Do Airboats use marine engines?
Some do but the only marine part actually needed is a marine air filtration system. Automotive filters do not hold up in a marine environment. American Airboats routinely replaces exposed parts with more corrosion resistant ones but this is more cosmetic than absolutely necessary. Everything else is standard with the automotive industry. This means that if a fuel pump goes out, you can pick one up at the local auto parts store. (Not so easy with an aircraft engine). The marine designation on an engine mostly refers to the cooling system which must be beefed up if it is to circulate salt water. Beefing up includes replacing the engine block drain plug with a corrosion resistant one. Airboats have a closed cooling system exactly like a car so there is no need for fully modified marine engine. Airboats typically use a high efficiency racing type aluminum radiator to reduce weight and increase corrosion resistance.
Some do but the only marine part actually needed is a marine air filtration system. Automotive filters do not hold up in a marine environment. American Airboats routinely replaces exposed parts with more corrosion resistant ones but this is more cosmetic than absolutely necessary. Everything else is standard with the automotive industry. This means that if a fuel pump goes out, you can pick one up at the local auto parts store. (Not so easy with an aircraft engine).
