This project adds a motor to a small inflatable boat. It re-uses a fan blade from a discarded fan as the propeller. The power is provided by an electric drill.

Supplies

Fan blade from a discarded electric fan

Threaded rod

4 nuts, same diameter as threaded rod

6-inch length of 1/2 inch tube

Duct tape

Battery powered drill

Small inflatable boat

Step 1: Source a Fan Blade

A fan's blade will be used as the propeller. I was able to source one from an electric fan that had been placed out on the street for waste collection.

Step 2: Shaft

The propeller shaft was a made from a 6mm treaded steel rod. Cut a length of 1/2 inch piece of tube about 6 inches long. This is attached to one of the inflatable boat's oarlocks with duct tape. The shaft goes through the tube and connects to the fan blade.

Step 3: File One End Off the Shaft

On one end of the treaded shaft, file six flat sides. This is so the drill can grip it better without slipping.

Step 4: Fitting the Blade to the Shaft

The fan blade is fitted to the other end of the shaft. The hole in the blade was re-drilled as it wasn't completely round. 2 nuts were placed either side of the blade and locked together to avoid them coming loose and having the fan fall off the shaft while being used.

Step 5: Fitting the Motor to the Boat

Fit the length of 1/2 inch tubing to one of the oarlocks of the inflatable boat using some duct tape. Then slide the propeller shaft through it.

Step 6: Attach the Drill and Go

Attach the battery powered drill to the end of the shaft. I had covered the drill motor in a plastic bag to make it splash resistant.

Using the drill to push the boat along, with a paddle for steering, I went on a 350-meter trip and the motor powered the boat along at about 1 km per hour. It was a bit of fun and surprisingly nothing came a miss (such as the boat getting a puncture, blade falling off Etc.) One drawback of fitting the motor was the noise made by the drill as this takes away the peaceful nature of floating in a boat on a lake.