“An airboat is not aerodynamically designed and ... Once, with two passengers, he attempted a 6-foot high wooden bridge on the Susquehanna at 80 mph. The boat overturned, nearly killing them ...

Airboats can use aircraft engines or car motors ... The engine turns a propeller, which can be a two-bladed wooden job or a multi-bladed model made of high-tech materials.

General aviation aircraft take 40 percent of the company’s wood props, airboats take 20 percent, and display props—for decoration only—10 percent. The biggest market niche the company ...

More variations of the airboat were built, including one in 1935 by Chokoloskee Gladesmen Ernest and Willard Yates who steered their airboat with reins attached to a wooden rudder.

Jack revs the airboat’s $5,000 rebuilt, Lycoming airplane engine — 300 roaring horsepower — mounted on the stern. The $400 wooden airplane propeller whirls to life. The force directs a ...