Inflatable inboard question

[Dvorocks]

Im I the process of building a inflatatable catamaran style boat 17ft
I have been searching for a diesel outboard when I came across a great deal on a 20hp inboard diesel.. I'm not familiar with inboards at all.. Is this a good idea?
Boat is going to be used to cruise on rivers and lakes mostly.. Also would like it to be able to go in shallow water

[IMP-ish]

An outboard can be trimmed and tilted up for shallow water and beaching.

[Dvorocks]

I know that is why I wanted an outboard .. My question is what about an inboard? Was reading about jet drive but don't think 20hp diesel would work with one

[WestVanHan]

Evinrude even named their jet outboards according to the loss ie. 50/35 meaning the engine was 50 hp but at the bottom it was the equivalent of a 35 hp prop unit. They had a 125/90 and other similar IIRC.


Combine that with the 20 hp peak hp diesel which probably weighs about 150 pounds,fooling around with shafts,seals,steering,etc and is likely 15 continuous you'd be getting maybe 10hp equiv. so you may as well throw on a 10 hp outboard to get the same speed with no hassles.

But if u have a lot of shallow water use..

[Mick@itc]

I was wondering how you would inflate a motor!!Y

[IMP-ish]

I'd like to see a pic of the boat.
Putting a single inboard on an inflatable catamaran isn't something you see every day!
Would probably have to be all custom fabricated.
Could be fun.
It's adding a lot of complication and time over a tried and true gas outboard with a warranty.

[jonr]

I would argue that an inflatable is never the boat with the least draft. For that, you want a broad, flat, rigid surface. RIB could be OK.