Hi Venture Iyfe, that is a totally normal thought, you're not alone at all with that coming to mind upon your first time out. I was expecting to get flipped and eaten by White Horse, just like in my original video when the water level was 75% lower, and the when it came to it the Seahawk II powered through like a champ, possessing far greater capabilities than what I had thought, with being as not a whitewater raft. Developing my skills with the oars made for a major advantage with overall control and steering, which greatly prevented that feeling of being in a tube where the only control comes from the currents. Spending time in flat water learning the feel of the raft and how to use the oars to steer and turn was very beneficial. When its warmer and if you're in Harpers Ferry let met know and we'll get out there on the Potomac some time. I can follow you along in the raft with my kayak.
Thank you, I appreciate that, especially with it coming from an editing pro. Interested in seeing what you think of the editing and audio is in this one, maybe the best one to date - "Kayaking the North Branch of the Potomac River: Barnum, WV - Bloomington, MD (4.29ft./1,000cfs)" - ua-cam.com/video/bVtBFeUWGfM/v-deo.html
Hi Marcus, that sounds like a fun adventure coming your way. Let me know how it goes, I have been very interested to hear how the Seahawk 3 and 4 performs and holds up in whitewater. Which river are you running? I found I needed heavy duty oars as the stock ones were too flimsy in the undercurrents of the rapids, but they held up though, just took a fine touch. I haven't seen any videos or reviews at all that includes riding the rapids in the Seahawk 3 and 4.
@@marcusrobinson1778 Neat to hear that there is at least one video out there; I had looked all over and didn't find any whitewater related videos or reviews when I bought my Seahawk 2 (was mostly fishing related and unboxing). Looking forward to seeing how your video turns out. Class II-III is what I would stick to too; class IV would exceed it's capabilities and likely the durability of the vinyl depending on the rockiness of the run. Intex's top of the line Mariner 3/Mariner 4 may be able to hold up to straightforward class IV waves, but I would be cautious around any sizable holes or tricky ledges.
@@marcusrobinson1778 Which oars did you upgrade to? I'm looking for recommendations for premium grade oars, and have looked over the upgrade options on Intex's website. I've had to let up several times in White Horse rapid to prevent the stock oars from snapping, and am looking to prevent any more unexpected incidences of having the oars pop off.
Hi Zax, thank you for the compliment, I genuinely appreciate it. Are you looking to get into rafting or whitewater kayaking? I thoroughly enjoy my Seahawk 2, and did so much research on the many options out there for the whitewater capabilities that I was looking for for a technically non-whitewater raft. Taking excellent care of it, like with my kayaks, has helped to keep it in tip top shape too, such as avoiding sun damage, not over-inflating it, and always cleaning it after trips. It performs like a champ and like it just came out of the box. It's three chambered system is just what I need in case a puncture were to happen from getting slammed into a rock, and its vinyl is very durable, and thicker than traditional recreational or flat water fishing rafts. I would say it's just right for one person, or two smaller people. I feel the Seahawk 3 would be ideal for enough comfort and space for two larger adults. The only issue that I have had is with the oars, being too flimsy for my needs, but completely okay for clam flat water outings. I plan on upgrading to Intex's heavier grade oars, which will great help me out in class III rapids and the rapids with swirly undercurrents. I like how you said how many trips has it survived verses trips that I've taken with it, haha. So I only get it out a couple times a year, with opting of my kayaks for most of the time, but it's been on two whitewater trips, the one in this video and on it debut trip, which I also have a video of, titled, "Intex Seahawk 2: Rafting The Needles & White Horse Rapid (Potomac River) at Low Water" - ua-cam.com/video/7BumvPLWSFM/v-deo.html I'm aiming to get a trip in for this year and have a video of it to share, just need more water, and at a level that is higher than this video. It has been a relatively dry year so far, with low water levels for much of the spring and all summer so far. So we'll see how the next few months turn out, and hope to catch White Horse at a higher level than the ride of this video.
@@PotomacPassageOolikhanna Thank you for responding. I have just bought this raft and looking forward to my first trip. How have the included oars in the Seahawk 2 package held up? Are they fine for rowing in a calm lake or will they bend?
@@zaxzax6475 Hi Zax, you're very welcome, glad to help however I can. when I first started out, I was looking for this kind of information too, and didn't come across to much out there, mostly just unboxing and fishing videos. You must be excited to get out on the water for the first time, I know I sure was, and took it out to a calm and slow moving stretch of the Potomac River. The rhythm o the oars took some getting used to, but like with riding a bike, it clicked and the muscle memory feel into place. There is a adjustable slider ring on the oar that you will want to make sure you adjust to the length that is most comfortable for you, and have them at the same spot on for each oar. The oars that are included held up great and performed just as I needed them to in both flat and calm moving water. If you extend the sliding ring as far up as possible (towards you) then the shaft will be longer with more of the oar in the water and you will feel some bending while at the full/deepest part of the stroke. If you adjust the oar to its shortest position away from the raft you shouldn't feel any bending at all and will have smaller strokes with the trade off being less push and more energy to keep going.
@@zaxzax6475 You're sincerely welcome! I'm excited for you too, just knowing how happy I was when looking back at getting out on the water for my first time, and every time since then too. Have a safe trip and hope it's one fun time for you!
Those are all great questions to ask if you're considering for opting for the Intex Seahawk II whitewater rivers or anything other than lakes or tame flat water rivers. The video description section of this video and especially my two other videos provide a fully detailed answer to each one of your questions, as well as a detailed description of the capabilities and durability of the Seahawk II when it comes to being tossed around against the rocks and taking on bigger waves. The two videos below of the same stretch of the Potomac River - White Horse Rapid. The first one shows some bigger wave action at a moderate level and the second video is at low water where the rocks comes into play and are a watch out factor, unlike at higher water (in the first video) where the current is swifter but with fewer rocks to be on the look out for. Intex Seahawk 2: Rafting White Horse Rapid (Potomac River) at 3.7ft. (Millville) - ua-cam.com/video/xYJLWaGFovQ/v-deo.html Intex Seahawk 2: Rafting The Needles & White Horse Rapid (Potomac River) at Low Water - ua-cam.com/video/7BumvPLWSFM/v-deo.html In short, the durability is much stronger than the Intex River Run inner tube, from its heavier gauge vinyl, but the Sea Eagle raft is the strongest and heaviest of all of the Intex rafts. For me it took on the rocks (none of which were jagged) like a champ, absorbing the shock and bouncing right off, but being careful in choosing how to maneuver the oars is a must, as they will easily snap if pushed in certain ways when in the turbulent parts of the current. The rafts debut trip was in 2017 and has held up in excellent condition since then; I always wash it out real well after each trip and store it inside and away from the sun. The only weak point is the flimsiness of the oars, which becomes noticeable when trying to steer through larger rapids and in shallow rocky water, where a snap can happen in an instant. Check out the reviews in the videos, as well as the other comments on all three of the videos for additional details. Feel free to reach out for anything else that you would like to know.
@@mohdnizarvideo8237 Anytime, always happy to help how I can to help make the good times happen and be a real blast out there in the beauty of God's creation. When I first started I had so little information to go on, with there not being much out there on whitewater with many of the reviews just showing the unboxing or fishing in flat water. So I'm glad to provide as much as I can for others who find it challenging to find what they're looking for before diving in to make the purchase. Thanks and let me know how it goes for you, especially if you get out there on an adventure! I also post a lot about whitewater kayaking too, with a strong focus on the Potomac River basin.
This is something I thinking of trying. My one fear is tipping over and being not able to get myself back in the raft.
Hi Venture Iyfe, that is a totally normal thought, you're not alone at all with that coming to mind upon your first time out. I was expecting to get flipped and eaten by White Horse, just like in my original video when the water level was 75% lower, and the when it came to it the Seahawk II powered through like a champ, possessing far greater capabilities than what I had thought, with being as not a whitewater raft.
Developing my skills with the oars made for a major advantage with overall control and steering, which greatly prevented that feeling of being in a tube where the only control comes from the currents. Spending time in flat water learning the feel of the raft and how to use the oars to steer and turn was very beneficial.
When its warmer and if you're in Harpers Ferry let met know and we'll get out there on the Potomac some time. I can follow you along in the raft with my kayak.
Nice editing! Glad you got to go out
Thank you, I appreciate that, especially with it coming from an editing pro. Interested in seeing what you think of the editing and audio is in this one, maybe the best one to date - "Kayaking the North Branch of the Potomac River: Barnum, WV - Bloomington, MD (4.29ft./1,000cfs)" - ua-cam.com/video/bVtBFeUWGfM/v-deo.html
I'm about to take my Seahawk 4 out into class ii-iii
Hi Marcus, that sounds like a fun adventure coming your way. Let me know how it goes, I have been very interested to hear how the Seahawk 3 and 4 performs and holds up in whitewater. Which river are you running? I found I needed heavy duty oars as the stock ones were too flimsy in the undercurrents of the rapids, but they held up though, just took a fine touch.
I haven't seen any videos or reviews at all that includes riding the rapids in the Seahawk 3 and 4.
@@PotomacPassageOolikhanna I saw one video of the 4.
I will take video. It will only be class ii-iii
@@PotomacPassageOolikhanna and I have upgraded oars
@@marcusrobinson1778 Neat to hear that there is at least one video out there; I had looked all over and didn't find any whitewater related videos or reviews when I bought my Seahawk 2 (was mostly fishing related and unboxing).
Looking forward to seeing how your video turns out. Class II-III is what I would stick to too; class IV would exceed it's capabilities and likely the durability of the vinyl depending on the rockiness of the run. Intex's top of the line Mariner 3/Mariner 4 may be able to hold up to straightforward class IV waves, but I would be cautious around any sizable holes or tricky ledges.
@@marcusrobinson1778 Which oars did you upgrade to?
I'm looking for recommendations for premium grade oars, and have looked over the upgrade options on Intex's website. I've had to let up several times in White Horse rapid to prevent the stock oars from snapping, and am looking to prevent any more unexpected incidences of having the oars pop off.
Hi! Are you still enjoying the Seahawk 2? How many trips has it survived? Great videos by the way!
Hi Zax, thank you for the compliment, I genuinely appreciate it. Are you looking to get into rafting or whitewater kayaking?
I thoroughly enjoy my Seahawk 2, and did so much research on the many options out there for the whitewater capabilities that I was looking for for a technically non-whitewater raft. Taking excellent care of it, like with my kayaks, has helped to keep it in tip top shape too, such as avoiding sun damage, not over-inflating it, and always cleaning it after trips.
It performs like a champ and like it just came out of the box. It's three chambered system is just what I need in case a puncture were to happen from getting slammed into a rock, and its vinyl is very durable, and thicker than traditional recreational or flat water fishing rafts. I would say it's just right for one person, or two smaller people. I feel the Seahawk 3 would be ideal for enough comfort and space for two larger adults. The only issue that I have had is with the oars, being too flimsy for my needs, but completely okay for clam flat water outings. I plan on upgrading to Intex's heavier grade oars, which will great help me out in class III rapids and the rapids with swirly undercurrents. I like how you said how many trips has it survived verses trips that I've taken with it, haha.
So I only get it out a couple times a year, with opting of my kayaks for most of the time, but it's been on two whitewater trips, the one in this video and on it debut trip, which I also have a video of, titled, "Intex Seahawk 2: Rafting The Needles & White Horse Rapid (Potomac River) at Low Water" - ua-cam.com/video/7BumvPLWSFM/v-deo.html I'm aiming to get a trip in for this year and have a video of it to share, just need more water, and at a level that is higher than this video. It has been a relatively dry year so far, with low water levels for much of the spring and all summer so far. So we'll see how the next few months turn out, and hope to catch White Horse at a higher level than the ride of this video.
@@PotomacPassageOolikhanna Thank you for responding. I have just bought this raft and looking forward to my first trip. How have the included oars in the Seahawk 2 package held up? Are they fine for rowing in a calm lake or will they bend?
@@zaxzax6475 Hi Zax, you're very welcome, glad to help however I can. when I first started out, I was looking for this kind of information too, and didn't come across to much out there, mostly just unboxing and fishing videos.
You must be excited to get out on the water for the first time, I know I sure was, and took it out to a calm and slow moving stretch of the Potomac River. The rhythm o the oars took some getting used to, but like with riding a bike, it clicked and the muscle memory feel into place. There is a adjustable slider ring on the oar that you will want to make sure you adjust to the length that is most comfortable for you, and have them at the same spot on for each oar.
The oars that are included held up great and performed just as I needed them to in both flat and calm moving water. If you extend the sliding ring as far up as possible (towards you) then the shaft will be longer with more of the oar in the water and you will feel some bending while at the full/deepest part of the stroke. If you adjust the oar to its shortest position away from the raft you shouldn't feel any bending at all and will have smaller strokes with the trade off being less push and more energy to keep going.
@@PotomacPassageOolikhanna Thanks! I will soon update you how my first Seahawk 2 trip went. :) I am Very excited indeed.
@@zaxzax6475 You're sincerely welcome! I'm excited for you too, just knowing how happy I was when looking back at getting out on the water for my first time, and every time since then too. Have a safe trip and hope it's one fun time for you!
This boat still ok?how long have u use it?your boat have damage when it touch the rock?
Those are all great questions to ask if you're considering for opting for the Intex Seahawk II whitewater rivers or anything other than lakes or tame flat water rivers. The video description section of this video and especially my two other videos provide a fully detailed answer to each one of your questions, as well as a detailed description of the capabilities and durability of the Seahawk II when it comes to being tossed around against the rocks and taking on bigger waves.
The two videos below of the same stretch of the Potomac River - White Horse Rapid. The first one shows some bigger wave action at a moderate level and the second video is at low water where the rocks comes into play and are a watch out factor, unlike at higher water (in the first video) where the current is swifter but with fewer rocks to be on the look out for.
Intex Seahawk 2: Rafting White Horse Rapid (Potomac River) at 3.7ft. (Millville) - ua-cam.com/video/xYJLWaGFovQ/v-deo.html
Intex Seahawk 2: Rafting The Needles & White Horse Rapid (Potomac River) at Low Water - ua-cam.com/video/7BumvPLWSFM/v-deo.html
In short, the durability is much stronger than the Intex River Run inner tube, from its heavier gauge vinyl, but the Sea Eagle raft is the strongest and heaviest of all of the Intex rafts. For me it took on the rocks (none of which were jagged) like a champ, absorbing the shock and bouncing right off, but being careful in choosing how to maneuver the oars is a must, as they will easily snap if pushed in certain ways when in the turbulent parts of the current. The rafts debut trip was in 2017 and has held up in excellent condition since then; I always wash it out real well after each trip and store it inside and away from the sun. The only weak point is the flimsiness of the oars, which becomes noticeable when trying to steer through larger rapids and in shallow rocky water, where a snap can happen in an instant.
Check out the reviews in the videos, as well as the other comments on all three of the videos for additional details. Feel free to reach out for anything else that you would like to know.
@@PotomacPassageOolikhanna tq brother..very good explanation..hope u more success in future👍😁
@@mohdnizarvideo8237 Anytime, always happy to help how I can to help make the good times happen and be a real blast out there in the beauty of God's creation. When I first started I had so little information to go on, with there not being much out there on whitewater with many of the reviews just showing the unboxing or fishing in flat water. So I'm glad to provide as much as I can for others who find it challenging to find what they're looking for before diving in to make the purchase.
Thanks and let me know how it goes for you, especially if you get out there on an adventure! I also post a lot about whitewater kayaking too, with a strong focus on the Potomac River basin.
@@PotomacPassageOolikhanna 👍😁