The Intex Seahawk 3 Review: Brutally Honest Overview [2021]

Dreaming of a fun weekend out on the lake or wading down the lazy river?

Our Intex Seahawk 3 Review might help to bring you one step closer to that dream.

Intex is no stranger to inflatable water products and their inflatable boats are some of the best out there.

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The Intex Seahawk 3 is a solid entry-level boat for small families and parties of 3 who want nothing more than to get out for a day on the water, relax, and catch some fish.

With all of the cool little features that the Intex Seahawk 3 boasts, it’s no doubt at the top of the game in terms of value.

The Seahawk 3 Review

Specifications

Length: 9’8”
Weight Capacity: 790lbs
Weight: 31.4lbs
Capacity: 3-Person
Build: Puncture-Resistant PVC

Pro's

Amazing boat for the price
Easy inflation and deflation process
Easy to store and transport
Can withstand the elements
Comes with everything you need to get started
Fishing rod holders for fishing enthusiasts

Con's

Hard to stand on the cushioned floors
No backrests on the seats

>> View the Product Page & Current Pricing <<

Features and Benefits

Let’s start this review by talking about how tough this little boat is. The Intex Seahawk 3 is built with a heavy-gauge, puncture resistant PVC vinyl that can protect your boats against the elements and the obstacles around you. PVC vinyl is pretty much standard on boats like this now, as it can withstand being knocked around, it is great at resisting the harmful effects of UV rays, and it is the perfect defense for chemicals that may be in the water like gasoline. You won’t have to worry about being out in the sun too long on hot days or wading through grimy waters. This boat ain’t got time for being weak!

The capacity of the Intex Seahawk 3 lies right in between it’s older and younger brothers, the Seahawk 2 and Seahawk 4, at 3-people. The number choice is a bit odd and we find that most reviewers take it out with 2-people and cooler instead. If you’re a family with kids and want a way for them to face the waters on their own, this is an excellent beginner raft to do so. For the size, it’s lightweight and easy to paddle, especially for those who have never really paddled a boat before. For some added room, you can easily remove the inflatable cushions as well. Always keep in mind that the capacity is 790lbs and you never really want to get close to that number when packing your boat.

Though the actual storage on the boat that isn’t the hull is fairly minimal, there are a few things worth mentioning. One of the reasons why this is such a great fishing craft is because of the included fishing rod holders located on the left and right hand sides of the boat. If you’re riding solo for the day and want a way to cast multiple lines at once, this can be a major advantage. You can also easily “store” away the oars with the two welded-in oarlocks on each side. Obviously you won’t want to have to hold on to your oars the whole time you’re out there, but you also don’t want them sinking to the bottom of the murky deep.

One of the best things about inflatable boats is that they are easy to transport because they deflate. At just above 30lbs, this thing is super easy to transport down to the water. Once you get down, you can inflate it with ease in a process that only takes about 10 minutes. This is possible thanks to the Boston valves and the high output manual hand pump. You won’t have to waste time or breath trying to get your boat up and running. The all-around grab line makes transportation a bit easier too, as well as providing an extra level of safety for anyone who may go overboard during your little expedition. Lastly, the welded on grab handles can help you carry it with a partner when it’s already inflated.

Let’s now talk about the few accessories that come with the Intex Seahawk 3. The two lightweight aluminum oars are by no means the best out there, but they are great beginner tools to get you moving. They’re also nice and buoyant, meaning they won’t sink as quickly when they hit the water. The small gear pouch located on the side is perfect for your smaller items like your phone, car keys, or wallet, or really anything else that you don’t want to have exposed to the water. Lastly, Intex sends out all their boats with repair patches. You hopefully will never need to patch up your inflatable boat, though it’s cool that they think ahead and allow you to perform DIY surgery on your boat without the extra cost.

To see how the features on the Intex Seahawk 3 stand against other inflatable boats on the market, make sure to check out our Fin Bin best inflatable boat guide!

>> View the Product Page & Current Pricing <<

Intex Seahawk 3 Modifications

Trolling Motor

There’s really nothing like adding a little motor to the back of an inflatable boat. It can make a major difference in your boating experience. The Intex boats all come with the ability to have a motor mounted on using their motor mount accessory. One of the highest recommended motors for the Intex Seahawk 3 is the Intex Trolling Motor. The motor is very quiet, meaning perfect for fishing, and is battery operated rather than gas, making it safe and efficient to use.

The digital maximize control module is built in, along with the water cooling system, so it automates the amount of power the motor is using depending on the speed that you are going. The motor comes with 5 speeds to go forward and 3 to go in reverse. Pretty much anybody can install this motor with ease and it’s great for anybody who wants to take a longer trip out on the water without all the paddling that goes with it.

Canopy

Being out on the lake all day can expose you to harmful UV rays and sunscreen doesn’t always do the job providing you protection. With a canopy modification, you won’t have to worry about constantly lathering on sunscreen or wrapping your face in different articles of clothing like a man stranded at sea. The canopy that is made for the Seahawk 3 is very portable and just as easy to travel with as the boat itself. It doesn’t take anymore than a few minutes to buckle it up to the sides of your boat to create your own personal little awning. It also doubles as a nice beach tent when you get to shore. Just like the Seahawk 3, the Intex canopy is tough. It’s made with UV resistant material that can withstand just about anything that’s thrown at it.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I care for my Intex Seahawk 3?

The maintenance process for the Seahawk 3 is fairly simple, as it is already built with materials that are tough and durable. However, you should be aware that storing it improperly could damage it in the long run. Regardless of whether you decide to store it inflated or deflated, you should never put anything heavy on top of it or sharp under it. If you need to store it outside, make sure that you keep it out of direct sunlight. Though it is UV resistant, prolonged exposure can start to discolor and morph the vinyl material.

Do I need to send it in if it gets a hole?

If the hole is small, you can easily fix it with the repair patch that Intex provides. It’s as simple as locating the leak, cutting your patch to be the right size to fit around it, and firmly pressing it on the boat to cover the leak up.

Final Verdict

If you’re looking to get out on the water this summer without spending tons of money, the Intex Seahawk 3 provides a great way to do so.

Regardless of if you’re looking to relax with a few drinks on the lake, take a little boating expedition, or catch some fish, the Seahawk 3 can truly do it all.