Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

[mznewman]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Does anyone recall what the consensus was for best M4 fish-finder transducer mount? Garmin info says its good on the trolling motor, but then assumes the motor is a front mount, not a transom mount like most of us here. I thought I saw someone on some of the earlier posts who used the front boat handle. Opinions?

I ended up getting a Garmin echo 150.

 

[Lexxter]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

hi da_q-ban_one,

I even altered the way I fold the M4 from the factory method. The shape is more user friendly in the storage bin, allowing room for the motor mount, ores, pump, and vests. I think I can get seats in there too if I remove them from the 13" pedestals. I just haven't had a reason try it yet.

View attachment 211485

Can you describe how you are folding it differently? I am having a hard time folding mine back to size.

 

[mznewman]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Can you describe how you are folding it differently? I am having a hard time folding mine back to size.

ok... The factory fold is taking the right and left side and folding it so that the Red Rock-guard strip from each side meets in the center-line (center-line is front-to-back) with no overlap. Then, from each end, take about 16" and start folding towards the middle-line (middle-line is side-to-side). --- that is the factory fold--- I am doing the same thing except I take the Red Rock-guard strip and fold it past the center, for each side, so that they DO overlap the center. You may overlap to the extreme that the Red Rock-guard of each side flaps well past the center, making the boat much narrower. See pics below:


Make sure that you leave a space at the middle of the boat in order to make the final FOLD. See below

I usually fold the boat much narrower than shown, but I was in a hurry today and did not even take the time to wipe the boat down when folding.

Lexxter, I hope this is clear enough.

Side Note:
I discovered a slow leak on chamber #3 today. I will use soap and water tomorrow and hopefully find it. Bummed out over that, but on the positive side, the 5 chamber M4 allowed me to stay out and continue my fishing trip. Every 30min or so I would take the manual pump and re-inflate chamber #3. Five chamber design is good. If anyone has a advise best technique for patching, please chime in. I like to do things right the first time ;-)

 

[mznewman]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Can you describe how you are folding it differently? I am having a hard time folding mine back to size.

Lexxter, Here is a pic of the m4 rolled up in the bin. Normally I take my time folding and the boat will leave even more open space for me. If I fold the M4 per factory method, It takes up the entire bin, but it a bit more shallow, allowing me to put stuff on top of it in the bin. So, you need to tweak your folds to meet your packing goals. For me, I want to get everything in that Rubbermaid bin.

View attachment 211837

Forgive me ... posting with iPhone (but I'm not driving)

 

[Lexxter]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Thanks mznewman. I will give that a try tomorrow.

 

[Desode]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Does anyone recall what the consensus was for best M4 fish-finder transducer mount? Garmin info says its good on the trolling motor, but then assumes the motor is a front mount, not a transom mount like most of us here. I thought I saw someone on some of the earlier posts who used the front boat handle. Opinions?

I ended up getting a Garmin echo 150.

Just Put it on the rear handle,, Use the Bracket that comes with the transducer and then zip tie it on there. It works Great. Mine was on there for a couple of years and No issues.

Desode

 

[mznewman]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Just Put it on the rear handle,, Use the Bracket that comes with the transducer and then zip tie it on there. It works Great. Mine was on there for a couple of years and No issues.

Desode

Ah... the rear handle. Thanks Desode. I will install it for my next trip, hopefully next weekend.


---- the leak ---
I still need to fix that leak. Ended up being #3 chamber seam, inside of the boat where the floor meets the chamber. Not 100% sure how I did it, but suspect over-inflation. It was very cloudy and cool when I started assembly next to the boat ramp last Friday. I was waiting for my buddy, and decided to top-off all the chambers with the manual pump before putting it in the water. The sun came out, and started beating down on the boat. I could hear the thing expanding (seriously) but I did nothing about it. By the time my buddy showed up and we got onto the water, it was too late. --- Yesterday I purchased "STA-BOND" PVC glue from West Marine and hope that will fix the seam. I will use the glue and a clamp method first. If that does not work I will try to affix a patch over the seam rip.

 

[Desode]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Also ,, If you use a Trolling motor only ? You could just get a Transducer trolling mount. They work very well also.
I ended up doing that because I have my TM on different boats and that way my Sonar can always go with me.

 

[mznewman]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Also ,, If you use a Trolling motor only ? You could just get a Transducer trolling mount. They work very well also.
I ended up doing that because I have my TM on different boats and that way my Sonar can always go with me.

I think you're right. I am going to try that mount location first since the TM is the only motor I have. If I get an outboard, then I'll zip it to the rear boat handle.

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

So....I usually store my m4 inflated in my garage (I open each valve for a couple seconds to take the pressure off the chambers). After a week or so I'll notice the whole boat has lost some air. Now I fill it back up before each use ( I transport inflated with factory floor in on top of my blazer), and have no noticeable air loss even during a full day on the water. Is this normal? I haven't been concerned since its fine on the water!

 

[ChristianMariner]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

1992 GMC 2WD 4.3L 5SPD
The Ultimate M4 accessory
Also means I can get a trailer boat too!
Traded mustang straight over.

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Dude that's awssome !

 

[mznewman]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

@mrdrh99

I do not see that as a problem at all. No inflatable is 100% air-tight. Losing a noticeable amount of pressure over a 1 week period is reasonable. Even the strength of a tire bead or valve is not 100%. Seams are the weak link in the inflatable boats.

 

[mznewman]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

1992 GMC 2WD 4.3L 5SPD
The Ultimate M4 accessory
Also means I can get a trailer boat too!
Traded mustang straight over.
View attachment 212135

Congratulations... Then its official. A solid boat is in your future. Mustangs are fun (I had 3 GTs), but you can be so much more productive with a pickup. I made a mistake when I purchased my Acura TL. I should have gone for the F-150. I also have the Explorer with hitch, but its not the same as a pickup. Pickups are the Swiss-army knives of automobiles.

I like the white finish too.

 

[Guest]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

I hate American cars, always had problems. I live in nyc and those American picks fall apart after 30k miles, the Nissan titan or that Toyota tundra go 100k strong (from experience) I worked valet parking and when I drove those picks ups even 2 years old with 40k they were done, everything made noise from those cheap clips they use to the cheap drive train they use

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

+1^....... I like titans but think its overkill , the frontier would be my pick. But I'm still holding out for a jet ski trailer so then my paid for blazer is still tops for me! I can put my m4 on the roof rack and I'm ready to go!

 

[smashed]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Mrd, any reason why you prefer a used jet ski trailer over a Harbor Freight new (or used) one? I guess the price will be similar, so there must be another reason. I know that the HF trailers with the small wheels are not recommended for highway speeds but what about the ones with larger wheels?

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

With a jet ski trailer you can back the m4 into the water....my aim is to make a new single piece floor and be able to transport with very minimal setup at the water!

Very slight mod to the trailer (extending the boards) and its perfect for an inflatable

Plus with a winch loading would be a cinch!

 

[ChristianMariner]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Thanks all! The white finish is spray paint
This has 280k miles and still going strong. It beats Wiemed's 30k limit
It wont be my daily, just used for truck stuff. I am a former mechanic, I can give it some TLC.... I would have loved a tundra, but the mustang was $800 and this was in that same pricerange. Gotta love craigslist.
gonna look into jetski trailer now!

 

[Guest]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Thanks all! The white finish is spray paint
This has 280k miles and still going strong. It beats Wiemed's 30k limit
It wont be my daily, just used for truck stuff. I am a former mechanic, I can give it some TLC.... I would have loved a tundra, but the mustang was $800 and this was in that same pricerange. Gotta love craigslist.
gonna look into jetski trailer now!

You can't beat it for that price but I would put my money its a rebuilt faster then on the broncos