Des Moines Boater
Well-known member
Well, I took my fifth airboat out for its maiden voyage on the Des Moines River yesterday. This boat is a 13 foot Lazer with high sides and a PE 150, 220 GPU, with a wood 72X32 wide blade prop. I was very impressed with the power and ride.
Even though the boat has a heavier engine, it only sat about 4 inches in the water. My 6 foot wide 10 and 11 foot boats with 4 cylinder Lycomings sat about 10 inches in the water. I got on plane quicker than anything I've ever had and it only took about 2000 RPM to get it up. It cruises a little over 30 MPH at 2000 and at 2500 RPM it really moves. The previous owner said it would turn up to 3200 but I don't think I'll ever see that unless I get stuck.
The only drawback was the boat is bigger than anything I've ever had but it handles well and I'm sure I'll get used to it. I have IO-470 cylinders and mags coming for it to convert it to dual plugs and dual mags. It looks like the conversion will run close to $1000.
I did cut down the seats, so, the boat looks a little different now.
Even though the boat has a heavier engine, it only sat about 4 inches in the water. My 6 foot wide 10 and 11 foot boats with 4 cylinder Lycomings sat about 10 inches in the water. I got on plane quicker than anything I've ever had and it only took about 2000 RPM to get it up. It cruises a little over 30 MPH at 2000 and at 2500 RPM it really moves. The previous owner said it would turn up to 3200 but I don't think I'll ever see that unless I get stuck.
The only drawback was the boat is bigger than anything I've ever had but it handles well and I'm sure I'll get used to it. I have IO-470 cylinders and mags coming for it to convert it to dual plugs and dual mags. It looks like the conversion will run close to $1000.
I did cut down the seats, so, the boat looks a little different now.
