Greetings, I currently fly RC planes and race stadium trucks. I have an extra OS .46 laying around that has not even been broke in yet and I thought what better way to enjoy it than an air boat? I live here in WY where it gets windy and cold so I I need something that is stable, and also something that can be used on frozen lakes in the winter. I want speed, but mostly I want stability as it is not fun if you're constantly breaking things due to wrecks (learned both with planes and trucks) and with the wind here when I'm on the lake and the current when I'm on the river I figure I need something that is primarily stable and secondarily fast. I am pretty adept at building stuff, never bought an ARF plane nor a RTR truck, so don't worry about scaring me off with plans. Anyway, just thought I would ask around here and see what kind of suggestions I get and see where things go from there.

Thanks in advance,
George

Hello Gstanfield.

Here is a link for you.

[link=http://rcairboats.net/v-web/bulletin/bb/viewforum.php?f=6]Some Plans[/link]

Welcome to the wonderful world of rc airboats! [8D]

welcome im sure youll get the help you need as i did just dont expect to get too much speed or youll find out pretty quick these things flip like crazy!!!.good luck with whicever way you go .i built my 1st airboat some weeks ago now and its a blast to drive after the 1st maiden when she fliped right over i added some mods to her and shes now more stable !!.she has an os 46la engine and so far i havent got above half throttle and shes well fast ,MAYBE IF I GET SOME CALMER WEATHER ILL SEE WHAT SHES GOT !!![img][/img]heres a cpl of pics shes foam covered with thin coro.the airfoil was to stop her flipping (thanks jasper) so far im getting arround 25-30mph out of her without flipping at a guess.im hoping to get some video of her this weekend see my other thread 1st airboat maiden ill be posting it there.also take a look at the plans for the gator boat im building one for a 61 size engine !!.

thanks for te replies. As to my desired speed, I would be happy f I can get something that will go 35-40mph as long as it is stable. I will even settle for 25-30 as long as the stability is there. we get gusts of wind out here and a colm day is going to have 5-10mph winds so a calm lake is a fantasy. I will also be using it on the river by my house and it has a lot of flow, several thousand gallons a minute, but usually fairly smooth surface, just fast moving. I figure I can always try for more speed in the future, but if I get burned out to start with I will give up and not continue. I'll be sure to share my experiences as I start building and will include lots of pics as well as videos of my results.

George

Welcome to airboats!

Just a few suggestions...

Since you are running in moving water and/or choppy water with wind, I would consider some sort of slight-v or pontoon hull and it might be a good idea to use water rudders rather than air rudders. If it's windy, you want as little superstructure as possible.

i need help

i was woundering what the frame in an airboat (a picture of the inside would help alot) and how heavy the whole boat should way with a .40 on it, with out gas in tank ,here are the sizes 26",12",2


thanks ,CHRIS

ps. how far should the motor by mouted foreward

My props swing 4" - 8" from the transom forward...depending on which boat I'm doing. For a .40 try to stay around 4 - 4.5 lbs. Try to stay with a 3-5 lbs per hp/weight ratio....depending on what .40 you use. (a bearing or bushing motor)
Here is some pics for you.