Intex Mariner 4 Review

The Intex Mariner 4 is a high-quality inflatable boat well-known for its durability, practicality, and performance. It has all the features needed to offer a relaxing fishing trip on the lake, a calm float down the river, or even an adventurous ocean excursion. Because the Intex Mariner 4 is constructed with sturdy PVC and equipped with an inflatable keel, it’s quite strong and able to navigate well in a variety of waters.

Intex has been designing and producing quality inflatable products for over 40 years. The company’s goals of safety, value, comfort, and fun are all evident in the Mariner 4 boat. Intex places a priority on innovation—which can be clearly seen by the high ratings customers have given the Mariner 4 when compared to other inflatable boats. With a history of designing inflatable products ranging from inflatable spas and pools to the Sports Series and Professional Series Boats, Intex has mastered the art of “water + contained air = lots of fun.” With a history of excellence and commitment to customer service, Intex does a good job of delivering maximum fun at an affordable price point.

In this Intex Mariner 4 review, we’ll take a look at the key features that make this a durable, well-designed, and highly-rated inflatable boat. We’ll summarize the boat’s best features, give an overview of use, outline construction and design, list included accessories,  and answer some frequently asked questions. If you are looking for a great-value for your water adventures, the Intex Mariner 4 inflatable boat might just be a perfect fit for you.

In a Hurry? Here’s a Quick Summary…

Pros	Durable Very affordable Good versatility Easy inflation and setup Extremely portable Nice features All accessories included
Cons	Warranty duration is only 30 days Quality of oars could be improved
Price & Where to Buy it

Intex Mariner 4 Review: Inflatable Boat Overview

The Intex Mariner 4 is designed for getting out and enjoying the water—whether that’s fishing on a lake, floating down a river, or exploring the ocean. It does well on rivers that don’t have many sharp rocks or intense rapids.

Although its heavy-duty construction and rock guard will withstand some rock encounters, the Mariner 4 is not designed for a lot of rock impact or heavy rapids. It is also great for ocean use and handles 1-2 foot swells or light choppy water really well.

The total weight capacity of the boat is 880 lbs. or 400 kg. It can hold four adults, but that’s a pretty cozy ride. For more comfortable seating, we recommend a crew of two adults and two kids or two pets. With this arrangement, the Mariner 4 still has plenty of room for a cooler, gear, etc.
The Mariner 4 is easy to assemble, even for those without any inflatable boat experience. One of the best features of an inflatable boat is that it is so easy to transport — you don’t need a trailer, and the deflated Mariner 4 can easily fit into the trunk of your vehicle. We recommend investing in a sturdy duffel bags to transport it when deflated.

As far as assembly goes, it takes just over 10 minutes to inflate the Mariner 4 with the high-output manual pump included in the set. Of course, you can always buy an electric pump if that’s your thing. The Mariner 4 has four Boston valves which really help when it comes to speedy inflation and deflation. Also, the solid roll-up floor adds a lot of weight and bulk for storage, but gives much better stability and sturdiness to the boat’s structure.

Construction and Design

The Intex Mariner 4 is constructed of a tough polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material. The material is designed to withstand elements such as UV rays, minor abrasions, and exposure to chemicals and gas in the water. However, it’s crucial to take good care of the boat as proper care and storage will go a long way in increasing the longevity of your boat. Please see the FAQ section below for more details on proper care and storage.

Another great feature of the PVC used is its low passing air rate within a 24 hour period. The factory passing rate for air loss in PVC is less than 7% compared to its competitor Hypalon’s passing rate of 15%. This particular PVC has a reputation for holding air really well. As always, inflate the boat until the structure is firm (but not overly full) for best results.

Best Features

The Intex Mariner 4 boat is equipped with three inflatable seats which can be removed if desired. There’s room for four adults on the boat if you ‘re willing to get cozy. As mentioned, two adults and two smaller passengers is much more comfortable — those who need an inexpensive inflatable boat with slightly larger capacity should check out the Intex Excursion 5.

There is a small gear pouch for storing valuables and a battery pouch if you want to add a trolling motor in the future. A grab line surrounds the boat and two grab handles are on each end of the boat for easy carrying. Also, the heavy duty plastic flooring provides a nice solid base for coolers, gear, and towels.The rotating oarlocks attached to the sides are ideal for rowing wherever you want to go, and two aluminum oars are included in the set. If you want to bring along your tackle box, there are two handy fishing rod holders on each side of the boat.

An inflatable keel for good maneuvering, four Boston valves for easy inflation, a high-output hand pump, and a rock guard for added protection are some more nice features included with the Mariner 4.

Mariner 4 Specs

Included Accessories

We really like the fact that the Intex Mariner 4 includes everything you need to get into the water. In the box, you’ll find:

• High-output manual hand pump
• Two 54 inch (137 cm) deluxe aluminum oars
• Intex carrying bag
• Inflatable boat repair kit
• Owner’s manual and instructions

As with all Intex inflatable boats, the Mariner 4 is backed by a 30 day warranty against manufacturer defects. As this is an entry-level boat that is priced very affordably, we understand the shorter warranty period — however, we would really like to see it extended to at least 1 year.

Additional Configurations

The Mariner 4 is able to be equipped with an outboard motor if desired. The boat includes a motor mount fitting, and Intex also sells an Intex-specific motor kit and transom mount trolling motor.

The rigid structure of the Mariner 4 also makes it ideal for the addition of a sailing conversion kit!

FAQ

What is the best way to store the Intex Mariner 4?
You can store the boat inflated or deflated. Make sure to properly clean the boat before storing, and keep in a dry, cool place protected from direct sunlight. Obviously do not store anything sharp or heavy with the boat. It is not preferable to hang the boat for storage—it’s best to lay it flat. Also, remove all accessories (fishing rod holders, seats, storage and battery pouch, etc.) if storing the boat folded up. See the owner’s manual for additional storing tips.

What’s the best way to clean the boat?
It is important to clean your boat after each use to remove sand, salt water, and other pollutants. To do so, remove your boat from the water so cleaning agents don’t contaminate the water. Then, just use a garden hose, soft sponge, and mild soap to rinse the boat. Avoid using harsh cleaning chemicals, and be sure the boat is entirely dry before storing.

Where can I find the hull identification number so I can register my boat?
The hull identification number is located at the bottom of the capacity label on the stern of the boat.

Final Thoughts

The Intex Mariner 4 Boat is a high-quality, durable, and versatile inflatable boat that will provide many years of service if it’s cared for. It’s well-equipped for a variety of uses such as fishing, exploring, or just relaxing on a lazy day.

The best selling points of the Mariner 4 are its overall value, seating capacity, sturdy structure, durability, and ease of setup and inflation. It’s also great to have the options of adding a motor or sailing conversion kit for faster cruising.

Another strong point is the relative ease of transportation and storage—there’s no messing with a trailer or wasting a lot of storage space. Deflated, the Mariner 4 takes up very little room and can be stored in a large duffel bag.

We’re impressed with the overall performance and features of the Intex Mariner 4, and we think it’s a solid choice for anyone who is in the market for an affordable and versatile 4 person inflatable boat.

Click Here to Buy the Intex Mariner 4