I thinking of getting an airboat. I found a used 14x7 pathmaker with a 440SBC motor with 45 hrs. The seller is telling me that the motor puts out 600Hp.

My questions:
Has anyone run this hull or know anything about it?
How does it compare to a robicheaux hull?
How will the engine hold up beings its a hopped up shortblock?
How does the fuel consumption compare to a 454?

Thanks

go to airboattalk.com

There is hardly anyone on that site.

Yea, it's kinda empty in there

Yall go and sign up, been trying to get it off the ground and it could be a very cool place just like MMT, just need members.

Spread the word about it and it will grow

I'm going on 5 years working air boat now. Pathmacker hulls or ok theres nothing that can compare to a robicheaux hull that's number 1. Now the motor your better off getting something els and putting on there. A motor putting out that much hp belongs in a race car after 15 hours it needs to be rebuil. I've never seen them go over 100 hours. Don't get me wrong it well be bad ass if it hold up running in and out of 5 grand is not for that motor. Of course it's goin to burn more gas thin a 454 it's pushing 175 more hp. You'll be better not with that motor.

Yea, thanks...that is what I thought. I would really like a 14' with a 350 zz4.

airboats motors should have alot of torque. Torque is made with displacement and stroke. Smallblocks work ok on a decent hull, But the Big Block shines in the torque department.

I got some friends that has boats with 350 on them and run circles around big blocks. You looking at 200 to 300lb weight different between 350s and big blocks in a airboat less weight is better. The big blocks shine when u can load it down and run. If all ur doin is hunting and froging the 350 is perfect easy on gas. it's all in the driver.

Werd on weight. Look at a Lycoming 260Hp. It is a 6 cylinder, 540 Cubic Inches, and has over 500'# of torque. That will most of the time walk the dog over a small block and burn less fuel.

Those hopped up engines don't last long.

Nothing will compare to a Robicheaux. But I think those are decent hulls. I think dautrive and faucheux use them.

And yes a 260 or 300 lycoming is the way to go unless you want a big boat

When them aircrafts brake who you going to get to fix them if u know nothing about them. Them motors cost a pretty penney and the parts. U can go to any autozone and get parts for a automotive.

I'll stick to an automotive engine. I know several mechanics that'll work on for a case of beer. lol

A lot of power line work the power lines are in the marsh or the swamp. Some surveying, the bp spill, now I'm do seismographing.

Advice before you buy:

1. Decide what you will use it for and where as the environment makes a difference on power choice.
2. Decide on how many on average you will carry plus gear.
3. People will tell you small blocks are not made for airboats, but if the boat is built right they work fine... small blocks are for boats under 14' and less than 7.5' wide.
4. Shop around... lots of good used boats. Talk to American Airboats as they are in the business of not only building but buying and selling used boats and they are great people.
5. I own a small 12' American Airboat which I am currently dropping 170HP GM Ecotec onto which is currently being built in Florida so dont be afraid to think outside the box. You dont have to settle for the standard big block, small block, or A/C motors as they are dated... LS Smallblocks are great power plants and can make BB Tq in a small block format.

What about the 500 caddy motor? Looking at a 16' glass boat with a direct drive. How does the direct drive set up do?

Direct drive sucks.


Glass airboats suck. Save your money for a better boat

A zz4 350 set up right on a 13 or 14ft boat will run awesome

Mike do you know Jake Spangler. He has a 14ft with a zz4. Sweet running boat

I remember the name, I just can't put a face. My uncle had a 14' robiceaux with a 350zz4, so I know how they run. I wish I was instrested in an airboat 5 years ago when he sold it.

Here is my little 12' hull with a 65 hp motor. Turbo is next for more power. Video shot is with two 200 lb adults 2 40lb kids and a 50lb sack of crawfish bait.

http://www.southernairboat.com/phpBB3/v ... 57&t=45431