Intex Mariner 4 Review: Perfect for Weekend Family Trips

Planning a weekend trip with your friends or family and looking for Intex Mariner 4 review? Your wait is just over!

I agree to the problem that:

Finding a suitable boat, without exceeding your budget limit can become a problem. So, before buying a boat, you need to know all of its features to see whether it suits you or not.

For your ease, I have laid down this review where you will get all the information you want to know about Intex Mariner 4.

Inflatable boats are everyone’s choice because of compact and easy storage. Still, many of us think that their performance in water is not as good as of hard hull boats which are either made of fiberglass or polyethylene.

If you also think the same, here we are going to prove you are thinking wrong!

Inflatable boats can be as stable as any other boat depending on their size and speed. Also, these boats are just like the traditional boats we see, having almost the same features. Understand the difference between inflatable vs hardshell.

So, undoubtedly:

Intex Mariner 4 is a very good-quality inflatable boat that is ideal for a day out with friends or family. Let’s have a look at its major specs:

Intex Mariner 4 Specifications

Intex Mariner 4 Review: A Stable & Versatile Boat

Intex has been manufacturing quality kayaks for over 40 years. This shows their excellence in this field. The inflatable products by Intex are of really good quality and one can easily rely on them.

In this review, we will discuss all of its features and drawbacks in detail so you get all the necessary information that you want to know before buying Intex Mariner 4.

The material of Construction – Longlasting, Durable Construction:

Super Tough laminated vinyl is used in the making of this boat. The construction of the boat is very durable. You don’t have to worry about it getting damaged.

Plus, there is more:

The laminated vinyl construction not only protects the boat of UV rays but also prevents any other wear and tear. The Super Tough laminated vinyl increases the life span of the boat. Additionally, it does not get affected by the salty water of the seas.

Want to know the best part?

The material has basically 3 separate layers; the two outer layers are heavy-gauge polyvinyl chloride and the most inner layer is polyester mesh which gives more firm and strength to the boat.

Hence, the boat will last for years if kept with care and you can enjoy numerous memorable trips with your fellows in this inflatable boat.

Size of the Boat – Is it Enough for 4?

The boat is 129” in length and 57” wide. Although it is a 4 person boat, still it is a bit uncomfortable if 4 adults are traveling. The trip can be more comfortable and relaxing if 3 people accommodate the space. This way the boat becomes a bit spacious.

Stability – Better Than You Think:

Many people think that inflatable boats are not so stable as they are air-filled. However, it is not like that and the stability of these boats is almost the same as of the traditional boats. In some cases, inflatable boats are found to be even more stable.

Intex Mariner 4 has shown very good stability even in rough waters. The extruded plastic flooring not only provides comfort but also makes the boat steady and stable.

Boston Valves – Easy Inflating & Deflating:

One issue that people find in inflatable boats is inflation. Intex knows its buyer's requirements and so, the inflating and deflating procedure of Intex Mariner 4 is quite easy.

It takes around 10 minutes to inflate the boat if you are using the manual pump which comes with the boat itself. With an electric pump, be it can be done more quickly.

Same goes with the deflation. The Boston valves are installed on the hull chamber which makes the process easy and quick.

Seat Cushions – For Extra Comfort:

The boat comes with 3 inflatable cushions which you can use for more comfortable sitting. The seats are extremely comfortable and you can relax and enjoy your trip for hours.

Moreover, the seats are of very good quality and people have never complained about any discomfort while using them.

Easy Grab Handles:

Two handles are provided on either side of the boat for easy carrying. Although it is a very small feature but is very useful in carrying the boat into and out of the water.

Therefore, with the help of the handles, you can drag your boat along with your friends without any hassle.

Weight of the Boat – Easy To Transport:

The weight of Mariner 4 is just 77 pounds. This means that the boat is quite lightweight and also becomes very compact when deflated.

Unlike other heavy boats, this is very easy to move and transport because of its less weight. This is another good feature in inflatable boats and also one of the reasons why people prefer it over traditional solid boats which are very difficult to carry.

Weight Capacity – Another Admiring Feature:

Boats with good weight capacity are most peoples first choice. with Intex Mariner 4 you get 880 pounds of weight capacity.

If 3 people are traveling, you get a lot of room for your accessories and fishing gears, in case you are planning to fish.

Intex Mariner 4 has weight capacity of almost 880 pounds. Although 4 people can easily acquire this capacity but fore more comfort, people prefer traveling 3 at once. This way you can accommodate your personal stuff within this capacity.

Accessories – Includes Everything You Need:

There are some basic essentials you need during your trip. The best part about this boat is you don’t need to buy them separately, instead, they are included in the package.

This includes Aluminum oars, an inflatable keel, a manual pump, and separate pouches for storing battery and gears. Also, the rotating oar locks and oar holders are some other added features.

Intex Mariner 4 vs Excursion 5:

If you are confused which one to buy, here is a short precise comparison between Intex Mariner 4 and Excursion 5. The first difference that anyone can notice by just looking at both is the size.

The size of Excursion 5 is way larger than Mariner 4 and so is the weight capacity. Mariner 4 has 4 person capacity whereas Excursion we said to have a capacity of 5 people.

Although the seats of both the boats are inflatable as well as detachable Excursion 5 has seats with backrests. This means that seats in Excursion are a bit more comfortable than the seats in Mariner 4 because of the backrests.

As far as the stability I concerned, Mariner 4 is liked more because of its good stability. Now, here we don’t mean that Excursion 5 is not stable at all. It is, indeed. But the because of the smaller size and the inflatable keel, Mariner 4 provides good stability in almost all kinds of waters.

Now coming to the accessories you get with the two boats which are almost the same except for a couple of things that differ.

The rotating oar locks is a plus point in Mariner 4 which you won't find in Excursion 5. On the other hand, Excursion 5 has 4 fishing rod holders but Mariner 4 has just 2.

Although you may find some differences between the two as they are two different models, one thing that is common and appreciating is the easy inflation and deflation.

Both the boats have Boston valves in the hull chamber which make the process quicker and easier.

FAQs About Intex Mariner 4:

Verdict:

The Intex Mariner 4 is a high quality, stable and affordable boat which has 4 person capacity. Inflatable boats are of very compact size and easy to store when not being used.

On the other hand, inflation is also easy if using a good quality pump. However, you have to protect it from sharped objects to avoid any puncture.

The construction of the boat is Super Tough PVC. It comprises of 3 layers which makes it even more stable and durable.

The inflatable seats are another good feature that you want in your boat to make your trip much more comfortable and relaxing.

However, the oars are not of very good quality and can be even better. Also, although it is a 4 person boat, still it is a bit congested for 4 people.

Overall it is a very good quality inflatable boat which is of small decent size and not too heavy on pocket. It is ideal for a friend or family fishing trip because of good stability.

Also, the accessories you get with the boat make it a worth buy. The fishing rod holders, aluminum oars and the oarlocks are some of its accessories that make it more worth buying. Also, the inflatable keel improves stability and maneuvering.

Therefore, we recommend giving this boat a try if you are searching for a good inflatable stable and versatile family boat staying in your budget.