Review on 🚣 Inflatable Boat Series: Intex Seahawk by Robert Bigelow

There are some videos posted online showing the Seahawk 4 with all sorts of complex modifications including hardwood floors, custom benches, drawers, seats, sun visors, lights, fish finders, engines and more. I think it reflects people's love for this inexpensive entry into the world of boating, especially for those on a budget and for people who don't have large boat storage areas or big trucks and trailers to move. big boats to different places. I couldn't resist and bought a Seahawk 4 a few weeks ago, which I then tinkered with for a few evenings. The first thing I did was install a wooden floor, because that's an important step towards the luxury liner that I'm hoping for. There are many ways to design a floor and my suggestion is to watch as many videos as possible and choose the style that suits your needs and ability. I went with the plywood and foam method and also glued the carpet. I don't understand the idea of suspenders in an inflatable, but some choose this method. This was followed by an Intex Motor Mount and a Minn Kota Endura C2 trolling motor with 30 pounds of thrust combined with a 750 MCA 129 Ah Everstart Deep Cycle Marine battery. The motor and battery cost me $180. It is very easy to install the motor mount and the motor slides right in with the clamps. Then I took the cooler, 24"W x 18"D x 18"D, and turned it into a battery box. I decided to put the battery at the front of the boat to spread the weight and that added add the extra step of take some PVC and run it in the back of the boat and into another radiator of the same dimensions this is my storage for the anchor then the pump then the motor electrical connections my storage options PVC was tedious to set up.But now the 6AWG wire that runs from the battery to the motor won't be damaged and stays dry.The Coast Guard recommends putting a breaker on the hot wire to prevent fire and other ugly things in the event of a short or other mishap Some wise advice, using 6AWG wire is probably overkill, and Minn Kota gives specs on their website, but I didn't want to risk amps losing in the distance, and in the long run it's probably better for the motor and battery. Connector and motor connector - watch the video to learn how to do it right. Two coolers, PVC, 6AWG, 50A circuit breaker, trolling motor plug and outlet total $75. I also bought an $18 anchor that I attach to a lifeline that wraps around the hull of the boat so the pressure is distributed throughout the boat instead of pulling on welded front handles or oarlocks. The final piece of the puzzle for me was modifying my minivan's roof rack, which is too small to carry a 12 foot boat. I bought two 2″ x 10″ PVC pipes, connected them with 550 paracord, spaced them 48″ apart, tied them to a roof rack and laid the boat on top of the entire assembly. Works like a charm and costs $10. So the whole setup cost me about $400. Not cheap but reasonable if everything works and does what you want. For me the answer is yes. I've taken it out 6 times already and it's so much fun. My use case for the peak load is when I take three kids on a fishing trip. The four of us weigh about 700 pounds with the battery, motor and fishing gear and it's pretty cramped but the boat and motor don't feel weighed down at all. Even fully loaded, it drives high and light, even on choppy, windy seas. I like standing in a boat, but I encourage you to use the three-point principle of keeping one hand free for you and the other for whatever you're doing while standing. I've also taken it once alone and a few times with a friend. This is where I think the boat really shines. Intex says 4 people and it can easily do it given the weight but space wise I think 2 adults with fishing gear would be ideal. 30-gauge PVC is a durable material, but of course watch out for abrasive or sharp objects. I had everything set up in advance so I didn't have to mess with it on the boat. The rod holders work very well keeping the rods off the ground and on the side where accidental breakage can occur. When I'm not using it, I hang a baseplate and motor on my garage wall, put two coolers on a shelf, and put the boat in a plastic bin so everything is hidden and the car fits in the garage. . I'm an amateur boater and a fairly unskilled handyman, but with a little research, work, and $400, I got a perch boat that will last for years, be safe and reliable for my family, and fit our home and lifestyle.