Inflatable boat motor?

Question

I have a 6 man inflatable boat and I am currently planning for a friend of mine and I to go on a two week trip on a lake by our cabin. I just don't know what size of motor I would need and where I can get one, as well as the price range etc. Hope you can help me! (10 points for best as always)

Answer 1

Should be able to get by with about a 7.5hp. Check newspaper ads and local shops for a used one, maybe even a dealer.

Answer 2

You plan on hauling six people around the water? Thats gonna be a lot of weight for a 3HP outboard, especially an old one.

I would check the transom, the hard part at the BACK of your boat and there should be a stamp telling you what the boat is rated for. Should tell you the largest engine that the boat can

support.

My buddy had an older avon raft, and was rated for a 50 HP outboard...kinda looked like one of those xpedition boats from national geographic! It was a rocket with 4 grown men in it and a 50 HP merc-outboard...not very safe, it went too damned fast.

I would try looking for used 10-15 HP motors, start with www.craigslist.org and find your area and start browing and asnwering emails. EBAY would have a good list and you could get a good idea what they are selling for. Call local marina's, they have some good leads from time to time.

Ive got a small engine mechanic that has a few through-out the year--try looking in your local directory for small engine repair or lawnmower services...

Price? the old rule was $100.00 per horsepower..that may be for new motors though??

Answer 3

9.9 two stroke so you dont have to register and its quicker then a four stroke heavy cluncker

Answer 4

It will take up to a 10 hp you may need to register your boat if it has a motor on it.  It will screem w a 10 hp on it btw

Answer 5

There should be a plate with a rating of max HP on it. If there is no plate call the company and find out. Too much horse power for what it is rated is against the law. Not to mention if a tech put it on he is liable if someone gets hurt. One thing to consider is registering it. You can have up to a 9.9 motor and not have to register it. That is in Oklahoma so I am not sure if it is like that everywhere or not. Something to check into though.

Answer 6

Any size of engine will work, it really depends on how fast you intend to go. For fishing even a small 3hp Seagull engine will work. Make sure that your infatable has a solid transom (hard bit at the back) that can take the strain. Sailing clubs often have spare or unwanted old engines that work perfectly well, its always worth asking...

Answer 7

its a minefield , you usually buy someone elses rubbish , at least see it working  , started from cold ,on a bench would do briefly if it is a small engine say 3hp but you will only crawl along unless you go to a 30 hp for some speed approx 15 knots depending , get awarranty or get someone to test it for you as i say outboards generally can be big expensive trouble so be warned , hopefully you will be ok and it will be great fun i should know i have been doing it for years , good luck