Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

[ShrimperJosh]

My dad and his friend built an airboat from a kit in the early '70s. It has been sitting since the early '80s, and it is about restoration time. It is about 18', and made of wood and fiberglass resin to seal it. I'm sure most if not all of the wood will need to be replaced, so it'll practically be a build from scratch boat with an example on a trailer. The hood, glass, tank and motor are all to be re-used, and the prop has been stored indoors so it should be good too. So, my question to you is, what do I seal off the wood with once the boat is rebuilt? Should I use the same type of fiberglass resin, or is there something better now? I know that a better boat could be made out of aluminum, but rebuilding it for the nostalgia factor of what it used to be.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

Sounds like a fun project, Shrimper. Got any pics so we have a better idea what you're dealing with?

 

[ShrimperJosh]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

I don't have any yet, but will post them as soon as I get them. Also, not sure yet if I will resurrect the old Corvair, or just bolt in a 350. Not sure if parts are still readily available for that old engine.

 

[matt167]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

Everything automotive is still available for the old Pancake 6, but marine components, I'm not sure ever existed. Corvair powered boats existed but were done differently and not to standards which are well known and followed nowdays.. I'd put it back to the way it was.. Don't know as a 350 will just bolt where a 'vair engine went

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

Nothing marine about a Corvair air-cooled motor for an airboat. You can find just about any part you might need. To plug in a 350 you need to redo motor mounts and get a prop adapter. I would stay with the Corvair to stay with your Father's ideas.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

Why don't I slide this over to the restoration forum. My vote is to use epoxy to seal the wood just for the added strength. I bet you could sell a corvair motor to someone doing corvair restorations and be able to afford a 350 with cooling for that boat.

 

[ShrimperJosh]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

Here are some pics of the old AB. It has been overgrown by trees and whatnot, so it's not the easiest to see.

 

[ShrimperJosh]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

 

[ShrimperJosh]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

 

[ShrimperJosh]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

 

[ShrimperJosh]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

So, as you can see from the above pics, it's not in good shape at all, and it's more of a rebuild than a restoration. The engine is savable, but I still may just put in a 350, and of course build the mount appropriately. I'll get a prop to match.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

Yeah, it doesn't look like you have much to work with for a hull.

 

[ShrimperJosh]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

Not much at all. The general shape is all there, but truth be told, I'm surprised the engine hasn't just gone through the boat yet. The only reason it was parked was a leaky fuel line (to the best of my recollection) and it just became out of sight, out of mind. I think when I get to that point I'll add a little more 'glass than what they did.

 

[s1120]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

Not much left there. I think the best part is the corvair power setup. I would stick with that, and build a new hull under it. The corvair mill is different. To many 350s in the world!!

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

I agree ^^^. IF the corvair could be made to run again, I think it would be WAYYYY Kool to use it as the Power Plant for a NEW hull. This one is TOAST. I'd take Lot's of measurements and try to recreate it and use a Lot more Glass and Resin. This one does not look like it had much. Prolly mostly on the seams and bottom. Good luck on the Build!!!

 

[Georgesalmon]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

Parts for that engine can be found at "Clarks corvair" They have everything even high performance stuff. I know I have almost that same engine in my '65 Monza convert.

 

[ShrimperJosh]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

I agree ^^^. IF the corvair could be made to run again, I think it would be WAYYYY Kool to use it as the Power Plant for a NEW hull. This one is TOAST. I'd take Lot's of measurements and try to recreate it and use a Lot more Glass and Resin. This one does not look like it had much. Prolly mostly on the seams and bottom. Good luck on the Build!!!

The problem is, I think with the talk of building another boat, my dad is considering the same. He likely will use the engine, and with some of the plans I have, a 350 will work the best. Good or bad, I may implement a transmission with the boat, rather than a reduction unit. That way, if I need power, it's there, if I want speed, it's there. It will bring much more weight forward, but I plan on a belt drive so the weight will be much lower than a solid drive like the Corvair setup. Also, it could have a reverse, even though I know it won't have much power due to the way the prop is shaped. But could come in handy every now and then... Also might be nice to warm up the engine without having to spin the prop, since a tranny has neutral. It's a setup I haven't seen before, so I think it will be interesting to give it a shot and just see how effective it is!

Also, on the old boat, there was a lot more fiberglassing than it appears, as a lot of it is coming off, but I agree, it needs a lot more.

 

[ShrimperJosh]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

After some figuring and measuring, I've decided to go a little bigger than the previous hull, as it was pretty skinny for an airboat. It is about 17' x 4', and I will aim for 20' x 7 or 8'. Length for the transmission, and width for steering ability and buoyancy. And of course extra room for equipment, as it'll be used as a hunting/fishing boat. I will have a flat hood, and a sealed windshield so if water comes over the bow, it (mostly) won't make it inside the occupied space of the boat. Also will incorporate a splash well on the rear to keep everything dry. Might even throw in a trolling motor bracket, just for trolling and turning heads, lol.

 

[GA_Boater]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

A transmission is added weight and expense in my opinion. The throttle is all you need for power and speed. It isn't like a car and it's also fairly light, so you don't need gear reduction. And an airboat spins in it's own length, so reverse is nice but not really needed.

Just tossing thoughts, Shrimper.

 

[ShrimperJosh]

Re: Rebuild of 70's era airboat with v6 corvair

I realize that a tranny is a lot of extra weight, but a lot of props are used with reducers, and there is the power range to think of and being stuck in mud. And reverse is more of a neat trick, rarely useful but there is that one time....

Long story short, if it doesn't work out, can always get rid of it. Also, could work out great and be worth the weight, and that's what I want to find out. Thanks for the thoughts though!