Fan Craft

Has anyone ever heard of a Fan Craft boat. They are made by Lawrence Marine in Beaumont Texas. I have seen a used Fan Craft and thought it looked well made. I have searched the web and cannot find any info on this kind of boat. It's a shallow water, center console, fishing boat. Any information that can be given would be appreciated.

 

This is a response to an old thread, but I have a fancraft boat that I restored, Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to find much information on it. My Uncle bought it new in 1988 when he lived in Texas. Originally has an 18hp Briggs and Stratton motor on it.

 

Air boats are common here in Florida. They are noisy and disliked by people who live along shorelines. The engines are typically Lycomong or other air cooled aircraft engines. In many cases the hot rodders' have engines such as 350 ci Chevy or Ford V8 s. The engines can be quietid but the props are the parts that make the peace shattering noise. I expect that the smaller ones, as pictured, also put up an unwelcome racket.

Airboats do have their usefulness where the water is shallow or congested with vegetation. Our Florida Wildlife Commission owns numerous air boats that they use to good advantage when appropriate, including rescue missions.

The boat in the picture seems to have a much smaller air propulsion system than the ones with which I am familiar. The boat also has a big outboard on the transom. I suspect the pictured boat will be well down by the stern when at rest.

 

These are definately not as loud as an Everglades style air boat. Smaller motors and propellers = less noise. It only runs about 5 knots or so with the fan motor. Stern is less than 8” when at rest.