a) The most common way to check the adjustment of the drive belt is to move the tip of the prop back and forth with the rotation and counter rotation of the prop. There should be very little "play," less than 1/8th of an inch, at the tip of the prop. To make adjustments to the belt you must remove the 3/8" bolts which hold the propeller hub and pulley in place. Always use two people to hold the pulley in place when removing the 3/8" bolts and prop. The pulley, hub, and prop assembly is heavy. After removing the 3/8" bolts, rotate the hub to the right or the left until the desired tension is reached. Re-install the 3/8" bolts and check the "play" at the tip of the prop.

b) There are four grease fittings on the drive unit. Grease these fittings with approximately 1 to 2 squirts of grease every 10 to 15 hours running.

It is necessary to regularly check all nuts and bolts used to assemble and accessorize the airboat. Check them visually every time you use your airboat and check them with a wrench every 10 to 15 hours of running.

Keep your engine, prop, radiator, oil cooler, hull, and complete airboat clean at all times possible. Also keep all walking surfaces clean, dry, and free of mud at all times.

Always watch for leaking screws or rivets that are loosening. Reseal and correct this problem if it occurs. Also check the polymer sheeting for tears, cracking, or bubbling. If this condition occurs the polymer may need to be patched or replaced.

a) Rudders:

1. Keep rudders greased top and bottom as needed

2. Adjust the slack out of the rudders as needed by holding a back-up wrench at the top of the rudder and tightening the nut at the bottom of the rudder. Do not over-tighten. Over-tightening will make the rudders hard to turn.

b) Steering cable:

1. Grease cable movement (travel) rods on both ends with a light greasel.

2. If the steering cable starts to get tight or becomes hard to move back and forth, the cable should be oiled. If this does not help and the cable is the cause of the problem, replace the cable immediately.

3. Check rod ends for wear.

4. Always be sure the cable remains securely away from the exhaust and out of the path of the propeller.

c) Steering stick:

1. Check bushings for wear.

2. Always make sure that no objects are blocking the travel of the steering stick or the rudders.

Check all moving parts from the accelerator to the carburetor for wear. Check the accelerator cable for tightness. If the cable becomes hard to move back and forth oil the cable travel on each end. If the cable remains tight, replace the cable with a new one. Check the carburetor return springs and replace as needed.

Dents in the hull from striking objects could make the airboat hard to handle and very dangerous. Dents should be straightened out before returning to service.

Before starting the airboat, front and rear motor mounts should be checked visually for wear or breakage every time you use your airboat. Motor mount bolts should be inspected for wear and tightness frequently.

Some airboats are equipped with a main battery disconnect switch. The battery should be turned off when the boat is not in use and when you are working on any part of your airboat. Airboats that do not have a disconnect switch should have the battery disconnected before working on the airboat and when it is not in use.

Always keep your propeller clean. Before starting your airboat, check the condition of your propeller every time you use your airboat. If any splitting, cracking, metal tip loosening, or any damage whatsoever appears, the propeller must be replaced before the airboat returns to service. It is important to always check the propeller bolts for tightness each time you use your airboat.

Always check your fuel level before using your airboat. When doing your daily maintenance check, inspect all fuel lines and clamps for aging, damage, or leakage. Always clean or change fuel filters as needed, approximately every 50 hours of running.

Always check the oil level in your boat before starting the engine. When doing your daily maintenance check, inspect all oil lines and clamps for aging, damage, or leakage. Always change oil and filter as needed, approximately every 25 hours of running.

It is important to always maintain the proper non-skid on all walking surfaces at all times. It is also important to keep all walking surfaces clean and free of mud and water at all times.

The exhaust header bolts should be checked for tightness frequently. The exhaust clamps should also be checked in the same manner. Before starting your airboat, the exhaust flex pipe should be checked for cracking, breaking, or wear every time you use your airboat. If any cracking, breaking, or wear appears, the flex pipe should be changed immediately.

The carburetor weather cover and breather should be removed and cleaned as needed. The weather cover bolt should be checked for tightness frequently. Do not over-tighten.

The alternator belt and the water pump belt should be checked for wear and tightness frequently. Any belts showing wear should be replaced.

Always be sure that the water in the radiator and the day tank and these objects are cool before opening them to check the water level. Always make sure that the water level is adequate before starting the engine. It is important to inspect the water lines, clamps, radiator and all related parts for aging, leakage, or wear. These parts should be changed immediately if these conditions exist.

It is important for your cooling system to have approximately 50% coolant and 50% water in it.

Inspection of the prop guard should be done frequently. This inspection consists of, but is not limited to, broken wires, bent or broken bars, broken main supports, broken rudder support bars, rust and corrosion, mounting bolts and nuts, and the oil cooler mounting bracket. All necessary repairs should be completed immediately.

Inspection of the motor stand and seat stands should be done frequently. The inspection consists of, but is not limited to, cracks in any tubing, bracing, or motor mount supports. Check all nuts and bolts for tightness and fatigue. Also check for rust and corrosion. All necessary repairs should be done immediately.

It is important that you never leave any loose objects in the bottom of the boat while the engine is running.

Before starting the engine, always be sure that the drain plugs are installed securely. Do not leave the drain plugs loose in the bottom of the boat while the engine is running.

The trim tab should be checked frequently to be sure it is going up and down properly without binding.

The water level in the battery should be checked frequently and water added as needed. The battery terminals should be kept clean and tight. It is important to keep the battery box cover over the battery and secured with the battery strap at all times. The battery strap should be inspected and changed as needed.

The 3 running lights should be in working order at all times. The green starboard light, the red port light, and the white top clearance light are the running lights. The bulbs or lights should be changed immediately as needed.

The bilge pump should always be in working order. Keep all grass and trash cleaned from around the base of the bilge pump. Do not allow bilge pump to run when there is not enough water in the hull for it to pump.