Pros: Comfort for 3 people, Stability of platform, Ease and speed of set-up
Cons: Boat it easy to nick when deflated, HANDLE WITH CARE when it isn't inflated
Have had this boat for about 6 months, and love it. Use it on a local river where my center console with it's heavy non-jetted 90hp outboard is a bent prop waiting to happen. Bought the motor mount kit, and a 30lb thrust Minn Kota troller. It navigates the river with little difficulty, except for the faster stretches, where I really wish I had purchased a 50lb thrust motor.
The boat is super comfortable with 3 people, a bit tight with 4, and the seats work really well. The most amazing thing to me about this boat is the hard floor, which allows you to STAND in this inflatable boat. (Absolute truth, even me at 190 pounds. My 130lb sons could dance the watusi in it.)
Set up is a breeze. Takes about 10 minutes. The dual action manual pump included is also amazing. Can't believe how quickly it inflates the boat. I've found it handy for other inflatables around the house, as well. Do NOT buy an electric pump to replace it.
The one drawback I've found is that the boat is very easy to damage when it's not inflated. The vinyl is super sturdy when inflated, but when it is deflated, and folded, that creates sharp corners at the folds. Rub that against something abrasive, and voila, leak. (Voice of experience) I don't consider this worthy of dropping the rating, as it was my carelessness that damaged the boat, but you really need to be careful transporting when folded up, and if you can store it flattened out, I would think that would be safest.
In all, this is an amazing product for the money. Use it a lot, and couldn't be much happier with it. Recommend highly. Intex 4 Person Mariner Inflatable Boat Set
I read a ton of reviews for rafts/inflatables before choosing the mariner 4. I purchased the motor mount and a minn kota 30lb thrust trolling motor to go with it. I was looking for a boat that would be comfortable with my fiance, large dog and myself in it. We took the boat out today and had a blast on the lake and moved around just fine even though it was windy. It is very comfortable and sturdy. I am a 225 pound man and I stood up just fine in the boat. The material seems pretty heavy and durable. I was worried a little bit about my dog's claws tearing a hole in the side but by the end of the day he had went in and out and not a scratch on the boat. I would highly reccomend this boat to anyone looking to get out on the water and relax. Two people stretched out with plenty of room for a good size dog in the middle and a cooler is great. The only things I would recommend would be to add an exstension handle to the trolling motor and some kind of cushions to lean back on. The motor sits a little far back and can get uncomfortable constantly reaching behind to steer. As soon as we came home I ordered the extension so next time I will be extremely comforatable. Some people said it is like a toy or that it tears easy but I don't know why. It looks like a raft and and you can tell it is a thick tough material and has a hard floor insert. Not much more to say. Hope this helps.
After considering several options in the inflatable boat department we settled on the Intex Mariner 4 primarily due to the plank flooring. While I have no regrets about our choice, just be aware that the planks are inserted through a series of sleeves in a strong vinyl panel that mirrors the boat's bottom. Despite the hard surface of the planks the spaces inbetween them still allow for significant play in the flooring when standing or moving about. Hence, any talk about doing the "watusi" or a considerable amount of casting while standing is going a bit overboard...perhaps literally. Sure, you can stand but it's not going to remotely reflect the experience of an actual hard surface craft. Sitting down is still going to be the most suitable option.
On that note, from a fishing perspective the inflatable seats were too low and pliable so we opted for a couple of 32 inch wide storage chest from the local big box hardware store. They're strong, inexpensive, fit perfectly and feature cup holders on the lids no-less. Besides a much higher seating profile, this added tremendous storage space and a much better base for casting and maneuvering the boat via the trolling motor. Toss on a couple of seat cushions and you're comfortably set.
In terms of roominess, if your aim is to simply cruise around the water sans the fishing element, perhaps four people (adults or kids) pushed together is a possibility, but as noted by others, there is no way you could enjoy fishing on this boat with more than two people...it would be a logistical nightmare with room to do little more than hang a line over the side and hope no one sneezes.
These shortcomings aside, the Mariner 4 is as rugged of an inflatable as your likely to find at this price-point and while it may cost more than other similar inflatables, it's by far a better option for those who want to get out on the water without the considerable expense or headache of an actual boat.
This is a great raft for the money. Its tough and stores easy. I paired this with a 30lb thrust Minn Kota and love it! The floor planks make a huge difference for stability. You can easily stand up while casting without any robble. Would definitely recommend this to anyone without the space or money for a real boat. - Intex - Inflatable Boats - Inflatable Sailboat - Boat'
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