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Boat a new boat

MAIZEandBLUE09

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Ok.OK.....an inflatable boat. But still, I'm pretty excited. It's the Intex Mariner 4 and comes with a plastic hard bottom:

intex-68376-2.jpg


I bought it so I could have something that's easily transportable to float down local rivers and on some local lakes. It has built in fishing pole holders (two) and can fit up to 4 people. Or in my case, two adults, two kids and a dog. Should be fun this summer to float down the river. I got a fantastic deal on it -- I've been looking at it for a while and Amazon had a "deal of the day" yesterday and had it 50% off.

And kind of on the horizon -- you can buy a motor mount for it and attach a trolling motor to the back. Might do that later on to give me something to toot around on the water with. Turn it into a proper fishing boat:

678916m3_ts.jpg


The nice part is all the seats are removable so you can have a totally flat bottom boat and all the reviews suggest you can stand up in this thing no problem. I'm pretty pumped to see how it works. Seems like almost too perfect of a little river boat.
 

MAIZEandBLUE09

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If you look online there are tons of modifications people have made to this thing, it's pretty neat:

fetch

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16643d1397491387-update-intex-mariner-4-little-vinyl-boat-project-10003410_10100446434613588_9208748040474853397_n.jpg

maxresdefault.jpg
 

ill

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you boat it, huh?
 

Ojb81

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is...is that boat done up in Buckeye colors??

68c3aaf52e81ae22c52b55a0c6aaddd4cb001a17_hq.gif
 

MAIZEandBLUE09

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is...is that boat done up in Buckeye colors??

68c3aaf52e81ae22c52b55a0c6aaddd4cb001a17_hq.gif
Yes. I'll have to throw a block M on it somewhere. That strip around the outside is actually a rub guard, which is nice. It comes tomorrow, I'm pretty pumped about it.
 

Myles

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Ok.OK.....an inflatable boat. But still, I'm pretty excited. It's the Intex Mariner 4 and comes with a plastic hard bottom:

intex-68376-2.jpg


I bought it so I could have something that's easily transportable to float down local rivers and on some local lakes. It has built in fishing pole holders (two) and can fit up to 4 people. Or in my case, two adults, two kids and a dog. Should be fun this summer to float down the river. I got a fantastic deal on it -- I've been looking at it for a while and Amazon had a "deal of the day" yesterday and had it 50% off.

And kind of on the horizon -- you can buy a motor mount for it and attach a trolling motor to the back. Might do that later on to give me something to toot around on the water with. Turn it into a proper fishing boat:

678916m3_ts.jpg


The nice part is all the seats are removable so you can have a totally flat bottom boat and all the reviews suggest you can stand up in this thing no problem. I'm pretty pumped to see how it works. Seems like almost too perfect of a little river boat.
Pretty cool. I'm sure you will have fun.
Couple observations:
I don't think there is any way in hell that it will fit 4 people. Not for anything longer than a quick transport. The pic you posted with a lawn chair in it shows how is is really a 2 person, maybe 3 without beer.
Are you afraid of your dog puncturing it with his/her nails?
I was a little surprised it needs to be licensed and has a title.
 

fknhippie

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Welcome to Davy Jones locker...

upload_2018-4-19_7-54-18.jpeg
 

MAIZEandBLUE09

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Pretty cool. I'm sure you will have fun.
Couple observations:
I don't think there is any way in hell that it will fit 4 people. Not for anything longer than a quick transport. The pic you posted with a lawn chair in it shows how is is really a 2 person, maybe 3 without beer.
Are you afraid of your dog puncturing it with his/her nails?
I was a little surprised it needs to be licensed and has a title.
Most of the reviews say it comfortably fits 3 adults but 4 is possible. The bottom is hard plastic and I don't think his nails will do much to the rest, it's supposedly super thick vinyl with a lining in the middle. There's a few pics online of people with their dogs standing up on the front.

Intex-Mariner-4-Boat_Set-with-Aluminum-Oars.jpg



Most of those pics also have something taking up a bunch of space, like in that chair pic there's a huge board in the middle where another bench seat normally goes.

From what I understand about Michigan boating laws, is that I won't need to register it unless I add the motor because it's just a raft. As soon as you fix a motor on it, then it needs to be registered with the state -- which isn't a big deal.
 

fknhippie

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We'll see. Not much to pop it out on the water, maybe hit a rock here and there on the river. I just need to be careful where I inflate it on land.

You're going to be so dizzy after inflating that thing.
 

MAIZEandBLUE09

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You're going to be so dizzy after inflating that thing.
Comes with an extra large pump, and the oars. The biggest thing for me is that I can quickly throw this thing, in it's bag, in my trunk. No need to tie anything up. Living close to so many lakes and rivers it will make it easy to just decide to do a day trip. Park a car at the endo f the river, float down and then deflate the thing at the end.
 

MAIZEandBLUE09

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Update: Got the boat on Friday and blew it up to let it sit to see if there are any leaks. Still solid as a rock this morning.

I'm SUPER impressed with the material and size of the boat. Looks even bigger in person. The material is similar to what I'd expect a white-water raft to be made out of and resembles nothing like what you'd see on normal consumer pool rafts or inner tubes. Even without the floor in, the boat is really ridged. Knocking on wood -- but I can't see normal stuff puncturing this material, I think the best chance at a break is if a seam rips.

Now, I just need some boating weather to get this thing out on the water.
 

MAIZEandBLUE09

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Update: Bought a Minn Kota 40lb thrust trolling motor for the boat. Which means I have to go get this thing registered and figure out where to buy a marine battery.
 

MAIZEandBLUE09

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MAIZEandBLUE09

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I'm still kicking tires myself. Can't decide if I want kayaks or a real boat.

I did look at an inflatible a little while ago. The Sea Eagle FishSkiff16. Thing looks badass.

Sea Eagle FSK16 2 person Inflatable Fishing Boats. Package Prices starting at $1,799 plus FREE Shipping
That does look pretty cool. My brother has one of the Sea Eagle boats (which inspired my purchase); it's great. The only thing I don't like is that the floor boards in his are big boards that are cumbersome. On mine it rolls up into a bag.

The inflatables are great for transportation. When I get a bigger vehicle I'll buy a boat/trailer but I'll still probably keep my inflatable because it's just perfect to go down the rivers on.
 

Bridgeburner

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That does look pretty cool. My brother has one of the Sea Eagle boats (which inspired my purchase); it's great. The only thing I don't like is that the floor boards in his are big boards that are cumbersome. On mine it rolls up into a bag.

The inflatables are great for transportation. When I get a bigger vehicle I'll buy a boat/trailer but I'll still probably keep my inflatable because it's just perfect to go down the rivers on.
Yeah, as far as inflatables go the Sea Eagle stuff seems a bit overbuilt. Which I like, but also adds to the weight/bulk of the craft. And yep. Regardless of what boat I get I'm always going to need something smaller too for rivers and HP restricted waters in PA (which is most lakes here unfortunately).
 
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