Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

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Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

which gps gave you the problem that garmen echo??
 

astanton81

Seaman
Joined
Jul 8, 2013
Messages
53
Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

The fish finder that I have is the Garmin Echo 100 here.

Amazon.com: Garmin echo 100 Fishfinder: GPS & Navigation

But as I mentioned it said something in the manual about the depth being wrong when you first turn it on and how to calibrate it, so I will take a look at it this weekend before I go out again on it and see if I can figure it out.

As far as my registration numbers go, the one side looks like crap still and I ended up wiping off the really messed up numbers with some of my wife's nail polish. I haven't fixed that side yet but will probably do it shortly. It's only like 2 of the 8 or so characters that you can't make out. I will try to fix it this weekend. I plan on just manually writing it in there with a sharpie or stenciling it in on that one side. But the one side looks really ghetto lol especially compared to the other side where it's perfectly stenciled in with a sharpie.
 

mrdrh99

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 1, 2013
Messages
756
Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

I might check out craigslist for a used one

Weimed, seriously, how much faster could that 3.5 push this mariner 4? I have seriously considered one, but 3 of 4 local lakes where I live are electric motor only. However, the prize lake is the one that allows gas motors. How can this help me out when I have 250hp motorboats flying by out on big water??!!!
 
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Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Weimed, seriously, how much faster could that 3.5 push this mariner 4? I have seriously considered one, but 3 of 4 local lakes where I live are electric motor only. However, the prize lake is the one that allows gas motors. How can this help me out when I have 250hp motorboats flying by out on big water??!!!

the lakes that's electric you cannot do anything about but that 3.5 on flat water can get you 7-8mph maybe more. if that pos trolling motor push you that 3.5 would make you feel great. Even if you do not fish cruising on that 3.5 would be really nice. check out the 3 videos on Jamaica bay meet thread that's sinistre filming and I am on that boat next to him (im running a 6hp mercury and he is running a 15 Johnson). I bought a 55lb kota from amazon and that thing sucked on my zodiac. Your m4 is much lighter. You might not be able to blow by the speed boats but you will raise lots of eye brows watching your front of your boat take off into the air then planing at 8mph (prob more) gas tank is built into the unit plus u can carry an extra gallon. your 50lb battery weights almost as much as my 6hp. 3.5 Nissan is 25lb +2g of gas will = 35-40lb. 55lb kota 18lb + 50lb battery = 68lb that's 28lb difference is a lot. that 50lb battery will get you 4-5 hours. I used my 6hp for 5 hours at full throttle and had 1 gallon left on a 3 gallon tank. 2 gallons on a 3.5 would be good for 8-10 hours on full throttle.
BOTTON LINE: bigger lakes = more fish, gas engine can take wake better and gets you to a fishing location quicker. all I am saying is if you plan on upgrading to a 55lb kota which costs about 250, you can pick up a nice used gas engine for 50 bucks more but the the experience is night and day and when you decide to pick up a seaworthy boat this 3.5 would still work
 
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comfy68

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 5, 2013
Messages
41
Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

I would love to have a 3-4 hp outboard motor for some local saltwater fun on the inlets.
Maybe next summer!!
I did get out again today with all my mods complete. I did however forget the fishing gear but it was awesome just relaxing on the water.
Here are some pics.
image.jpgimage.jpgimage.jpg
 
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Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

that lake looks beautful! nice setup too
 

tomahawk997

Recruit
Joined
Aug 14, 2013
Messages
2
Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

New to the forum here. I have done a fair amount of research on this boat and have finally decided to join.

Does anyone have any recommendations on the ideal shaft length for a gas outboard, 15 inches or 20 inches? One of the earlier posts showed a Honda 2.3hp that wasn't sitting low enough in the water. Has anyone else had this issue with 15 inch shafts?

I am currently debating between the Suzuki 2.5hp (excellent weight advantage) and the Tohatsu 6hp for more power. Thoughts?
 

mrdrh99

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 1, 2013
Messages
756
Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

New to the forum here. I have done a fair amount of research on this boat and have finally decided to join.

Does anyone have any recommendations on the ideal shaft length for a gas outboard, 15 inches or 20 inches? One of the earlier posts showed a Honda 2.3hp that wasn't sitting low enough in the water. Has anyone else had this issue with 15 inch shafts?

I am currently debating between the Suzuki 2.5hp (excellent weight advantage) and the Tohatsu 6hp for more power. Thoughts?

That 6hp is more than the M4 is rated for, however weimed is the guy to ask about the gas motors, he has more experience with them, although he has a better boat. I'm personally not too sure that 2.5 would offer much advantage over a trolling motor other than the weight of the battery+motor seems to be more than a small outboard.
 

mrdrh99

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 1, 2013
Messages
756
Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

BTW: welcome to the gang....happy boating!
 
G

Guest

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Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

New to the forum here. I have done a fair amount of research on this boat and have finally decided to join.

Does anyone have any recommendations on the ideal shaft length for a gas outboard, 15 inches or 20 inches? One of the earlier posts showed a Honda 2.3hp that wasn't sitting low enough in the water. Has anyone else had this issue with 15 inch shafts?

I am currently debating between the Suzuki 2.5hp (excellent weight advantage) and the Tohatsu 6hp for more power. Thoughts?

Welcome to the forum! Suzuki is an awesome brand made by yamaha i believe or some people even say tohatu makes them also known as nissan. Based on a person commenting on a 3.5 nissan on a m4 it seems the 3.5 might be a little to powerful. He said m4 mount is rated for a 3hp and the nissan is 3.5 so at full throttle it lowers the rear a little to far near the water. But there are also fixes for it. the 2.5 will still run a bit faster then any troller under 85lb. Trick is to find a good 2stroke (two stroke) motor thats not to old and in good condition. even the 2.5 would make you salt water worthy aka bay worthy just be carefull of those speed boats causing wake up the arse. Mariner 4 cannot handle a 6 hp. If you put that on a mariner you will drown and cease it aka (killing you engine) or you might flip your boat or even rip out your mount. if you really want a 6hp on a boat buy a zoom by zodiac 10.2ft from defender.com for 699 its double the price but you will not be biting you lip if you plan to use it outside a lake.
 
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handifly

Seaman
Joined
Jul 21, 2013
Messages
56
Re: Intex Mariner 4: what outboard shaft length works best?

Re: Intex Mariner 4: what outboard shaft length works best?

Is a long shaft 20" a good fit?
 

ChristianMariner

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 1, 2013
Messages
131
Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Ok, while we are talking about engines, I will just throw out there ALL of my thoughts on the subject:

1. I already paid $100 for the battery, and most of us have paid another $200 or so for the trolling motors.
2. Do I really need a 3.5 outboard that would be way too much for my boat? I would like to think, I will just reuse it on a bigger boat someday ( like Wiemed's zodiac ), but thats not true. If I had a zodiac, a 3.5 HP would SUCK. I would once again be in the same place I am now, wanting more power, but having already spent the money on the 3.5.
3. What about the dual motor idea? "Clock" my Minn Kota so that its bow mount, and stick it up front, and stick a gas motor on the back?
4. Wiemed's claims about how long his gas motor stays on the water vs how fast my battery goes dead sounds very appealing. Still, I think I would want BOTH. Use the gas to go long distances, the trolling motor to cruise. I could get 2 days of boating in that way, if I was away from a charger.
5. What about getting an ultra cheap and small gas motor? like a 1 hp?
6. I am $750 in to this "$250" boat now, do I just keep what I have and stop thinking about upgrading to a bigger faster engine?

Lastly, that 40# endura I borrowed just became mine for the summer. This may be the last upgrade I needed, for now. and it was free.


Ok, that is pretty much what runs through my head anytime I think about our boat motors.
-fin


EDIT:
Nevermind. After watching Weimed's video, plus this one ( NOTE HOW HE HAS HIS MOTOR MOUNT SET UP, ITS DIFFERENT BUT GOOD [like arby's]) I have decided that I need a gasoline motor also. I dont know the rest of the details, just that I need one :)

 
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G

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Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

The tohatsu he's using is a four stroke aka a lot heavier. A two stroke is lighter and easier to carry and will be faster due to weight.

2: if u got a free upgrade (nothing is better then free). A 3.5 on a zodiac would not be your primary, would be an awesome backup. All I'm saying w is " if u were planning on spending 200bucks on a troller, scratch that idea and buy a gas one. I also remeber you saying your on a budget so I would stick to the best option which is the free one
 

tomahawk997

Recruit
Joined
Aug 14, 2013
Messages
2
Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

My only concern with the Suzuki 2.5hp is its power. I plan on using the boat on large creeks and occasionally rivers and I want to be sure a strong current will not overpower the boat if I am heading upstream.

Thanks to all for your input.

Also, I plan on adding a hard floor to the boat. I know many have done wood, but has anyone made an aluminum floor yet?
 
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