Which motor on which inflatable?

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Ctskip

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Sep 21, 2005
732
other 12 wet water
I am looking into getting a inflatable dingy, and I was thinking about an electric motor for it. There are many differant sizes and they all have to do with thrust. I'm not that familiar with electric motors, so please bare with me. I know there are differant battery sizes availiable, 12 ,24,36 volt. I'm wanting to do a simple 12 volt system that could be charged on board. I'm on a lake and doing maybe a mile round trip with little to no wind and next to no wave action, nor any current to have to deal with. I'd like to be able to haul three adults (two with gear). Maybe 850 lbs. More for reliability/comfort than speed. Ease of operation, yet still light enough to be carried. So, what kind of inflatable is best for the money and what size electric motor (thrust) would /should I be looking for? Hard wood floor or not? Eventually, I will hang it off the stern. Thanks for the opinions. Keep it up, Ctskip
 
C

Cap'n Ron

Keep an open mind...

"Keep it up" Hi, I have used many, many inflatables. Used for dives when I owned a dive shop, and have made a 'study' of 'em. Conclusions: 1) Achilles (hypalon only) is the best bang for buck. Made in Japan but good quality. 2) Aluminum is okay for floorboards, but expensive, go with wood and keep them varnished. 3) A ten foot is usually enough for four but will not plane; go by car if speed is needed. 4) A small (4-5) h.p. Nissan is far superior to the electric motors, but Minn-Kota (I own one) is a good one. Honda, Yamaha are fine but not better than Nissan but more $$$. The KIWI'S use webbing round the inflatable, and pull it up athwartships across the stern with the cockpit against the stern, tubes at right angles to the stern of the mother ship.
 
Aug 9, 2005
772
Hunter 28.5 Palm Coast, FL
go a small gas outboard...

the electric motor will be light but you'll have a heavy battery to contend with.
 

abe

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Jan 2, 2007
736
- - channel islands
Cap'nRon..Achilles now MADE IN CHINA.

...well, at least thats what my brand new one year old Achilles RIB 280 says. Still, I agree...good dinghy. I also have a Tohatsu 9.8hp(same as Nissan)...lightest wt motor for its class. abe
 
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