Hey guys, i want an airboat, they look like a new way to ejoy the rc world. however im a little low on cash, and am wondering what is the cheapest boat you have built, and how did you do it,
Maybe even a few pics.

i am curantly working on a foam core epoxy resin shell air boat i fiured the total cost to be bout 120 to 150 bucks.But i am puttin brand spakin new stuff on so thats why it is kinda high,go used and it is cheaper

depending on how fancy you want it, you dont "have" to epoxy or fiberglass a foam boat. I have about $30 tied up in mine, thats with pre existing radio/engine equipment. although most of that cost includes fiberglass and epoxy resin. Some guys are using coroplast (corogated cardboard) that they got for FREE! ask your local gas station for thier old signs, they will usually give them away. Below are a couple pics of my mostly completed boat. just finisihed it, but i aint got pics yet.
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If you shop around on Ebay you can find some good deals on new and used motors, radios and accessories.

ebay hasnt been good to me [&o]

Ok , so lets find out what you have so far and then we can go from there and make suggestions .

Engine ?
thin , light wood ? ( 1/32 or 1/16 )
foam ?
Radio gear ? ( servos , TX , RX )
440 rods ? or an old bicycle rim that still has its spokes ? ( use the spokes and its the same as 440's )
horns ? any hardware for installation?
battery pack ? for Rx in boat ?

Give us a little info and we can help out from there .

[sm=confused.gif]hmmmm very little cash i have that problem all the time

the big foamie hull & motor pylon cost $0.00
nitro motor .46 magnum used cost $40
electronics already had from other stuff cost $0.00
fun value priceless

what do you guys consider inexpensive? i spent 500, and 1100 on my gas boats, i have nothing really, except radio gear, no servo's, jusat wondering how you guys build cheap boats, saving up for a real car, but also want an airboat hmm

it jus depends on the gear you buy andwhat you biuld the boat out of compared to 500 and 1100 bucks airboat are cheap like i said i am goin brand new and it is only gonna cost me bout 120 to 150...but cheap for me is like 60 to 80 for rc.

lets say 150? work?

for $149.99 , it can be done , but there will again , will all depend on WHAT you buy and HAVE to buy .
For example ... new cheap radio system , ( and I think it comes with 2 standard servos ) will cost you around $80.00
used engine ... say a 40 , since they are so popular and a dime a dozen ( so to speak ) should cost you around $35.00
hardware needed ... ( control horns and such ) $5.00
materials for you to make the hull out of ? pends on what you can get your hands on .
Like , some say , about pieces of foam from construction sites ( construction around here hasn't happened for a LOOONNNNGGGGGGG time so , for here , that would be almost nill )
Otherwise , hit your local Menards and ask about the DAMAGE foam for insulting the outside of your house ... probably could get a chunk that has corners ripped off and such , for around $5.00 to $8.00 a sheet .
Wood , on the other hand , would be a bit more , unless you can find an old INSIDE house door ( hollow-core - which means that other than the outside skin , there is really nothing inside , except some corrugated cardboard for strength )
So , with that .... there ya go . Hope this helped somewhat ...
You can also pick up used radio gear , but , that is always questionable and should not be depended on , unless you KNOW the seller REAL good !
And for engine wise ... when buying a USED engine , it is ALWAYS a good idea to pay via PAYPAL and takle the insurance . WHY ? cause if the seller says the engine has GOOD compression and when you get it , it is almost tottaly shot , then you notify PAYPAL and inform them that it NOT as described in auction and you will either get your monies back , or a replacement engine that IS as desribed in auction . ( EBAY is where I am referring to )
The insurnace costs a little extra , but , in the long run , when you do NOT know the seller , it is a WISE choice ( hopefully this option isn't just one of the options for certified business accounts , like I have [&o] )

Wasn't sure of your budget....and didn't want to get nosey. $150 will get you some new items if you shop carefully. Make a shopping cart at www.towerhobbies.com and see what you come up with. Here is a few examples. These would be new items with warranties.
Shop around on Ebay also, I have found good deals there in the past.

You can get a Futaba 2 channel radio (stick) brand new from tower hobbies for $39.99
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXGRM7**&P=0

A new OS40LA is $51.99 http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...&I=LXBY18&P=ML
A new OS46LA is $64.99 http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXGGV7&P=7

Use the remainder of your money for the accessories.
Fuel tank, Fuel line , Control horns (or make your own), Epoxy, Fibercloth, a few mounting nuts and bolts.

AND ....
one more thing we all seemed to over-look ....
the NICE price for a gallon of fuel ....

around $25.00 ( give or take a couple of bucks ... pends on where you get it and WHAT pre cent and what brand you get )

Nitro 's don;t run very good , without any nitro in them ...

i have 20% odonell, for my cars will it get me anywhere?

Yes, airboats, easy! Get a big pice of dence polystyrene, (mine was 80cm x 40cm i think) cut it to shape, build a engine mount frame out of 6mm ply and scrounge a 2 stroke airo engine to put on it ( i was luky enough to recive an Irvine 46 from a friend), then get the C.G. about 2/3 to3/4 the way back (further back is more stable) then all u gota do is stick some radio gear in it! If u want any pictures of my airboat, ill be happy to post them. Quick note, sand the side edges round, or else they act like keels at low speed and u cant steer so u end up hitting the side!

The O'DONNELL will work , BUT , will cut your engines life short . There is not enough oil content in buggy fuel . Will cause your engine to possibly overheat .

the dense polystyrine foam is quite durable , i have a friend who crashed our one into a wall at about 40mph and all the damage was a small dent in the front where the impact was

so dont worrey about crashing it on your first go ok

ok well here's my list. I gained a little extra cash. I decided i want to go realitivly big. http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin/wto0149p if this link doesnt work for everyone let me know, and ill list each item seperatly. COuld you guys help me cut down prices? I think im going to go with foam, and fiberglass it with actual boat fiberglass, so i can run it on snow, and ice without worrying about it. or should i use like 5 oz cloth? Is there anything else i need? how much life will the odonell cut out of my engine?

Link doesn't work.

http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...I=LXCFW2**&P=K
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...8&I=LXCB27&P=K
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...8&I=LXHY32&P=K
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...8&I=LXUR78&P=K
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...8&I=LXJC37&P=K
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...8&I=LXL370&P=K
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...8&I=LXJC38&P=K

I have a second servo already, i have linkages. Where's the cheapest place to get foam? A craft store? Or should i make it out of 1/8 ply and glass it?
Thanks guys

Why do you need :
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...8&I=LXJC38&P=K
and also , why this one :
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...8&I=LXL370&P=K
And for this one , check EBAY ... they sell all the time for around $10.00 , almost 1/3 the price .
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...8&I=LXJC37&P=K
And if you want to change this one ( that engine is BIG , which ALSO means MORE fuel sucking ... LOTS more fuel sucking ... )
Instead of your choice , how about this one .... ringed too
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...?&I=LXDXL6&P=K
and for the this next one - ABSOLUTELY NOT ! ! ! ! ! NO WOODEN PROPS , EVER ! ! ! !
http://www2.towerhobbies.com/cgi-bin...8&I=LXHY32&P=K
Go with nylon , glass filled , plastic , whatever you want to call them , just NOT WOOD ! ! !
And for plugs , you can get ANY one that is cheaper .... they are almost all alike ( except temp range and length and some have idler bars on them and so don't ... personally , I prefer the ones that don't )
Also , I see you chose an AIRTRONICs servo ... for a FUTABA setup ? Go with either HITEC or FUTABA or GWS servos .... NOT Airtronics ,.

are four strokes better on fuel?

No.... about the same . Just more torque less R's . means supposedly can swing a bigger prop .[&o]

Here's my new plan. Go gasoline, get a used homie, and go from there. How big would the hull have to be for a weed wacker engine? I probably couldnt afford the nitro fuel these engines consume at this time.

ok , if going gas , try to get a used RYOBI 2 ringer instead of the Homie . Homie's are good for water boats , but not really for swinging a prop for an airboat . ( I have tried both and the RYOBI beats out the Homelite BIG time ) Now , if you can only get the single ringed Ryobi , then go with the Homelite instead . ( confusing , huh ? )
( even though now , they are one and the same ... Homies and Ryobi's )
Anywho .... get what you can ( There are some cheap ones on EBAY right now - around $12.00 )
Size hull ? Around 42 to 46 inches length . about 3 inches deep .... and 21 to 25 inches wide .