Intex Mariner 3 Review And Specs

Intex Mariner 3 Review

The Intex Mariner 3 is a wonderful, versatile boat that can be fun for the whole family or a close group of friends.

You can inflate them, so they’ll take up less room than a normal three or four-person boat, and they also come with a much smaller price tag – but you don’t need to compromise on size!

They’re a great way to get out on the water and can be used for many activities: you can go for a paddle and a picnic, do some exploring, go fishing or look for wildlife – and bring a camera, because you’re about to see some wonderful close-ups!


Overall Rating: 4.8/5 stars

Quality: 4.5/5
Speed/efficiency: 4/5
Cost: 5/5
Ease of use: 5/5

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Intex Mariner 3 Key Features:

Materials & Construction

The Intex Mariner 3 is, essentially, an inflatable dinghy. You can inflate it, deflate it, carry it around in bags and paddle it in water. There are two different sizes: the 3-person and the 4-person, so you can choose which would be best for you.

As you might expect, the 4-person option is larger and has three ‘benches’, whereas the 3-person only has two ‘benches’. These can be adjusted as you require, and customers have praised the Intex Mariner 3 for its comfort and versatility.

The Intex Mariner 3 can be used in all kinds of situations. Some anglers use it for fishing, both on lakes and in the sea. There are lots of useful pockets so you can keep things like bait close to hand, and there’s also lots of room for all your equipment.

You can even fish standing up! The boat is extremely stable, which means that it can be used for white water rafting or just on calm days if you prefer. Finally, because of the extra space, the Intex Mariner 3 is great if you’d like to take a picnic or even a tent for an overnight trip. Alternatively, you can just have two people on a boat and bring lots of equipment for fishing.

Durability

Many people are discouraged from buying inflatable boats due to fears that they’ll get punctures. Let’s explore this.

Firstly, the manufacturers are aware of the risks and they’ve taken measures to make sure that the boat is protected.

The Intex Mariner has two strong layers of PVC to protect it, which makes the base durable and resistant to scratches and scrapes. It also has a rock guard around the hull, which stops stones and underwater branches from causing any problems.

Having said this, it’s still a good idea to be careful. Don’t drag your boat across docks or beaches, especially if there’s anything (or anyone) already in it. You should also check the Intex Mariner before you launch it.

There have been some problems with leakage. If you’re worried, use the puncture repair kit that’s included, and if the issue persists contact the manufacturer. The Intex Mariner has been certified by the NMMA (National Maritime Manufacturers’ Association) so you can trust that this is, usually, a safe, durable and reliable boat that should last a long time.

Ease of Use

Another common concern for any form of inflatable boat is the length of time it’ll take to assemble/disassemble.

Especially for a boat of this size, it’s reasonable to assume that you’ll have to spend ages waiting for it to be ready.

However, the Intex Mariner 3 has Boston valves that speed up the process considerably, and with some practice you’ll be able to do it in 12 minutes.

Our advice is to always inflate the boat at home first, as a ‘trial’ run. This way you can spot any problems and you won’t have people waiting around for you. Plus, if you get confused you can find videos on Youtube or the company’s website for guidance.

When you’ve got the boat inflated, we recommend carrying it to the water. This way you can avoid scrapes and damage to the bottom, which makes the boat last longer. To make this more convenient, the Intex Mariner 3 has handles on each side and you can easily carry it between two able-bodied people.

Another thing to point out is the stability of the boat. As we’ve mentioned before, customers have used this boat on white water and the sea, which would be a big problem for a flimsy inflatable. In fact, it is possible to stand up on the boat… just try not to trip over!

Finally, we have to discuss the convenience of an inflatable. This boat is much cheaper than a hard shell, and you don’t have to worry about paying for someone to moor it or get a trailer so you can keep the boat in your garden and drag it behind your car. A lot of people dream of owning a boat: this is a practical way to do so without a hefty price tag.

Performance

One of the best things about the Intex Mariner 3 is that you can paddle it, or you can attach a motor.

If you like to paddle, there are rotating oar locks, so they’re easier to use and if you have to let go for a second they’ll stay in place. One reviewer claimed that the rotating oar locks made paddling so easy they could get their children to use them, too. The boat does come with two oars, but there’s room for more if you’d like.

But, if you want to be on the water for longer, travel faster or just use less effort, getting a motor can be great.

Obviously, the motor is not included and will add to the price tag, weight, and amount of stuff you have to take with you, but it can certainly be worth it.

If you do choose to do this, there are a number of different motors you can use, from the Intex 40Ibs Thrust Trolling Motor to the 35 pounds 2.5hp Yamaha outboard motor. Please check that these will be compatible with the size of your boat before purchasing.

There are some other things to consider with regards to the boat’s performance. As we’ve said, it is inflatable and comes with an inflatable keel.

This makes the boat much more responsive, and easier to handle and control – always useful, especially if you’re in white water or anywhere with a strong current.

Specs

  • Length – 9 ft. and 9 in.
  • Width – 4 ft. and 2 in.
  • Height – 1 ft. and 6 in.
  • Person Capacity – 3
  • Maximum Weight Capacity – 880 lbs.
  • Package Dimension – 31.10 in. x 16.22 in. x 18.70 in.
  • Package Weight – 73.50 lbs.
  • Motor Capacity (optional) – A maximum of 2 hp

Intex Mariner 3 Review – Pros & Cons

Pros

  • A lot of people really like this boat. It’s portable and more affordable than a hard-shell boat, and it still has lots of space and it’s stable. Customers also appreciated the option to paddle or use a motor as they preferred.

Cons

  • Overwhelmingly, the feedback for this has been positive. However, there were a few issues with leakages which, left un-repaired, would cause real problems. Additionally, some people have struggled to put the boat back into its bag after use, and it is sometimes easier to separate things and take two larger bags instead of using the one provided.

Conclusion 

The Intex Mariner 3 boat is a great choice if you’re looking for the convenience of an inflatable and the stability of a hard shell. If you like to fish, paddle on the sea, go out with your friends and family or just by yourself with a lot of equipment, this will be perfect for you.

We truly hope that this Intex Mariner 3 review has helped you make a better-informed choice as to whether this boat could be the next piece of equipment you purchase to take your adventure to the next level!

Happy boating!

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Hi there! I'm the founder of WSA. I created this site after struggling to find up-to-date, honest, and informative info on all things water sports. My favorite hobbies include fishing, kayaking, and paddle boarding - although, I've dipped my toe into pretty much everything!

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