I don’t have the motor numbers you have but on my 16x7.5 GTO I put the 2.3 on it and it was night and day difference to the 2 to 1. If I knew what I know now back then I’d go with the 2.5 to 1

I’ve shot at deer from the post office parking in Townsend back in the day. One of my hunting buddies lived right there also. That was good times! We used to hunt from the interstate to the bombing range.

Reduction?

Man y’all’s talk brings back memories. Never ran an airboat there but hunted around Eulonia and Townsend for years in the 80’s, 90’s and early 2000’s.

If it had that much water in the motor for a long time I’d guess it’s shot. You didn’t say if you could turn it over by hand. Might want to scope the cylinders.

I’m probably the one that talked about the brass nylocks. I put them on my last poly change 3 years ago. No problem with corrosion to date. Almost exclusively salt water. Poly has taken a beating though. Like OEG I’ll be changing mine soon. I will restate than running where we fish, the recycled pol...

Laid to them yesterday. Same as before, caught fish at every stop. We did catch bigger slot fish and a few over slot. Trout bite as good also. Tried a few places I haven’t been to in awhile. Man the mangroves are growing like they’re being fertilized. Great time with the boys. It was cool all day bu...

I believe they grow. Some areas I used to fish are so bad now that I won’t go there. Used to be mud and sand with a few rocks. When it’s to bad for me you can bet it’s bad. There are plenty of other places and I’m finding new ones every time I go. That’s after thirty plus years of fishing in the sam...

I’m with ya. I’m off for two weeks starting a Friday. I plan to be on the coast quite a bit during that time.

They’re getting right! We went this morning just riding and checking spots. Trying to get a bead on what was happening. Caught fish at every stop but one. Left them biting most of the time. Only stayed about 15 minutes per stop. Caught around 40 reds, one gator trout and a lady fish. Not one catfish...

I think the 2.3 is where you’ll find a lot of gains. Hopefully you’ll be able to get it changed. I went from a 2 to 1 with two K blades. With the 2.3 to 1 now running three r’s. Night and day. Can’t say anything about the jw never ran them.

Knowing what I know now I’d go to the 2.5 belt drive. Back when I switched the 2.5 required changes to the motor stand. I believe that the newer 2.5 will bolt straight up to a ch-3 stand. Good luck!

Switch to a 2.3 on the belt drive. You’ll be able to pitch the prop more. When I switched it was night and day.

Better be sure it’s UHMW virgin polymer. Recycled is crap and if it comes in a roll it won’t last long on the coast. Just my $.02

[ Southern Blade and Bolt in Ocala Fl. Owner is a airboater.

Take it from me, Huntingwithahoyt knows what he’s talking about.

You have to hunt from a regular boat in Orange unless you’re hunting in daylight hours. Airboats banned at night.

I would try a three blade. Sounds like to much prop for the motor to me. A higher ratio would also help. The other thing to check is the bottom of the boat. Make sure there are no hooks. That can make all the difference.

Cheaper to powder coat it!

True words!

I have not considered aluminum. I worry about snatching them out when the polymer get worn. I have gone to brass nylocs so I don’t have any problems removing nuts when changing the polymer. Nothing makes your day than 4 or 5 stainless nylocs that won’t come off.

What motor?

Hasn’t been a problem for me yet. Current boat is a 2005 that I’ve changed the poly on 3 times so far. I’ve not seen any damaged to the metal under the poly. I do get some corrosion from where the stainless fasteners attach the poly through the hull but I believe that’s from the dissimilar metals no...

Run saltwater 99% of the time. Aluminum, stainless, and poly. Wash it down when you’re down and it’s good to go.

Brad Penn 20 50 is my choice of oil. High zinc content.

How about a video of it running? I’d like to see that!