New Inflatable advice

[activist3]

Hello All,
I am new to all things sea and boat related so looking for advice. I have been bought an Intex Seahawk 4 inflatable.
I think it is this one

New Intex Seahawk 4 4 Man Person Inflatable Boat Dinghy Set 138" x 57" x 19" (351cm x 145cm x 48cm) with 84" Aluminium Paddle Oars and High-output Pump Weight Capacity 880Lb. 400Kg: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Outdoors

I am hoping to be able to use it to take myself and the children out onto the sea, obviously staying fairly close to the shoreline and with the children and myself wearing life jackets. I have been told that you can get an adapter and motor for these boats which will make things easier than paddling so i was wondering if anyone can recommend one? Also if you have any general advice that would also be appreciated

Thanks

[Nos4r2]

Welcome to Ribnet


Here comes the bad news. The best thing you can do with that is take a knife and cut it up, or chain it to the side of a swimming pool. It's NOT safe for use on the sea in any way shape or form.

Sorry.

[activist3]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Welcome to Ribnet


Here comes the bad news. The best thing you can do with that is take a knife and cut it up, or chain it to the side of a swimming pool. It's NOT safe for use on the sea in any way shape or form.

Ok...Not particularly keen on cutting it up as it was a gift but get the point your making. Is that because it is likely to capsize or sink? It is a very calm, sheltered bay i was hoping to use it in?

[IanH]

Unfortunately I think you are going to get a bit of a hammering by some on here and you only get about hour to retreat and delete post.

As for your question, the motor in the ad looks to be an electric motor. From my research, they are for drifting in non tidal lakes, such as fishing. I don't think they would be any good in the sea. Some beaches don't allow engines anywhere near where people may be in the water so would be limited use even if there was dead calm with no wind or tide. Anything heavier I think would sink the boat. IMHO stick with the oars on the odd day that rowing off the beach would be safe ie no wind to blow you out of the very narrow safe zone, ie waist high depth of water.

[Nos4r2]

Cool, thanks for being understanding as those things are a bit of a bugbear with me-there's people rescued every year from those things that get blown out to sea. They are extremely difficult to row, very easy to fall out of or capsize and very very easy to puncture.

I wouldn't take it anywhere tidal,with any currents or anywhere where anyone aboard can't stand up.


Sickeningly the Intex is marketed as a 'proper' boat which they definitely aren't. IanH's usage definiton (non-tidal lakes) is about right.

[activist3]

Okay Thankyou, i will delete the message as dont really want loads of abuse!

[dobra##]

If you get to the coast then tell yourself; would I be happy swimming around with my family where you are going to take your boat out to and could I get back in.
Be safe.

[activist3]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Cool, thanks for being understanding as those things are a bit of a bugbear with me-there's people rescued every year from those things that get blown out to sea. They are extremely difficult to row, very easy to fall out of or capsize and very very easy to puncture.

I wouldn't take it anywhere tidal,with any currents or anywhere where anyone aboard can't stand up.


Sickeningly the Intex is marketed as a 'proper' boat which they definitely aren't.

Thats brilliant thanks for the advice, i was going to use it on a beach where there do inflatable kayak hire etc. So it is a kind of private beach but will use it close to the shore and wont bother buying a motor, will just paddle. I have seen youtube videos with people using it in the sea with motors so i guess i was just investigating from there

[activist3]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Cool, thanks for being understanding as those things are a bit of a bugbear with me-there's people rescued every year from those things that get blown out to sea. They are extremely difficult to row, very easy to fall out of or capsize and very very easy to puncture.

I wouldn't take it anywhere tidal,with any currents or anywhere where anyone aboard can't stand up.


Sickeningly the Intex is marketed as a 'proper' boat which they definitely aren't.

Originally Posted by dobra##

If you get to the coast then tell yourself; would I be happy swimming around with my family where you are going to take your boat out to and could I get back in.
Be safe.

Good advice thanks

[kerny]

Originally Posted by activist3

Okay Thankyou, i will delete the message as dont really want loads of abuse!

No need to delete the post that's what this forum is all about, advice sometimes it's not what you want to hear but I'm sure that you will take it well. Welcome to RIBnet BTW

[activist3]

Like this

intex seahawk 4 inflatble boat with 40lb engine open sewawater video alikes halkida - YouTube

[thestig1973]

Sorry but I have to agree with Nos4r2

But you could have some good trips on the river/canal/lake

I've got an inflatable canoe, it's great but a slight breeze or current will decide your destination, can't risk that in the sea

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by activist3

Thats brilliant thanks for the advice, i was going to use it on a beach where there do inflatable kayak hire etc. So it is a kind of private beach but will use it close to the shore and wont bother buying a motor, will just paddle. I have seen youtube videos with people using it in the sea with motors so i guess i was just investigating from there

It's nice to see someone being sensible with one.

The usual story is 'Little Johnny's fine out there half a mile out and screaming for help, how dare you tow him back in after he's fallen out of it 3 times?!'

Check out the Kayaks they hire-there's different degrees of the inflatable ones, and the more expensive ones appear somewhat easier to paddle and far tougher than the 'round' inflatables.

[activist3]

Originally Posted by thestig1973

Sorry but I have to agree with Nos4r2

But you could have some good trips on the river/canal/lake

I've got an inflatable canoe, it's great but a slight breeze or current will decide your destination, can't risk that in the sea

Thats good advice, will need to look for a local lake, river that i could take it on. The problem i suppose is that i have just moved next to the sea, where i will be living for three years and spend all day watching people coming past on boats and wish i could join them

[activist3]

Originally Posted by kerny

No need to delete the post that's what this forum is all about, advice sometimes it's not what you want to hear but I'm sure that you will take it well. Welcome to RIBnet BTW

Thanks for the welcome...im originally form Audenshaw :-)

[lockieboi]

I started out with something similar to that with an electric outboard motor.

Good fun for exploring non tidal rivers etc but would have to agree with everyone else and say its not suitable for the sea.

Enjoy it though.

[activist3]

Originally Posted by lockieboi

I started out with something similar to that with an electric outboard motor.

Good fun for exploring non tidal rivers etc but would have to agree with everyone else and say its not suitable for the sea.

Enjoy it though.

Thank you, Can you just go into a river without permission?

[Nos4r2]

Canals and lakes would work. I wouldn't use one in a river though unless it's shallow enough to stand up in-there's invariably plenty of debris that'd go right through one and a current that takes you into a tree/bank could cause a big issue.

At least, that's what the Thames up here's like. If you're aiming for somewhere with different conditions, ignore me

[kerny]

Originally Posted by activist3

Thanks for the welcome...im originally form Audenshaw :-)

Just a cock stride from me then

[lockieboi]

Originally Posted by activist3

Thank you, Can you just go into a river without permission?

Most need licenses. where i used to go was about ten pounds a day which is pretty steep really. I soon upgraded to a sea going inflatable.