If there are any lakes in your area that you visit, you will have undoubtedly seen Intex Seahawk boats out on the water. It is a favorite among families for easy, fun boating.

I decided to write a review on the Seahawk after getting to use one for a day at a lake in Hungary. Here are my thoughts on this raft.

Features of the boat

The Intex Seahawk 4 might just be your best bet for a small family outing on the calm waters. The boat can comfortably accommodate two parents and their two small kids and still leave some ample room for a cooler. It’s a perfect small boat for entry-level nature exploration with your children out on the water. Just make sure that everyone is wearing their life jackets for safety, including the kids.

Here are the pros and cons of the Seahawk:

Intex Seahawk 4 Construction

The 4-person Intex Seahawk 4 boat can comfortably hold up to 1050 lbs/475 kgs.

It’s equipped with two fishing-rod holders and two inflatable seating cushions. Also part of its design is an all-around grab line and a grab handle on its bow to enable easy handling. The grab lines and handle make handling easy into the water and out of it.

Further, its two welded oar locks complete it and make the rowing process easy, albeit a bit flimsy.

Build and durability

The Seahawk is made of 30 gauge PVC. It will resist light abrasions, so you should be OK if you drag it across a few rocks. But since it doesn’t have any side protection or reinforced bottom, you need to be careful around cliffs.

The boat has 3 air chambers, plus an inner auxiliary chamber inside the main hull. This is a safety feature. The boat also has an all-around grab line, which makes it easy for swimmers to hold on to the boat out on the water.

In addition, the Intex Seahawk 4’s Boston valves are easily inflatable as well as deflatable. It takes just 10 minutes to inflate if you use the high-output manual hand pump, enabling you to take as much time as possible on the water.

Accessories

The Intex Seahawk 4 includes a repair patch, gear pouch, and the two oar holders. Being made of lightweight 48 aluminum, the oars easily float when dropped overboard.

Finally, the Seahawk 4 comes with a legal US Coast Guard ID.

The accessories included with Intex Seahawk boats are:

• inflatable raft
• manual pump and hose
• 2 oars (48″ length)
• repair patch
• 2 inflatable seats
• 1 gear pouch

As you can see, the package does not come with a carry bag, so you’ll probably want to buy a duffel bag to store it in.

Comfort

The Seahawk 4 is advertised as a 4 person boat. While 4 people can get in the boat, it will be squishy. I would say it is comfortable for 3 adults, or 2 adults with 2 kids.

The boat is very long, but narrower than other Intex boats.

The inflatable seats that come with the boat are not comfortable though. Maybe it’s just me, but I found their shape to be awkward. They have no backrest, and are shaped in a way that always made me slip forward or back. The soft floor didn’t help this either.

I just removed the seats altogether, which resulted in a lot more usable space as well.

Specifications

Here are the more important specs of the Seahawk 4.

Capacity	3-4 people or 1050 lbs (475 kg)
Size	138″ L x 57″ W x 19″ H
Weight	47 lbs
Air chambers	5
Vinyl	heavy duty, puncture resistant PVC
Accessories	2 inflatable seats, repair patch, gear pouch, 2 oars, U.S. Coast Guard I.D.
Features	2 fishing rod holders
	motor mount fittings

Here is some more information on the Seahawk.

Who is the Intex Seahawk 4 Built for?

The Seahawk is suited for the recreational boating of families on not-too-deep waters. If you’re a fisherman, a rafter, a lake lounger or just an enthusiastic aquatic nature lover, then this is the boat for your water escapades.

Apart from being highly portable, this boat is also loved for the fact that you won’t have to worry too much over storage during winter. You can easily store it away; no need for large storage space or even trailers. While a perfect fit for a fisherman, it’s also a wonderful gift for your family’s fun outings.

Looking at the Seahawk 4 in another way, two fishermen can easily fit in with their full fishing gear. While the boat’s two-rod holders are a great feature for many a fishing enthusiast, if you want to customize your boat further, a trolling motor is a good way to begin.

If you will use the boat for fishing, I highly recommend building a hard floor for it as well.

Intex Seahawk 4 modifications

Just like the other Intex rafts, the Seahawk offers several moding possibilities for the DIY-er in you.

Trolling motor

For a fantastic boating experience, pair your Seahawk 4 boat with a trolling motor. Get an Intex motor mount first so that you’ll have a place to attach the trolling motor to.

You will need:

1. Intex motor mount
2. Trolling motor
3. Battery
4. Optional battery box

I just finished an article on the optimal motor-battery parings specifically for Intex rafts, you might want to read it if you are considering this mod.

Canopy

The Intex Seahawk 4 canopy helps reduce any need for alternative protection from sun rays on hot summer afternoons. Aside from being easy to install on the boat, the canopy is also easily foldable and portable. It’ll only take you a few minutes to securely buckle it to the inflatable boat.

Once you arrive at your final destination, you can easily take it off the Seahawk 4 and peg it to the ground to provide shade on land if you need it. Get a canopy specifically made to endure both water and sunlight so you won’t have to worry about it wearing out too early.

Here is a guide on installing a canopy.

Hard floor, swivel chairs, supply box

A must-do modification for fisherman is the hard floor. The Seahawk 4 is actually a favorite of fisherman on a budget, as it is basically the cheapest way to get out on the water. You will need to build the hard floor yourself though, it’ll take a few hours of time.

Check out this article on building a hard floor for your boat.

Seahawk 2 vs 3 vs 4

The Intex Seahawk 2 and 3 are smaller versions of the Seahawk 4. Here is a little comparison table on the differences between the boats.

	Seahawk 2	Seahawk 3	Seahawk 4
Capacity	440 lb / 1-2 people	790 lb / 2-3 people	1050 lb / 3-4 people
Size	93″ x 45″ x 16″	116″ x 54″ x 17″	138″ x 57″ x 19″

Things to note:

• The Seahawk 2 is more like a 1 person boat. It is cramped for 2 people.
• Actually, all of the boats are cramped if you put the maximum people capacity in them.

The main difference between the boats are their respective sizes and capacities. The features and general build are the same for all 3 Seahawk versions.

Intex Seahawk 4 FAQs

How do you set up an Intex Seahawk?

Besides taking just 15 minutes or less to set up your Intex Seahawk 4 boat, anyone can easily do the setting up. To set up, find a zero-debris flat surface and unroll the boat’s fabric such that it’s completely flat on the ground. By following the number sequence inscribed on the boat’s valve, insert an air pump output and start pumping air in.

What do you do if you get a puncture in the boat?

If your boat sustains a puncture, the Intex Seahawk 4’s repair patch comes in handy. First, find the leak and clean that area thoroughly to get rid of any grime/dirt. Cut a repair patch such that it’s about 50% bigger than the punctured area on all sides. Then firmly press the patch down on the puncture area and wait for around half an hour for it to stick well before you can inflate again.

Here is a detailed article on how to find air leaks in SIBs.

How do you take care of the Seahawk?

While the Intex Seahawk 4 boat is designed using a very durable, strong fabric, you still need to be sure that you store it in a place where it can’t be easily damaged. You may choose to store it either inflated or deflated. Don’t place too heavy items on top of the boat or sharp items under it. If left in the sun, remember to cover the Seahawk 4 with a tarp. Finally, each time you come back from a water trip, rinse the boat with fresh water so as to eliminate any saltwater, sand and other debris.

The manufacturer – Intex

The company that makes the Mariner inflatable raft is Intex. It was founded in 1997, and is based out of California. During the years, it has grown to sell its products in over 100 countries.

Intex manufactures many types of inflatable products, from air beds to pools to toys to boats.

It’s good to know that they do provide support for their products, unlike far-eastern “brands”. You can buy replacements part directly on their site. So remember, if you ever lose the Boston valve cover, you can order replacements from Intex directly.

Resources

You might find these links useful if you are considering a Mariner boat, or have one already:

• Intex Seahawk boat instruction manual
• Intex Seahawk 4 replacement parts
• Intex motor mount

Opinion of the Seahawk 4

The Seahawk 4 is a great choice if you’re an entry-level boater with budget limits that can’t buy pricier models.

It is affordable, easy to set up and deflate, and well-equipped for family water outings or for beginner fishermen looking out to start learning the ropes on the water.