How to choose the suitable engine for inflatable boats: Comprehensive Analysis

Inflatable boats are popular used in different functions, inflatable boat for fishing/ rescue/ water sports/ cruising/ family leisure etc. Because with itself advantages, versatility, ultralight weight, easy to use. Choose the right engine is important to increase the inflatable rubber boat experience. Give inflatable motor boat fast speed, better stability and higher performance. We will analysis the advantages and disadvantages for each engine, 2 stroke outboard engine, 4 stroke outboard motor, electric motor.  

(1). Choose the suitable outboard engine according to boat structure and size

Inflatable boats designed with 3 different structure. Each structure for inflatable motor boat will give different performance. And can be used for different functions. 

EMS series inflatable boats with motor: 

EMS series inflatable boats normally equipped with large horse power outboard engine. Usually focuses on emergency rescue and medical first aid scenarios. Mainly used in emergency medical services, water rescue, fire fighting and government patrols. Inflatable folding boat can run in fast speed, keep in better stability, better meet the rescue inflatable boats demand. 

ME series inflatable pontoon boats:

ME series inflatable PVC boat suitable for normal leisure or family usage. Might focus more on multi-functionality and comfort.Suitable for a variety of water activities such as fishing, cruising, family leisure, yacht tender boat or small dinghy boat. Whole boat with better balance and medium sized outboard engine, can meet the demand in different functions. 

MS series inflatable boat raft: 

MS series small inflatable boatusually emphasizes portability and stability. Normally do small size from 8ft to 11ft. Because with ultralight weight, easy to pack and portable, widely used in outdoor adventures, leisure and entertainment, and is also suitable for some water rescue and law enforcement patrol work.

Boat Size: 

Yoolwin boat can produce sib inflatable boat size from 2.5m  to 7m. All inflatable boat with CE and DOC document. Before get the boat CE certificate, each boat tested for the max horse power and max load weight. So when choose the suitable outboard motor, should consider best from the CE show max power. If larger than the max power, easy to have the safy problem, not easy to handle when runing the inflatable rubber boat. If the power too small, can not push the boat run in fast speed. So choose the suitable horse power according to following specifications: 

Inflatable Boat Usage: 

Inflatable fishing boat, normally choose size 270/ 300/ 330, these sized as small size inflatable boats. Normally 4 stroke engine or electric motor more suitable for inflatable fishing boats. Can create a quite fishing evironment and advoid scaring fish. Engine power choose 8-15HP, can push forward the fishing inflatable boats to the fishing postion and have enough power to come back. As fishing inflatable rubber boats, can also equip with fishing rod holder and fresh fish tank on the boat, this can keep fish fresh on the PVC inflatable boats. 

Inflatable leisure cruising boats, 2 stroke or 4 stroke engine both suitable, according to customer demand and the country law strict. Normally small or medium sized inflatable boat will be choose for leisure inflatable boats. 10ft or 11ft inflatable zodiac boats as the best choice now. 

Inflatable dinghy and tender boat, normally put on luxury yacht stern, can be used for waters sports or water skiing. Small size inflatable boat will be ideal choice. Portable and with ultralight weight, easy to lift up and down the aluminum RIB Boats. Also can tight on the water skiing pole for skiing activities. 

(2). 2/4 stroke fuel outboard engine

2 stroke fuel outboard engine, with ultralight weight, can much reduce the inflatable boat raft total weight,  features for its high power to weight ratio. Can much increase the inflatable raft boat performance and fuel efficiency. This makes the the ideal choice for small inflatable boat. High performance inflatable boats can also get fast speed with 2 stroke outboard engine. 2 stroke outboard engine inside structure is simple and without complicated structure, do not need to maintain regularly, not easy to break during boat running in fast speed. Populard used in South East countries, like Philippines, Thailan, Malaysia and Indonisia market etc. But 2 stroke outboard motor, there is one problem for its high emissions. So in USA and other Europe countries, it is forbidden to use. If use personally, will have large fine because of the high emmisions problem. 

4 stroke fuel outboard motor, more fuel efficient. Popular used in USA/ Australia/ Europe market. Meet with local law strict demand. When dinghy inflatable boat used long time in the sea/ river/ lakes, can save much fuel and reduce the emmisions. Will be good choice for envirionmentally outboard engine. Especially for USA market, the outboard engine should meet the EPA demand. Compare with 2 stroke outboard engine, the 4 person inflatable boat can run more smoothly with 4 stroke outboard motor. And also can reduce the vibrations and noise for the PVC inflatable boat. This makes a more comfortable rider for activities like fishing or cruising which demand a quiet envirionment. But 4 stroke outboard motor is much heavier than 2 stroke motor, if installed on small inflatable dinghy boat, this will influent the whole boat performance. Maintainance and the following repair will also be expensive than 2 stroke engine. 

(3). Front operation engine 

How one best inflatable boat equip with one front operation outboard engine? Then inflatable intex boat should equipped with simple console or aluminum arm console. Connect with steering control system with wheel and cable, then can install the front operation outboard engine. This inflatable pontoon boats will be better for operation. Connect with aluminum seat on the inflatable pontoon boats, drivers can sit on the seat and drive boat toward front. 

(4). Electric Motors

Electric motor are popular these years for rubber inflatable boats. It is more environmentally friendly with zero fuel emissions. Suitable to be used for fuel emission countries, like USA market it is with EPA demand for all used motors for inflatable rubber boats. In Europe market, also more and more popular these years. Electric motor with another big advantages, it is quite model without noisy. Ideal choice for inflatable fishing boats. Do not worry this will scared the fish away. Electric motor is powered by battery. This will have another problem for the engine shipment. As dangerous product, when delivered should with special method. And battery do not have enough power compared with fuel outboard engine. With limited battery power, the inflatable boat can not run in long distance with long time. Normally not can be used for military/ rescue/ patrol inflatable boats. These boat should with enough power to run in long distance. But some custmers prefer to equip with solar panel, this will supply the battery with power.