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why GM

E

elk

Member
Just currious if any one know why the majority of the airboat automotive engines are GM?
 
A few years ago I started going to Bowfishing tournaments. At these tourns. there are always a few airboats and the majority of the guys are running GM motors, 350-502hp. I asked the same thing and the ones that have had airboats for years say that the Ford engines will not hold up. We have a bowfishing club here in GA. and one of our members is running a Ford big block, can't remember what size, but he has rebuilt/worked on that motor more times than he has fished with it. Most of the guys are running 454's & 502's on a 18x8 boat, I just ordered one this week from Diamondback, a 454, will let you know as soon as I get it on the water!
 
My brother-in-law had one of the first airboats w/GM motor & gear box, in this area, back in the 80's. He blew several GM motor's real quick. They were building their own motors and as soon as they switched to stainless valves, the problem was solved. I wonder if there's a similar problem w/ the Ford's, because come to think about it, I can't remember the last Ford w/gear box that I've seen.
 
I think the reson for GM is ford doesnt buile a marine engine, If you check, GM marine engines are mutch bigger than auto motive and have more tourge and are set up totaly deferent from auto ,they come with stainless valves and forged pistons, Ive been running a GM 454 marine for 3 years , never had the first problem yet,I had GM to set mine up on all roller tappet its realy smooth,,
 
JC,
Good Luck on your DiamondBack!
I am sure that you will live to regret it.
They build a nice looking boat and they have a nice looking plant. But regrettably, DiamondBack boats do NOT hold up.
I think that you could have done better elsewhere.
Keep us posted. It will be interesting to hear of your experience.
 
Hey thanks for the upbeat report on my new boat!! Will be sure and let you know. Can think of at least 15 Diamondbacks still in operation, some for over 10 years with no complaints, those are not the weekend types either, I'm talking rode hard and put up wet for 12 hrs. at the time, but we will see, who knows, just like buying a new car/truck, everyone has their opinions.

Thanks again.
 
8) OMG! Georgia! That is a long way for warranty repairs. My friend, no one knows people who work airboats harder on a daily basis than I do.
And, no one likes being told that they made a, shall I I say a $20K mistake. But, you may be a lucky one, maybe. Please, let us all know in another six months how your DiamondBack airboat is doing.
Of course this is only one man's opinion and you know what they say about opinions.
Again, best of luck!
 
JC":34c9clt9 said:
Can think of at least 15 Diamondbacks still in operation, some for over 10 years with no complaints,
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JC,
I do not think that DiamondBack has been in business for over 10 years. Besides, things have changed a lot with Bobby and Fran since their beginning.
 
Im sorry but I have to agree with him. I know severl pepol running Dimond Backs, and there just not what they should be, I have driven just about every kind of boat, I finaly got smart and bought a ALUMATECH boy its like a cady!!!!! But I wish you all the luck with your boat, :oops:
 
Its a long way from Georgia to get service work from any airboat company!!! That's a fact either way you look.
Fill me in on these problems I can expect to have and what I should have done instead. I will be sure and keep you informed on the boat.

Oh yeah, they have been in business since 1989, thats more like 15 years. :roll:
 
JC":2d0377vu said:
Fill me in on these problems I can expect to have and what I should have done instead. I will be sure and keep you informed on the boat.
Oh yeah, they have been in business since 1989, thats more like 15 years. :roll:
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8) Okay, I do not mind admitting when I am wrong. You are absolutely right, DiamondBack has been in business since 1989 and they incorporated in March of 1999, which is no big deal.

As far as what to expect, hmmmmmmm .... just about anything. I have seen some things and I have heard of others. One thing that you can do prior to taking delivery is to THOROUGHLY go over the engine. Look for shortcuts and jerry-rigging. Did you spec out the gauge of the wiring to be used throughout the electrical system? Again, prior to taking delivery, check the welds in the hull, cage and rigging. One of the greatest problems, other than the engine work, is in the welding of the stringers in the hull. Cracked welds in the stringers seems to be the biggest problem with DiamondBack boats. Are you having a hull-jack installed? Are you having polymer attached to the bottom? If so, be certain that ALL of the bolt holes are silcone sealed. Just a little something that some boat builders fail to do.
Enough said.
We are all on the same side here. That is why there are message boards.
8)
 
Hey man that is exactly what I'm looking for, a little help, and I appreicate it greatly, will call them and point out what you just said, hell, I'll ask them point blank.

Hey it's like anything else, Live and Learn.

Sorry if it came off like I was upset, but you kinda gave me a warm not so fuzzy feeling in the lower belly region! :lol:
 
JC, if possible ask for rivets instead of screws for the plastic on the bottom. I have had 3 boats with rivets and only very minor leaks that were quikly repaired. And I promise no place on earth can mistreat a boat like the places we go through in south La.


Just a thought, Kevin
 
I AM IN MONTANA AND HAVE BEEN TOYING WITH THE IDEA OF AN AIRBOAT FOR SOME TIME AND AM DOING A LITTLE READING OF YOU GUYS IN THE THE FORUM WHAT DONMYOU KNOW ABOUT THE RANGER BOATS BUILT IN TEXAS ANYONE NTHANKS FOR ANY INFO
 
ftoupin
Contact me at: H2oAirRsQ@aol.com and I will be happy to share some thoughts with you. 8)

ftoupin":3bd77lso said:
I AM IN MONTANA AND HAVE BEEN TOYING WITH THE IDEA OF AN AIRBOAT FOR SOME TIME AND AM DOING A LITTLE READING OF YOU GUYS IN THE THE FORUM WHAT DONMYOU KNOW ABOUT THE RANGER BOATS BUILT IN TEXAS ANYONE NTHANKS FOR ANY INFO
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ftoupin, welcome currios what part of montana are you in I am in north Idaho and we use the heck out of our airboats durring the hunting season. They are really awsome on the ice.
 
JC,

I have a contact for you regarding DiamondBack airboats. I found this guy on another message board who has a less than 2 year old boat for sale. He may be worth talking to. His name is Mike.

snider@gowebco.com

2002 12/7 diamondback /powershift /170 angle valve/rod lockers /with performance trailor $6700 firm 352-344-3784 - Mike
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By-the-way, the above post is mine. I do not know why it appeared as "Guest" anonymously.
 
ELK FRED HERE I AM FROM GREAT FALLS AND I DON'T KNOW ANYONE WITH AN AIRBOAT IN THIS COUNTRY IDAHO IS AS CLOSE TO THIS WEATHER SO A COUPLE QUESTIOSN IF YOU DON'T MIND WILL THEY RUN OK ON SNOW ICE I HAVE READ ABOUT AS YOU SAY AWSOME HOW ABOUT BARE GROUND HOW BIG A RIG DO YOU RUN WITH WHAT ENGINE ANYTHING YOU CAN TELL ME IS APPRECIATED

THANKS FRED
 
Fred, I live in Central Florida and I run a 13.5' cottonmouth with a custom built small block chevrolet. It has a 2.12 to 1 Rotator gear reduction unit and an 80" 4 blade carbon fiber Sensenich prop. It will run about 35 mph on green, completely dry grass. I hope that answers your question.
 
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