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Thread: TomCat Air Boat

  1. #1
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    TomCat Air Boat

    I am new here but trying to figure this all out. I have a TomCat Air boat that I picked up about 25 years ago and now I have decided it was time to put it back together. Well, my wife thought it was or get rid of it. Trying to figure out what to do regarding an engine and prop. Not really sure where to start. Any suggestions?

  2. #2
    Super Moderator Corky's Avatar
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    Re: TomCat Air Boat

    Hello and welcome to the site !!...Can you post a pic of what you're starting with so everyone can see ??? Then we can make some suggestions on which route to go with your Tomcat...

    Aluminum .120 14' X 76" hull
    Teledyne 4a084-4 engine
    Circle S 1.69:1 reduction
    67" Whirlwind "Razor X" prop



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    Re: TomCat Air Boat

    I hope I did this right. Pretty well got everything figured out but the engine and prop set up. Totally lost on that part.
    Attached Images Attached Images  

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    Super Moderator Corky's Avatar
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    Re: TomCat Air Boat

    Nice !! Great starting point...So I'm wondering what engine was used to get it to the 50+ miles an hour ???...
    Was it the VW ???
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    Aluminum .120 14' X 76" hull
    Teledyne 4a084-4 engine
    Circle S 1.69:1 reduction
    67" Whirlwind "Razor X" prop



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    Re: TomCat Air Boat

    That is what i was wondering!

  6. #6
    Super Moderator Corky's Avatar
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    Re: TomCat Air Boat

    From what I've been reading,it seems the VW engine was a primary engine for these units...It makes sense considering at one time the VW beetle was the top selling vehicle and the engines were plentiful...Fast forward to today and those "cheap" engines aren't so cheap to build into a reliable powerplant for our intended application...You can easily get 2-3 thousand into a VW engine buying a rebuilt unit with some durability mods for airboating...
    If you've read any of the threads here some have used the 084 engine on that hull but all general info points to it being a little on the heavy side for using that engine...I'm guessing using the 4a084 had a lot to do with wanting to keep the price down at the expense of some performance...

    Aluminum .120 14' X 76" hull
    Teledyne 4a084-4 engine
    Circle S 1.69:1 reduction
    67" Whirlwind "Razor X" prop



  7. #7
    Super Moderator Corky's Avatar
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    Re: TomCat Air Boat

    Any updates on the route you want to go ???

    Aluminum .120 14' X 76" hull
    Teledyne 4a084-4 engine
    Circle S 1.69:1 reduction
    67" Whirlwind "Razor X" prop



  8. #8
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    Re: TomCat Air Boat

    I just got and put a motor in an aircat hull i went a bit overkill i got a rotax 670ho out of a snowmobile did a belt reduction and its way more than necessary it will run dry as fast as most minis go on water i would look at a 550 fan cooled sled engine if i was to do it again
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    Last edited by n.dallin@yahoo.com; 01-02-2018 at 09:37 PM.

  9. #9
    Super Moderator Corky's Avatar
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    Re: TomCat Air Boat

    Hello and welcome to the site...Nice boat !!!..It's refreshing to see someone actually over-power a mini !! I'd rather be at that end of a build than to be under powered and disappointed with the whole project...

    Aluminum .120 14' X 76" hull
    Teledyne 4a084-4 engine
    Circle S 1.69:1 reduction
    67" Whirlwind "Razor X" prop



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    Re: TomCat Air Boat

    Thank you its nice being able to run dry with 2 people in my yard but the power isnt very usable on water its been a fun first airboat project and ive learned alot building it i have some sweet videos but i dont know how to post them

  11. #11
    Junior Member Bart's Avatar
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    Re: TomCat Air Boat

    i like how you attached the drive pulley to the clutch, at least that's what it looks like from the picture. with your 120 hp motor, that boat probably runs like it is on steroids. And it could get entertaining real fast.
    On my small boat, I couldn't imagine any more than the 45 HP that my little Cuyuna puts out,
    glad to see that you are having fun with it.

    if you don't mind me asking what type of belts are you using to handle the HP?
    as for videos, i posted mine on u-tube, and copied the link. at least that is what worked for me.

  12. #12
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    Re: TomCat Air Boat

    The bottom pulley is in the main shaft with taperlock bushings im using three 5/8 ribbed belts just the napa gates bx series i know if you ask anyone or even call gates they will tell you it wont hold that kind of power. But i had to try it and weve ran it very hard dry in the yard and as long as tension and alignment were good they havent had a single problem. If i was to build another i would use a cogged belt setup but thats what this boat was for just to prove the design and learn

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    Re: TomCat Air Boat

    Heres a quick video before we adjusted the pitch of the blade it runs alot better now its not real dry in the video but would peak at 6200 rpm it will now hit 7500 rpm and its a big difference still a work in progress
    https://youtu.be/5mmWO_DeoNU

  14. #14
    Super Moderator Corky's Avatar
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    Re: TomCat Air Boat

    Wow !!! That was awesome !!! With that much fun on land why put it in the water......Seriously though I can't wait to see this on the water...

    Aluminum .120 14' X 76" hull
    Teledyne 4a084-4 engine
    Circle S 1.69:1 reduction
    67" Whirlwind "Razor X" prop



  15. #15
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    Re: TomCat Air Boat

    Sorry to be so long in getting back on here!
    OK, been working on my project! Decided to go with an electric start Vanguard 37 HP V Twin fuel injected engine with a gear reduction and a 6 blade 47" prop. Should have the engine in this week!

  16. #16
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    Re: TomCat Air Boat

    Sorry it has been awhile!
    Decided to go with a 37 HP Vanguard V Twin with a gear reduction system and a 6 blade 47" Blade. The original engine was a JLO Rockwell 50 HP 2 stroke direct drive with a 47" 2 blade prop.

  17. #17
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    Re: TomCat Air Boat

    Here are some up dated pics!

  18. #18
    Super Moderator Corky's Avatar
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    Re: TomCat Air Boat

    Quote Originally Posted by Charger View Post
    Here are some up dated pics!
    Hey don't go home yet we want to see those pics !!! ....Seriously though, thanks for the update if you're having trouble posting the pics PM me and I'll help...

    Aluminum .120 14' X 76" hull
    Teledyne 4a084-4 engine
    Circle S 1.69:1 reduction
    67" Whirlwind "Razor X" prop



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