12 ft airgator

[Chief 21]

Well seems like i pulled the trigger, now i need u guys to educate me on what i just got myself into. Found this fairly cheap as a project. Needs prop and some engine work. This will b used for getting into our back bays for gar an such. Its got a 1.6 subaru eng w a reduction driv. What r its limitations and what prop is best suited for it. Think economical:)

[Chief 21]

I will b redouing all electrical and engine. Is two people pretty much its limitation?

[Airboat_Fever]

not to get off topic but is that hull glass or aluminium?

[:)]

Yeah I doesn't look like air gator to me. I whatever case 2 people is prolly ur limits maybe 3 with no gear. What reduction ratio do I have?

[Chief 21]

Its a fiberglass hull, Very well built! The guy said it was an airgator but ill check the title when i get home from vacation. Im new to all this so how would i check the ratio of the reduction drive?

[JT540]

airgator did build or at least sell glass hull back in the late 70s early 80 I believe.

[:)]

It looks like a century so it may have a tag on it or a small plate with the numbers or maybe engraved somewhere

[Airboat_Fever]

airgator did build glass boats but they had laps in the sides. that looks similar to the lamb hull i'm working on currently

[yobee]

Looks like the old fiberglass panthers from what I can see also.

[Airboat_Fever]

x2 yobee might be right i hadnt thought about f/g panther boats

[Whitebear]

I agree the sides and chins look like panthers but the nose on the Panther had a roll back on the front Like the Gores, just narrower. Of course nothing says that couldn't have been cut off. I had several Panthers and remember being walked out to at least One of their molds and it was 7' wide. No telling when this boat was made so Its a wonderment for me. Wells and Warden had the same look to the chines but I "think" they had laps on the sides. Damn its been a long time.

Does the hull have a HIN on the right top rear of the transom?

[Chief 21]

So how can I find out the ratio of the reduction drive? Dont c any marks on it:(

[:)]

Mark a spot on the flywheel or crank and Pull the prop hub around a full revolution and see how many times it turns past the mark. If u go a full turn on hub and pass the mark once and it falls on the mark the 2nd pass it 2-1 and so on

[Chief 21]

I agree the sides and chins look like panthers but the nose on the Panther had a roll back on the front Like the Gores, just narrower. Of course nothing says that couldn't have been cut off. I had several Panthers and remember being walked out to at least One of their molds and it was 7' wide. No telling when this boat was made so Its a wonderment for me. Wells and Warden had the same look to the chines but I "think" they had laps on the sides. Damn its been a long time.

Does the hull have a HIN on the right top rear of the transom?

So far I c no number or plate anywhere on the boat:(

[jboy]

good looking boat, where are you located, Check on warp drive prop.

[aggiejim]

yes where are u located happy to share what I have learned im in austin travel to rockport often have built 2 air boats so far and have onley scratched the surface of the knowlage pool these guys on here are great help but U may want to keep a litle salt handy. glad to have another texas airboater

Giggem

[Carol Dixon]

That boat is a grasshopper if you want to know the story behind it call Paul Dixon he can tell you anything you want to know about it.

[wal1809]

That sucker is probably going to be a blast to ride in.

[Crabtrap62]

Fixin to be complete with averhaul on a PE 90 4 cyl
it would be a good match for that boat. No belt drive, 150 hp. ...

[GeeLeDouche]

Looks like a really fun boat! let us know how it works out for ya once you get it up and runnin.

[Chief 21]

I'm located in SanJuan Texas. Close fishing grounds are South Padre Island, Port Mansfield, and Arroyo City. So this a Grasshopper boat? Is that the make or name for it? How can one get a hold of Paul Dixon? I do have a number of ?'s about the boat. Started disassembling engine due to it being stuck. Found out it is not 1.6 as I was told but an EA 81 wish is a 1.8 ") Have completely torn it down and waiting for a friend of mine who is pretty talented w rebuilds to get it back together. Once I have the engine complete, ill then tackle to prop. Need to know the proper gear ratio to know what prop I need, correct? Having trouble postings pics but will do as soon as I get it figured out. Thanx for you alls help!

[FlatsFisher]

I have a heavy 13' boat...looks like yours is lighter, and setup better than mine.
Anyway, with 2 people I feel safe. With 3 people crossing deep water on a windy day sucks...I had the warden take one of my passengers across the ICW a couple weeks ago so we didn't sink.

Let me know when you get it going. I'll bring my boat down and do some riding.


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[Chief 21]

Well here she is w her heart wide open. Just waiting 2 c if my friend is gona b able to help me after all with the rebuilt. This nasty weather hasn't helped any:(

[akblackdawg]

Nice looking boat, and it has enough power sitting on that trailer to blow your hair clean off. More people you have the harder it has getting on step and the slower it will go. Just have to experiment. Read the safety forum about do and don't of airboating. When you get the motor and ratio information, call Patti at whirlwind props and talk to her about prop recomendations, she will give you good info even if you buy prop someplace else. Don't stop too fast or it might swamp from the rear, and don't make sharp turns when going slow or it might swamp from the side. Have fun, wear your life jackets, and stay dry. Bud

[Chief 21]

FRUSTRATED Took engine apart to get it lose. Time has been minimal w work and two beautiful kids that drag me around My friend that was suppose to help me rebuilt the engine has had so much work and just doesnt have the time for me I am pretty good with tools just never put an engine together just afraid to spend money and it not come out right Have a shot at a ea71 which is a bit smaller and older engine. not sure things will mate up. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr U all know what other engine might fit that i can just pick up at a local junkyard? NO 350's, toooo big for my set up. This boat came with a EA81 with a gear reduction box.