden in an airboat but am looking forward to it. The only information that I know is what I read from the guys in the forum. This forum affords a lot of information and a lot of different views.

Keep the posts and opinions coming guys.
tf
 
Ok , I need some input here. I have to go check some ultra lite planes out to sell for an estate sale. Tell me what if anything might be of some interest to folks wanting to build mini boats. What type engines should I hope they have? And type engine worth what? I do know these are suppose to have the pontoons on the planes. I don't know anymore about them yet and hopefully it will play out and I'll get some pics and more info this week. Thanx
 
Cajun - Those rotex engines are supposedly great and easy to work on. I was told they are just as simple as B&S, but never have tried myself. There are a few other brands that the ultralights use, my buddy that owns one is back home for a week or so hunting. I normally hassle him about them. His had pontoons and he was thinking of just pulling the wings off and running it around like that with a few modifications since the wing struts have some stress fractures.

Those engines have a great HP to weight ratio and are fuel efficient. Wish I had cash and time, making a small airboat would be a great project.
 
Cajun .... Rotax (preferably 2 cylinder), and also Kawasaki 2 cylinder.
Both are excellent engines. Look to see that they're complete and will
turn over by hand ...... they will usually have a recoil starter on 'em like a lawn mower even if they're equipped with electric starters.

The air-cooled ones are the best for a baby airboat because you don't have to fool with a radiator and such. Either of the above engines, if it looks good on the outside, and will pull through with compression is a bargain at $1000 or less. Nearly new, anything under $1500. A new 2 cylinder Rotax sells for over $3500. PM me if you have any more questions.

Ken
 
What about VW boats? are these concidered mini's? is there anyone running one on here? i see there are now belt drives for these now. sounds like a fun rig.
 
Hey thanx Big feather. Off subject, are ya'll allowed to run Black Creek? I use to live in Baker County years ago and ran around alot near Starke, Middleburg, and Jax. Thanx again
 
Oh Yea! Black Creek is where I go to fish for Specks. For you guys that hunt gator, there are some biggins' in Black Creek. Keep in mind that you've gotta be USCG legal though, because you get there off the St. Johns, which is a Federally regulated waterway and they will check you if they don't recognize you as a local.

K.
 
About the mini's,
I am looking to build a small boat for a few reasons. But the videos which I have seen on the mini's show shallow water operation, and slick mud which any boat can run. If they can prove to carry a few hundred lbs of combined people/fuel/cooler/decoys etc and run some Kissimmee grass, or go over a small dike, get out of 10ft tall sawgrass,pull up on a dry portion of ground(not run it all day, but just to park on dry and get back off) I would consider one right away. If anyone has any comments that would be appreciated.
 
Mine has a rotax 582 (water cooled) and there are several places that will work on them here locally which was instrumental in my decision to go with the rotax. I'm also running a 4 blade 72 inch powerfin prop w/ 3.67 - 1 belt reduction. Very simple but reliable motor in my opinion. Just do a search for rotax and you will find out all you need to know.
 
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