Hi can any one tell me if a standard strimmer moter would need to be lightend , to use on an airboat , i like the idea of a pull start could that be left on or will the whole thing be to heavy ?

johnny

I'ts been done both ways, but personally I recomend getting rid of the excess weight. If you look, there is a forum that is for converting these little babies to usabel engines. most of the guys there fly, but they were lots helpful to me converting a 25cc stihl weedie.

Good Luck!

I used an old homelite chainsaw engine.(about 35 cc)??...has plenty of power , weight wasn't an issue so I was able to leave on the pull starter.

[link]http://www.rc-airboats.com/gallery/view_album.php?set_albumName=air-boat[/link]

Thats a great craft and the news on the motor is great too, can you tell me if the motor runs clockwise or anticlockwise,

johnny

Johnny,
thank you,
standing in back of the boat, facing foreward, the engine spins clockwise. (a pusher prop would make the boat go backward)

would an 18cc motor push something like that ? so that means your motor runs clockwise with pusher prop , is that correct ?


johnny

18 cc ?? Not sure, depends on where you want to run it. ANY engine will push a boat through the water, but if you want to run on land, a larger engine is the way to go. It also depends on the size/weight of your boat. on mine i originally had a 20cc weedeater engine, moved fine on water but would not move on land, so I went with the chainsaw.

No, as i said, a pusher prop will make my boat go backward, now if the engine were in a puller type set-up, a pusher prop would be the correct prop.

a chain saw engine spins opposite of ....say....an r/c airplane engine. I hope I didn't confuse you more[&:]

basically, mine is a pusher type set-up with a puller type prop.....prop mounted backward

Right mate im with you now, looks like i will go for a 30cc motor, i want this craft to go any where,

thanks for the help

johnny

Hi again, could you tell me what size prop i would need for a 30cc motor ?

and would you mind telling me what your hull is made of , just to give me some idea of what i should be using

johnny

Johnny,

Here is what I know about props and what size to use with a certain size engine: Nothing, zip, zero!
I just started buying props and trying them until one of them seemed to work the best. The one on my boat is an 18 x 10 (which is the biggest/highest pitch glass prop I could find) . and the engine has no problem turning it over.

My best guess for prop size for a 30 cc engine would be a HMMMMM.................16 x 7 ???just a guess though.

What I have noticed is that a chainsaw engine has LOTS more power than a weed wacker engine, I dont know if it has something to do with the carb or if they just have larger displacement and longer stroke. But the have more power.. and more power is GOOD

As for hull material.....i use, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, (ABS) plastic, 1/8 " thick.

See the forum titled "prop walk with my airboat" (PAGE 2)[link]http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/m_3524121/mpage_2/key_/tm.htm[/link] that should give you some Idea if you really want to build with plastic.

I seem to be the odd duck whereas building material is concerned, these other guys have made some real nice looking boats from wood, look around the forums, LOTS of high quality workmanship out there. If you decide to build with wood, these are the guys to ask.