How to Build an Airboat

Building an airboat can be an interesting task, but you may find the construction process difficult
due to the excessive costs. The first step required in building an airboat is desire and will. Also
known as fan boats, airboats have a flat bottom. They are power driven by a propeller, which is
attached to an aircraft engine or an automobile. To safeguard the passengers, propeller requires a
huge metal cage. Also, the size and shape of a propeller is same as that of an airplane propeller.

The flat base of the airboat allows for easy navigation of the boat through marshes and swamps.
This feature makes it possible for the airboat to move in rivers, lakes and canals, and even on
frozen water. The bottom is made from lightweight and inexpensive plywood. The standard size
of the
sheet is 4′x 8′. To reduce the errors and to make it easy, patterns are provided for all members.

The materials required whilst building an airboat are:

 wood
 fiberglass
 aluminum
 steel

Wood has been used traditionally for building an airboat; it is used because of its buoyancy
nature. Oak and cedar are the common wood types that are used as construction material. Also, it
is durable and easy to work with.

It is essential that you are acquainted with the various boat parts. Also, learn about the shapes
and function of each part of an airboat. A hull features twelve varied parts, each having a
different function. For instance, the function of bow placed in the front portion of hull is to
reduce the water resistance. Also, it checks the water entering an airboat.

Different kinds of hull are:

 Round bilge hull

 Chined hull
 Displacement hulls
 Displacement hulls
  Chined hull
 Round bilge hull

You can also search on the Internet to learn about the parts and their functions for building a
perfect airboat. Also, the sites can be visited to learn about the materials required and the places
where you can get it. The time taken whilst building an airboat entirely depends on your speed.
There are people who build airboat as their profession; they tend to do it quickly as they are well
acquainted with the steps involved. You can always take the help of a person who has the
knowledge about building an airboat.

The standard size of an airboat is:

 length – 12’9″
 hull depth – 14″
 beam – 7’0″
 hull weight – 265 LBS

The size or seating capacity of an airboat can vary anywhere between two persons and eighteen
persons. Airboats can be used for hunting, ride and fishing, and thus are a popular mode of
transportation. All the materials are easily available at any hardware store and local lumber.