Sevylor or Intex?

[mrdrh99]

Re: Sevylor or Intex?

Ok, copper, I'm a week or so away from ordering my mariner. Since i work at Lowe's I'm always looking for deals on wood etc.... In your opinion, is there nothing that could be put under the slated floor that would eliminate the back and forth rocking? I was thinking of either pvc or a couple 1x4 pvc boards with pipe insulation. I'm trying to eliminate making an entire new floor.

 

[CopperFox]

Re: Sevylor or Intex?

Well, I can certainly understand your desire to avoid making a floor from scratch, but I can't see what else can be done with the Mariner 4. The slats fit tightly under the side tubes and are supported in the middle by the inflated keel. Anything put under the slated floor would be resting on the sheet material and in my opinion, would be more inclined to stretch it locally. I'm certainly open to ideas though, because my next step seems to be making a new floor from scratch.

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Sevylor or Intex?

Ok, i understand, do you believe a 2 or 3 piece floor would work out do you think where the pieces join together they would buckle? OR, if a one piece is made do you think 1/4" would suffice?

 

[beachblue]

Re: Sevylor or Intex?

That was so good to hear Copper Fox that you are pleased with your purchase. What size and type of motor are you running on the mariner ? I have bought a minnkota 40 after reading loads of reviews.

Mrdrh99 I have been browsing Lowe's for the type of plywood I might use for a floor if and when I make one and at this point I am pretty sure I am going to make one but like Copper Fox I am just going to wait until my first use is out of the way before making a final decision. I have been thinking I would buy the 1/2" blondewood plywood that Lowe's stocks as it is so smooth and just ready to paint and being smooth eliminates any roughness and/or splinters inherent with a lot of plywood. Any thoughts on that ? Obviously your one piece idea would be ideal thus eliminating any joints but that would be impractical for me as it would be 8 ft long. Right now thinking of 3 pieces. My initial thoughts for joining them together is to make an H type connector out of 2 x 6 so that the plywood can slide in to the slot from each side and being a fairly tight fit that would hopefully eliminate any unnecessary screwing. I intend to cut down the 2inch side (yes I know it comes at 1 1/2") down as much as possible to keep the joint from being a trip hazard etc and will even chamfer the shoulders. As with a lot of these things trial and error is going to prove what works and what doesn't. Anyone ever tried this method ?

Happy boating.

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Sevylor or Intex?

Beach, the 1/2" blondewood is excellent, that is what i used in my excursion. There is also a 1/4" version....I'm also looking at luan underlayment. I know that alone 1/4" would not suffice but I'm thinking of laying it over the existing floor. Interesting idea with the connector, i was thinking more along the lines of a couple metal braces about 6-8"long bolted from underneath with 1/4" screws and wing nuts on top along the sides but far enough away from the chambers. One thing about that blondewood is it's heavy! Oh, btw, could you possibly give a rough measurement of the existing floor? Thanks!

 

[beachblue]

Re: Sevylor or Intex?

Sorry but I am not where the boat is for the next week so can't help with the dimensions you ask for at the moment.

 

[CopperFox]

Re: Sevylor or Intex?

I took my new Mariner 4 out for it's 2nd trial yesterday, opening weekend for many lakes in Washington State. I continue to think: What a champ that boat is!

I was planning to work on my solid floor this weekend, but one friend coaxed me to brew beer on Saturday and my son-in-law, who just got his fishing license for the new year fishing that started April 1, talked me into fishing on Sunday! Given my sitting discomfort on my last trip, I thought I would experiment with my old seat. As described elsewhere on this site (including photos), I had a boat seat on a swivel on a board, cinched to a milk crate and a plywood floor board in my HF-360. Not attaching this seat to the floor caused me to go in the water, and not willing to risk it here, I tried putting the whole thing, including the much smaller floor board, on top of the slatted floor in the Mariner 4. It worked like a charm! I was raised off the floor, had a seat back and could swivel!

I'm happy to provide info on how I plan to modify this boat, based on what I now know of it and past experience with a Sevylor HF-360, but for others here, Loop_Dad had done some great things with his Mariner 4 that he has had since at least last year, so don't overlook him as a very good resource! I know I rely on his experience.

There was a request for rough dimensions for the Mariner 4. This may be too rough, but I get about 9' by 3' for the floor. I'll be able to provide more exact numbers as I shape the wood.

At this point I am looking at using 1 sheet of plywood (4' x 8'), 1/2" thick, or the next size thicker, if I have to. I will cut the sheet to make it a 3' by 8' board, and then cut that in half to make two, 4' x 3' pieces. One will be for the back, one for the middle, and I will use the 1' x 8' piece to make a 1' 'nose cap'.

As BeachBlue suggests, I did make such an 'H-Beam' to join the 2 floor boards I had for my HF-360 but found it to be unnecessary. The rigidity of the floor and side tubes held everything in place nicely, though stepping on only one board near the joint did cause a step-up of 2-3 inches. My impression at this point is that such a joint might not be necessary for this boat either, but that is simply an educated guess.

Forgive me if something's been asked that I have not responded to. My intent was to 'get' everything.

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Sevylor or Intex?

Hey Copper, are you planning on ditching the original floor? My idea was to put a 1/4" thick floor over the original, carpeted and with a cut out for the keel. I have to swivel seats from my old excursion, a pedestal w/swivel mounted to a 2x2' piece of carpeted 1/2" ply that just sits on the floor, never given me any problems. One seat in the front one in the back. I have my trolling motor wire extended to put the battery up front. For the center console (for lack of better words) I plan on finding a cooler at just the right hight to mount a board on top of, the board will have a hinge in the center to allow access from front to back of the boat. This will act as a work surface and I will have my electronics mounted to it. The front seat will be bench style to allow for storage with a swivel on top. I'm sure it will be more cramped that my excursion was but way more functional! Should be here by Wed, I cant wait!!!

 

[CopperFox]

Re: Sevylor or Intex?

MrDrH99: OK, I saw your video. Very nice! It also makes everything you say above very clear! Yes, I am planning to go without the original floor. I'm trying to minimize weight and assembly time at the water's edge. Your seats do amaze me! I would have thought you'd be too top heavy for such a small base. I like the idea that you have your battery even further forward and may have to ask you more about splicing your line. I have given a lot of thought to a center work surface. With a much smaller inner space on the HF-360, the work space was a board I cut, painted and scured on the back tube. This left the front seat without one. For my Mariner 4, I am planning on a simple board across the tubes, probably also with molding around the edges so nothing can roll off. Rod holders for the Mariner 4 are spaced one back left and one front right. Since I usually carry a trolling rod and a casting one, I may also put a couple of holders in the middle work surface and possibly a couple of cup holders, though the stable surface may be sufficient. I have a portable Humminbird Fish Finder unit that I intend to keep on this surface as well. I'll keep this whole thing fairly simple, for weight, portability and space purposes.

I have to admit, the hinge for front to back access sounds pretty cool!

Oh! On your video you mention a swivel seat on your front storage/seat unit. Given that unit opens up, you may want to first find a way to latch it closed. I can just see leaning forward on your seat and having the lid open you right into the water!

It's there tomorrow - just a week and a day after I got mine! Enjoy!

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Sevylor or Intex?

Will do copper, let me know if you need info about splicing the wires, i contacted minn kota and verified this would not void the warranty. I too week be keeping everything as minimal weight wise as possible. I'll be posting frequent updates and pics in the mods

 

[RVman]

Re: Sevylor or Intex?

I just purchased the Intex 3 last week and took it out yesterday on the Stanislaus River in the Oakdale Area. I had picked up a couple cheaper rafts and returned them in exchange for this one and it is a great raft. I just ordered the bigger brother the Intex Mariner 4 today and should get it in time to fish with it next Thursday on the river. I'm very impressed with the 3 and have read great reviews on the 4. I've also ordered a 40lb thrust C2 Minnkota and a Fish Buddy 120 portable fish finder. I'm planning to use it for salmon in a couple of weeks on the American, Sac and Feather rivers. I'n not sure if I will need to do anything with the floorboard and if necessary will customize it as some have suggested. I'll make a couple fishing trips with it before making any decisions in that area.

 

[mrdrh99]

Re: Sevylor or Intex?

Did everyone jump ship to the mariner 4 thread? LOL

 

[CopperFox]

Re: Sevylor or Intex?

Except for when there's a new post here and I get notice of it, but, otherwise, yep!