caryc said:
So...what kind of cooling system is on those air boat engines? I'm guessing it's either just air cooled or it has a radiator on it.
You’re on the right track... depends what the power source is.
First ones I ever ran were old air-cooled, horizontally opposed Lycoming aircraft engines. Smaller, narrower boats, mostly 12’ length. Not a lot of snort in those engines, at least not by modern standards.
All of the newer ones I’ve run were powered by Chevy crate motors, of different displacements. They have an automotive-type radiator plumbed in. We have a piece of window screen over the radiator, to keep it from plugging up with cattail “fuzz.” Much easier to clean “off” a window screen than to clean “out” a radiator!
Most airboats would have no problem running on grass, especially if there’s moisture present. Many have enough thrust to cross a blacktop road, though that’s obviously abusive to the equipment.
Many (most?) of them have a “Hyfax” or UHMW polyethylene type of bottom covering. It’s about as slippery as anything, while still being fairly durable. It’s considered a wear item... needing to be replaced from time to time, depending on operating conditions.
I’ve seen pics where folks have rigged up 12V windshield washer pump systems up front, to wet down vegetation for running. I’ve not operated one that was so equipped.
If you’re stuck in high vegetation, stomping things down helps. Then you can wiggle, spin, and eventually work your way out (hopefully!). Wetting down the vegetation helps a lot. Getting “suctioned” in while stopped on a mud flat is kind of a rookie mistake (unless needing to stop there for a rescue, etc.).
Airboats are great tools. When a situation calls for an airboat, often nothing else will be a good substitute. When you get one stuck or broken down “way back in there,” not much else is going to get it out of there, besides another airboat.
They can also be a maintenance nightmare, and money pits. Something is always vibrating loose, or welds breaking, etc. Operating on ice (with no snow on top) can be especially hard on them... it just wants to pound them to pieces...
Much like shooting firearms or riding motorcycles, the basics are not too difficult, but might take a lifetime to master. Tons of “tricks of the trade.” Some concepts can be introduced in the classroom, but need to be experienced in the field to be fully grasped. Consistent “stick time” in a variety of environments is what leads to true mastery.
