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what to expect from new boat

H

huntingjman73

Well-known member
just bought a new 16x8 with a 454, mild cam, belt drive, and new whirlwing stump puller. THis is my first boat, so I was very impressed. Nervous about trying to run dry? Should I be, or just too conservative.

I was a little disappointed in power on maiden voyage, had to launch at a ramp that is about 1 inch of water, until I realized I was only at 3/4 throttle. That baby will scoot, got into some places I have wanted to duck hunt for 20 years, but couldn't walk to.

Great forum,
 
I have a lot of hours in the 454 marine engined belt redrive heavy seismic boats. Running dry is running at high power settings and ya just need to remember to pay closer attention to oil ressure and engine temperature as well as your max RPM. Developing a scan to see everything takes time but ya sure dont wanna forget the engine insturments while looking where your going, and whats coming up etc. Always remember when you are out of RPM you are out of control. Use wide open trottle sparingly.

One o f the best things a new airboater can do is take it easy and learn the local terrain, what is where etc. Its easy to "think" its all clear out there and power up and whack a fence post, rock or something else.

Running dry uses as much technique in places as it does H.P.. Take your time, learn it a bit at a time then redo it over and over expanding on your abilities a bit at a time. Always keep in mind that these things we love so much can bite ya and bite ya hard with tragic consequences when things go bad.

Find some people and get to know them that have been running boats for a while and ride with them, you can learn a lot by watching them if they are in front then trying it like they do.

Level head and serious attitude and youll have a great experience. It ain't rocket science but it does take attention to detail.

Hope ya love it as much as I do.

Scotty :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
truer words were never spoken- running dry comes down to technique before hp. we were out running one day and i watched a guy in a 150 blow past the big boys with their 0540's and 502 belt drives like it was nothing.
 
thanks for the advice, guess another avenue I meant was, that should have plenty of power, correct? Sure seems it would to me.

thanks
 
Assuming all things are right, your boat should have an abundance of power. Way more than needed to do most sane things and go most places.

There is no boat that cant be stuck but that one should do well, better than most.

Ok now your out of excuses, go try it out LOL

Scotty :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
 
I plan on going again ASAP. I live in San Antonio, so not convenient to play until weekend. This was bought to duck hunt and fish with. I hunt with military retirees, 70+ in age, and they cannot walk in the muck anymore. This will allow me to drop them off, park boat and hunt.

Maiden voyage was a hoot, just a little apprehensive on first outing. I will be asking more uestions soon, rookie here, plus I am a Ford guy unfortunately..........lol
 
Well, I hope the boat works great for you. I hope you get alot of stick time and use this boat as a learning curve for that new one in a couple/few years. If there is anything you need please dont hesitate to give me a call on my cell!
 
Faron-

Boat is great, only issue is ignition switch will not shut off the engine sometimes, but it does shut off the fuel pump, so motor quits within 10-15 seconds. I will fix that this weekend.

I will probably be calling you in a couple of years,
 
hunt 73 their is not a boat that can not get stuck. The next time out stop in 2" of water and get out and try to move your boat.. If you try this in different areas you run it will help you when you have that urge to go ware maybe you should not go. As for the duck hunting see if you can pick up a military 3D camo net at the surplus store then do a some cutting and tieing to form a cover for your airboat now above the seats cut openings so you can set in the seats and hunt... Note if you cove your boat in the dark and then walk to set your decoys mark it on your gps before setting the decoys a friend of mine had to Waite for daylight to find his camoed airboat after setting his decoys...Also my oldest son is a emergency room trama nurse their in San Antonio and loves hunting and fishing but being from michigan he has no hunting area as of yet.. If you want his phone # give me a pm.
 
Hunt73, where do you duck hunt at around San Antonio? I hunt the Texas gulf coast from west Galveston bay, south to Aransas Pass.
 
I actually hunt around rockport/bayside area. father in law found a marsh through an audubon bird watcher 35 yrs ago, and we have been hunting ducks there ever since. It requires boating down a river, tying up and walking inland about a mile. My FIL and his buddies are 70+ now, so we needed a mode of transportation to take out the walking.

Trying to find out if I can take an airboat on Choke Canyon, I know some good spots there, but they are covered in vegetation and outboard will no go there.
 
huntingjman73":2bcm3p9x said:
I hunt with military retirees, 70+ in age, and they cannot walk in the muck anymore. This will allow me to drop them off...
Click to expand...

I'm not the most experienced airboat driver, but what I have learned thus far is this... Airboats and "muck" do not mix.

Running true "hard ground" is WAY different than trying to plow through "muck", which actually "sucks" at the bottom of the boat. Kind of like how the muck pulls your boots off while your trying to walk....
 
My son and I hunt the Rockport area. So far the Duck hunting for us has been very good. I have 8-9 blinds we built inside and outside the Traylor Island area plus one or two over on Mud Island. So far this year have not used a blind. Be glad to share with fellow airboater. Not too often running dry but American airboat has never left us a foot, close a few times. We run a Chevy 350/330 hp with as many a five hunters and a few dogs. Great boat! Call my son Jeremy at Rockport (361) 729-2178
 
The next time out stop in 2" of water and get out and try to move your boat.. If you try this in different areas you run it will help you when you have that urge to go ware maybe you should not go.

This quote is very true I just moved to central florida from years living in south florida, the terrain and bottoms are very different here, slowly see what your boat will do to aviod bigger problems
 
Hunt73, how can I get in touch with you. I have been checking into Choke Canyon myself, spoke with Texas Parks & Wildlife down there a couple of weeks ago. A bunch of us opened up the second have of duck season the week before last in Aransas Pass, it was great. Hunted west Galveston Bay this weekend with not as much success and the fog was bad.
 
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