Selection of propeller power for rubber boats

The selection of propeller power for rubber boats needs to be comprehensively evaluated based on the size of the boat, the usage scenario and the power type (fuel/electric) to balance the power demand and safety. ‌‌

Core recommendations
‌Fuel outboard power matching‌

For medium-sized rubber boats of 4.2-4.7 meters, it is recommended to choose a 30 horsepower (hp) fuel outboard motor, which can take into account speed, load and safety.
If the power is lower than 15 horsepower, it may not meet the power demand of medium-sized boats; if it is higher than 40 horsepower, it may exceed the safety range.

‌Power conversion and selection of electric propellers‌

‌The power of electric outboard motors is usually converted to 1.5 times the fuel horsepower‌. For example, the actual performance of a 1 kW (about 1.36 horsepower) electric propeller is close to that of a 3-4 horsepower fuel engine.
Example of an adapted electric model:
If you need to push a load of 300 kg (such as a family trip), you can consider a 600-watt electric propeller with a maximum speed of 8 km/h, which is suitable for small boats or short-distance use.

Key considerations

• ‌Regulatory restrictions‌: Some countries require a yacht license for electric outboard motors with a power of more than 7.5 kW, while fuel engines are limited to 11.03 kW (15 hp).
• ‌Endurance and portability‌: Electric propulsion is lighter (e.g. Y01 is only 1.6 kg), but the battery capacity needs to be considered; fuel engines are suitable for long endurance needs.
• ‌Environmental adaptability‌: Electric propulsion is usually IP68 waterproof and suitable for seawater environments; fuel engines need to pay attention to anti-corrosion design.

Summary
‌Prioritize the selection of power range based on the size of the boat (e.g. a 30 hp fuel engine or equivalent electric model for a medium-sized boat), and make the final decision based on the usage scenario (short distance/load/regulations).