Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

mrdrh99

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

Nope, but i have a solid floor on top of the original.
 

comfy68

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

Comfy thinks I might fall out, as he mentioned above. I also saw that someone had fallen in at one time, but I think it was someone else... anyways, you have the same setup I have, with the 2x2 peice of wood and a pedastal mount, does yours ever fall over? I also have my 60lb battery on the floor to give me some added weight. I like swimming, but only when I am expecting it!
lol! Surprise swims are not the type anyone likes.
By the looks of the size of your back floor piece that the seat is mounted to you should be fine. I would just try it on the ground to see how much give there is. I don't believe your floor is hinged together is it? That would make it rock solid
 

comfy68

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

Ha! I never considered this....i have blazer and a Mazda protegee hatchback. I carry my boat inflated on either and all the extras fit well.

I have a Mazda 3 but no roof rack. You must look pretty funny driving down the road with a boat bigger than the car attached to the roof.
It would be nice to show up at the lake ready to roll.
 

mrdrh99

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

Yeah I've done that twice, usually i take my blazer but there have been a couple times i didn't want to stop by the gas station so.....
 

ChristianMariner

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

lol! Surprise swims are not the type anyone likes.
By the looks of the size of your back floor piece that the seat is mounted to you should be fine. I would just try it on the ground to see how much give there is. I don't believe your floor is hinged together is it? That would make it rock solid

I did _not_ fall out.
My friend DID, however, lol.
He was sitting in the regular old lawn chair, and bailed while leaning over to return a fish to the water. High point of the day! LOL.
 

ChristianMariner

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

The GF prefers to lay out or sit on the floor so here is my current setup ( and probably final, as far as seating goes ). This chair is not as comfortable as the lawn chair, but as I was promised it does allow for a lot more floor space, and that is worth it. Also, it looks way cooler! I keep a folding chair onboard and out of the way should a passenger want to get off the floor.1002360_169813269872475_1227229173_n.jpg
 

ChristianMariner

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

lol! Surprise swims are not the type anyone likes.
By the looks of the size of your back floor piece that the seat is mounted to you should be fine. I would just try it on the ground to see how much give there is. I don't believe your floor is hinged together is it? That would make it rock solid

I am going to hinge it together this week, I will report back how it goes.
 

comfy68

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

I am going to hinge it together this week, I will report back how it goes.
Looks good! Its nice to have the option of using the bass seat or just laze on the cushion. I have all 3 pieces of my floor hinged together. I can carry them with one trip easily.
 

handifly

Seaman
Joined
Jul 21, 2013
Messages
56
Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Hello all;
I would like to get myself a 3.5 hp outboard without breaking the bank. Anu suggestions?

Get a Johnson or Evinrude 3hp made between 1952-67(Avoid the 67 folding motor)
Weighs 34 lbs. Unlimited parts interchangeable with all the years

Fr iboats I bought a tuneup kit, plugs, coils, carb kit, head gasket and new impeller for around $100
If you treat it right it will last longer than you will
 

astanton81

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

Took this video while I was out on Saturday fishing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAHDp_9fkBM

The cleat worked great and wow without it, I would have been screwed because it was windy the whole time pretty much.

Also, the fish finder is starting to annoy me. I mounted the transducer the way it said to in the manual, and then later on in the day when I turned the motor on 5 speed, I started to hear a clicking noise. It took me quite a while to figure out what was going on, but turns out it was the transducer became loose and the propller was hitting the tip of it. So I fixed it for the time being, and it was loose still.

10 minutes later, it happened again. Luckily it was when I was going in for the day though.

I'm going to have to figure out how I can actually mount it better than what it tells you to do. Anyone have any suggestions in general?

Overall I'm very disappointed with the Garmin manual and instructions on how to setup the fish finder. Just very poor overall. But the fish finder was actually working this time just fine, depth wise, so that is good news.
 

mznewman

Seaman
Joined
Jul 28, 2013
Messages
52
Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Forum Contributors,
Thank you for sharing such innovation and support. I studied this thread for 2 weeks and pulled the trigger on:
1) Intex Mariner 4 w/motor mount combo (rubberboats.com)
2) Minn Kota Riptide 50, 42" shaft (Amazon)
3) Everstart Group 29 Marine Batt (Walmart)
4) 2 pedestal seats (Cabelas sale)
5) Swivel and 13" posts (Amazon)
6) Cheap Marine carpet (Cabelas sale)
7) 5/8" plywood (Local yard)
8) Helmsman oil-based Polyurethane and Original Dap Contact Cement (Home Depot)
9) Misc hardware (Home Depot)
10) 3 sleek life vests (Cabelas sale)

Not done with the mods yet, but already had it out 2 times. Very pleased so far.

I ended up making the floor with two 4' sections (symmetrical sections, leaving about 10" uncovered floor on front/back). I purchased hinges with the intent to bind the two sections but will probably not do it. Assembly is easier with two separate sections and it really was solid without it (3 people on-board).

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Guest

Guest
Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Welcome mz, I am a zodiac owner but love the way you guys/gals mod your m4s. I bought a riptide 50 from amazon for my boat but went into the bay and I stood still at max power lol. Returned it Nd lucked out on a very nice gas engine. You said you bought. Riptide also may I ask where you have been using your boat? Please upload some videos of you cruising around and fish you catch :)
 

comfy68

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

Welcome MZ! Looks clean. You have the same seats as I do(very light).
Lets see some pics on the water.
 

jason401

Recruit
Joined
Aug 19, 2013
Messages
1
Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Thanks to all of you for all the great info and tips. I've had a 10' pond prowler for the past 5 years but need something that's easier to transport. I came across the M4 and am looking forward to trying it out.

Edit: Disregard the stuff below as I see you got it working.

@astanton81 - several things to consider regarding the depth finder:
1. Do a reset (obviously, and I think you mentioned you are going to try this)
2. Make sure the transducer is pointing straight down. If the transducer is loose, it can move in the water and give inaccurate readings.
3. Do you have it spliced into any other wires that may be causing interference?
4. Does it always display the same exact depth?
5. Try a test with the transducer in your hand pointing straight down in about ten feet of water.
6. There is a setting on some fish finders where you can select a minimum depth to read. You can try 'auto' or maybe another setting if you have it.

Just some ideas to think about. Sorry if you already did these, but I've read through this whole thread tonight and it's late and I'm about to fall asleep lol.
 
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ChristianMariner

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

Welcome MZ! Looks clean. You have the same seats as I do(very light).
Lets see some pics on the water.

I have the same one also, its just not here yet! ( still in the mail ).
Yeah good lookin boat newman. I like the way it all fits in that tote. I fit mine into one also.
 

mznewman

Seaman
Joined
Jul 28, 2013
Messages
52
Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

I will be sure to take some pics and video next time I get out. Hopefully this weekend.

Regarding the Minn Kota Riptide 50: I purchased this model because I wanted something that could drop into salt water if needed. The price was right and I knew it was not going to be the tool I use for cruising great distances (just fishing). The first time I took this out was in the Outer Banks NC, near the VA border. We rented a nice place on the Sound side with a dock. Since I am from PA, most of my hours will be logged in fresh water... lakes, reservoirs, or calm sections of river. I am 5min from the Delaware River, near Washington's Crossing. Anyway, the Riptide 50 was more than enough for fishing/trolling on the NC Sound. I did venture out into the bay area of Outer Banks on a windy day. It was tolerable for sure, but I can see how some people might lose patients with the speed. Next time I will setup my GPS and get some benchmarks. A 2.5-4HP gasoline powered motor is probably better for traversing distance over short periods of time with the Mariner4. However... the riptide 50 is silent. So it depends on your application.

Regarding floor construction: I chose to replace the slatted floor, opposed to putting a ply floor over-top of it. After tracing the slatted floor onto the plywood and using a jig saw to rough shape it, I used my router with round-over bit to get a nice finished edge. The plywood purchased was the lowest 5/8" grade, but it ended up being as smooth as my iPhone screen after 3 coats of poly. I used 5/8" wing bolts (not wing nuts) to fasten the seat pedestals to the 5/8" ply. Epoxy was used to seal in those recessed threaded anchors (see pics). After dry fitting the floor one last time, I tackled the carpeting phase. Another forum was helpful in helping me choose contact cement as the method to adhere the carpet to the ply. Wrapping the ply edge with the carpet is, IMO, puncture-safe. I did not see any reason to add the pipe insulation for further cushioning. The Mariner4 chambers seem to hold the 2 piece floor nicely in place.

Regarding the seats: I love them. Comfort, compact, and lightweight all in one.

This forum is really a home-run resource. Thanks again.

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smashed

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 23, 2013
Messages
106
Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

You ain't gonna get much more speed with a gas outboard. 6-7 mph tops IMO. I did crazy things with my mariner - mounted a 9.8 hp and wasn't able to get above 7 mph because the boat can't get on plane. It is just not constructed for more powerful motors than 3 hp. 50-55 lb thrust is the best you could do to the boat. On a fresh battery I was able to get about 4.5 mph with my 55 lb Riptide at 100 % throttle. But you won't get more than 2-2.5 hours at 100%. Best is 60-70% - 3 to 3.5 mph for 4-5 hours (speed drops to 2-2.5 as the battery drains). I would guess that the best gas motor for the mariner will be in the 2.5-3.5 hp range. But these are noisy as they are air cooled (i believe this is the reason). And a 4 stroke will be too heavy for sure.
 
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ChristianMariner

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

You ain't gonna get much more speed with a gas outboard. 6-7 mph tops IMO. I did crazy things with my mariner - mounted a 9.8 hp and wasn't able to get above 7 mph because the boat can't get on plane. It is just not constructed for more powerful motors than 3 hp. 50-55 lb thrust is the best you could do to the boat. On a fresh battery I was able to get about 4.5 mph with my 55 lb Riptide at 100 % throttle. But you won't get more than 2-2.5 hours at 100%. Best is 60-70% - 3 to 3.5 mph for 4-5 hours (speed drops to 2-2.5 as the battery drains). I would guess that the best gas motor for the mariner will be in the 2.5-3.5 hp range. But these are noisy as they are air cooled (i believe this is the reason). And a 4 stroke will be too heavy for sure.

Thanks. I think I am going to scratch getting a gas motor for this boat. I think I am all done with this thing ( as far as modding goes ) and just want to enjoy it as it is. I AM, however, looking at getting an additional boat. Something big. With the mariner all done, I can be working ona different boat and still take the M4 out on the weekends until whatever I get and fix up is ready.
 

dancour

Cadet
Joined
Jun 22, 2013
Messages
20
Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Thanks for a helpful set of pics, Newman.

We spent another morning out on the lake in our M4 with our 2 young grandkids. A higher seat would be a welcomed addition as would be an extension on the throttle.

I'm still surprised at the small battery drain using my Endura 38, even when using top speed setting.
 

ChristianMariner

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 1, 2013
Messages
131
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