I have owned 4, vw powered, direct drive, gear reduction, and aircraft engine. Best advice to give is take you time to get to a shallow area and learn how to drive/ turn.

On my 4th airboat..... Absolutely a money pit. Before you get one, call boating insurance companies to see what their requirements are. If anyone has an old airboat project for sale let me know. I'm in the Texoma area.

Ditto on the consideration part👍. Nothing like standing in the Brazos river fishing downstream from PK when an airboat comes flying around the corner right up the middle of the channel. Evidently it’s understood that’s it’s your job to get out of his way. Honestly though it’s not like they sneak up you. Can hear them a mile away.

1. It does not turn unless you are giving it power
1a. Carry tools and extra belts with you.
1b. Don't run dry on rocks, gravel, or concrete. It will eat your poly very quickly.
2. Do not turn sharp in deep water at speed. Water will come over the sides at the rear and sink you.
3. Do not stop abruptly in deep water. The wake will catch up and swamp the back of the boat and sink it.
4. Stay away from the edge of rivers. Over hanging trees will destroy a prop
5. If collision with an overhanging tree is inevitable, kill the engine so the prop is not turning when you reach the tree.
6. soft sand and mud will stick an airboat. Avoid these at all cost.
7. Always have a come-a-long and long heavy rope in the airboat at all times. You are going to get stuck eventually, so be prepared.
8. Loose objects in the boat like soda cans and baseball caps can easily get sucked in to the prop and destroy it.
9. Always have at least 2 high volume bilge pumps in an airboat at all times.
10. Always be aware of your prop wash. Pay attention to what is going to be behind you when you turn.
11. If you are sinking kill the engine so it does not suck water into it.
12. Don't let anybody drive your airboat. It is an airplane on water and it takes practice and skill to operate it safely.

It looks like there may be some amazing stories associated with these rules.

I have a brand new airboat built by silver dollar for sale might have 5 hours on it bought it to fish the red river when it floods or was good fishing don’t use anymore 502 Chevy motor boat built like a brick chit house 45,000 4698310440