* *New Member Questions* *

[Anonymous]

I am looking at moving from a Mud Motor Rig to a Airboat for my hunting needs. I know very little, if anything about them. I would like to ask a few questions, and get a little input on whether it would be applicable for my needs and pocket book.


(MY NEED)
I need a 2 man (Sometimes 3), dog & equipment rig. I need it light as possible, due to backing down some steep inclines with crushed cement on the slope, some being pretty good size. I need enough power to run on dry ground, and mud. Don't need it any wider than it needs to be as to not eliminate some of the narrow creeks & narrows I haft to work through, to get to some of my best hole.

Is there a Airboat that would be better than another to fit my need?

(QUESTIONS)

(1) I have seen where guys are starting to run lighter rigs with Rotax Engine, with Crotch Rocket motorcycle engine that will produce 100-165HP & run across dry ground. Anybody ever heard or seen this?

(2) I hunt about 50 time per years, and a little scouting in the off season. Not counting gas, does anyone have a ballpark price of Up Keep on a airboat.

Mainly just try to figure out what kind of money a guys is talking about AFTER the cost of the rig.

Thanks for any help to a guy that knows nothing.

cooter
http://www.creamlevel.com

 

[kb27_99]

(1) I have seen where guys are starting to run lighter rigs with Rotax Engine, with Crotch Rocket motorcycle engine that will produce 100-165HP & run across dry ground. Anybody ever heard or seen this?

They may put out that much HP and run dry but, at what RPM. Most of the crotch rocket bikes red line at 12 to 14 thousand RPM's. If you get stuck will that engine hold up to the abuse of holding it at that red line RPM for a couple of minutes? Personaly I don't feel it will. On the motorcycle they only hold red line for a couple of seconds.

Ronnie Thibodaux build a boat with a small displacement high RPM all aulminum auto motor with a 3-1 belt reduction. It was rated at 220HP at 9000 RPM's. It ran like crazy with 4 people on the ground. But there again will it hold up at that RPM for any period of time? Maybe it will or maybe it won't. Who knows.

Here's his site if you want to cantact him.
http://www.ronniesairboats.com/

Stick with something that has been proven like GM or aircraft. Thats my oppinion.


Just my 2cents, Kevin

 

[Anonymous]

Check out Mosquito airboats, They use a small 4 stroke engine that realy runs out great.

 

[cooter]

Thanks for the imput guys. It was looking like a lonely post for a while.

I don't know enough about this to really talk to you guys, but this is what I was understanding.

The guy that had the motorcycle engine, had his Gear Reduction Box built to produce 2900RPM's right in the middle of the engine's power. And a governer set to not let the motor over run that point. So when he wound it up, he was really only turning about 8000-9000RPM's on the engine. This was suppose to produce the torque on the prop, and keep the RPM's on the engine down for longer engine life.

I do realize that what I am talking about here is small patato's compared to what most of ya are doing. But I am just wanting a Hunting rig that will run in small creeks as well as across dry land. Here is a alternative to my hunting situation, but I have a friend that can get me in a nicer boat, due to him building them, if I can find a way to stay small with the weight of the engine. The boat will be smooth bottomed like the Mud Boats. But I would like to run 100HP to have plenty of torque on the prop.

This is a 45HP Rotax motor on a regular Jon Boat, and the builder says it will run dry ground with 1 hunter and equipment. http://redriverairboats.com/ I could upgrade the motor to 65HP, but I really am looking for something just a little beefer, just a little.

Thanks for your imput. I know that this is not you guys type of Airbaot, but any help would sure help me. Opinions welcome.

cooter
http://www.creamlevel.com

 

[marshmaster pat]

I believe those rotex motors are made to turn up higher RPMs for constant speed while flying. I have a friend that has played with them alot for ultralights, but he is out on a two week hunting trip. I don't remember much about their RPM at takeoff, but he did say that they are really easy to overhaul if you have a slightly mechanically mine. He really likes them and has been playing with the idea of making a small frogging boat with his rotex.


The is a hunt camp down the road that is running one of the rotex motors (ultralight engine) with a reduction gear. I think it is a 65? hp, with a fiberglass haul, polymer on bottom and single seat. Have seen them run water with 2 people, dog, and decoys, but there is no room for operator error in that situation. It will run in your yard, and through tall grass (pasture) that is not real thick. However, it will not run across the marsh we have down here. Just not enough HP. It is wider than most of the mud hulls and therefore alittle more stable.

I will get some information for you if you want. See those guys regularly. Look up Rotex on the NET and see what they say. If I was going with a small hull like you want, I would seriously consider those engines. They are one of the most commonly used in Ultralights.

 

[Anonymous]

I have seen an airboat with a small rotax engine on it (Not sure what HP) but it wouldn't buck a 30 mph wind with a load. Lycoming makes the 0290 which puts out 100 to 125 HP and only wieghs about 200lbs.


By the way what type of dry land are you talking about running?





Kevin

 

[cooter]

Thanks for the great imput guys.

I am mainly talking about sand bottom rivers & creek banks. Rotax is the direction I have been looking at, but when you start getting into the 100HP motors they get expensive. If I could get to a 100HP, I think I could get away with a little more boat. I would like to achieve 30MPH, but anything more than that is really not a need in what I am doing.

I am mainly looking at starting to go where Mud Motors can't, so pushing into mud flats, over sand bars and things like this is a must.

Thanks again for the imput, keep it coming, we are reducing my choices.
cooter
http://www.creamlevel.com

 

[cooter]

I guess the airplane style motors would require a airplane machanic to work on them right ? ? ? This would let me get to any HP I needed for sure, but looks like the back end cost would be more. Up Keep/Maintance etc.

I like the statement about Rotax: "he did say that they are really easy to overhaul if you have a slightly mechanically mine" But they get around 100HP and peter out. cooter