Need help figurung out what egine I have

[Stroker8]

:scratch:

Hello everyone,

I am a new Florida resident, a first time airboat owner and new to the Southern Airboating community. I am an automotive V8 guy, I play with car and trucks, I never touched an aircraft engine before, I never drove an airboat before and I'm not going to drive this one until I do my research first. I actually acquired this airboat on a trade for a older peace of construction equipment I had. The person who traded it to me got the boat as a form of payment for a big job he did and knew nothing about it other then how to start it. So I have an airboat I know nothing about other then how to start it and that it is a continental 6 cylinder with an engine block casting date of 5-15-61. I did a lot of google searching trying to figure this out, that is how I found Southern Airboating. I hope someone here could give me some pointers on how to figure out what engine this is. Here are some pictures

THANK YOU

 

[Dirtman]

From the limited experience that I have with Continentals it appears to be an 0-470 Not sure of the HP but would guess in the 230 to 250 range.

 

[Stroker8]

Thank you Dirtman. Limited experience or not, any input is greatly appreciated.

 

[Gary S]

Well now you've done it,your going to be hooked. Looks like a IO470. Good strong dependable engine. Does it run? Whats the rest of the boat look like? Hopefully you get with someone that can get you up to speed on the do and don'ts and take you somewhere shallow to start having some fun.

 

[One Eyed Gator]

Under the aircraft section of this forum there are 0470 manuals.

Be sure you understand how the mags work before you mess the the prop by hand.

 

[Stroker8]

Thank you for the response Gary S. Yes the engine fires right up and runs smooth, it is running on AV fuel, so I know that much. The boat itself is in nice shape, according to the title, it is a 2006 model. I'm not sure of the make, but it is a 12' 3" fiberglass hull, with the what looks to be a barely used polymer sheet on the bottom. When I take the cover back off the boat I will take some more pictures and post them for you. Like I said in my initial post, never owned an airboat, I know nothing about them, I was taking a chance with this trade deal. What made me go through with the trade was the fact that the boat was in real nice shape, it looked like an aircraft engine, it started right up ran nice, it came with a trailer and the main fact was I just think airboats are awesome. So all the information and pointers I could get on this forum from experienced airboaters such as yourself are greatly appreciated.

 

[Stroker8]

Thank you One Eyed Gator, I will check out the manuals

 

[flcracker9]

They usually have a data plate mounted to the case in front of the right side mag (left side if you are standing behind the boat looking at the prop), if the data plate is still there, it will tell you what model and what HP at what RPM?

 

[Stroker8]

Hello Flcracker9, I did find what looks to be a data tag in the location you described and this is what it looks like.

 

[Stroker8]

Here you go Gary S. You asked how the rest of the boat looks, well this is it.

 

[Gary S]

Nice. Go easy with it and don't be in a hurry to take friends and family with you. Find someplace shallow and get the hang of it. Just remember, you can't turn without power, always have some in reserve for the unexpected. You also have to be aware where your prop blast is going. When you take off make sure your not going to blow someone around behind you.

 

[John Fenner]

Solid advice from a true gladesman, Gary is spot on as usual!

 

[Stroker8]

Thank you Gary for the advice. I was reading some other conversations of new airboaters and the advice they were given. One of the things that stuck in my head was “when in doubt throttle out” and don’t lift off the throttle fast from higher speed, the wake could come up and over the back and sink you.

I think I am going to try meeting up with someone who is experienced with an airboat that wouldn’t mind taking me out for a ride on their boat and give me a little training. I probably should have that same person look over my boat to make sure it’s safe to take out. I’m not even sure where to go that has shallow areas to practice. I am in Yeehaw Junction near the sr60 and 441 intersection. I have blue cypress to the east of me towards vero, the west gate river ranch to the west of me and okeechobee to the south. I know there is a boat launch on sr512 for blue cypress, I believe they do the big family airboat rides there. I have even seen people launch anywhere alongside 512. So anyone have any suggestions?

 

[kwanjangnihm]

Welcome to SA Stroker8!

Here is a link with some great info for new airboaters: https://southernairboat.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=30116

Get some seat time and slide safe bro! :thumbleft:

 

[Stroker8]

Thank you for the "Welcome" kwanjangnihm and the link. I have to say, so far I am glad I joined SA, everyone has been friendly and helpful.

 

[Scotty1]

Looks like the boat has pretty good chimes on it so that is a plus ,so it should turn good and not slide as much. your best bet would be to find a big open field with shallow water to mess around in it till you get a little more comfortable with it . just remember safety always first and welcome to the addiction of airboating.

 

[CypressHunter]

Thank you Gary for the advice. I was reading some other conversations of new airboaters and the advice they were given. One of the things that stuck in my head was “when in doubt throttle out” and don’t lift off the throttle fast from higher speed, the wake could come up and over the back and sink you.

I think I am going to try meeting up with someone who is experienced with an airboat that wouldn’t mind taking me out for a ride on their boat and give me a little training. I probably should have that same person look over my boat to make sure it’s safe to take out. I’m not even sure where to go that has shallow areas to practice. I am in Yeehaw Junction near the sr60 and 441 intersection. I have blue cypress to the east of me towards vero, the west gate river ranch to the west of me and okeechobee to the south. I know there is a boat launch on sr512 for blue cypress, I believe they do the big family airboat rides there. I have even seen people launch anywhere alongside 512. So anyone have any suggestions?

I am in Melbourne and never put in down near Vero but on the east side of 512 “East Marsh” as it’s called is probably not a bad spot. But go with someone know knows it’s. If you got a buddy with a flooded pasture that’s another option.

Only thing I can think to add is when running trails keep your eye out for other boats coming in the distance. Birds getting up is a good give away and when coming head on with another boat always go right.

If I had some time, new baby at home, I know some areas up here that are good for a beginner

Good luck and enjoy

 

[Striker543]

You can also go to lake cypress. Take 441 north and turn left on canoe creek, then head north till you get to the lake cypress road. It’s about 45-60 minutes from yeehaw.

 

[Stroker8]

I’d like to thank kwanjangnihm again for that link, it was very helpful, a lot of good info. After reading that, I am going to go over every nut and bolt. I found the sticker on the prop listing the torque specs and that it should be torqued every 50 hours, so I’m going to check that since I don’t know when it was done last. Then I will give it a fresh oil change and filter, maybe a fresh set of plugs. Definitely going to go over this boat top to bottom before it hits water. Like many of you have said, “safety first”!!

 

[Stroker8]

Thank you for the “welcome” Scotty1 and the advice.