Here are some pictures from my latest project, a mini-airboat made from a small Jonboat and a paraglider motor. The eventual goal is to have an all-terrain vehicle with wheels that can run on water, land, and ice. This is the first time I’ve worked with a radial engine or done anything with an air-propulsion boat.
The engine is an MZ-34 Paramotor that is rated at around 30hp.
The first step was to get the parts together. The boat hull was small enough that I didn’t even need a trailer! I was able to find it on Craigslist for $100, and it included a bunch of free mice living in the seats!
Here’s the initial setup to verify how things should look.
I constructed a safety cage around the motor and propeller, which also serves as the framework for the rudder.
I also installed a complete electrical system with battery, running lights, headlights, bilge pump, and even a horn!
The entire engine and rudder assembly folds down for easier transport and storage.The wheels are designed to fold up and/or be removable.
Here are the initial on-water tests. The boat still needs a few tweaks and some final adjustments, and I’m still working on a few components for the wheels.
Saveitforparts 
Hey this is awesome. I was wondering what you used for a propeller? I’ve been thinking of doing something similar with an old snowmobile engine i have but i cant decide what to do about a propeller thats relatively cheap. Any suggestions would be great.
Thanks
Hi Joe, I got the motor with propeller from a friend who was using it on a paraglider (ultralight aircraft). It’s made by a company called paracruiser in St. Cloud, they also sell just the props on their website: http://www.paracruiser.com/
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That is cool. I have been thinking about doing that with my old paramotor
There is a long history of similar contraptions – http://gizmodo.com/the-dodos-we-made-26-propeller-driven-machines-that-ca-482414317
My uncle owned a snowmobile version that he operated on Lake Vermilion in Minnesota back in the 60s. It had a pretty hefty aircraft engine for power. I only got to ride in it once, while my father accompanied me. Once we got back to shore, my father declined all further opportunities to join in the fun …