Thoughts on 4 cylinder boats

[Tyman9601]

Looking to purchase an aircraft boat,had a 350 DD boat but want more power/be able to run dry better. I know the 540’s and what not can get expensive and I’m not looking to spend that kind of money. I’ve noticed the 4 cylinder boats aren’t as pricey but do they perform well? I see a lot o-320’s up for sale. Just want something that will run dry with 2 people and a cooler without struggling

[mojoe]

Not all 4cyl are created equal. They range in hp from about 90-200+. The hulls/riggings/weight vary and set up is a big deal.

Some run awesome! Some don’t.

If you are looking at a boat, bring somebody that knows what they are looking at and for heavens sake, don’t buy anything unless you run it first!

[Gary S]

Keep it light and don't bring the neighbor hood with you and they can be great.

[Tyman9601]

Absolutely,don’t want to end up with a POS

[Hotdog]

What price range are you looking at

[HomesteadSlide]

I have an O-360 180 on an 11' sled , I love the damn thing ! 2 people and a cooler no problem at all, struggled a bit with 3 people and a cooler but got the job done. It's perfect for my needs until the day I decide to move up to O-540!

[Tyman9601]

What price range are you looking at

7k or less range

[rick]

I've had a couple of O-320's (angle valve 170 & H2AD 160). As stated above, keep'em light. Mine were on a 12' Hamant w/(2) single seats and ran everywhere my 6 cyl. a/c & carmotor buddies ran their's in a normal day of riding.

I keep saying my next boat's gonna be a straight valve 180 built light. If my wife wants to ride we'll have to bolt her temporary seat on the foot stand.

Rick

[Tyman9601]

I've had a couple of O-320's (angle valve 170 & H2AD 160). As stated above, keep'em light. Mine were on a 12' Hamant w/(2) single seats and ran everywhere my 6 cyl. a/c & carmotor buddies ran their's in a normal day of riding.

I keep saying my next boat's gonna be a straight valve 180 built light. If my wife wants to ride we'll have to bolt her temporary seat on the foot stand.

Rick

Just out of curiosity about what Kind of speed will the average 160 top out at with the right prop?

[GMAC 76]

IMO....there is nothing more fun to run than a light, free running little sled with a rank 200lyc....but like Gary S said be smart on the load and don't bring the neighborhood...but damn they are fun!!!!!

[Hotdog]

Hey Truman, I sent you a contact on a boat. Let me know if you did not get it I'll send again

[Hotdog]

Tyman. Dang phone

[rick]

My old flip phone didn't have gps back then lol, but I'd guess mid 40's or so in deep water. A lot faster in skinny water. I never really worried about top end much as long as I could do a little hill running.

Old video of my angle valve 170: https://youtu.be/UqB-8oORPXs

Old video of my H model 160: https://youtu.be/4aLafjMMxao

Those are some old low quality videos that look best on a small phone screen.

Rick

[Mossy Cypress]

My old 0360 180 hp boat would handle that all day long. It was lightweight and setup correctly. As stated above keep weight to a minimum. IMO for the money they are hard to beat and I am in the same boat as Rick(pun intended) once the kids grow up my retirement boat will be 180-200,lightweight hamant with 2 seats.

[gso480jr]

I've run GPU boats, supercharged 480 boats and 500 Cadillacs. Not the wife and I are in the mid sixties and run an 0320 Lycoming on a 11'6" stossel boat. We run anyplace I point the boat. Uses less fuel and once in a while I hand prop it for kicks. Best airboat ever.

[dak10]

Well
My 4 cly cm boat 12 ft can ride 4 people and still run dry with a cooler full of beer
Love this little boat designed by Chuck Rackley
Best more I ever made it slides and rides great
Not to say the fuel I save
I dont c any 4 cly car motors out there so I believe most 4 cly out there are ac motors
Been riding this boat for 6 years now and no big issues with it
Great big thanks to my friend Chuck Rackley from AIRBOAT PROS

[L.H.Cracker]

Rick cool videos.Where were you running in that first video if you don't mind me asking?kinda looks like puzzle but wasn't sure.

[rick]

Yeah that was Puzzle Lake after the 2004 hurricanes.

The other one's behind Orange Mound.

Rick

[midnight rider]

I love little 4 cyl boats. I also had a 160 h2ad like Ricks but it was on a 12’ triple W Hull. I frogged ,gator hunted, and rode just about everywhere I wanted and hardly burnt any fuel. But... the one thing I never could do was go fast. So if your looking for a fast 4cyl combo I would recommend a 180 on a step hull with regular ride rigging. It’ll go as fast as you want, burn less fuel than anything out there, and be a lot of fun.