Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

[CopperFox]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Eclipse:
A while ago (maybe 2 years) I did post measurements for my Sevylor HF360 (boat-colored green floor) as a photo of the floor with marked masking tape on it. I also posted a photo of that floor on top of my new Mariner 4 floor to show the M4's greatly increased floor space. If you still aren't having luck, it shouldn't be much for me to mark off my current M4 floor dimensions. Let me know.
Be aware though that I believe each floor is a little different so it's not likely to be perfect, ASIS, but it'll be close.

 

[eclipse3gen]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Eclipse:
A while ago (maybe 2 years) I did post measurements for my Sevylor HF360 (boat-colored green floor) as a photo of the floor with marked masking tape on it. I also posted a photo of that floor on top of my new Mariner 4 floor to show the M4's greatly increased floor space. If you still aren't having luck, it shouldn't be much for me to mark off my current M4 floor dimensions. Let me know.
Be aware though that I believe each floor is a little different so it's not likely to be perfect, ASIS, but it'll be close.

if you have it handy but otherwise its good. I will try measure it when i receive it. just wanted to get going.

I like the H channel idea, can't seem to find any H Channels?! that would have helped as i want to cut the floor in multiple sections for it to fit properly in my civic.

Can't believe its still snowin in here. on the bright side, i should be getting the mariner before this weekend!

 

[AKTrout]

New member of the forums and the Mariner 4 club

New member of the forums and the Mariner 4 club

Greetings all! I've been lurking on the forums here a while and finally created an account. I live in Alaska and recently bought a house on a 78 acre lake stocked with rainbow trout, Arctic char, and Arctic grayling. It's time to get a boat!

I ordered an Excursion 5 and when it arrived I was second guessing myself. I did some more reading on the threads here, re-read all amazon reviews for both boats, and chatted with a big contributor of this thread who has owned both boats, then decided to return the Excursion to Amazon in exchange for the Mariner 4. Can't wait for it to arrive! I'll be adding a wood floor and swivel pedestal seats like many of you already have. And a trolling motor of course. I'm working on reading this whole thread, but still have a little ways to go. All the information here is great and i appreciate all the help you've provided in this thread; I look forward to being a contributing member of this community as well.

I've noticed that those of you who've made a replacement wood floor used plywood ranging from 1/4" to 5/8". How much does the weight and stability vary between the various thicknesses? Has anyone used 1/4" and wished they'd used 1/2" for a more solid floor? Or anyone use 5/8" and think it was overkill, that 1/2" would have given the same support with a little less weight?

Thanks. Here's looking forward to when we can all get on the water! ... Well, those of us still waiting for everything to thaw. :eagerness:

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Yes sir..... I tried the 1/4".... No go, use 1/2"and get a good quality wood too, don't get OSB.

 

[Guest]

Re: New member of the forums and the Mariner 4 club

Re: New member of the forums and the Mariner 4 club

Greetings all! I've been lurking on the forums here a while and finally created an account. I live in Alaska and recently bought a house on a 78 acre lake stocked with rainbow trout, Arctic char, and Arctic grayling. It's time to get a boat!

I ordered an Excursion 5 and when it arrived I was second guessing myself. I did some more reading on the threads here, re-read all amazon reviews for both boats, and chatted with a big contributor of this thread who has owned both boats, then decided to return the Excursion to Amazon in exchange for the Mariner 4. Can't wait for it to arrive! I'll be adding a wood floor and swivel pedestal seats like many of you already have. And a trolling motor of course. I'm working on reading this whole thread, but still have a little ways to go. All the information here is great and i appreciate all the help you've provided in this thread; I look forward to being a contributing member of this community as well.

I've noticed that those of you who've made a replacement wood floor used plywood ranging from 1/4" to 5/8". How much does the weight and stability vary between the various thicknesses? Has anyone used 1/4" and wished they'd used 1/2" for a more solid floor? Or anyone use 5/8" and think it was overkill, that 1/2" would have given the same support with a little less weight?

Thanks. Here's looking forward to when we can all get on the water! ... Well, those of us still waiting for everything to thaw. :eagerness:

Welcome to the forum

 

[Brian B.]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Now I will throw you a curve.
Although you can't find any used
And they cost more than the boat:joyous:
Look at a Lehr Propane motor
A little lighter than a gas motor
The propane can use 1 pounds bottles for the 2 1/2 hp
More importantly there is very little maintenance
There is also no gas smell or smoke and no heavy batteries

View attachment 228832

If you don't want one of these then look at the Honda

I have never heard of such a creature, ill have to check that out

 

[Guest]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

I have never heard of such a creature, ill have to check that out

looks awesome and Rondald is correct. Fuel effeciant due to 110 octane requires less maintenance (does not clog up carbs) and seems to be cheaper then gas. I just cannot afford the the 15hp $3300 price range

 

[ronaldj]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

I have never heard of such a creature, ill have to check that out

I have the 5hp version
I brought the boat I have to match the motor
I had to buy a lock this year because far too many people would look at it when it was tied up in Annapolis harbor.
I will make a video in a couple of weeks once I have my boat tricked out for this season. The motor becomes a conversation piece when people see it

 

[flukesofnature]

Re: Looking for Ideas on a custom motor mount

Re: Looking for Ideas on a custom motor mount

the originator of this thread,mrdrh99 put up several posts with info, I believe for beefing up the motor mount. Also u-tube has several vids of the mariner beefed up( also the sevylor 360) with motor mount mods. I have seen good info on the Lehr, here on iboats, in different threads. You might just type in LEHR, or propane and see what hits you get

 

[eclipse3gen]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Would you suggest to go with 34inch for width if I just do the carpet covers with no foam around?

 

[flukesofnature]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Hi, my name is Brian B., im happy to have found this forum. (Ok to comment on your comment.. Your first set up will be slow, second setup a little faster, third setup youll have it down, tip, the chamber tgat the motor mount mounts to, INSTALL THE MOTOR MOUNT FIRST, and on break down, the boat WILL ROLL UP FAIRLY QUICKLY, follow this tip- you kinda are going to need a tarp.. Flip the boat over once all the Bostons are open, ROLL THE BOAT UP WITH THE BOSTONS FACING OUT, if you roll the boat up in the upright position in will not let all the air out. (Heck if you have a truck or hatchback leave the durnd' motor mount on too/ less to set up, less motor mount hardware to lose)

I fish the Mariner as my primary (inflatable), the Seahawk is on standby in the car should i need plan b. My boat fishes like a bass boat. THANK YOU 18" DRIFT SOCK FROM AMAZON- best thing i have ever done. I fish a MinnKota 30 lb head, tiller head that is spun 180 degrees to pull vs push. I run two Duralast group 29 deep cycle batteries IN PARALLEL, not series. (Nice because i literally can do what i darn well please. If both batteries were to draw down i have jumpers to run the 30lb in 24v mode on "1" only- i have tested it, its fine, just dont be stupid and try to go past 1. I built a dual battery tray, and extended the MinnKota wiring up front vs under my feet, REALLY LAYS THAT NOSE DOWN NICELY, much more boat feel vs raft, yes, launch/load can be tiring,- but its worth it.

I LOVE MY MARINER, heck and my Seahawk, they both fish fantastic thanks to the drift sock.

Oh, almost forgot, MinnKota has puck tranny on bullet, and Eagle/Lowrance FishMark480 mounted on the Intex motor mount, worked out well.

BrianB
When you moved your battery forward, did you change the guage of the wire, by splicing into the old wire on the minn kota, or did you replace entire wire from point of origin to battery? I want about 6 more feet of wire for me to move the battery forward on the Mariner 3 to balance out the weight. I have a minn Kota 40 endura. Do I need to change the entire wire to a smaller guage. Any suggestions from the 12 V wire gurus.
Thanks

 

[flukesofnature]

Re: New member of the forums and the Mariner 4 club

Re: New member of the forums and the Mariner 4 club

I used 15/32 osb painted and sealed twice with acrylic primer/sealer for the 2 piece floor I made for the Mariner 3( Ex seahawk II). The acrylic seemed to stiffen up the floor. The carpet/with carpet cement..not spray adhesive also firms the whole thing up. I also used the pipe insulation around all the edges,,may help the stiffening also. Floor is solid, I stand all day on it and two pieces is easy set up. BTW I weigh 260+

 

[eclipse3gen]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

I used 15/32 osb painted and sealed twice with acrylic primer/sealer for the 2 piece floor I made for the Mariner 3( Ex seahawk II). The acrylic seemed to stiffen up the floor. The carpet/with carpet cement..not spray adhesive also firms the whole thing up. I also used the pipe insulation around all the edges,,may help the stiffening also. Floor is solid, I stand all day on it and two pieces is easy set up. BTW I weigh 260+

Which primer/sealer did you use? I was also advised by a guy at menards that we could just go with marine wood and simply attach carpet to it.

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Looking for Ideas on a custom motor mount

Re: Looking for Ideas on a custom motor mount

the originator of this thread,mrdrh99 put up several posts with info, I believe for beefing up the motor mount. Also u-tube has several vids of the mariner beefed up( also the sevylor 360) with motor mount mods. I have seen good info on the Lehr, here on iboats, in different threads. You might just type in LEHR, or propane and see what hits you get

I just want to point out that desode and loop dad got this thread started.... Doesn't really matter but I'm just making sure everyone knows

 

[eclipse3gen]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

finally its here!!!



I've been reading this forum ad following this thread last whole year! It helped me a lot! kudos to all to you for contributing in this thread! I hope to do so with everyway i can in return.

 

[flukesofnature]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Which primer/sealer did you use? I was also advised by a guy at menards that we could just go with marine wood and simply attach carpet to it.

The guy is correct but with some additional facts.Marine Ply is impregnated with chemicals,to prevent water damage.It will not take paint or carpet cement, as is, without being primed and sealed to the max. Plus it is very heavy compared to OSB or regular plywood. So adding carpet may mean..stapling or some other means of attachment. The process with OSB or plywood is the same,I/E sealing and priming..but lighter in the end, and allows ,again, for use of a carpet cement on the sealed OSB. Matter of preference I suppose..

 

[flukesofnature]

Re: Looking for Ideas on a custom motor mount

Re: Looking for Ideas on a custom motor mount

I just want to point out that desode and loop dad got this thread started.... Doesn't really matter but I'm just making sure everyone knows

Sorry....Good form on giving credit where due. You do have awesome info on making mods though!

 

[eclipse3gen]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

So i got to inflate it and I am impressed with the quality. Feels little big for one person to handle, may have liked little smaller so i could manage it by myself. It is too big for two people for sure. Some things including oar locks could have been better supported i guess but awesome purchase i must say for the money! Can't wait to take it out on a lake next weekend.

I measured the inside of the mariner. I like what comfy68 did with his boat and I may get one 4x8 and do the what ever i can with it. Please review the attachment and let me know what you guys think.

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Looking for Ideas on a custom motor mount

Re: Looking for Ideas on a custom motor mount

Sorry....Good form on giving credit where due. You do have awesome info on making mods though!

Thanks man..... I plan on making some videos of my mods once in done moving in a couple months. In thinking on making a second set of mods for when I have two people fishing to maximize space. I'm moving from the mountains to the coastal north Carolina area.

 

[flukesofnature]

Re: Looking for Ideas on a custom motor mount

Re: Looking for Ideas on a custom motor mount

Thanks man..... I plan on making some videos of my mods once in done moving in a couple months. In thinking on making a second set of mods for when I have two people fishing to maximize space. I'm moving from the mountains to the coastal north Carolina area.

I don't have pics yet, but I had the same desire..especially in the Mariner three,spacewise. This may not adequately describe. The idea was to create cross seats,front and back off the floor,at each end of the boat.
So using the same curve of the front and rear I cut two pieces of OSB( No comments from peanut gallery), with the same curve of the boat on the front piece, and same curve of rear..etc,about 16 inches wide. I wanted to sit on these , but not have the weight directly on the pontoons,so I used styrofoam-2 layers of 2 inches each on the out side 8 inches of the OSB on each side.The boards were cut almost the full width of the boat at the front and back(I cut out a
small section to accomodate for the rod holders, so the board sits on the styrofoam pieces on each side,and not directly on the pontoons of the Mariner. On the front one I used enough styrofoam to allow for a regular sized cooler to slide under the "seat", which also provides middle support for the front passenger.
On the rear, where my fat "back forty"rests, I found 4- three inch diameter toilet flanges made from ABS plastic. each two( 1 top/1 Bottom) forms a pedestal, with about 14 inches of 3inch ABS pipe between them. These are very supportive, can be mounted permanently in one spot ,with brass bolts and butterfly nuts ,for easy take down, on the bottom of the cross seat,and top of the wood floor. I made them so that seat top to floor Top is 17 inches...about the length of my inseam from the knee to the floor in a 90degree sitting position...I am 6 foot four, and sitting with my legs curled all day long gets old real fast...so the seat was designed for me to sit upright..they are just wide enough apart to allow the battery to slide between them.
This opens up about 5 foot of floor space on the Mariner 3...helps to organize and maintain peace and tranquility in a small boat with two people. Not bad considering the M3 is only 10 feet long.
Pics....ASAP.....but the system seems to work.BTW...sealed/primed and carpeted all of the above, so as not to look like a floating hazardous materials barge.