Choosing a power unit for an inflatable vessel is always about balancing power, weight and budget. Mistakes at this stage can cost you not only extra money, but also water safety and comfort during operation. Many beginners often look only at the price tag or brand, forgetting the technical nuances of compatibility with a particular boat hull.
The modern market offers a huge range of solutions: from quiet and light electric motors to powerful two-stroke “fuel” units. The right choice It depends on a variety of factors: the length of your boat, the type of bottom (BND or slate), the number of passengers and the purpose of the voyage. There is no universal answer that would suit everyone without exception.
In this article, we will discuss in detail which engine will be the ideal partner for your boat. critical parameters, which can not be ignored when buying, and you will understand whether it is worth overpaying for a well-known logo or you can save money by choosing a less popular, but reliable option.
Key criteria for the power selection and type of engine
The first thing to decide on is the type of fuel, and the gasoline engines are divided into two-stroke and four-stroke engines. Two-stroke They're lighter, cheaper to maintain, and easier to transport because they're not afraid of tilting, but they use more fuel and they work noisier. Four-stroke analogues are more economical, quieter and more environmentally friendly, but much heavier and require strictly vertical storage.
The second most important parameter is power, which directly affects the speed of planing. For boats up to 3 meters long, often enough motor 2-3.5 hp, which will allow you to move against the current and with a payload. gelling With two passengers on board, the minimum bar rises to 5 hp for small models and up to 9.9 hp for boats 3.2-3.6 meters long.
⚠️ Warning: Never install a motor that exceeds the maximum power allowed for your boat, as indicated in the boat's passport. Exceeding the limit can lead to the destruction of the transom, engine detachment and flooding of the boat at full speed.
Also, you need to consider the control system. For small power, the hummulus is relevant, which gives you full control of the boat. remote-control and the ability to connect electrohydraulics, which significantly changes the ergonomics of the control.
Gasoline or electricity: the eternal dilemma of the owner of PVC
The choice between electric and electric is becoming more and more important. Electric motors They're the perfect solution for quiet fishing, where every spike counts, or for moving around in ICE-free zones, they don't require registration with a GIMS (most of the time), they don't smell like gasoline, and they don't need complex maintenance. battery.
Gasoline units give you complete freedom of movement. You're not tied to a charging outlet and you can walk tens of kilometers in one tank. Modern models are equipped with fuel injection systems, which makes them more stable. However, a full-tank gasoline engine can weigh anywhere from 20 to 40 kg, which greatly increases the total weight of the equipment that you need to bring to the water.
Hidden electricity costs
Many forget that the cost of an electric motor must necessarily add the price of a traction battery and a special charger. A high-quality lithium-iron-phosphate (LiFePO4) battery with a capacity of 50 Ah is expensive, but provides stable traction to the very discharge, unlike cheap lead-acid counterparts, which lose power quickly.
If you're planning to use a boat for trolling at high speeds or long-distance crossings over large reservoirs, gasoline is still the leader. electric motor with traction force of 30-40 lbs It's the best choice.
Overview of popular brands: Japan, China or Europe?
The outboard motor market is clearly segmented, with Japanese brands being considered the traditional leaders: Tohatsu, Yamaha, Suzuki and HondaThese manufacturers set standards for reliability and quality. TohatsuFor example, they are often OEMs for other brands (including some Mercury models), which indicates their high technology, they are famous for their “unkillability” and excellent traction at low revs.
Chinese manufacturers, such as Hidea, Parsun and Sea-ProMany of their models are replicas of time-tested Japanese designs (often the Tohatsu of the 90s), which gives them the advantage of affordable prices and spare parts. pre-run and settings.
| Brand | Country. | Pluses | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tohatsu | Japan | High reliability, light weight, excellent traction | High price, noisy at high speeds |
| Yamaha | Japan | Liquidity, developed service, technology | Very high cost, a lot of fakes. |
| Hidea | China | Low price, simplicity of design, availability of spare parts | Heavyer than analogues, requires careful running |
| Suzuki | Japan | Economy, quiet operation, cooling system | More difficult in self-repair |
European brands such as Swedish Johnson (manufactured in China) or French developments are also present in the market, but their share is smaller. When choosing a "Chinese" it is important to buy from official dealers who give a guarantee and conduct pre-sales preparation. Cheap "nounames" from marketplaces without service support is a lottery where winning is unlikely.
Japanese engines are an investment in long life and high residual cost, and Chinese engines are a rational choice for those who want to save on the start and are willing to pay more attention to maintenance.
Calculation of power for the length and carrying capacity of the boat
To understand which engine will pull your boat, you need to refer to the load table and recommendations of the PVC manufacturer. There is a direct correlation: the longer the length and width of the vessel, as well as the higher its load capacity, the more powerful the engine is needed to go into the sleeve. A weak engine on a large boat will lead to huge fuel consumption and the inability to develop the desired speed.
For a classic two-seater boat with a length of 2.8-2.9 meters with an inflatable floor (NDNDM), the optimal choice will be a 2.5-3.5 hp engine. This will provide a speed of about 10-12 km / h, which is enough to move. If you have a boat 3.2-3.6 meters with a hard floorboard bottom, for comfortable glides with one person (about 80 kg) you will need at least 5 hp, and for two – already 9.8-9.9 hp.
- 🚤 2.5-3.5 hp - Ideal for boats up to 2.9 m, one fisherman, calm water.
- 🚤 5 hp - Gold standard for boats 3.0-3.2 m, access to the plane with one person.
- 🚤 9.8-9.9 hp - maximum for PVC boats up to 3.6 m, planing with full load.
- 🚤 15bhp and higher - only for large PVC boats (3.6-4.0 m) with reinforced transom and keel.
It's important to remember the term "strangle." Many 9.9 hp engines are structurally 15-strong with a speed limiter. When you remove this plug (which is a violation of the rules of operation and can be dangerous), you get a boost in power. However, for PVC boats, 9.9 stock forces are often enough, since the hull is simply not designed for higher speeds due to the risk of loss of stability.
Motor weight: critical parameter for inflatable boats
The weight of the engine is often more important to the PVC owner than to the boat owner. You have to carry the engine from the car to the shore, lower it from the steep, lift it on board. An extra 5 kg can turn a pleasant fishing into hard physical work. weighting It should be one of the main filters when choosing.
Two-stroke engines are traditionally lighter than four-stroke engines of the same power. For example, a two-stroke 5 hp can weigh about 19-21 kg, while a four-stroke of the same power will pull all 25-27 kg. The difference of 5-6 kg becomes noticeable when you need to carry gear alone. In addition, a heavy motor on a soft PVC transom of a boat can cause problems with differentiation, lifting the nose too high.
⚠️ Warning: When buying a heavy motor, be sure to check the height of your boat's transom and the presence of a transom plate. If the transom is soft or low in height, a heavy engine can "bury" the stern, making the control dangerous, especially in choppy conditions.
There are special lightweight series of engines, such as the Tohatsu MFS5C or Suzuki DF6A, which weigh less than 25 kg even in a four-stroke version. If every kilogram counts, it is worth considering these models or staying on proven two-stroke versions that are easier to maintain and transport in any position.
Use special roller carts to transport a motorized boat on hard ground, which will save your back and will not remove a heavy engine every time you get on the water.
transom compatibility and attachment equipment
Not every motor will fit any boat physically. The key here is the length of the lower unit. short leg (S)If you make the mistake of buying a motor with a long leg (L), it will be too deep in the water, which will create huge resistance, or vice versa, will pick up the boat's nose if the transom is low.
Also important is the type of attachment. Most PVC boats have a 25-30 mm thick transka board. The motors have a clamp adjustment, but sometimes additional wooden or aluminum pads are required. Make sure that the engine clips do not damage the soft transom material; rubber pads are often recommended.
- 🔧 Check the height of the transan: standard 381 mm (15 inches).
- 🔧 Make sure the width of the motor clips allows you to fix it in the center.
- 🔧 Check for a water drain hole in the transom board if the motor is four-stroke.
The gas control system requires special attention. At low power, the gas is on the tiller. On more powerful models (usually from 15 hp and above, but sometimes at 9.9), you may need a remote control or a hummel with the ability to connect to the device. remote-controlFor PVC boats, this is rarely critical, as the tiller control provides better maneuverability and communication with water.
☑️ Check before buying the engine
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I use gasoline for a motor boat?
Only fresh AI-92 or AI-95 gasoline (depending on the manufacturer's requirements) can be used, but with the obligatory addition of a special two-stroke oil in the correct proportion (usually 1:50 or 1:25). Pure motor gasoline without oil will instantly destroy the two-stroke engine. For four-strokes, pure gasoline is used, as in cars, but preferably with an octane number specified in the instructions.
Do I need to register a outboard motor in GIMS?
Only engines with power exceeding 8 kW (approximately 10.88 hp) are subject to registration. Thus, popular 9.9 hp engines are formally in the gray zone and often do not require registration unless their power has been artificially increased by the owner. 5 hp, 6 hp and 8 hp motors are not subject to registration. Always check current laws, as they may change.
How to properly run a new engine?
Running is critical. For two-stroke engines, it is usually 10 hours of operation. The first 2 hours are low-speed (no more than 1/3 of gas), then gradually increase the load. It is important to use a quality fuel mixture. You can't give full gas in the first hours of operation to make the piston group wear properly. Four-stroke engines also require running, often with oil change after the first hours of operation.
What to do if the engine is stalled at high speeds?
The most common problem is the fuel system: the carburetor's jetty is full, the tank has water or dirt, or the proportion of the mixture is broken, and it's also worth checking the spark plug and the cooling system. If the engine is new, it may just not have been break-in and the throttle valve doesn't open completely due to factory settings or the limiter.
Can I keep a boat with an engine installed?
Keep a boat with an installed engine can, but only in a horizontal position (on a trailer or trailer) and necessarily removing the load from the transom (propping the engine or boat). Inflating a boat for long-term storage with an engine is not recommended due to temperature and pressure changes. It is better to remove, wash and store the motor in an upright position (especially four-stroke) or on a special side (two-stroke).