The Intex Mariner 4 Inflatable Boat Set is an inexpensive but large and surprisingly durable raft. In fact, it offers the best bang for your buck that I’ve ever seen in an inflatable raft.
The Intex Mariner 4 is what I call a mid-quality raft. I wouldn’t trust the Intex Mariner 4 for whitewater rafting, but it’s also far more durable than the cheap little inflatables you can find all over the place. You can fish from the Intex Mariner 4 without worrying that a stray hook set on a missed fish is going to rocket your lure back at you and pop your boat. Plus, the Intex Mariner 4 has a packable-but-hard floor, which gives it a whole new level of stability for a raft that flirts with an amazing price point.
The oars included with the Intex Mariner 4 are better than most oars that come with competing inflatables. The oar locks provide a good balance between maneuverability and stability. Combined with the hard-bottom system with an inflatable keel, I could row across a lake with a light wind surprisingly well. Oh, and on the maiden voyage, three people caught six trout.
Inside the Intex Mariner 4 Inflatable Raft
This Intex Mariner 4 is 57 inches wide, 129 inches long, and 19 inches high. It boasts an 1,100 pound capacity. The tube material is a three-layer heavy-duty PVC and polyester mesh. While it’s not as tough or flexible as what you’ll find on a whitewater-capable fishing raft, it’s far more durable than most of the low-end inflatable competition you’ll find in many sporting goods stores.
It has quick-fill and fast-deflate Boston valves for all four of its main air chambers. It also has an all-around grab line, an electric motor mounting point and an available Intex Motor Mount Kit, and it’s certified by the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association (NMMA) and is a U.S. Coast Guard approved vessel.
Underneath the keel, the boat features a heavy-duty bumper strip. I scraped the entire raft over a lot of rocks on the St. Joe River in Idaho one hot August day and it held up fantastically. I was surprised to see it barely scratched at the end of the 6-hour float trip.
Overall, the Intex Mariner 4 is a surprisingly solid inflatable raft for the price.
Setting Up the Intex Mariner 4
The Intex Mariner 4 comes with a hand air pump that let me completely set up the boat in less than 15 minutes. After you unfurl the thing, you’ll find a rolled up set of 1×4 synthetic boards covered and connected by vinyl pouches. When you unroll these boards into the bottom of the boat, they lock into place when you air up the sides, forming a rigid floor. Below this roll of boards is the inflatable keel. You can’t really use the Intex Mariner 4 without the hard floor, but then again, the hard floor is the key feature of the boat.
The Intex Mariner 4 comes with three inflatable seats, which fit snugly between the outer walls of the raft.
It’s pretty easy to set up, really.
Intex Mariner 4 Packability
The Intex Mariner 4 raft comes inside a carry bag, in which you’ll find the raft, the floor, the oars, and the pump. If you pay attention, you can fit it all back inside the bag even after you use it, which I found surprising. Unfortunately, the raft is relatively heavy and ungainly for one person to pack. It’s possible, but awkward and heavy.
I recommend that you buy an extra-large duffel bag and split the load — the floor goes in one bag and the raft in the other. I use a 16×40 North Star Sports Diamond Ripstop Duffle Gear Bag, and it’s a perfect blend of durability and cost. Suddenly the boat is a breeze to load and pack.
Best Budget Raft Ever?
All-in-all, this inflatable raft isn’t made for whitewater and I wouldn’t want to count on the oars or oarlocks on any river that’s typically run with real whitewater rafts. And yet, the Intex Mariner 4 is surprisingly durable, versatile, and cost-effective. It’s a great leisure raft or simple fishing boat that you can actually throw into a car get out of the house with.
If you like the idea of a hard-bottomed raft and you’re on a budget, the Intex Mariner Four-Person Inflatable Boat is the way to go. Some guys have even outfitted the Mariner 4 with sailboat kits. You can’t beat the versatility and quality for the price.
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