Airboats for winter running?
12-03-2008, 10:15 AM
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
I would go with coroplast rather than plexi - weighs a LOT less - You may have handling issues with it wanting to only go straight - imagine two huge vertical stabilizers - maybe not though....
Personally I would ditch the wire mesh and part of the aluminum and run er in the open air - make the center support into a carrying handle and most importantly- Keep your apendiges away from the prop.
Personally I would ditch the wire mesh and part of the aluminum and run er in the open air - make the center support into a carrying handle and most importantly- Keep your apendiges away from the prop.
12-03-2008, 11:49 AM
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
I thought of making the frame smaller but since it's for snow I want everything inside to be contained. True it would look soo much nicer! 
I also thought the clear plex would look cool like a display.
I have a 1/8 sheet in the garage. I guess I can always try it out
I also thought the clear plex would look cool like a display.
I have a 1/8 sheet in the garage. I guess I can always try it out
12-03-2008, 08:42 PM
#28
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
My cages are made from stainless steal tubing 5/16" on the hoops and 1/8" for rungs then it is all MIG welded together, the cages are very strong, in fact I weigh 225lbs, and the cage supports me well. OK to my point, I had a blade break off at the hub, the blade then broke through 1-1/2 rungs. I don't know if it just happen, hit just right or what happen, I do know that when a blade breaks loose, its best to have something there to stop it or at least slow it down some. The wire mesh is a good idea to keep your hands from getting into the prop, the plex-a-glass do not use. It will crack and break from the vibration, taking a chance on a section breaking off and falling into the prop, then you have a sharp projectile flying.
12-03-2008, 10:09 PM
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
ORIGINAL: Mr Cajun Gator
My cages are made from stainless steal tubing 5/16" on the hoops and 1/8" for rungs then it is all MIG welded together, the cages are very strong, in fact I weigh 225lbs, and the cage supports me well. OK to my point, I had a blade break off at the hub, the blade then broke through 1-1/2 rungs. I don't know if it just happen, hit just right or what happen, I do know that when a blade breaks loose, its best to have something there to stop it or at least slow it down some. The wire mesh is a good idea to keep your hands from getting into the prop, the plex-a-glass do not use. It will crack and break from the vibration, taking a chance on a section breaking off and falling into the prop, then you have a sharp projectile flying.
My cages are made from stainless steal tubing 5/16" on the hoops and 1/8" for rungs then it is all MIG welded together, the cages are very strong, in fact I weigh 225lbs, and the cage supports me well. OK to my point, I had a blade break off at the hub, the blade then broke through 1-1/2 rungs. I don't know if it just happen, hit just right or what happen, I do know that when a blade breaks loose, its best to have something there to stop it or at least slow it down some. The wire mesh is a good idea to keep your hands from getting into the prop, the plex-a-glass do not use. It will crack and break from the vibration, taking a chance on a section breaking off and falling into the prop, then you have a sharp projectile flying.
12-12-2008, 01:45 PM
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
First video on ice! Brad (AKA Bradius) was driving it while I filmed. It moves without even using the throttle!!
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=7k2a0kNG0T4
Waiting for some good powder now!!
May add some side skis later.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=7k2a0kNG0T4
Waiting for some good powder now!!
May add some side skis later.
12-12-2008, 04:44 PM
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
If you are going to be running your boogi board on ice a lot you are going to tare up the bottom . You might want to fashion a piece of corroplast to the bottom . Corroplast is some tuff stuff . It even works well on dirt and blacktop and concrete . Just a thought .
12-12-2008, 05:46 PM
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
ORIGINAL: RS 38-40
If you are going to be running your boogi board on ice a lot you are going to tare up the bottom . You might want to fashion a piece of corroplast to the bottom . Corroplast is some tuff stuff . It even works well on dirt and blacktop and concrete . Just a thought .
If you are going to be running your boogi board on ice a lot you are going to tare up the bottom . You might want to fashion a piece of corroplast to the bottom . Corroplast is some tuff stuff . It even works well on dirt and blacktop and concrete . Just a thought .
12-15-2008, 11:11 AM
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
Ok - If you do decide to use coroplast on the bottom - which I have with really good results. the best way I have found to bond it to foam or wood is by poking a bunch and I mean hundreds of tiny holes thru one side (the side you put glue on) and then smear a thin layer of gorilla glue on the coroplast and stick it to the hull set the hull right side up on a Glass sheet or a very flat surface and put about 20-30 lbs of weight on it to keep the gorilla glue from expanding and making the bottom less than perfectly flat - then use duct tape to pull the rake and sides up.
12-15-2008, 12:06 PM
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
ORIGINAL: RS 38-40
If you are going to be running your boogi board on ice a lot you are going to tare up the bottom . You might want to fashion a piece of corroplast to the bottom . Corroplast is some tuff stuff . It even works well on dirt and blacktop and concrete . Just a thought .
If you are going to be running your boogi board on ice a lot you are going to tare up the bottom . You might want to fashion a piece of corroplast to the bottom . Corroplast is some tuff stuff . It even works well on dirt and blacktop and concrete . Just a thought .
it’s a foam sled and already has a piece of plastic on the bottom designed for snow and ice. Pic would explain [8D]
12-15-2008, 01:17 PM
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
Yup it's a "snow rider" made for the snow and ice so there's a layer of plastic on the bottom. It has ridges so steering is made easier on snow. Before I launch it on a filed of ice I'd like to have skis along the side for more support so it doesn't flip and have gas leak out.
12-17-2008, 05:56 PM
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
Here's another revision! 
Some Vids we did today:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEXIY...e=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkTAs...eature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-0Pn...eature=channel
Some Vids we did today:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iEXIY...e=channel_page
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zkTAs...eature=channel
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z-0Pn...eature=channel
12-18-2008, 10:43 AM
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
A few questions for the experts:
I use a 14x7 puller.
1. If I chage to a 3 blade all I get it more pulling power but I lose on speed right?
2. Does this happem if I go with a higher pitch as well, like a 14x10?
My rudder is fairly large since it was my first attempt. If I round off the top and bottom instead of the 90 degree you see how would this change the steering? Less or more?
I use a 14x7 puller.
1. If I chage to a 3 blade all I get it more pulling power but I lose on speed right?
2. Does this happem if I go with a higher pitch as well, like a 14x10?
My rudder is fairly large since it was my first attempt. If I round off the top and bottom instead of the 90 degree you see how would this change the steering? Less or more?
12-19-2008, 01:20 PM
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
ORIGINAL: SELWA
A few questions for the experts:
I use a 14x7 puller.
1. If I chage to a 3 blade all I get it more pulling power but I lose on speed right?
2. Does this happem if I go with a higher pitch as well, like a 14x10?
My rudder is fairly large since it was my first attempt. If I round off the top and bottom instead of the 90 degree you see how would this change the steering? Less or more?
A few questions for the experts:
I use a 14x7 puller.
1. If I chage to a 3 blade all I get it more pulling power but I lose on speed right?
2. Does this happem if I go with a higher pitch as well, like a 14x10?
My rudder is fairly large since it was my first attempt. If I round off the top and bottom instead of the 90 degree you see how would this change the steering? Less or more?
Your rudder is kinda big, try cutting it shorter (front to back) in 1" increments and test between cuts. When you lose good steering, you've gone too far.
12-19-2008, 03:17 PM
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
I don't think that would hurt your steering to round off the rudder - and it looks like you could cut some off the back maybe an inch or two without affecting it too much.
12-19-2008, 08:45 PM
#41
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
Bigger props is not always the best way to go. Its best to find what prop the boat and the engine works best.
Ex: on my 27cc boats I like the 14 x 7 3-blade MAS and it runs great, but I can drop it to the 14 x 6 2-blade APC and the boat is faster. Difference is the engine is developing more HP and RPM with the smaller prop. But I rather the 14 x 7 3-blade because I'm still getting very good speed and it lowers the RPM given the engine a longer life.
Things to look at when testing props
transition from idle to full throttle, does the engine load or becomes sluggish? More than likely to large of a diameter and/or pitch
engine turns lots of rpm's but boat is slow. too small of diameter for the size of boat.
Ex: on my 27cc boats I like the 14 x 7 3-blade MAS and it runs great, but I can drop it to the 14 x 6 2-blade APC and the boat is faster. Difference is the engine is developing more HP and RPM with the smaller prop. But I rather the 14 x 7 3-blade because I'm still getting very good speed and it lowers the RPM given the engine a longer life.
Things to look at when testing props
transition from idle to full throttle, does the engine load or becomes sluggish? More than likely to large of a diameter and/or pitch
engine turns lots of rpm's but boat is slow. too small of diameter for the size of boat.
12-19-2008, 11:45 PM
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
Thanks again for the tips guys. We just got a few feet of snow so I have a good test area now. Plus I found a shop about 30 minutes from me that has a good selection of props. [8D][8D]
I think I'll cut down the rudder a few inches and round the top and bottom. I didn't like the huge rudder but it was a good starting point.
Question
Of I were to put a round cage ( Like a 15" cylinder) around the prop would this give me any better performance in terms of better air pulling??
Plus I found a shop about 30 minutes from me that has a good selection of props. [8D][8D]I think I'll cut down the rudder a few inches and round the top and bottom. I didn't like the huge rudder but it was a good starting point.
Question
Of I were to put a round cage ( Like a 15" cylinder) around the prop would this give me any better performance in terms of better air pulling??
12-21-2008, 11:02 PM
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
Just an update!
I dropped the engine 1.5" and cut down the top another 3" as well as shorten and round off the rudder. I also remove the side skis just to see how it will work for now. It's been far too windy to try it out today. Hopefully tomorrow!!
I may also try a 13.5 or 12" diameter prop since I noticed the edges of the prop I have now overlap the aluminum frame. I assume that this starves some of the airflow. By lowering the diameter and increasing the pitch it may work out. Maybe a 12x10? I'll try a 2 blade before a 3.
Any suggestions?
I dropped the engine 1.5" and cut down the top another 3" as well as shorten and round off the rudder. I also remove the side skis just to see how it will work for now. It's been far too windy to try it out today. Hopefully tomorrow!!
I may also try a 13.5 or 12" diameter prop since I noticed the edges of the prop I have now overlap the aluminum frame. I assume that this starves some of the airflow. By lowering the diameter and increasing the pitch it may work out. Maybe a 12x10? I'll try a 2 blade before a 3.
Any suggestions?
12-22-2008, 02:18 PM
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
I wouldn't glass the windy - It is already a pretty heavy boat for it's size - also pretty durable, I would do a couple skim coats of epoxy applied with a credit card.
12-22-2008, 06:01 PM
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RE: Airboats for winter running?
ORIGINAL: Scrape
Hey SELWA
That's cool and sounds great.
How about strapping that camera on there and taking us for a ride?
Hey SELWA
That's cool and sounds great.
How about strapping that camera on there and taking us for a ride?
That would be very interesting!!!
