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Newbie looking for some advice

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Backwater Waterfowl

Active member
I'm new to the board so I would just like to say hello to everyone. I've recently been looking into buying a used airboat but I am completely lost because I know nothing about them. I found an early 80's model 16' by 8' Air Gator that looks to be in great shape. The hull has no dents or hooks and has never been repaired. The cage and seating in in good shape with no major rust. It's got a chevy 350 ZZ4 with less then 100 hours on it putting out 345hp with a 2:1 reduction unit. Its got a wood two blade prop and the polymer on the bottom looks to be in decent shape. The man that is selling it wants $8500. I had no idea who to ask about airboats before I found this site but I hope someone can help point me in the right direction and give me some advice. Is there anything I should be looking for or is there anything I sould know about this brand of boat. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. I am itchin to be an airboat owner.

Thanks
 
Sounds like a fair deal...get with the owner and take a ride on it. See if it will do what you expect, as everyones expectations are different. What you see as treasure I might see as trash! And vice versa.
Don't buy without a try out run.

Grant
 
Where are you at? Mid west?

Have the guy take you for a ride, at least 2 hrs.

Those are normally nice boats, Not bad A$$, but good wet boats. may not run dry that well.

The metal work can rust from the inside.

If it loks clean and is in good shape, looks like you are getten a good deal.

If you take a pair of pliers and squeeze the metal work at the base and a few other places and it does not collapse or crumble you should be just fine. If it has soft spots you goin to need to re rig it.

Air gator (alumintec) are some good strong heavy boats.
You may get a good idea by looking in the airboat trader(airboat trader.com)

What yr is the hull, how old is the riggin? What is the rigin made of ?
Conduit, DOM, stainless, Al

Does the engine smoke? Do a compression check.

Sounds like a good boat.

Good luck
 
ran a gator cad belt dr for years tough hull but kinda tippy rolled it twice . check how wide the running bottom is at the tramsom ill bet it 4ft. wider at the dead rise in the front. lots torqe roll ,
 
aggieduckslayer

My advice is not contradictory to anyone else, however, I recommend being new to airboating you spend your time instead of your money first. Get to know a bunch of folks and try to get some rides in several different kinds of boats. Aircraft/Automotive, Fiberglass/Metal, multiblades/two blades, & etc.

Boats are as different as night and day, even between the same manufacturer. Anything you can learn before you buy will save you money. Educate yoourself first, its way cheeper than getting an education on the marsh.

Ask a LOT of questions, ask for rides, look, feel, ask more questions.

I have seen a lot of folks get their first boat and in less than a year they wanna sell out and get something different. That gets expensive. Give yourself a break.

Scotty
 
The boat you are describing is far better than most folks start out with. Air Gators have taken thousands of folks airboating for many years. If this boat has been used in salt waters or salty marshes, look at the weld joints carefully for telltale rust tracks - it's a sure indication of inner deterioration.

Nothing beats seat time and speed is an enemy in airboating. Reserve power is usually the only way to get out of a jam. Learn to operate this - or any other airboat - slowly.

On auto powered boats, overheating is a killer. A compression check and radiator flow test will give you an idea if the engine has proper cooling capacity or was ever badly overheated.

Look at my signature - have fun and Welcome to SA!!!
 
I agree with Whitebear.....treat it as if you were buying yourself a truck. Not too many of us just rush out and buy a truck. I looked at my boat as just that, and I am completely happy with what I bought.(well...almost...LOL, there's always something else to do to it).

Great advice as always Whitebear!
 
Do your home work. You can not ride the fence rail forever. Sometimes you got to let them go. Some time you get a better deal if you wait her out. If it don't feel good walk away. Airboat fever is worse than mototcycle fever. It will eat you up. A boat/ air boat is a hole in the water that you will never stop throwing money into. It cost ya to play. These toys ain't cheap.

I don't known anyone that is 100% satisfied with their boat. Boat owners always add a little someting here or there. It's just the way it is. To me the best boat out there is the one my a$$ is sitting in.

Airboat fever is some serious stuff, keep you up at night. Hell, it can get your old lady upset. It's like an adicting drug!!!!!!!

Good luck
 
Plumcrazy, I bet you get into big trouble with the old lady. That is one fine looking boat. Yes sir. It hurts me to look at your boat. Airboat, Airboat, Airboat, that some gooooooood LIVEN. I got it BAD.
 
some excellent advice so I will just say HI and Welcome to Southern Airboat. The best Airboating web ever! Go to the search box top Right and check on other topics like Airboat safety -- running an airboat --- you will find a lot more helpful information on your new found love>>>
 
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