Minor mods on my new Intex boat

[Rakumi]

Hello all. I am new to the forum, but for some of you who have posted videos on your custom intex/sevylor on youtube, i have probably seen your video. As well i have come here reading a few threads. I purchased an Excursion 5. I like the size. I am making a hard wood floor at the moment and i went with 11/32 inch plywood. I have three 1/2 pvc pipes for support (one in the middle and 2 on the outer part of the inner boat.) I have yet to start cutting my wood to form. But do you guys think that thickness will allow me to stand? I figured it was lighter than say 1/2 inch or 3/4 inch for transporting.

 

[CopperFox]

Re: Minor mods on my new Intex boat

Welcome Rakumi! You've got access to a lot of experience here, so don't hesitate to use it. I have had the Sevylor HF360 and now use the Intex Mariner 4, and I made floor boards for both. I wouldn't recommend much under 1/2 inch for either and I think used 15/32" for the Mariner 4, which fits my needs perfectly, which include brief occasional standing, and assembly/disassembly at the water's edge each time. A major consideration was the ability to hold two swivel seats.

I've never had the Excursion, but understand the floor is much larger, and so would probably recommend 1/2" or even slightly thicker plywood, depending on how much standing you intend to do. Weight of the material is another consideration as well as how many pieces you intend to have it made out of, and how, if at all, they are to be connected. Mine are not attached to each other at all.

I don't think you will find the PVC underneath of much value, and it might even stretch/weaken the bottom material.

Probably the best person to give you answers on this question is mrdrh88. He has lots of experience with mods on the Mariner 4 and, I believe, the Excursion. He is on the Mariner 4 Mod thread often. Maybe you could ask him there, to provide info here. Good luck.

 

[Rakumi]

Re: Minor mods on my new Intex boat

Thanks Copper. And yeah, the guy you mentioned, i have seen all of his youtube videos. I do hope the pvc piping does not damage the surface of the boat. Since i already had the 11/32 inch of ply, i hope it works out and i end up not needing to get thicker. I am not planning on drilling anything into it like special seats. I will get cutting maybe tomorrow or the day after. I love the excursion 5. I realize the seahawk 4 and definitely the mariner 4 is probably sturdier but i do love the space and it is the right boat for me. I am later thinking of creating bench seats or sitting on coolers. By sitting upright, you have more floor space. The inflatable seats that come with it are pretty comfortable for relaxing but i may on occasion want to not use them and sit upright if i am fishing or something like that.

 

[Rakumi]

Re: Minor mods on my new Intex boat

So today I tested out my 11/32 inch plywood on my Excursion 5 and it was a bit unstable but enough so that I had a blast. It cannot support heavy stuff I am sure, but I was able to stand up if my feet were about 1.5 feet away. when I have both feet in the center front to back axis, I feel it caves in and as if it may crack a bit. This was just a test but I felt things worked out ok considering the benefit of the light weight vs sturdiness.