A
Anonymous
Guest
Well I guess I'm a little late to be asking for advice since I recently pulled the trigger on my new rig from Red River Airboats. I currently run a 16x52 all weld jon boat with a yamaha 50hp powerhead which equates to about a 25hp at the jet. The jet will run pretty skinny but it takes almost as much water to get up as a regular outboard and I'm tired of sucking crud up my impellar that clogs water circulation and creates overheatin issues. About a month ago a friend turned me on to these mini airboats and since then I've been doing quite a bit of research on them.
My primary use will be duck hunting (35 times a year) and maybe some floundering etc. For many years Red River has basically converted jon boats to airboats by adding the cage, engine and polymer etc. but now he has designed a mini airboat hull (100 gauge), puts 1/4" polymer on the bottom and rigs them with 45 to 85hp rotax or kawasaki engines w/ 3 bladed prop. The entire rig cage and all is aluminum. The boat is definately cheaper, quieter and lighter than the big rigs I was looking at previously.
My rig is a 14x60 (with 3" higher sides), 85hp liquid cooled kawasaki, 3 blade adjustable pitch prop, 1/4" polymer, aluminum cage and stand, grass rake, bench front seat w/storage, bow storage, nav lights, bilge pump, 2 100 watt spotlights on cage, gauges etc., a galvanized trailer. Basically it's ready to run for just a little more than what I paid for the jet rig. As I recall the hull will weigh only a few hunded pounds and I think the motor weighs like 80lbs. He's also gonna powder coat the entire hull, cage and infrastructure.
I am use to the weight issues from running the jet which is basically a 3 man & gear boat. The jet will run about 25 with this load and I hope to get at least the same from this rig with shallow water capabilities. I'm not really concerned about running absolutely dry but I expect to run very shallow tidal flats and some mud. I would be nice to be able to start and stop in these situations. Mostly I run 2 guys and gear but I must have the ability to add the third guy if necessary and I do not anticipate ever having 4 guys.
Can some of you experts let me know what you think the boat will do with the load I'll have and any input on the engine. Do you think I will be happy with the rig.
Thanks.
My primary use will be duck hunting (35 times a year) and maybe some floundering etc. For many years Red River has basically converted jon boats to airboats by adding the cage, engine and polymer etc. but now he has designed a mini airboat hull (100 gauge), puts 1/4" polymer on the bottom and rigs them with 45 to 85hp rotax or kawasaki engines w/ 3 bladed prop. The entire rig cage and all is aluminum. The boat is definately cheaper, quieter and lighter than the big rigs I was looking at previously.
My rig is a 14x60 (with 3" higher sides), 85hp liquid cooled kawasaki, 3 blade adjustable pitch prop, 1/4" polymer, aluminum cage and stand, grass rake, bench front seat w/storage, bow storage, nav lights, bilge pump, 2 100 watt spotlights on cage, gauges etc., a galvanized trailer. Basically it's ready to run for just a little more than what I paid for the jet rig. As I recall the hull will weigh only a few hunded pounds and I think the motor weighs like 80lbs. He's also gonna powder coat the entire hull, cage and infrastructure.
I am use to the weight issues from running the jet which is basically a 3 man & gear boat. The jet will run about 25 with this load and I hope to get at least the same from this rig with shallow water capabilities. I'm not really concerned about running absolutely dry but I expect to run very shallow tidal flats and some mud. I would be nice to be able to start and stop in these situations. Mostly I run 2 guys and gear but I must have the ability to add the third guy if necessary and I do not anticipate ever having 4 guys.
Can some of you experts let me know what you think the boat will do with the load I'll have and any input on the engine. Do you think I will be happy with the rig.
Thanks.