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Selecting the right airboat?

B

bigt

Member
I would like to buy an airboat and I have no idea on what to look for. Is there any websites or can anyone that can guide me in the right direction? I will be using it primarily for gator hunting and occasionally taking out my family of five in it. I don't know on what size, etc. Thanks for any help or suggestions.
 
bigt,

Welcome to the worlds best airboat information source on the internet!

Sit back, run a search engine using the search feature ion the forum. Take plenty of time to read as there's lots of resources here.

I'm partial to Diamondbacks airboats as that's what I have :D

Basketcase
 
Where do you live?? I'd suggest that you try to show up to the reunion on the 7th of October on Lake Hatchineha. There will be LOTS of boats and probably no two will be the same. Try and find someone who has an empty seat and you will see more boats than you possibly ever could looking at a web site.

Adam
 
Welcome. You can find all the info you need here to make an educated decision on boats to consider. The "family of five part" narrows the choices a little to start with. Adam has the best suggestion---come to the reunion and see some first hand.
 
Welcome, good to have you.

Just one word of advice, go ahead and accept that once you commit and buy one, then you'll figure out which one you really should have bought!
 
WELCOME bIGT . If you have done the search then you should really be confused by now. To determine the type of Airboat that will be the best for you the following factors have to be considered. Ware you live. --type of water/dry ground you will travel on-- will you be in the ice and snow--- how many passengers do you want seating for----will you be using the Airboat for something other than just riding. In other words you don't want to by a go fast racing boat if you are going to use your airboat for overnight hunting trips or search and rescue work.
 
I live in Central Florida so I won't have to worry about any Ice or snow. I am looking for seating for 4 or 5 people and mostly be using it for riding and a few times a year gator hunting but I can't figure out what size etc. Also that get together on October 7th where is that Lake Hatchineha located? Thanks
 
BigT, I live in Orlando but I am the Sales Manger for American Airboats. The company is based out of Texas but I would be happy to help answer your questions as would any of the guys & Gals from this site. You can also check out my website that has about 200 pages of information. just click on the www link at the bottom of my post. If you still have questions after reading, let me know and I will try to help lead you in the right direction.

For a Ride boat to Haul 4 or 5 people I would reccommend 15x8 or larger.
Chevrolet Engine with a Belt Drive and a Composite Prop. If you staying in florida you only need 25" deep Sides. I would suggest Side by Side rear seating and a triple seat down low.
Prices range depending on all the specifications.

New Boats will range from Low $20's to $40+
There are awesome small block Engine that will do the job if there is a tight budget, big blocks chevys are my top choice if you can afford it.
If your into HIgh Performance you might want to look into a WaterThunder Engine. All depends on your budget.

If a new boat is out of range, there are plenty of used boats floating around Forida that would make you a good boat.
Let us know how we can help.

The people here will treat you like family!
 
bigt":bssd9cz9 said:
Also that get together on October 7th where is that Lake Hatchineha located? Thanks
Click to expand...

If you are in central Florida then you ain't far. It is the next lake north of Lake Kissimmee. It's south of I-4 but north of 60, it pretty much lies right on the Polk/Osceola county line.

Adam
 
You may want to decide how much time will you be spending in the water versus running ground. Alum, or Fiberglass. It will help you narrow your search quite a but. We will have several of our boats on Hatchineha and Kiss on Oct 7th, good luck hope to see you there. Click on the link to see photos of our boats.
 
If you want to haul 4 or 5 people around it will take a car motor boat with a gearbox or belt drive. Also the amount of your seat time should dictate your length and the height of the sides.
 
First off your in the right place these guys know airboats, listen to thier advice. Buying an airboat is alot like finding a wife theres a bunch of them out there you just better pick the right one or you will be dissapointed.... Calm Seas..
 
spend your time not your money right now......look around and ask lots of questions. everything from motors to weld or bolt in my seats?.....that kinda stuff. cause i guarantee you its the little things that make the big difference in your satisfaction with your boat.....
 
Rich I did get your pm. Thanks! Now my head is really spinning with all the options. The lake reunion October 7th will there be signs up to get to the right area? Or is it a main entrance? I have never been there before. What times will it be held? Thanks to everyone trying to educate this novice!
 
BigT...where do you live??? There are several options as far as launching points in order to get out to the cookout. As far as I understand there won't be any signs but I could be wrong. Here are some options....

Lake Cypress Fish camp on Lake Cypress

Port Hatchineha on lake Hatchineha if you have the permit which I since you don't have a boat i doubt you have a permit.

Camp Mack/Camp Lester on the river between Hatchineha and Kissimmee

Thomas Landing on the west side Kissimmee

The public ramp at HWY60

Overstreet landing on the NorthEast side of Kissimmee

And lots of other private places too.

So, before we can give you good directions it would help to know where you plan on starting from.

Hope to see you there.

Adam
 
loco pato":3o4hlzo5 said:
First off your in the right place these guys know airboats, listen to thier advice. Buying an airboat is alot like finding a wife theres a bunch of them out there you just better pick the right one or you will be dissapointed.... Calm Seas..
Click to expand...
True words of wisdom great analogy!
 
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