• If you log in, the ads disappear in the forum and gallery. If you need help logging in or getting registered, send request to: webmaster@southernairboat.com

Which hull is best?

Southern Airboat Gallery Archives

IMG_20130527_130506
mike51
11-29
IMG_8417
36891
16 x 8 GTO Model 1696
D

DairymanNM

Active member
I am going to put front and rear floor jacks in my boat this weekend and see if that fixes my problem or not. If it does not, I am going to have to buy another hull. Since I know nothing about hulls I would like to get some opinions on aluminum vs. fiberglass. Since I will not be able to run dry I do not believe that I am going to invest the time, money and weight on poly. I think I would like a 16X8 to hook up to my direct 455. Also.... Can my current rigging go into another hull with out a tremendous amount of modifications?
 
At American Airboats we build Aluminum Rhino Hulls for the boats that we sold to Soccoro NM. The terrain is extremely harsh. If your in an extreme terrain, check out the Rhino Edition. Many other manufactuers offer heavier duty hulls than their standard model; make sure you dont buy a run of the mill Florida style hull for that type of terrain.
 
(RUN OF THE MILL FLORIDA HULL OUCH) I by no means care for any particular manufacture but in Florida we like small nimble light boats. I have seen several out of state boat builders preach the indestructible hull crap. Well their hull can’t go any where near where I go and their hulls take a gazillion horsepower to push their barge let alone a million gallons of fuel to run on the river. I’m a car motor guy thru and thru but I also understand and respect the aircraft angle also. But as a car motor guy I get a chuckle out of these 17Ft’ and longer barges that run 502 to 572 Big Block Chevy’s. They are not airboats their party boats. I have no problem with that either just remember there are hulls made for every application and no hull is the best at everything.
 
No offense Airboatcapt2 but I bought this boat from you, Faron. I know you say you don't remember selling it to me but you did. I'm sure American Airboats makes a fine boat. But the way I feel after purchasing this used boat from you last October I'll be damed if I would buy a new hull from you. All I have got from you and Stan is I "dunnos". Frankly that won't cut it in my book. This is exactly why I talk to these guys on this site, they are not selling their wares like you are. I know that is you occupation but I choose to put my trust in these guys who are trying to be honest and just help eachother out. This hull has given me fits since the first time I put it in the water here in New Mexico. I believed you when you told me it was in fine shape and would do a good job for me. I didn't know any better then but now I do.
 
Waterthunder,
I am sure you are correct that one hull can't do it all. That is true in most everything. As you can tell from my last post above, I am not happy with my current hull. I don't need a super hull, I need one that works. Most likely I will keep working on this one trying to get it right and then if all else fails I will by another hull and put the current rigging in it. We'll see how it goes.
 
I’m fairly knowledgeable at most airboat applications I have owned a direct drive car motor, gear box car motor, 4 cylinder aircraft and 6 cylinder aircraft and a GPU ground power. If you want just state your main needs and desires (from your airboat hull) and what type of terrain you mostly run, because there are several knowledgeable people on this forum that will be glade to help steer you in the right direction.
 
Sorry Water Thunder, that came out the wrong way. I agree that everyone has their own Idea of perfect and different areas of the world need different styles of hulls. There is nothing wrong with what I called "the run of the mill" average Florida hull. It is perfect for it's location. However it would never stand the pounding of rocks or deep rough water that it would be put through in Texas, or in this guys case New Mexico. ( I think that is where it said he was located.) Then again there is no need for a Rhino Hull down here in the everglades. It would be a total overkill, but there is nowhere you can go with your small boat that I can't go. I have no doubt.

As for the gentleman with the hull problem, Send me an e-mail at home
airboatcapt2@aol.com Give me your number and I'll give you a call and try to help you. What brand of boat did you buy? I am also not a fan of the 455 Engine. It is a very heavy engine, we do not offer that engine on any of our boats. So you must have bought a used airboat?

I love airboats and I love to help anyone I can. I enjoy reading the posts and hearing what other airboaters are doing or needing.
Good Luck and Hope that I can assist in making you a satisfied customer.
Faron
 
(but there is nowhere you can go with your small boat that I can't go. I have no doubt.) Some of the trails I run are impossible for a large boat to run. I have got just about every boat made stuck trying to follow me. You mostly run BBC on large hulls. I make more power than any crate motor G.M. sells unless you go their 572 and I weigh hundreds of pounds less actually maybe even a thousand. It’s all simple physics from here. Now if were going camping or take a small village of people out the bigger boats are superior to my 13ft however burning up the Hill its once again simple physics. My boat weighs under a 1,000 pounds and makes 550 plus HP. The large boats weigh between 1,500 and 2,000 pounds so they must make 1100 plus HP to achieve the same Horse power to weight ratio. Also remember when things get bigger they are never as efficient. I will however admit I will never intentionally run my boat thru rocks.
 
Airboatcapt2,
I did indeed buy a used boat from American Airboats. It was a 1995 Pathmaker with a direct 455. I was new to airboats and tried to explain to you what I was needing. I was obviously told that this boat would perform at an acceptable level for my rookie needs. I don't feel like I was screwed but I do feel like I did not get what was adverstised. As for contacting you Faron, I already have done that at least 4 times and Stan once. I know you are a busy company and build top notch Air Rangers but us little guys who don't need a hi performance airboat need the same serivce as the big boys do. If you want to contact me you are more than welcome to do so but I don't know what can be done from your end. My email address is DairymanNM@hotmail.com. I very much share your enthusiasm for airboating but is very frustrating when things are out of sorts and a person feels "hung out". You need to remember that my resources here for information are limited. It's not like us NM airboaters get to together for the weekend and cruise the river or lakes. There is no us here. It's just me.
 
Water THunder, I think your the guy who's house I went to in Melbourne. You know your stuff on engines and it shows. I would love to take ride with you. I'll be getting a new demo boat soon
hopefully you can take me out and show me your stomping ground.
Your right airboats are just power to weight ratio but I have been in crazy places with my 16ft and 17ft Airboats that people have said I couldn't go. But I can carry a much heavier payload.
 
That's right I think you sold a buddy of mine a 220GPU. A boats ability to run dry is Kind a Like what Yogi Beara once said it's 50% motor %50 hull and %50 driver. After the lake Toho race this weekend. It should only take around a week for my LS-1 powered deckover boat to be finished. I can't wait I have been working on everybody’s else’s stuff for to long. Well next time you’re in the area let me know will go hit the marsh.
 
Sort of like running a Porsche and a Dodge dually 1 ton with a cummins in it or a monster truck. Sure, you can enjoy driving either, but they are no where near the same. Those tight bayous or swamp over here in Louisiana will whip your ass in a 17-18 footer with a big block. Yank the rudder and stomp the throttle, ease off, then yank the rudder and stomp, ease off, yank and stomp, yank and stomp. A 4 banger Lycoming has left you in the dust.
 
I love my 4 cylinder 0360. What is yall's opinon about going from a parallel valve (current setup) to an angle valve setup with higer compression pistons?? Is the xtra HP worth the $change$??
 
Here is how I break it down I’m just stating my personal opinion. If you want to go fast go car motor gear box. If you want to be able to bye (new) parts the day you need them go car motor GB. If you haul a lot of people or camping gear go car motor GB if you run dry and I mean really run dry for a very long time go car motor GB. If your light and ride alone most the time go with a 180 4 banger I loved them when I was a kid and rode alone allot places I shouldn’t have been. If you frog a lot you must have a 4 banger. If you ride with two medium size people and don’t run dry real hard get a 520 or 540. If you’re a new bee get a 220GPU after you learn then you leave the nest and buy a 0540 or car motor. As for hulls If you run dry a lot go aluminum if you only run the river or areas around lake Kissimmee go glass. The only real disappointed people I have seen that just bought an airboat are the ones who bought a 16ft or bigger barge they see us go pounding the ground and cruising the river without twisting the gut’s out of our motors and realize their boat can’t do it. Most of the times these people have spent a lot more money on a big boat that they can’t enjoy as much. This is only my opinion for air boating in Florida! Oh yea the only reason to ever go direct drive car motor is because of a limited budget. Hell it's still better than not having a boat right.
 
Well said Waterthunder. I should have done a little more research before I bought my current rig. I run fairly heavy. Two big guys, dog, guns, and 4 or 5 dozen decoys. My direct drive just is not capable of getting some things done. It still runs the shallow water fine but it's just missing someting when it comes to having "balls" and really pushing hard. You are right that it is better than no boat at all. It's just not me to have ok, I want it right. Maybe next time I will do a little better for myself.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top