50cc gas engine air boat?
#1

Has anyone tried a 50cc gas engine in an air boat yet?
I fly planes and heli's and was thinking of putting a 50cc BME or DL 50 in an air boat.
They spin 23 inch props so I was thinking of building a boat in the 30"W X 60"L range. Any tips or ideas?
I fly planes and heli's and was thinking of putting a 50cc BME or DL 50 in an air boat.
They spin 23 inch props so I was thinking of building a boat in the 30"W X 60"L range. Any tips or ideas?
#3
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Chris,
I have a few pocket bikes with 49CC motors that I want to do something with one day when the boys get tired of them.....or I get them bigger motorcycles.


When I was a kid, a friend of the family had a 10 or 12 hp (long time, can't recall exactly) Briggs on a home made airboat that he rode on. Wouldn't run dry ground, but would push him down the canals.
What type of airboat do you have in mind? Flat bottom? V-hull? Hydro?
I've never built on that big of a scale but knowing what prop your spinning, your numbers appear to be in the ball park.
I say build a hydro style hull and let's see what that 23" prop can get! [8D]
[8D]
I have a few pocket bikes with 49CC motors that I want to do something with one day when the boys get tired of them.....or I get them bigger motorcycles.



When I was a kid, a friend of the family had a 10 or 12 hp (long time, can't recall exactly) Briggs on a home made airboat that he rode on. Wouldn't run dry ground, but would push him down the canals.
What type of airboat do you have in mind? Flat bottom? V-hull? Hydro?
I've never built on that big of a scale but knowing what prop your spinning, your numbers appear to be in the ball park.
I say build a hydro style hull and let's see what that 23" prop can get! [8D]

#5
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The 3-point hydros work best with the smaller more powerful nitro engines, not saying the gasser will not work. The best place for a gasser your size (IMO) would be on a flat bottom hull 24" x 48" 50" max. Then drop the prop down to the 20" size. The airboat engines are always under a heavy load, the engine will need to be freed some.
#6
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50cc are you mad or put it another way as most air boaters are a bit lol
why 50cc my god i one had a motor bike that was 50cc would do 60 mph on an air boat it would take off if you make it must see the film
you need a big hull say ten foot by 4 foot lol
why 50cc my god i one had a motor bike that was 50cc would do 60 mph on an air boat it would take off if you make it must see the film
you need a big hull say ten foot by 4 foot lol
#8
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The 50cc will be ok guys...lol. Just lots of power. Mudmasher boats use this size engine ofthen, works good. We have used his 50cc on our pick up boat, carried 2 guys with ease.
#9

I'm thinking that a flat bottom type would work good. Could run it in the winter time in the snow too.
I'm pretty sure that a guy could pull himself around the pond in a flat bottom boat with a 50cc powered air boat too.
I had a Homelite weedeater powered deep vee hull that I made years ago that I used to pull myself around the pond on. It pulled me and a 10 ft aluminum boat really well. I've got pics somewhere. I'll have to post them. The local fishermen weren't too impressed though.
Years ago I seen an article about some high speed airboat/hybrid/hydro's that, if I remember right, looked like an airplane fuse on top of some sort of 3 point hydro. It seems like the Jap's were doing it at the time. I would really like to come up with something like that in the 50cc size just for giggles. Anyone remember those or know what I'm talking about?
I'm pretty sure that a guy could pull himself around the pond in a flat bottom boat with a 50cc powered air boat too.

I had a Homelite weedeater powered deep vee hull that I made years ago that I used to pull myself around the pond on. It pulled me and a 10 ft aluminum boat really well. I've got pics somewhere. I'll have to post them. The local fishermen weren't too impressed though.

Years ago I seen an article about some high speed airboat/hybrid/hydro's that, if I remember right, looked like an airplane fuse on top of some sort of 3 point hydro. It seems like the Jap's were doing it at the time. I would really like to come up with something like that in the 50cc size just for giggles. Anyone remember those or know what I'm talking about?
#10
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I'm not really into airboats, but you will have to put up some pics/ video if you go through with it! I say use a 65cc dirtbike engine and transmission and have it shift gears!!! that could probably pull you in a tube on a lake!! godd luck with your build!!

#11
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Chris,
I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
Flat bottoms make a good general "all around" airboats. You can run dry ground, over weeds, climb hills, run water, etc. But if your looking for speed and performance, go with a hydro style.
Keep this in mind....FUN, thats what its all about! As long as your having fun, we'll have fun with you also.
I'm looking forward to seeing what you come up with!
Flat bottoms make a good general "all around" airboats. You can run dry ground, over weeds, climb hills, run water, etc. But if your looking for speed and performance, go with a hydro style.
Keep this in mind....FUN, thats what its all about! As long as your having fun, we'll have fun with you also.
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