Newbie question on an intek mariner 4

[NYFraggel]

Gonna take the new mariner 4 on the delaware river for some overnight camping and river rafting. Nothing more than class 2 rapids, so im pretty sure the raft will survive, my question is this?

Should i pack all our stuff, cooler, water, packs on the floor and tie it in or should I build a frame from pvc that suspends the gear from, and puts the weight on, the top of the raft tubes?

My main worry is if i store them on the floor im sure it makes the bottom more likely to tear from rocks, but my other concern is the the raft wont like the weight on the side tubes and rip or tear that way.

Or am I just worrying over nothing?

Thanks for the help

 

[lncoop]

Re: Newbie question on an intek mariner 4

What you're planning is dangerous. That boat isn't meant to be used that way. If you want to do river tripping via raft you need to invest in some suitable rubber. You might be okay base camping and doing day floats in it, but if you try to run even class II with camping gear you'll regret it. I hope you don't think I'm being a jerk. I'm just concerned for your safety. Those little boats just can't handle that kind of stress.

 

[NYFraggel]

Re: Newbie question on an intek mariner 4

nope not at all being a jerk i asked, and i appreciate the response. Ive drove all 81 miles that i want to do on the river and there is only 1 class II rapid on the whole stretch and its maybe 1/10 of a mile long and its only rated class II when the river is running avg to above. right now its 3.5 ft and falling, they consider 4 avg.
i have also seen people on crappy 99 cent inflateable tubes run those class II rapids
really not worried about our safety there is a road that follows the whole way and we are going to do a couple of day trips (10 to 15 miles) to make sure the boat is cool
have read many places that people have taken them down rivers and the section im going to do (upper) is basically a lazy, wide trout stream so i dont think the boat would take much more of a pounding than if being propelled by a motor.

Was just wondering which setup would be better, would rather rip a floor rather than puncture a tube i think no?

 

[NYFraggel]

Re: Newbie question on an intek mariner 4

btw day trips are gonna be empty, no gear just a day pack

 

[lncoop]

Re: Newbie question on an intek mariner 4

Well, the only feasible setup for tripping is an oar rig, which is a frame with bays that hold cooler and dry box(es) suspended and the rower sits on one of them near the center. However, I'm not sure that would work on a boat that size. You might be able to use what they used to call a cooler frame, which is just what it sounds like, a small frame that goes in the center of the boat and holds a cooler and/or small amount of gear. You could probably get away with schedule 80 PVC if you decided to go that way. You'd need to glue four D rings on the tubes and use them to secure it with cam straps, then use more cam straps to make a sling to suspend the cooler or a dry box. You could then strap dry bags/packs to the frame pipe and just let them rest on the floor so they bounce up when you pass over standing waves, rocks, etc. This way they'd be secured in the event of a mishap but wouldn't put pressure on the floor. And, speaking of the floor and standing waves, since it's not self bailing you'll want to bring along a bailer and/or manual bilge pump. You'll be surprised how much weight a few gallons of water will add. Once you get it all rigged up you'll be able to just paddle from the stern, and if you have a buddy along he can sit on the bow. Each of you should sit in opposite "corners". Which corner should depend on your paddling preference. I still wouldn't do this, but if I did, this is how I'd do it LOL. Good luck. Welcome aboard BTW.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Newbie question on an intek mariner 4

Also, here's the greatest danger. Three years ago I had the same idea you have. That's how I ended up with all the river running craft you see listed below.:lol:

 

[NYFraggel]

Re: Newbie question on an intek mariner 4

I was planning exactly what you said. i can get everything we need in a cooler and 2 5gal buckets from home depot. Couldn't resist for 3$, 10 gallons of waterproof storage. getting stuff for the frame today, i think i can rig it up to the oar locks to keep it off the top of the tubes as well. total weight is 55 lbs now give or take food plus me and my teenage son. I'm preatty sure i can rig the cooler frame to the oar locks, they are perfectly placed and have places to tie down to on the sides.
Im new to the boating world been into airplanes all my life. Been on boats, fished from boats, did a lot of whitewater rafting when i was a kid. A lot of rowing in boats.
What is your biggest concern about the raft?
I understand that its built for shuttling people around the harbor and some fishing on lakes and streams, not for whitewater rafting. Everybody canoes this part of the Delaware. I understand they are different as well, but same basic thing, keep the craft off the rocks lol.
We always wear our PFD's (I think they are a fashion statement lol) They have river safety guys everywhere because the the cityidiots that come up here drunk and hop on the river in a tube or swim and drown. Noone has died on this section of the river wearing a pfd, except one, but she had a heart attack and fell in, when they got to her she had already drowned. I feel confident and respect the river enough that if the raft becomes un-useable we can get to safety without much of a problem.
They say you can cover 15-20 miles a day depending on how fast you paddle.
AND yes, OOOOOO yes do I feel the great danger creeping in..
Trying to start slow and easy i have 1 in collage.
And again thanks for your help, you give me a lot to think about.

 

[NYFraggel]

Re: Newbie question on an intek mariner 4

This is what they say is rapids on the delaware

 

[lncoop]

Re: Newbie question on an intek mariner 4

My concerns about the raft are its lack of toughness and rigidity, especially its lack of rigidity. You'll see what I mean when you go through standing waves like the ones depicted above. As you said, it's not meant for this, but you'll probably be fine, and it sounds like you can walk out at any point if necessary. If you don't already have some Tear Aid I'd encourage you to get some. Cheap peace of mind. It's avaiable at Academy and probably other big box stores. If you can't find it locally it's easy to order. Be sure to get the right type as one is for Hypalon and the other PVC. It has a multitude of uses and should be in any outdoorsman's kit anyway.

You want the weight of the frame and its contents directly on the tubes. That's what they're for. As I recall you have a capacity of 800 pounds, so no issues there. You need to anchor it at the four corners, not at the oar mounts. Not only will this hold it solid, it will add a little structural integrity that will help keep your raft from tacoing in standing waves and ejecting you. If you already have D rings in the places you need them great, if not you can add them for thirty bucks or so including glue. I've never heard anyone complain about having too many D rings. Are you using gamma lids on the buckets?