Boats are notoriously expensive, but you can make an exception with inflatable boats. In fact, even among inflatable boats the Intex Seahawk Inflatable Boat Series is famed for its affordability. You don’t need big bucks for a boat at all.
What’s more, this boat is quite safe. This is NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association)-certified, and also TUV (TechnischerÜberwachungsverein)-approved. That means it meets the stringent requirements set by the German Equipment and Product Safety Act.
Portability
This boat is easy enough to carry around, since it only weighs 47 pounds when it’s not yet inflated. It doesn’t come with a carry bag, though it shouldn’t be hard to find one to accommodate everything.
Just keep in mind that your purchase also includes two 48-inch French oars, along with the high-output hand pump and the repair patch kit.
Setup
Setting up for the Seahawk 4 is extremely easy. You can do it yourself, and it’ll only take you about 15 minutes or so.
Start by setting up on a nice and clean flat surface, so you can unroll the fabric totally flat on the ground. Insert the air pump output, and follow the number sequence as inscribed on the valves.
Capacity
The Intex Seahawk Inflatable Boat Series offers several options, and we went with the biggest Seahawk 4 option. This model is designed for up to 4 people, and that’s not an exaggeration. Some boats can fit in 4 people inside, but they’re all uncomfortably squeezed together. With the Seahawk 4, those 4 people can lounge about with plenty of space.
When inflated, the boat measures 11 feet and 6 inches long, and 4 feet and 9 inches wide. The height is pretty standard at 19 inches.
Of course, for fishing it’s best that you cut down on the people aboard to maybe 2, and 3 at the most. That’s because you’ll need space for your fishing gear, and room to maneuver. Having 4 people aboard while fishing may not be all that comfy after all.
The boat can hold up to 1050 pounds, so 4 people for transport isn’t really a problem either. But for fishing, maybe just 2 or 3 people may be better.
It may be best to just not use the inflatable seats, since they’re not really all that comfy. There’s no backrest, and the design makes it too easy to slip off. Take the seats away, and you instantly get more rom.
Design
This comes with a soft floor, along with 2 inflatable seats and the gear pouch. You also have the various equipment necessary to set your oars up.
Fishing fans will like how this has 2 rod holders, so you don’t have to hold that fishing rod all the time. Just set your rods and troll for the fish while you relax.
There’s also a grab line all around the boat, along with a grab handle on the bow. All these features make it easier for you to handle the boat in and out of the water.
You also get 2 welded oar locks. These seem a bit flimsy, but they work fine and they make rowing a lot easier.
Or else, you can just make use of the motor mount fittings and install a trolling motor. But you will have to also get the Intex motor mount for this, plus the battery.
Durability
This designed to be extremely durable, as it’s made with 30-gauge PVC. The boat can handle being dragged over a few rocks, though you may not want to do this too often. You still have to be careful, as it doesn’t have a reinforced bottom and there’s no protection for the sides.
This also comes with 3 air chambers, along with an auxiliary chamber inside the main hull. This is also another safety feature, as it prevents a single tear to wreck or capsize the boat.
Potential Modifications
As is, this is good for relaxed longing for families. There’s enough space for parents and their 2 kids. It’s also ideal for vacationers, and for those who don’t have enough space for storage at home.
But this is actually a favorite boat for quite a few fishing fans. It’s so affordable that you still have lots of money left for modifications. Of course, you start with the motor, but there are other things you can change on the Intex Seahawk Inflatable Boat Series to make it a lot more fun.
Modifying the Inside (for Fishermen)
You start by putting in the hard floor, which is crucial. Other boats already have flooring pieces you can set up, but then those boats are more expensive.
Here, you have to build your hard floor yourself. It’s not all that difficult (you can go online for instructions), but it will take up a few hours of your time.
While you’re at it, put in some swivel chairs and a supply box as well, and you’re ready to go fishing.
More Relaxed Lounging
You may also want to get a Bimini top so that you can enjoy lounging about under a canopy. You’ll want this on hot summer days, when the sun is simply too much.
It’s easy enough to install, as it only takes a few minutes to buckle it to the boat. When you’re done with the canopy you can just fold it up and set it aside.
Conclusion
True, the Intex Seahawk Inflatable Boat Series is perhaps the most affordable way of getting yourself a boat. Even the large Seahawk 4 barely goes over a hundred bucks.
As it is, you have a simple boat for calm lakes for easy lounging and relaxed trolling. Rowing is simple enough, but put in a trolling motor and the fishing (and traveling) becomes a lot more fun. Just install that hard floor—that soft floor is simply off-putting.