Just to recap i considered these in order of quality:
intex inflatable with an
electric trolling
motor, could be had for $50 each (too small for my needs). this seems the low end of the inflatable boat type
chinese manufacturers mid-level:
Newport Vessels - claims 25 mph with a 10 hp
motor weight around 80 lbs if 9 foot long, these get so so
reviews but videos look believable
inflatable sports boats shark or dolphin weighs around 60 lbs claims 30 mph top speed with a 10 hp
2 stroke motor
BRIS boats - this type of boat has good
reviews online and there is a video showing a BRIS boat handling an overpowered size motor just fine
bestway hydro force
marine pro - one i bought for
cheap, total weight about 60 lbs with a 3.5 hp
2 stroke motor, cost $400 total with motor
bestway hydro force also produces some larger boats that get good reviews weight between 80 lbs and 130 lbs, although the speeds bestway claims are slow
Aleko - looks solid, claims 20 mph top speed with a motor of 10 hp
E-max - looks solid, also claims a top speed of 20 mph and planing with a 10 hp
nuwave - similar story
higher end/other manufacturers:
west
marine 8' with 2 hp a lil too small and manufacturer claims a speed that is too slow
takacat - probably a bit too expensive
Zodiac - a bit too pricy but perhaps could find something used, i realize a calphalon boat is good quality
mars/mercury - same story on this one
sea eagle - didnt really investigate this brand as it seemed a bit too expensive
heres a recap in terms of the range of size, the engine must be 2 stroke:
1. 6 foot inflatable weighing 10 lbs with a 10 lb 20 thrust trolling motor
2. 7 foot inflatable weighing 40 lbs with a 20 lb 3 hp gas 2 stroke motor
3. 8 foot inflatable weighing 60 lbs with a 30 lbs 5 hp gas two stroke motor
4. 9 foot inflatable weighing 80 lbs with a 40 lbs 6 hp gas two stroke motor
5. 10 foot infatable weighing 90 lbs with a 50 lb 10 hp 2 stroke gas motor
6. 12 foot inflatable weighing 110 lbs with a 65 lb 12 hp 2 stroke gas motor
7. 14 foot inflatable weighing 130 lbs with a 85 lb 15 hp 2 stroke gas motor
approximate costs of each these are assuming used 2 stroke engines:
1. boat $50 engine $50
2. boat $300 engine $300
3. boat $600 engine $400
4. boat $800 engine $550
5. boat $900 engine $650
6. boat $1000 engine $750
7. boat $1200 engine $850
A few notes, many of the chinese manufacturers get negative marks for having suspect build qualities you will generally notice that someone posts a negative review claiming that the seems are falling apart,
pump broke etc, so those are risks to take into account.