PROP SEARCH

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Colton.h

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First time airboater. I just bought a homeaid airboat without a prop. It's a 16x6ft aluminum flat-bottom with a stock 4.3L Chevy V6. I am in search of a decently priced propeller that will work for this setup. Any help is much appreciated. I emailed Warp Drive, and they said their props will not work, but not sure why. I'm sure Whirlwind would work; they are just quite expensive for me. I saw Sensenich has a 2 Blade 68" wood propeller, but I feel like that might not have enough thrust. There is not too many airboats in Oklahoma, so its hard for me to find used props.
 
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Colton.h said:
I just bought a homeaid airboat without a prop. It's a 16x6ft aluminum flat-bottom with a stock 4.3L Chevy V6. I am in search of a decently priced propeller that will work for this setup. Any help is much appreciated. I emailed Warp Drive, and they said their props will not work, but not sure why. I'm sure Whirlwind would work; they are just quite expensive for me. I saw Sensenich has a 2 Blade 68" wood propeller, but I feel like that might not have enough thrust.
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Where are you at? Where/What are you running?
 
It’s a working process. Currently, it can only fit a 58” but today I’m doing modifications so I can fit larger.
 
Absolutely a warp drive would work on that, you talked to the wrong person. Ask for Dale email them here [email protected]. With a cage that small a warp is going to be your only option. I would stay away from wood props
 
No, it did not. I assume that’s something I buy from another website other than the propellor or does warp drive sell those as well?
 
Colton.h said:
It’s a working process. Currently, it can only fit a 58” but today I’m doing modifications so I can fit larger.
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Colton,

I'm just gonna say what no one else will, that thing is a death trap as is, wear a life jacket on that thing and get rid of the swivel seat before it feeds you face first overboard or worse! #1 requirement is a stable seat with ways to hold on or stabilize yourself vs getting thrown out, particularly if you follow the rest of the instructions.

Your enemy on that boat is TORQUE ROLL. Increasing prop diameter capacity is the wrong move for that boat, you will have the nose under soon enough. At 58" prop diameter you can turn that 4.3 to at least 3,500 RPM if not more. You want to sound like a hoard of angry hornets coming down the river. You want a prop that spools up quick and makes thrust at the high end.

But, 58" is a bastard range for props. The Warp drive is a good choice, but it may need significant trimming.

That boat will run ground.... if velocity is involved!

Info/pics on the Carb and intake would help, as would any head casting number?
 
Ok, I understand. I appreciate the advice. I will look into the carb/intake and casting number tomorrow. My two buddies and I (all 17- 19 years old) are very new to airboats, and appreciate the advice and safety tips. We know it is not going to be the ideal setup, but we want something that is safe and will help us get where we want to go. I'm not sure there was originally a prop on the boat; it had been sitting for a few years, didn't run, wires broke, no fuel lines, ext.
 
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Colton.h said:
My two buddies
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Per above, them two guys add to the torque roll nose in. Inflatable life jackets all around is recommendation #1.

Also note the big ole whale tail on the stern. That is there because you have a big ole iron engine without a wide enough hull to support. When you let off the gas the wake would wash over the stern without that plate. A pair of flotation pods on the stern might help, but they will kill the already hard steering.
 
Slidin is definitely not trying to poo on the parade, glad to see youngsters involved into the madness, as I stated before "interesting rig",,,,,,,, now, as he stated, be very cautious of the weight and balance, there is a reason that it sat as it was likely unstable, a Volkswagen would be about proper for that Jon boat, might consider another hull for the 4.3
 
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