Need airboat advice

[nightarcher]

I am a bowfisherman, I had a panther 15x7 with a 220gpu, which was my first airboat. I LOVED IT!! it would do anything except make a long run and carry the weight of fish, so I sold it. I am now trying to figure out the right boat to get next, thats where I need advice. I make long runs, 20-40miles one way( for tournaments) and then I shoot 200-300 and possibly more fish which get real heavy, there will be a generator and three 200lb+ guys in it, rough water, 18 inch chop at worst. I want to run the hill and not kill myself at the pumps. I know it has to be a 18 footer, and I like the 18x8, what motor, prop, box, setup would be best to push that kinda weight across a little ground and still be good on mileage?? I want to be able to run at minimum 40mph in open water without taking the chance of blowing it up! weight in the boat is the major issue! I like the high sides of the Silver Dollar Airboats but they dont do all that well out of water cause of the weight, What do you guys suggest??? Im all ears!

 

[marshmaster pat]

Don't take this the wrong way, but you are asking for a Caddy to do the work that a Dodge 1 ton with a cummins should be doing.

But this is my opinion.

A 18 footer is going to require some torque/HP to turn a propeller that will keep it going. Most of those size boats are running 454 or 502 - (note 502 are not used in the oil field seismic industry - they just don't hold up to abuse day after day at WOT). There are some SB chevys that might do it, like the LS-1, but guys like Waterthunder would be the one to answer that.

Gearboxs on those seismic boats with 454 are 2:1, and actually mostly are belt drives. Adds weight but less problems they claim.

Running 20 to 40 miles one way, with a generator and 3 -200 + pound men in the boat and another 200-300 pounds (assuming you meant pounds and not #s of fish) of fish, that is a load. Plus you want to push 40 mph, have high sides, and run the hill. And easy on gas will be tough. I would figure about 11 gallons an hour or more running at that speed. But that is just an estimate knowing a couple of 454s around here.

Boats can do it, but you are going to pay dearly. I have seen boats at American that might fit that bill, but never fit my paycheck. Diamondback, Mark's, and Alumitech have all built hulls that I think would do the job, but they will cost you.

Good Luck

P.S. - 18 inch chop in a flat boat hull is tough on the welds. I know of several in the Mid and Lower coast areas of Texas that have had to have extensive repairs done to fix splitting welds. Use caution.

 

[Gbenzx]

Archer,

Pat is reflecting on things we too have learned in our study to have an Airboat that goes heavy duty like you've described.
For this we wanted a diesel that would fuel easy from our trucks while traveling & operate long term high torque without problems.
We could not find a used hull that could be altered to satisfy the weight requirements of such power without major surgery = $$$ which led us to pricing of new machine.

First estimate, $58k; 2nd $54k & 3rd $34k if we furnished engine & all controls. What they want to sell here is an Airboat built like a tank as in iceboat specks that will not come undone in such application that we speak abt. We couldn't find the middle ground we were looking for & have opted instead to go used 15 or 16 autopower hi horse geared or maybe DD engine. We could always add a second boat later & still be $20k or less, Maybe.
Now if all our $$$ Trees hadn't died

But there are several 18's on AirboatTrader & a nice one on Traderonline but please let us know what you decide on.
Maybe some of the Tour Boat folks will see your thread.

Thanx, Gben

 

[cntry141iq]

Build a 18 to 20 footer buy that 1600hp setup talked about on here and you should be ready to go. Like ALAN JACKSON says they got the parts, they got the time, all it takes is money.

 

[Lucky]

I live in Alaska and I run similar conditions. I have a 18x8 airboat. I have a 454 with a 1.77:1 reduction unit. I have 78 inch powershift 3 bladed prop. I burn about 10 gallons an hour. I run at 3200 rpm's on avarage and I cruise about 30 mph. Speed is not my thing but I am sure I could go faster but speed means fuel. I run 42 miles to my cabin one way. It is a river moving about 8mph.I run with my wife two kids and a dog. My wife packs everything, I could not guess how much it weighs. We carry 70 gallons of fuel. I have run with 7 people and two dogs with gear to stay the night with out a problem. I hope this helps.

 

[Croc1]

welcome to the forum lucky I was in Alaska last month Its a wonderful place (in the summer) but I dont think a Florida boy could survive a winter there !!