Want to own a piece of Gladesmen Heritage? Buy a raffle ticket from an (FSCA) member and you’ll enter the drawing for a Palm Beach Cracker mini airboat built by South Florida Gladesmen from the ground up. This type of boat ran back in early ‘60’s and certainly is not your “cookie-cutter” type boat. While it has higher sides, giving the driver a bit more room for driving errors, it will sport a larger engine than the 45 hp motor. Back then, a 65 hp was considered a “big block” engine. FSCA has updated the ‘’60’s era boat by using parts more commonly found in today’s boats. However, the traditional, hard-core Palm Beach style look is still there and the winner will slide into the driver’s seat and everyone will know this one-of-a-kind boat was built just for him/her.
This Palm Beach style airboat is a little smaller than the one FSCA raffled in 1997; it’s 6’6” by 11’ with a deep-sided open hull and a Continental 4A084 that sports a belt drive reduction unit. Your Gladesmen mini is a rear-seat driver with a front passenger seat and the all-important outlaw single airfoil rudder.
The EMT conduit tubing is braised, not welded; the willow guards and seat structure have the old school looks right down to the seats themselves which are held in place with peanut screws. It has a single airfoil rudder which we all call the “outlaw” look. The Palm Beach style continues on through the wooden prop created just for this boat by Sensenich. Everything about this boat, from the fuel tank, motor stand, grass rake down to the custom built trailer follows the Palm Beach style/mini airboat look. That trailer fits that boat like a glove and shows off the boat for everyone to admire. FSCA members took time out of their busy schedules because we’re trying to do our part in raising money to fight for and defend our heritage. We are looking forward to selling tickets and want all SoutherAirboat readers to know that 25% of the proceeds will go to FAA and 75% of the proceeds will be used on FSCA projects. FSCA is proud to continue its support of FAA because we know FAA is protecting your airboating heritage. FSCA members have representation at nearly every government agency meeting in the state of Florida and we are proud of the extra service our volunteers lend to the FAA as we work together toward our mutual goals.
FSCA sponsors several yearly events including the JW Corbett WMA cleanup; Youth Camp clean up; Youth Day; Youth Hunting Program which is sponsored in cooperation with the Future of Hunting in Florida; the Alligator Harvest kickoff party; South Florida Fair Conservation exhibit and always lending a hand to other FAA clubs as they put on their unique events.
