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Newbie building first airboat needs HELP

I have been duck hunting out of an airboat(only way to go)for the last three years--now I have decided I need to build one for myself and this is what I have to work with:

a 454 chevy bb
a 13 ft fiberglass Trailboss
and a 72x45 stick prop

This boat will be ran direct drive--what I would really like to know from all of ya'll is this a good set up or not?what would be some of the pluses or negative's on this set up--dont be to hard on me --because everything listed ,I have already bought.any comments good or bad would be greatly appreciated,furthermore I am new to this site and love it,great group of people--(waterthunder)from everything I have read on this board--you seem to be the man on direct drive set-ups--will this prop work,perform ok ,or did I SCREW myself..
 
rodngun - First of all, if you are going to school at college station the project could be in trouble or sunk already. Secondly, doesn't matter what those fellows in the Corps say, the prop doesn't go in the water.

Just kidding, about the Aggies. My old man was one back in 46-49. Class of 49.

She might be alittle heavy with a 454 in the back of a 13 footer. Can be done and it is done alot, but she will not probably have alot of forgiveness. (Might be easier to sink than a boat with a lighter motor). So if you go with this set up, beware of your wake as you let off the throttle. It can and will go over the stern, sinking the boat, in the right situation.

Not familiar with Trailboss fiberglass hulls. Did they build it or is it one they just sold. I didn't realize they built fiberglass hulls and have visited them in Baytown a few times. If you can can answer a few questions it may help us all giving you advise.

Is there a brand name on the side of the boat? Cottonmouth, Apache, or something like that. - Some of us may be familiar with the hull.

What is the height of the back of the boat from the bottom to the top of the transom?

Prop might work alright. Thing with props, try what you have and then go from there. Since you are new and the prop is used, here is some advise. Look it over VERY carefully. If there are cracks, or it is split, or any wooden that is blackened, beware. Use it for a wall decoration and get a new prop.

The cost of a new prop is not that great compared to what can happen when one EXPLODES> Been there, done that, never want to be around another one again. If the prop is bad, ask for more information, several guys are running DD with wooden props. There are lots of guys that come through here with DD set ups. They will have lots of advice to give.
 
Marshmaster pat;
thanks for the reply--the boat is built by marshland marine (baytown)the one I have is one that was special built by the owner of marshland marine(ron) the boat was built for his father -in-law and now I own it---it has relatively high sides and at the back it is 8ft wide. so you think the prop I have will work--im not looking for speed --im looking to build this for duck hunting--mainly getting away from other hunters.

ps--the boat already had a 454 bb on it --and it handled well --but the guy had a 2:1 gear reduction on it --im going the same set up he had --but mine will be direct drive-im just trying to make sure this will work ok.
 
anyone who can respond to this ,please do,as for me I work four 12 hour shifts and I work nites so I have to go ---get back with yall in 4 days.
 
The boat ran very well with the drive on it. Glass Trail Boss boats are heavy. If the engine stand is still good, reconsider a drive unit. I am assuming it has not been converted to direct drive.
Which 454 do you have?
Do you know what you call an Aggie 10 years after they graduate--BOSS.
Good - Luck to you.
 
rbjscott;

first let me say--im no auto mechanic!!what 454 do i have --well it came out of a chevy suburban,the motor had 27,000 miles on it before it was wrecked--then it was parked.when we first pulled the motor,tore it down--its been bored 30 over--and on the backside of the motor its stamped--high performance pass--because its bored 30 over Ican assume its a rebuilt motor--we put a mic on the cylinders--all 8 are like brandnew.

so thats what im working with--my biggest concern is that the prop i have will perform with this set up.

the end result will be this---13 1/2 ft glass trailboss--72x45 sensneich--454 chevy bb--750 edlebrock carb--edlebrock aluminum intake--and we are going to put a different cam--high performance--not sure which one yet--so what do you think--i cant believe out of a hundred views on this board you were the only one to respond---thanks for your time
 
I have expierance with your boat and with the manufacture, Ron built some glass boats. The prop should be close, maby a little too much pitch.
Most props have even numbered pitchs. Most direct drives that I worked on were Buicks and Olds. PM and I will send you my phone number. I do not type or express my self well in this format. I owned a Trail Boss with a 220 Franklin engineon it.
 
rbjscott; I forgot to add --yes its going to be direct drive for now due to funds--later on 2:1 belt drive--as for the sled,its been pulled out and a new one has already been built with square tubing.
 
I'm in the same situation, DD for now because of cash flow :wink: ! 8) I haven't figured out the best tactic to get responces yet however I am after cam sugestions also, Good luck! :lol:
 
rodngun,

Welcome to Southern Airboat. Give it a little time and I'm sure you'll get your answer from here! I got a 454 with a long belt/counter-rotator in a 14 X 8 hull, (she squats pretty low). Gotta agree with Marshmaster on this one that the big block in the smal hull is not forgiving at all, (especially in deep water).

Basketcase/Jeff
 
Your setup is very workable. My buddy has a 454 direct on a 14' hull and it's a blast to ride in.

Check out my thread "Update on Boat" for a lot of pics that will (hopefully) help you build yours. I will take more closeups or whatever you need and be happy to share with you some of the problems I've run into.

And above all, remember the addage:

"Think three times, measure twice, and cut once"
 
Dwarf - Man maybe that is my problem, I think once, measure twice times and typically cut 4 or more times. Quit trying to build things when I realized they didn't make board or pipe stretchers. :oops: :lol:
 
I built my boat in the same mannor you are. I started with a hull and went from there. I thought my boat was light enough for a small block Chevy DD.. wrong start over... went to a big block Cadillac (due to the weight) and it is great. You mentioned that the boat had a 454 with 2:1 on it. The prop you are talking about isn't the one they were using with the reduction set-up correct? If it is... then it is much too large for a dd setup. On my 500 Cadillac, and 455 Olds we ran a 72 x 38 paddle prop. Chevy engines are better at higher rpm so make sure you talk to airboat people when choosing a cam. Waterthunder and Felber are the Chevy guru's on here and have good relations with the cam factories. When you set it up make sure the Tach works so you know what rpm you are turning the prop. Wood props are rated up to 3000 rpm and over that the tips can very easilly come off. You have to start somewhere and can only go up from there. Welcome to the airboat community.
 
I have never seen the trailboss fiberglass hull, but a friend of mine had a 13'Cottonmouth fiberglass hull with a DD 454. He started with a 72 X 42 wood prop, after a mishap in the glades and that one blew up, then switched to a 72" narrow sensenich composite, he said the was alot more push and snap out of the hole . The boat did alright as long as there was water or if the mud was wet, it was kinda heavy and didn't run dry.
I uploaded some pics butI need help putting the pics here.
http://www.southernairboat.com/photopos ... 4/ppuser/4
showphoto.php

showphoto.php

showphoto.php

It sounds like you have the parts to start out with just to get in the water, but it won't be long until you will want to put the reduction unit and much bigger prop on and make your boat perform like a REAL airboat.
I have a 454 with a gear reduction and 3B powershift. The setup is still heavy but I am very happy with the performance and I can bring 5 friends along.
 
I used to own a 13'6 night hawk with a direct drive 454 be very carefull in the deep water.

I later switched to a 4oo direct drive to keep it from sitting so low in the water.

Tim Bryson.
 
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