Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

[ChristianMariner]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Just got my fish finder all wired up. I mean it was all setup but I just needed to put some prongs on the end of the wires so i could connect it to the battery. Hoping to take my Mariner out this weekend for the 2nd time ever, and it will be my first time with a finder on it if I do end up going out.

View attachment 207105

Sweet!

 

[ChristianMariner]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

I think I'm done for now with my upgrades to my M4 for now. I test fit everything after work in the backyard to make sure it all works.
Here are some pics of my set up. Should be out on the water this Monday.
View attachment 207111View attachment 207112View attachment 207113

That's a fine boat, good job on the mods, looks like you bought it that way.

 

[dancour]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Those seats look great. Any swivel movement?

I wondering if you are still able to row the boat, if the need arises.

 

[ChristianMariner]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Those seats look great. Any swivel movement?

I wondering if you are still able to row the boat, if the need arises.

Row? What is this "row" that you speak of?

Personally, I keep one of the bench seats (uninflated) onboard, just in case.

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Drum roll please......

Ok, here it goes, I have made a prototype of a bimini top. I looked at some online, there were some made for the seahawk 4 and the seahawk II, but they simply looked like a couple tent rods with the top 1/3 of a tent attached. Now, I'm not saying what I created was much better but it is A LOT cheaper....I spent a total of $25 and didn't even use everything I bought. Its made of 1/2 pvc with 1" caps. I will link a youtube video walk through of what I have done. Keep in mind the way the tarp is attached can and probably will be modified however I think its a great starting point. I have designed it so that it can all be wrapped up in the tarp and stashed away until needed. So, if you have any questions please ask and I'm totally open for any suggestions.

Custom intex mariner 4 bimini top prototype - YouTube

two corrections, first I said it was 5" sticks when obviously it was 5', second, I'm sooooo sorry for turning my phone sideways halfway through!

 

[comfy68]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Good job bro!

Thank you!! I've been looking at some Bimini tops.
Maybe next summer. Slow and steady wins the race. So they say

 

[comfy68]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

That's a fine boat, good job on the mods, looks like you bought it that way.

Thanks! I appreciate the comment. I have to give thanks to all that have posted on this thread! You are the reason it looks as good as it does.

 

[comfy68]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Row? What is this "row" that you speak of?

Personally, I keep one of the bench seats (uninflated) onboard, just in case.

The inflatable bench seats are a great pillow on the water if you feel like chillin!!

 

[comfy68]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Drum roll please......

Ok, here it goes, I have made a prototype of a bimini top. I looked at some online, there were some made for the seahawk 4 and the seahawk II, but they simply looked like a couple tent rods with the top 1/3 of a tent attached. Now, I'm not saying what I created was much better but it is A LOT cheaper....I spent a total of $25 and didn't even use everything I bought. Its made of 1/2 pvc with 1" caps. I will link a youtube video walk through of what I have done. Keep in mind the way the tarp is attached can and probably will be modified however I think its a great starting point. I have designed it so that it can all be wrapped up in the tarp and stashed away until needed. So, if you have any questions please ask and I'm totally open for any suggestions.

Custom intex mariner 4 bimini top prototype - YouTube

two corrections, first I said it was 5" sticks when obviously it was 5', second, I'm sooooo sorry for turning my phone sideways halfway through!

Kudos to taking the leap and being the first to try a Bimini top for the M4.
I have looked at online ones as well. It seems like they all use tent poles with one connection point on each side of the boat. I wonder if we could incorporate that thought with some old tent poles? Light weight and little space.

 

[RVman]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Agreed it looks great !!!

That's a fine boat, good job on the mods, looks like you bought it that way.

 

[Guest]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Drum roll please......

Ok, here it goes, I have made a prototype of a bimini top. I looked at some online, there were some made for the seahawk 4 and the seahawk II, but they simply looked like a couple tent rods with the top 1/3 of a tent attached. Now, I'm not saying what I created was much better but it is A LOT cheaper....I spent a total of $25 and didn't even use everything I bought. Its made of 1/2 pvc with 1" caps. I will link a youtube video walk through of what I have done. Keep in mind the way the tarp is attached can and probably will be modified however I think its a great starting point. I have designed it so that it can all be wrapped up in the tarp and stashed away until needed. So, if you have any questions please ask and I'm totally open for any suggestions.

Custom intex mariner 4 bimini top prototype - YouTube

two corrections, first I said it was 5" sticks when obviously it was 5', second, I'm sooooo sorry for turning my phone sideways halfway through!

great video with the bimini!

 

[Guest]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Hey Chris, you never told me how the dolly held up. After mine collaped I finally had the time and built one today. I will display it tomorrow. Me and sinistre are going out tomorrow morning to test our stuff . Reason I keep making dollies is because I refuse to drill holes in my transom. I will take a look to see if I can mod my new dolly to work with an m4

 

[comfy68]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Those seats look great. Any swivel movement?
I wondering if you are still able to row the boat, if the need arises.

They swivel 360

 

[ChristianMariner]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Hey Chris, you never told me how the dolly held up. After mine collaped I finally had the time and built one today. I will display it tomorrow. Me and sinistre are going out tomorrow morning to test our stuff . Reason I keep making dollies is because I refuse to drill holes in my transom. I will take a look to see if I can mod my new dolly to work with an m4

I needed the dolly cause I always went alone, and its hard for one person to get the boat the water. But, right after I got the dolly, I got a GF hehe. So, I back the car down the boat launch, unload everything ( including the GF ) there, and go park. Then we inflate and put in the water... no boat dolly has been needed yet. I do use the collapsable hand truck to move the battery down to the water if its more than 10 feet away, and the dolly goes in the boat with us ( it fits perfectly under the battery, actually ). I have my 1 & 1/2 inch PVC dolly with the big wheels glues together ( it is a lot more solid then it was before the glue ) but just havent had a reason to try it or the hand truck. Will let you know when I try each out.
Would love to see yours man, post up!

 

[ChristianMariner]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Drum roll please......

Ok, here it goes, I have made a prototype of a bimini top. I looked at some online, there were some made for the seahawk 4 and the seahawk II, but they simply looked like a couple tent rods with the top 1/3 of a tent attached. Now, I'm not saying what I created was much better but it is A LOT cheaper....I spent a total of $25 and didn't even use everything I bought. Its made of 1/2 pvc with 1" caps. I will link a youtube video walk through of what I have done. Keep in mind the way the tarp is attached can and probably will be modified however I think its a great starting point. I have designed it so that it can all be wrapped up in the tarp and stashed away until needed. So, if you have any questions please ask and I'm totally open for any suggestions.

Custom intex mariner 4 bimini top prototype - YouTube

two corrections, first I said it was 5" sticks when obviously it was 5', second, I'm sooooo sorry for turning my phone sideways halfway through!

Awesome man, I posted on your vid page also.
Only thing I dont understand is the measurement. It looks waaaay bigger than 5 inches?
Just kiddin' I know you said it wrong and corrected it.
1. Is there anything more than gravity holding the poles into the caps at the mount?
2. Does it have to be that narrow at the top? Could I make my roof wider? I do not fish, just looking for shade.
3. What do you think about your same system, just a bit lower ( I dont ever stand, I sit always ) but a point on the front of the tarp being tied to the front grab? And something similar in the back, but not in the way of the motor?
4. How did it go out on the water?
Thanks!

 

[ChristianMariner]

Testing out the 40# Thrust Minn Kota Endura

Testing out the 40# Thrust Minn Kota Endura

When I was 18, my first car was a Chevy Chevette. It was a diesel model ( I am not kidding ). It had 51 Horsepower. My next car was a 1970 Pontiac GTO with a 6.0L Engine.

That was what these two motors were like.
I have enjoyed the 17# Thrust Minn Kota motor, and even painted it to match my boat. However, this weekend my friend loaned me his 40# Thrust Endura, and it was a whole new boat. I did not go to the normal, calm little pond I hang out at. I went to a 44,000 acre lake with water skier's and jet skiers and all kinds of stuff. The water felt like what I imagine a calm day at sea would be like ( but extremly rough compared to what I am used to ).
My little 17# would not have cut it this weekend. I would have been at the mercy of the wind and the waves.
When I turned that 40# up to Speed 5, the little Lady and I were amazed at how fast we cut through the water, although we went straight into some large ski boat wakes and got dowsed hahah.

Long story short, I will keep the 17# as I doubt I could sell it for what it is worth to me, but will either buy this 40# from my friend, or save up for what seems like is the biggest motor our boats are happy with - the big 55#

Thanks for readin, hope everyone had a good weekend!



P.S. That floating shack in the water was called the "S.S. Relief". Even funnier know that we know that S.S. means "Steam Ship". Yet another misnamed vessel. Still, pretty cool to have a floating port-a-potty that you can dock at when you are out on the water all day.

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Hey man! All of your ideas will work, I didn't take it because i was wanting to to cut the 5' pieces and put couplers so the whole thing would roll up into tarp, kind of like a tent. The poles sit in the caps and yes the tarp could easily tied. I'm by no means done with it, need more time to tinker but that's hard to come by with an eight month old baby! It'll be awesome when done!

 

[Guest]

Re: Testing out the 40# Thrust Minn Kota Endura

Re: Testing out the 40# Thrust Minn Kota Endura

When I was 18, my first car was a Chevy Chevette. It was a diesel model ( I am not kidding ). It had 51 Horsepower. My next car was a 1970 Pontiac GTO with a 6.0L Engine.

That was what these two motors were like.
I have enjoyed the 17# Thrust Minn Kota motor, and even painted it to match my boat. However, this weekend my friend loaned me his 40# Thrust Endura, and it was a whole new boat. I did not go to the normal, calm little pond I hang out at. I went to a 44,000 acre lake with water skier's and jet skiers and all kinds of stuff. The water felt like what I imagine a calm day at sea would be like ( but extremly rough compared to what I am used to ).
My little 17# would not have cut it this weekend. I would have been at the mercy of the wind and the waves.
When I turned that 40# up to Speed 5, the little Lady and I were amazed at how fast we cut through the water, although we went straight into some large ski boat wakes and got dowsed hahah.

Long story short, I will keep the 17# as I doubt I could sell it for what it is worth to me, but will either buy this 40# from my friend, or save up for what seems like is the biggest motor our boats are happy with - the big 55#

Thanks for readin, hope everyone had a good weekend!

View attachment 207532View attachment 207533View attachment 207534View attachment 207535

P.S. That floating shack in the water was called the "S.S. Relief". Even funnier know that we know that S.S. means "Steam Ship". Yet another misnamed vessel. Still, pretty cool to have a floating port-a-potty that you can dock at when you are out on the water all day.

forget a 55 kota, buy a gas 3.5 (weight difference is about 10 lb) and you will see what your boat can really do. look for something like this Nissan 3 5 HP Outboard Motor Runs Great Year 2000 Model No NS35A2 | eBay

 

[astanton81]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Finally got out for the 2nd time yesterday! My wife ended up going with me to check it out, and we went to a lake that I had never boated in but had fished a few times.

First of all, this lake has an AWESOME place to launch from. The parking lot is literally about 15 feet to the water, with grass between it, as well as a boat ramp. I just blew up my boat in the grass right there and dragged it into the water, that is just dirt so it's almost like a beach. It worked out GREAT and I will be going back there again probably next weekend.

I told her to time me on setting it all up. While I was setting it up, I was also talking to a guy who was coming in so I wasn't rushing to get it up or anything. He was pretty impressed with my whole setup, especially the motor mount, motor, and fish finder. Just thought it was a cool setup. It ended up taking me 25 minutes to set it up, so that was not bad at all! I was really happy with the time.

I was out for 2.5 hours and I caught 1 bass, and had 2 more on my line that got off near the boat. All of them were small fish like 8 inches or so. My wife isn't the biggest fishermen at all but I had a spare rod so she tried it out. She mainly came to just hang out and read, but ended up fishing for like 20 minutes and hit 2 bass lol. We caught all of our bass on the same junebug colored worms. I was trying to use some other stuff trying to land larger bass, but had no luck.

I have to say though I am really disappointed with my fish finder. I think however that it may have just been not calibrated properly. I didn't have the manual with me so I wasn't sure what to do, but I recall reading in it briefly that it said to do something if you were getting wrong readings, and I clearly was. It said I was in 20 feet of water like 20 feet from the shore, and I would see a tree trunk clear as day under me lying on the ground, like 2 feet down. So I have to see what is up with it.

On the way in I told her to time me packing it all up, and it took me a total of 20 minutes to get it back into the car. So all in all a good trip and I am going out at least once this next weekend. I need to figure out what is up with my fish finder, or return it if I can't figure it out.

 

[ChristianMariner]

Re: Intex Mariner 4 modifications and Tips

Finally got out for the 2nd time yesterday! My wife ended up going with me to check it out, and we went to a lake that I had never boated in but had fished a few times.

First of all, this lake has an AWESOME place to launch from. The parking lot is literally about 15 feet to the water, with grass between it, as well as a boat ramp. I just blew up my boat in the grass right there and dragged it into the water, that is just dirt so it's almost like a beach. It worked out GREAT and I will be going back there again probably next weekend.

I told her to time me on setting it all up. While I was setting it up, I was also talking to a guy who was coming in so I wasn't rushing to get it up or anything. He was pretty impressed with my whole setup, especially the motor mount, motor, and fish finder. Just thought it was a cool setup. It ended up taking me 25 minutes to set it up, so that was not bad at all! I was really happy with the time.

I was out for 2.5 hours and I caught 1 bass, and had 2 more on my line that got off near the boat. All of them were small fish like 8 inches or so. My wife isn't the biggest fishermen at all but I had a spare rod so she tried it out. She mainly came to just hang out and read, but ended up fishing for like 20 minutes and hit 2 bass lol. We caught all of our bass on the same junebug colored worms. I was trying to use some other stuff trying to land larger bass, but had no luck.

I have to say though I am really disappointed with my fish finder. I think however that it may have just been not calibrated properly. I didn't have the manual with me so I wasn't sure what to do, but I recall reading in it briefly that it said to do something if you were getting wrong readings, and I clearly was. It said I was in 20 feet of water like 20 feet from the shore, and I would see a tree trunk clear as day under me lying on the ground, like 2 feet down. So I have to see what is up with it.

On the way in I told her to time me packing it all up, and it took me a total of 20 minutes to get it back into the car. So all in all a good trip and I am going out at least once this next weekend. I need to figure out what is up with my fish finder, or return it if I can't figure it out.

Awesome man, glad to hear you got it out there.
Did you ever get your CF numbers finished?