Jon boat to airboat

[wrongway]

I'm new to this group and think this is the place to get a good
and honest answer.
I have a 14x48 Jon boat right now it's a mud boat/river long
tail shaft I want to convert it to a mini air boat I'm thinking of a 15-20HP
Predator or something on that order.
Any advice is welcomed.
Thank you
Wrongway

[OneBFC]

Man...your forum name is spot on imo.

However, jokes aside, its really not the way to go if you want an airboat.

Budget really dictates what options you have. second to that is what do you want to do with your airboat.

But, for sure, dont waste your time with that jon boat hull.

[glades cat]

Airboats can be tippy. Engines mounted high and prop torque affect this. 48" is not a very wide hull.
A Jon boat with an airprop is not an airboat. Same as a bicycle with an engine is not a motorcycle.
If you're determined to build it you'll find its limitations quickly.
Just trying to steer you in the right direction.

[SWAMPHUNTER45]

Well stated and great advice Glades!

Real simple.....you would be better off keeping the MudBuddy rather than try to use a 20hp lawnmower engine to push the same hull with air

[AceNtheHole]

I built one a few years back. The hull was 14x36 and it worked just fine. I think 14x48 would be even better. I bought a 2 stroke ultra-lite engine from a company called '2 stroke International'. Weighed less than 100 lbs. Has a 3 blade composite prop, with ground adjustable pitch blocks. It ran 28 mph with one person and loaded with duck hunting gear.

[OneBFC]

it can be done, but friends dont let friends build "airboats" out of narrow beam John boats.

the mudmotor will be cheaper to run and go same places that a low power air driven john boat will and do it more safely.

Think hard about it before sinking money into this path.

Budget, then what do you want to do with it.

That is first step. If you answer that, then i think you will get more valuable feedback here.

[THE NIGHT RIDER]

Whats the use ,a jonboat is for the water ,so run a go devil or mud puppy ,an airboat is for runnin dry wen needed gettin into tight skinny water ,loading up all huntingear coolers and beer and heading out . Jmo u will waste your time on a jonboat hull ,i would look for a cheap airboat hull and build one peice atta time till u have a real airboat not a conversion ,

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[kinnerk5]

we built one on a 16' v hull boat with a 65hp corvair engine. it was a blast. we used to take into the oyster flats in new Hampshire at low tide. skimmed over the mud. the tricky parts where stopping and getting going again. the v hull would not stay upright it would tip on it's side when we stopped. but we had four or five people and a bushel basket full of oysters for each person. we would hit the power and off we go, within 25 feet or so it would upright it self. it was great had the whole flat to our selves and only ankle deep mud to wallow around in.