A
Anonymous
Guest
I run dry ok, but thought a sprayer might prolong the life of my poly, Can anyone tell me if there worth the trouble and what would be an easy add on?
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A
Anonymous
Guest
Honestly, if you have poly you really have no need to install a "soaper" unless you are routinely running on pavement or over a lot of rock. And then, a soaper will be of little to no benefit.
You made no mention of the thickness of your polymer. Of course 1/4 inch is going to wear out faster than 3/8 or 1/2 inch. Running dry on vegetation is not going to affect your polymer to any appreciable degree. If you stay of off the pavement and rock your polymer, even 1/4 inch will last you a good long time, 5-6 years of good running.
If you are running ice, the ice will eat up polymer relatively quick if you are riding over a lot of jagged ice. In that event, a soaper is of no benefit anyway, unless you are flowing anti-freeze through it. That is something to take into consideration for those of you who do run ice. The anti-freeze is great for keeping the hull from freezing to the ice when you have been stopped for any length of time.
If you should elect to install a soaper, it can be as small and simple as an automobile windshield washing tank and pump or you can go larger with a 5 -20 gallon, 12-volt, insecticide/herbicde garden sprayer with 1/4 or larger tubing and a series of spray nozzles across the bow.
WaterLizard 8)
You made no mention of the thickness of your polymer. Of course 1/4 inch is going to wear out faster than 3/8 or 1/2 inch. Running dry on vegetation is not going to affect your polymer to any appreciable degree. If you stay of off the pavement and rock your polymer, even 1/4 inch will last you a good long time, 5-6 years of good running.
If you are running ice, the ice will eat up polymer relatively quick if you are riding over a lot of jagged ice. In that event, a soaper is of no benefit anyway, unless you are flowing anti-freeze through it. That is something to take into consideration for those of you who do run ice. The anti-freeze is great for keeping the hull from freezing to the ice when you have been stopped for any length of time.
If you should elect to install a soaper, it can be as small and simple as an automobile windshield washing tank and pump or you can go larger with a 5 -20 gallon, 12-volt, insecticide/herbicde garden sprayer with 1/4 or larger tubing and a series of spray nozzles across the bow.
WaterLizard 8)
woody":1jeajc1o said:
marshmaster pat
Well-known member
Woody - I am not sure where you are at. Or what you are running. With typical airboaters I would have to agree with waterlizard, you typically will not need anything.
On the Louisiana and Texas Coast there is lots of marsh that is covered with what most people call wiregrass, marshhay, or cordgrass. This typically has very little water in it and the friction from running distances on grass can warm the polymer up. The doodlebugger or seismic crews found that a sprayer with some liquid will give a little slicking action to your boat and you can run longer distances alittle easier. But we are talking running a mile or more on dry grass at times. Running cutgrass or sawgrass like in the Glades when there is no water can get tough at times as well, and a sprayer helps IMO.
But understand this not to protect the polymer but to lubricate the bottom and help you slide.
In these situations, they used sprayers with water, soap water, and once upon a time diesel. However the diesel is a big NO NO and you will get skinned alive by resource agencies. You might want to talk to the State game agencies before you do that. I have been told that Florida has outlawed sprayers, but I cannot say that is anything other than just rumor. So check that out.
Before I would use anti-freeze, make sure it is not ethylene glycol, the standard green type, as it is toxic to lots of critters. There is a environmentally approved anti-freeze on the market that you should think of using or just ethyl alcohol. I think the use of Ethylene Glycol, standard type antifreeze would get you in lots of trouble with resource agencies if you were caught using it, plus how knows what it could do to critters. And last but least, there are lots of people that could get mad with you using it and get airboaters lots of bad press.
On the Louisiana and Texas Coast there is lots of marsh that is covered with what most people call wiregrass, marshhay, or cordgrass. This typically has very little water in it and the friction from running distances on grass can warm the polymer up. The doodlebugger or seismic crews found that a sprayer with some liquid will give a little slicking action to your boat and you can run longer distances alittle easier. But we are talking running a mile or more on dry grass at times. Running cutgrass or sawgrass like in the Glades when there is no water can get tough at times as well, and a sprayer helps IMO.
But understand this not to protect the polymer but to lubricate the bottom and help you slide.
In these situations, they used sprayers with water, soap water, and once upon a time diesel. However the diesel is a big NO NO and you will get skinned alive by resource agencies. You might want to talk to the State game agencies before you do that. I have been told that Florida has outlawed sprayers, but I cannot say that is anything other than just rumor. So check that out.
Before I would use anti-freeze, make sure it is not ethylene glycol, the standard green type, as it is toxic to lots of critters. There is a environmentally approved anti-freeze on the market that you should think of using or just ethyl alcohol. I think the use of Ethylene Glycol, standard type antifreeze would get you in lots of trouble with resource agencies if you were caught using it, plus how knows what it could do to critters. And last but least, there are lots of people that could get mad with you using it and get airboaters lots of bad press.
A
Anonymous
Guest
Thanks again for the info, I am running 3/8 poly, or it was at one time, here in Destin I sometimes run thru the sand dunes, and have even run a mile on a sandy road with 2 passengers, (1 thick and one thin).
I might be asking to much for any kind of bottom or poly.
I might be asking to much for any kind of bottom or poly.
I don't think a sprayer is gonna help on sand dunes or a mile of sandy road. Your polymer gave its life so your hull could live a little longer. I would suggest replacing the polymer and go again. Now I gotta ask is runnin the sand dunes and sand roads really worth it when you consider the cost of the replacment polymer. Your call
marshmaster pat
Well-known member
Yea, running roads and sand is tough on polymer. At the cost of about $300.00 for a 5 by 10 sheet, that running across roads and sand if going to get expensive really fast even if you change it yourself. But it saves that aluminum hull.
A
Anonymous
Guest
I know you guys are right, but it sure was fun
Hey fun is good and as long as it is worth it to you keep on havin it. Life is short so enjoy it. I work my boat a few days a month the rest of the time I am practicing with it. I have been so stuck it aint even funny, I have rolled it and sunk it blew it up and chopped it up so what the heck just aint had no reason for sand roads yet LOL but never say never Take care 8)
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Anonymous
Guest
Was think about putting one on,I some times get stuck on grass about 2 feet tall. We have crack mud that will stop you,t if they are not good to get you going than I may as will not do one. I wish may 502 put out the HP at 4500 feet that they do at sea level. maybe a 572 is the way to go.