A unique website dedicated to fishing information from Florida's Northern Big Bend. This includes the area from the Econfina River west to the Apalachicola River
Got tired of running in 6 inches of water and scarring up the sea grass with my mud motor. So now when I see a paddler, I'll be able to throw them a wake, send them some wind, and they can hear me miles away. j/k
It's a 35hp Briggs and Stratton Vanguard engine. Paul Dixon in Bainbridge puts the boat together.
Actually mainly gonna use it as a frogging or joy riding boat. It does both of those things well.
We were able to sneak up to these guys yesterday at Seminole, while they were making their beds.
Depends on how the boat is set up. Mostly it is Prop noise. But, there are some Prop Manufactures out there like Whirlwind that has "Whisper-Tip" prop, the have really got the noise down per say. Then there are some that barely run mufflers if any at all.
When it comes to this airboat, its all prop noise. When the motor is idling, you can't even here the motor running, just the prop cutting the wind.
I've seen speeds of 20 with 2 people in shallow water. I haven't gps'ed is alone yet, but can definately tell a difference when I'm by myself. I'm thinking 22-24 alone.
This thing is perfect for Jackson and running the shoreline. It slides like you're on ice. Also fun to frog off of.
I just installed a Mikuni Carb last night so should pick up another couple hundred rpms and maybe a couple mph. Gonna order some high flow heads next week and then should be finished with mods until I'm ready to move up to a big boy airboat.
I also know that if you are running 2 people, deep water, into a 10-15 knot headwind, its Slowwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww.
You guys are wayyyy too nice up here. I used to write for Airboat magazines and am good friends with the guy that runs the airboat concession in the Loxahatchee wildlife refuge. Those guys are nuts. The basic engine they teach their children on is a 502 Chevy crate motor putting out 500 hp! I was offered rides on rigs pushing 800 hp, which I declined. I learned early on not to bass fish in the airboat trails. No mufflers out there. Open headers, but they were getting pressure because of the noise. Don't know what's changed since I left 7 years ago. It was exciting. And loud. Hope they don't become popular up here.
J Holden wrote:You know there are two kinds of airboaters, right? Those who have sunk and those who will
They are serious fun and can take you to places others will never go.
You can also stick them where few can follow to get you out! Carry a HEAVY duty push pole at all times and be sure it is roped down not to get into the prop!
j/k
Carry a HEAVY duty push pole at all times and be sure it is roped down not to get into the prop! 
Been there....done that...gots lots of T-Shirts!