Ron's EcoCruse 127

[chuckitt@earthlink.net]

The EcoCruze 127 Airboat
Hull: New Style Rivermaster hand laid by Marty Bray, 12 ft X 7 ft 6 inch.
Metalworks: Stainless Steel, rear steer single, front double, Pancake Cage by Ron Paxson.
Engine: 2011 Chevy Cruze LUJ 1.4L Turbo ( 1364cc ) GM ECM controlled
Emissions: Catilitic Converter and EVAP System
Reduction: Century Drives Eco 2 to 1 Belt
Prop: Water Walker 3 Blade Cypress 68 inch
Steering: Teleflex Cable with Airboat Inc 40 X 20 Foam Filled Rudders
Seat Covers: Lynn's Stitch Shop
Performance: 179 HP at 5000 rpm and 20 psi boost.
Speed: 68 mph in 400 ft.

At Little Nichols, i raced against Donny Lovetts 0-540 SV and we were dead even at the finish line. This small engine turned out to be a lot more than we expected.
We expect this boat to exceed 12 miles per gal when cruzing 28 mph.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wqsg33TgttQ

[Tony480]

68 MPH IN 400'??? Who had the radar? That seems far fetched....about like a carb making your rudders fall off.

[chuckitt@earthlink.net]

Hey Tony, That is what the GPS read.
The carb is only part of the problem. I haven't had much time to answer his post as it will take a few pages to lay out everything that has happened to that boat. Many things will come to light.
Chuck

[BlowInIt]

68mph in 400' that thing is ready to race!

[cntry141iq]

[chuckitt@earthlink.net]

I wish i had the funds to put one on my Scorpy Hull. Maybe when the new race track gets built in Sumter County.
Chuck

[skinny99]

Good looking little boat, prob fun as he!! to drive. One question is there a reason you chose the 2:1 box over a higher ratio?

[Tony480]

68 mph.Lmao!! Be lucky if it would do that being pulled behind your truck. That's faster than a lot of boats at the races. Must be a carbon fiber rivermaster with chrome moly polished rigging and a 300 shot on it.

[chuckitt@earthlink.net]

Hey Skinny, This belt drive by Centry Drives is the only drive that will bolt to the engine. It these engines start selling, Centry may do us a 2.4 to 1 or something close to that.
We will do an emission test to see if we can pass EPA standards and then we will get them certified. Just looking to the future and clean up the air some.
Chuck

[skinny99]

Hey Skinny, This belt drive by Centry Drives is the only drive that will bolt to the engine. It these engines start selling, Centry may do us a 2.4 to 1 or something close to that.
We will do an emission test to see if we can pass EPA standards and then we will get them certified. Just looking to the future and clean up the air some.
Chuck

Gotcha. Is it making boost at 3200-3300 RPM's? How much?

[chuckitt@earthlink.net]

Hey Tony, in the video, Ron would not hold the throttle down over 300 ft. Get Donny Lovett's phone # and call him. He could not beleave it ran down his 0-540.
Chuck

[chuckitt@earthlink.net]

On the datalog it showed the positive boost just starting at 3200 rpm. At 5000 it was making 20 psi boost. We will work on the tune to get at least 22 psi boost. The boat launches with the help of VVT getting Max Torque at 2000 rpm.
Chuck

[ptr34]

in the video it dont look that fast was that a full throttle pass till u let out ???

[chuckitt@earthlink.net]

In the video, Ron was driving and it was not a full throttle pass. He want hold it open.

[BlowInIt]

12mpg seems very far fetched too. Mikes little black fiberglass ecotech is only getting 5.5mpg running sround kissimme how in the hell is this boat gona get over 12mpg?

[BlowInIt]

Boat does look good, but those #s ant even close to realistic. Sorry

[Quick Draw]

I'm not sure if my DD sc 480 will run 68 in 400ft???? man that's fast for a big boat like that.

[John C]

Hey Chuck, you need to let someone drive that boat that will keep their foot in it. You can hear him let off in the video. I'm sure a lot of folks want to see what these little boats can really do.

[plumcrazy]

Boat does look good, but those #s ant even close to realistic. Sorry

/i have driven one of these boats and lets just say that reality is a case of perception ... dont under estamate this technology is pretty amazing to me , i really see myself having one of these fun little boats soon

[BlowInIt]

Hey I agree, and honestly 5.5mpg is awsome for a airboat, but to say this one will get 12mpg and does 68mph in 400' is just bs in my book. Just calling it like I see it.

[C1gator]

I have seen this boat in person, Never seen it run on the river, just seen the boat at the shop....I have to say that the work and the attention to detail that went into this build is very clean and very impressive...Congratulations to Ron and all the folks at AIRBOAT PRO'S on this build....I am with you plum, I want one of these little rascals.....

[chuckitt@earthlink.net]

Hey John C, good to here from you. I drove the boat at WOT with the GPS and got out of the throttle at the measured 400 ft. Ron didn't do a video of that run.
I said " over 12 miles per gal at 28 miles per hr" . Mikes was average including running hills and marsh.
Chuck

[Davie GSO480]

Ill tell ya.........there's something to this turbo gas engine stuff..
Just got my wiffy a 2013 Ford Escape, it powered by a ECOBOOST 1.6-L
Its over 188 hp, with a 6 speed trane....and at 60mph.... it gets 31 MPG..........33 at 55mph, at 80 on cruise it got 27

They make a 2-L, its like 238hp.......same milage, and can tow 3500 pounds....
Crazy

[ptr34]

it should do over 80 topend.

[Tony480]

Hell probally 100 with whatever gps there using. And I don't care if you cruised at 5 mph or 28 that boat will never get 28 mpg. You must have been smoking that good shiat.