Are newer inflatable boats designed to hold the weight of 8-9.9hp 4-stroke engines?

[frogseatflies]

I've got a 1995 310 Zodiac which is 10' long. I'm assuming back in 1995 this thing wasn't designed for an 84lb, 8hp 4-stroke engine. While it holds my 84lb engine just fine, I don't get the sense the boat was designed to handle a heavier engine like that. My assumption is 1995 inflatables were designed more for 2-strokes?

Does anyone know if the newer inflatables seem to feel like they are awesome with the weight of the 8hp to 9.9hp 4-stroke engines?

 

[Sea Rider]

Re: Are newer inflatable boats designed to hold the weight of 8-9.9hp 4-stroke engine

Which newer sibs ? Some brands are extending their back transom tubes to take 4 strokes engines better. If you maintain your tubes inflated to at least 3.0 psi once on water, transom should hold well, under inflation is what stresses transom including transoms becoming unglued for that same reason.

Happy Boating

 

[frogseatflies]

Re: Are newer inflatable boats designed to hold the weight of 8-9.9hp 4-stroke engine

I don't know which newer sibs… but I'm thinking "newer" would be about the same time 4-strokes have been getting more and more popular. I don't know when that is, but my guess would be 2005-to-present.

Good words on the inflation tips and transom notes. Thanks.