Inflatable Zodiac

Bill13
Got a 3.1m Zodiac myself powered by a 3.3 Mariner. Wheels fitted to motor transom enabling easy access to water. Taken it around Aussie with no problems but Qlds will still carry on about crocodiles with an inflatable. Just don't put it in crocodile infested waters. Easy. Motor is light and easy to stow but if I had my choice now I would probably go for a 5hp for the extra grunt. In SA boats 3.1m and under powered by a motor 5hp or under attract no registration fees. Still have to get a sticker every year but no cost. Go for it.
Peter

Hi

We have a 3.4m Quicksilver with two motors...15hp for home and 3.3hp for touring. The inflatable fits neatly into the canopy and we have a special bracket mounting inside for the motor. Adds another dimension to camping/touring.

Bill,

I have an old 3.1m Avon inflatable and 4HP motor. I took the boat with me on a 15,000KM trip round WA over 7 weeks but didn't use it. We didn't stop anywhere for very long.

If I was doing a slow trip stopping off at places for a decent length of time I'd probably take the motor as well.

Go for a 5hp. We have a Yamaha 5 which weighs same as a 4 and heaps more power. Comes with a tank in the cowling plus a separate tank and hose.

I have a 2.70 meter inflatable quicksilver and have 2 engines I have used with it. First is a little 2HP Honda with integrated fuel tank etc works well but it's slow going and surprisingly noisy engine because it's air cooled etc, the other is a 2 stroke 8HP mariner which gets the dinghy flying. Horses for causes depending on what you want to do, the 2HP and 4HP would be tinkering along whereas a 8-9HP would have the thing on a plain at good speeds, especially with 2 or more people and some weight on board.