Seahawk Inflatable Boat Series: Includes Boat Oars and High-Output Pump - Fishing Rod Holders - Gear Pouch

I've owned this inflatable boat for almost 10 months now and have used it a handful of times. I've put a friend, me, and a backpack filled with food and water on it (which may have been 400 to 500 pounds); I've had just me on it, and it's handled all of it well. Having two people on the boat does require one person to sit with their legs crossed in order for both people to fit comfortable, and if you're taller than six foot then both people would have to have their legs crossed in order to be comfortable. I have a total of ten or so hours using this boat, and I intend to put more hours on it, but it's easily worth the money. I've taken it on a small lake in Illinois and a few lakes in Arkansas, and it was a joy to use every time. I've beached it onto small islands a few times and carried it across them, and it handled that well too. I would get a better pump then the one the kit comes with, a cheap bike pump makes inflating this take a few minutes versus the ten or so minutes it takes with the one this comes with; I got one at a thrift store for a few dollars and it made using this much better. The oars work fine and you can treat them a little roughly in order to go faster or maneuver tighter, but stronger oars would make going faster better; If you only intend to row at a manageable speed then the oars it comes with are good for that, even if you have two people in the boat. Overall I would recommend this to someone who wants a basic inflatable row boat in order to get out on the water and have some fun; if you want to go fishing or do anything extremely strenuous another boat may be a better choice, but for the price point this one handles great and out performs what I expected it to handle. It is not comparable to a kayak so do not expect to get a kayak's worth of performance out of this. It's easy to throw in the back of any car and get out on the water pretty fast and have a lot of fun.

I currently live near the Indian River (Inter-coastal Waterway) in Florida and looked into renting a couple kayaks for the day, but it was so expensive that I started looking into just buying something inflatable that I can take with me when I move (or throw away if I don't have room in the trunk). This boat (at $85) fit the bill perfectly. It was cheaper than renting two kayaks for a day and came with everything I needed (boat, oars, pump), so I decided to give it a shot. The boat easily fits me and my wife - with spare room for a cooler full of beer and water, 5 gallon ice bucket for caught fish, tackle box, 2 fishing rods, anchor, and other equipment. We also took the boat out with our sister and 4 year old nephew and also had plenty of room (although we brought less gear for that trip)(3 and a half people). 4 full grown adults could fit semi-comfortably, but it wouldn't be ideal. (we'll be attempting this next month when our parents come in town). The area we are in has lots of crushed up seashells near river beaches and inevitably, after a few uses the boat developed a few pinhole leaks in the floor of the boat (from not adequately cleaning off feet before getting back into boat). The floor deflated most of the way on the way back from one outing, but the outer two chambers were fine so it wasn't a big deal. It just made rowing a little more difficult. I was able to easily patch the pinholes with the included repair kit and now everything is fine. NOTE: the repair kit comes with patches but not glue. I used some loc-tite glue to apply the patches and it works well to seal up the leaks and secure the patches. The material the boat is made of is quite durable and I haven't had any issues on the bottom or sides of the boat (even though I've brushed up against plenty of barnacles, sticks and other objects I thought for sure would be the death of the boat)- only problem was with the floor from stepping into the boat with tiny broken seashells on my feet. The included oars are very sturdy and after our first outing I decided to buy some more (so we could both row), but Amazon was sold out so I bought the Sevylor brand (which were not as sturdy). Either way, we quickly realized that oars are not the way to go with this boat. Not because we're lazy(at all), but because this boat is just inefficient for rowing. It is a raft after all and it's VERY slow going with the oars. One day we ventured out into the main current of the Indian River and it took forever to get to our goal (a spoil island) a half mile away - but then....we had to paddle upstream on the way back and JEEEEEEZ - it was almost the end of our marriage. So then...we bought the Intex motor mount and a small Minn Kota trolling motor. What a difference!!! It is soooo much more fun. We can easily cruise upriver and checkout some cool islands etc. NOW it's a proper(ish) boat! All in all, this is a great boat for the price. If you only plan to use it on very still water and only travel very short distances, you'll probably be fine with the oars. If you intend to use it on a river or even a biggish lake with and kind of movement in the water, then you should plan on buying a trolling motor and mount for the boat. Otherwise, avoid this boat and buy and inflatable Intex kayak or canoe instead - it will be so much easier to paddle and control direction. The amazon link below is the trolling motor I bought. Works great and is great on battery life: http://www.amazon.com/s/?_encoding=UTF8&ajr=2&camp=1789&creative=390957&field-keywords=minn%20kota%20c2%2030&linkCode=ur2&rh=i%3Aaps%2Ck%3Aminn%20kota%20c2%2030&sprefix=minn%20kota%20c2%20%2Caps%2C241&tag=shoshosit-20&url=search-alias%3Daps Finally, the boat does NOT come with any kind of carrying bag. My solution is to use a tarp. I bought a 6x8 foot tarp from walmart for 5 bucks. It serves THREE purposes. Primarily I can wrap up the deflated boat in the tarp and tie it up with adjustable nylon straps (rope would work fine too). This makes a great makeshift bag and the straps keep it all together and make it easy to carry. Also, I use the tarp to lay the boat on after I remove it from the water to keep the boat from getting dirty so I don't have to clean it once I get home. Third use is to line the trunk of my car with the tarp so I don't have to deal with a wet trunk when transporting the wettish deflated boat from the water back to my home.

When I first ordered this I thought to myself. How great can this thing be for only 100$ When I opened it up I began to pump it up. This thing is HUGE!!! I was so relieved that I didn't purchase a piece of crap. I pumped it all the way up, even the pillows, assembled everything and got in it in the yard. It was comfortable and I couldn't want to get it out on the water. Fast forward to the weekend. I got it out on the water and was surprised at how well it held up. It didn't bend in the middle like I thought it would and shows absolutely no signs of leaking or deflating. I have loaded this thing with the following(at separate occasions mind you): 4 people-it worked well and didn't shows any weakness 2 people with fishing rods and tackle boxes-the built in rod holders are pretty decent for certain types of fishing rods my self and my pet dog-the 40 gauge PVC is very durable kind of like a super heavy duty exercise ball almost on every challenge I put this thing through it worked well. I have had in on the water up to 6 hours at a time and it deflated very little( a little deflation is to be expected with any inflatable device. To help you correctly gauge deflation rate, at about 6 hours on the water I had to pump about 10 times to fill it up with the provided pump, with the provided pump it takes about 200 pumps to fully inflate the entire raft I would say, so it deflates very little. The provided equipment is all very useful, the seats work very well and can change the feeling from you being in a raft to a bass boat!!!(which is what I mainly use this for) The oars are actually very good and disassemble which makes this thing a no brainer. I fully deflate everything and fold it up, put it in the back of my HONDA CIVIC and then assemble it at the lake. Extra equipment you might consider that proves useful to me: anchor, life jacket(which are mandatory in some states), fish scale, and extra bag to hold all this. If you still aren't convinced look at some YouTube videos where people have modified these things with hard floors and trolling motors!! HOW AWESOME IS THAT

Really good boat for the price point. Not really a white water rafting boat, more of an upgraded play boat. Great for paddling out on lakes to relax or drift down lazy rivers. As always, once you throw gear in the boat (vest, ice chest, camera, etc) it isn't really a 3-person boat...more like 1 adult with gear, 1 adult & 1 child with gear, 2 adults with minimal gear, 2 adults & 1 child with no gear,...or 2 adults and gear in which the adults don't care about the occasional footsie & leg touches. 3 air chambers = outer body ring, inner body ring, and floor. Boston valves on the two body chambers. NOTE: the included Intex "Double Quick II" pump blew out on it's second use for inflating the boat - might be me pumping too hard or something - fortunately friends with had a pump I borrowed to substitute then later in the trip I had to find stores to replace it (Walmart = Intex "Double Quick III S" pump and Cabela's = Outcast "Aire double action" pump). Used the boat paddling out to the middle of Jackson Lake in Grand Teton and then swam from the boat there. Then did a few hours float drifting down the Yellowstone River in Paradise Valley from the Loch Leven ramp to the Pine Creek ramp. I also have the Intex Mariner 4 which is a much more robust boat with 5 inflation chambers, oar locks, solid floor for standing in the boat to fish, etc but this boat is much heavier to transport making it less easy to get going in/out of the water by yourself so if you're just doing more of a play day on the water the Intex Seahawk series is a better choice for that.

After doing a little research, the Intex Seahawk boat series seemed the best buy overall. Everything included in the box gets you on the water in about 15-20 minutes. The hand-pump is A VALUABLE MUST-HAVE! It inflates the three Seahawk chambers quickly and efficiently and you WILL want to keep it on the boat with you. The oars are pretty strong with good grips on them. The boat itself is a dream. My friend and I are both 6 feet tall and together with our gear, lunch, and tackle box, the Seahawk comfortably carried us (about 600 lbs altogether) and stayed inflated on the swamp for about two hours. Deflation is easy, too. The Seahawk folds nicely and fits in the back of a car or in a trunk. We've taken it out about three times now and each time has been better than the last, each with varying weight (but never nearing 810lbs like the Seahawk max capacity suggests). It's a very comfortable ride, too: we glided over the swamp like nothing, and even when the underside of the Seahawk hit reeds, branches, or logs just under the surface of the water, the strong PVC held up and moved us forward without any snagging. (Always check your boat before and after you take it out on the water, especially the seams and bottom. This thing holds up!) My only wish is that Intex would include a second 10 CM measuring "tape" in the repair/gear bag. The 10 CM measuring "tape" is a flimsy piece of plastic that allows you to properly measure two of the three chambers in the Seahawk to make sure that they aren't overinflated (which makes you more prone to punctures and leaks!). The piece of plastic is just that...a little strip that you have to keep in the gear bag, lest it be lost forever. Overall, I think the Seahawk is a great purchase and that Intex has a great product here for anyone who loves the outdoors and the water but doesn't have a lot of money or experience. Will be buying a smaller boat (probably the Challenger series) for single-person use! Thanks, Intex!

There are quite a few videos posted online showing the Seahawk 4 with all kinds of complex modifications, including wood floors, custom benches, boxes, seating, sunshades, lighting, fish finders, motors, and more. This is a reflection, I think, of the love people have for this inexpensive entry into the world of boating, particularly for people on a budget, and for people who do not have large storage areas for boats, or large trucks and trailers for moving large boats around to various locations. I could not resist, and went ahead and got a Seahawk 4 a few weeks ago. I then spent several evenings doing some customization. First, I put in a wood floor, as this is a critical step towards the luxury liner I hope it to become. There are many ways to do the floor, and I suggest watching as many videos as you can, and picking a style that fits your needs and skill set. I chose the plywood and foam method, and did a glue down carpet as well. I cannot understand the idea of staples in an inflatable boat, but some choose this method. Next came the Intex Motor Mount and a Minn Kota Endura C2 30lb thrust trolling motor combined with an Everstart marine deep cycle battery with 750 MCA and 129AH. The motor and battery set me back $180. Super easy to install the motor mount, and the motor slides right on with clamps. Next, I took an cooler, 24"W x 18"L x 18"T, and turned it into my battery box. I chose to put the battery at the front of the boat for weight distribution, and this added the extra step of taking some PVC and running it to the back of the boat and into another cooler, same dimensions, that is my storage for anchor, pump, and then the motor electrical connections. The coolers take up some space, but make nice seats, and give me storage options. The PVC was a hassle to set up, but now the 6AWG wire running from the battery to the motor will not get damaged, and stays dry. The Coast Guard recommends a breaker be installed on the hot wire to prevent fire, and other ugliness in case of a short or other misfortune - very wise advice. Using 6AWG wire is probably overkill, and Minn Kota give specs on their website, but I did not want to risk loosing any amps over the distance, and in the long run it is probably better for the motor and the battery. 6AWG is a hassle to pull through PVC, so go with 3/4inch, and it is also difficult to crimp on the terminal connectors and the motor plug - watch videos for methods to do it properly. The two coolers, PVC, 6AWG, 50amp breaker and trolling motor plug and recepticle cost a total of $75. I also bought an anchor for $18 which I connect to the life line that wraps the hull of the boat so pressure is distributed around the vessel, rather that tugging on the welded grabs at the front or on the oar locks. The last piece of this puzzle for me was the modification to my minivan roof rack, which is too small to carry a 12 foot boat. I bought two 2inch x 10foot PVC pipes, and lashed them together with 550 paracord, set 48 inches apart, and strapped them to the roof rack, and put the boat up on top of the whole assembly. Works like a charm, and this cost $10. So , the whole rig cost me around $400. Not cheap, but a reasonable amount, if it all works, and does what you intend it to do. For me, the answer is yes. I have now taken it out 6 times, and it is so much fun. My max load application is when I take my three kids out fishing. The four of us, battery and motor, and the fishing gear weigh about 700 pounds, and it is a fairly tight squeeze, but the boat and motor do not seem stressed at all. Even fully loaded like that, she rides high and easy on even a choppy, windy lake. I love being able to stand up in the boat, but I advise to use three point principles, keeping a hand free for yourself, and one for whatever you are doing while standing. I have also taken it out solo once, and another couple times with a buddy. This is where, in my opinion, the boat really shines. Intex say 4-person, and it can do that with ease weight wise, but space wise, I believe 2 adults with fishing gear is perfect. The 30gauge PVC is tough stuff, but obviously beware any abrasive or sharp objects. I pre-rig everything so I am not fussing with it on the boat. The rod holders work very well, and keep the rods up off the floor and off the sides where an accidental rupture could occur. When not in use, I hang the floor board and motor on the wall of my garage, put the two coolers on a shelf, and the boat in a plastic container, so it is all tucked away, and the car can fit in the garage. I am an amateur boater, and rather unskilled craftsman, but with a little research, work, and $400, I got me a bass boat that will last for years to come, that is safe and reliable for my family to use, and that fits our home and lifestyle.

I haven't not taken it to the water yet, but I plan on taking it with me in the spring.

Intex Seahawk 3, 3-Person Inflatable Boat First the Pro’s and Con’s: Pro: This inflatable boat is actually a very nice three chamber boat. The ores are great for temporary use. But if you are looking for a good workout, they are great for that. I use mine for that very purpose. I row from one side of the lake from the boat launch area to the middle were there are a bunch of islands, and underwater rocks that would tear a larger craft apart. It is there where I drop anchor and then swim 3 miles, call it more lap swimming. The design is typical of Intex, they think of everything. They have on the stern you can purchase their outboard motor mount. And if you purchase their Intex electric trolling motor it makes for a lot of fun when you take your family out. Con’s: It is made out of sturdy puncture proof rubber (PVC). However, mine started to allow water into the air chambers via the seams. After a closer look, I found wear the seam under the water was starting to separate on both sides of the hull. Keep in mind this was the third time out on the lake, and one thing I learned years ago was never inflate your boat on the dock, or on the beaches. Always inflate it while it is in the water. There are two major reasons you always inflate it in the water. 1. If you inflate the boat on land as the air expands the boat it stands a good chance of catching on a stick or rock and will tear the boat, because during the summer the ground is hot which makes these boats soft. 2. If you are lucky and not cause damage to the boat while inflating the boat, as soon as you put it on the water, you will find it will need to pump it up some more. This is because the air in the tubes was very hot. Once you put it in the water it cools the air in the tubes, and the tubes themselves. Now, to the reason why I gave this boat only three stars. It seems that one of two things may have happened. Ether Intex’s quality control is not as good as it use to be, or I received a used, or refurbished boat. The reason I mention it may be refurbished is because down under the hull seams were separating from where it looked to have been re-seamed. And if this is indeed the case, then I paid for a brand-new boat, but received a refurbished one instead. It is very unethical, but a lot of large companies that we trusted for years are now performing this unethical, and illegal practice. Nevertheless, I am hoping this is not the case. But it was more than evident that it was sealed, and then another seam was applied just in the areas that it was leaking. So, because of this as the air was slowly escaping one side, the other side was sucking up water like a syringe. So, through Amazon I did an exchange in which I received another Intex inflatable boat today. If this boat has no issues, I will give you an update. !!! Oh, one more thing. It does say a three-person boat, however once you get all your gear in the boat there really is only room for two, if you want to be comfortable. So, I would purchase the “Swimline Suntan Tub ,70" x 46" “, from Amazon as well. That way you can place all your gear in it, and pull it along with you. At that point you could actually fit a couple of adults and a few children.