Inboard Engine on Inflatable

Go buy a Hangkai 6HP 2 stroke outboard and at least a 10 ft boat

 

“Why are you afraid, O you of little faith?”

I know at least two way of folding infladable hull build. First well known is Zodiac way , where transom is glued between the tubes. Second is a solution where transom is connected to the folding bottom and transom is sealed by soft transom skin from the outside. There was some German designs also my first hand made inflatable was build that way. It's possible to put diesel inboard into folding inflatable but why ?

 

Just looked this up, doesn’t show good dimensions, but at 7’7” loa, it’s lucky to be 4’ wide, and over 2’ of that will be the tubes.
The motor is hot and noisy, and will be about your knees and feet no matter where you sit, probably on the tubes, as the motor will be where the only seat was. The exhaust will be conveniently located near your face.
The best aspect of your plan is that it will be a relatively low cost learning experience.

 

Bearing, shafting, any kind of packing, prop and even a budget coupler will make a small outboard look like a bargain.

 

Religion aside, technical solutions are realistic designs.