Having trouble with dimensions... Mariner 4 to Seahawk 500

[300winmag]

Re: Having trouble with dimensions... Mariner 4 to Seahawk 500

So here is what I have for the dimensions of the M4 and some pictures for reference.

 

[300winmag]

Re: Having trouble with dimensions... Mariner 4 to Seahawk 500



I checked out that 1/4 checkered rubber flooring today and its very flimsy, I think it would sag to much in between the slats of our floor so I might replace the floor with wood.

 

[300winmag]

Re: Having trouble with dimensions... Mariner 4 to Seahawk 500

I have an idea that will allow me to keep the original flooring but since I have yet to take the boat on the water I need some opinions from others who have.

My idea is using that rubber flooring I was talking about earlier and glue offset slats on the bottom to fit inbetween the slats for the original flooring. This way the rubber wont sag in between slats, it will add a bit more rigidity and be more comfortable to sit and walk on. Any reason to not do this? Will it negatively affect the boat while using the motor?

 

[Rakumi]

Re: Having trouble with dimensions... Mariner 4 to Seahawk 500

Not too sure what you are refering to but why not a solid wood floor?

 

[300winmag]

Re: Having trouble with dimensions... Mariner 4 to Seahawk 500

I could but if I can utilize the original floor I would prefer to do that and just throw some checkered rubber over top.

 

[CopperFox]

Re: Having trouble with dimensions... Mariner 4 to Seahawk 500

If you do glue offset slats to the existing floor to prevent the rubber from sagging:
1. You will lose almost all your ability to roll it up for storage; and
2. the weight of an already heavy floor will increase significantly.
I don't think this weight should affect propulsion on the water much, but I do believe 1 & 2 together will greatly increase the inconvenience factor when it comes to assembly and disassembly. If you intend to leave it set up most of the time, this will matter less.
A suggestion: If you still want to go this route, try it without the gluing a few times first. If it turns out to be a mistake, you're not up a creek. And if you like it, loose offset slats may make assembly easier, and shouldn't really bring any negative to your design.
Either way, good luck.

 

[300winmag]

Re: Having trouble with dimensions... Mariner 4 to Seahawk 500

I was thinking of gluing the off set slats to the bottom of the checkerd rubber not the floor itself so I could roll them up individualy. Maybe I dont have to put one every slat... maybe just the ones where they are seperated by 4 ''. The slats would weight next to nothing cause they would be very small and made out of thin aluminum. Hell I dont even have to glue them, just drop them in where the slats are spaced too far apart on the floor if I have to. The standard floor weighs 36lbs if I recall correctly that should be around the same weight as if it were made out of 5/8 plywood I would think. It would be nice to roll everything up and bag it.

 

[CopperFox]

Re: Having trouble with dimensions... Mariner 4 to Seahawk 500

300win:
I agree the weight would be about the same and being able to roll it is a huge plus. But if you add the checkered rubber and the aluminum slats, that adds more weight and more to assemble. Maybe not significantly - it just depends on your perspective. Depending on how sturdy you want it, 1/2" should be fine. I think I have a little less, 15/32". I've cut my floor into 3, considering the bend in the boat (front to back curve) and space in my SUV.
Bagging the boat and floor is a plus too, though that bag would be stuffed and barely portable. I roll up my boat and use a simple cinch strap to keep it that way. With the 3 floor boards lying flat, and the boat, rolled & cinched on top, each unit is portable, there are only 4 pieces, and storage in the vehicle is very flexible.
However you end up doing it, I'm sure everyone here is interested, so please share. And welcome to the M4 - as you can see, it does have many followers, so I'm sure you'll get lots of enjoyment from it.

 

[300winmag]

Re: Having trouble with dimensions... Mariner 4 to Seahawk 500

Thanks CopperFox,
I bought the rubber last night and hard cell foam to go between the slats instead of aluminum. Just have to cut them up. I checked out the Minn kota 55, I like it and bass pro is having a sale soon. As for the battery Costco is by far the best bet around here and the only place I can get the power center around here is the fishing hole so he is calling me soon with a price.

 

[CopperFox]

Re: Having trouble with dimensions... Mariner 4 to Seahawk 500

Exciting times. Chomping at the bit to get out there myself. Enjoy it to themax! I know I have.

 

[300winmag]

Re: Having trouble with dimensions... Mariner 4 to Seahawk 500

So I had to take back the rubber floor today.
After cutting it all up to perfectly fit on top of the hard floor I went to install it and the damn thing leaves black marks on everything(took me an hour to get it off the M4) and stinks to no end, I though/read if I leave it out in the sun for a few days the smell would go away but thats not the case with 1/4 rubber. Back to the drawing board I go!!! On the bright side I bought a 500,000 btu propane torch with the money I got back

 

[Rakumi]

Re: Having trouble with dimensions... Mariner 4 to Seahawk 500

So what kind of floor are you planning on now? Or will you stick with the floor that comes with it?

 

[300winmag]

Re: Having trouble with dimensions... Mariner 4 to Seahawk 500

Thinking of an air floor of some sort. Something comfortable to sit on while relaxing for hours floating down the river.