So 5 years ago while bored during the pandemic I purchased an inflatable Kayak and an inflatable raft. Due to the fact I had a Mercury Milan and not a SUV at the time, which is abnormal for my life in retrospect.
I picked up the Intex Inflatable Kayak and was satisfied with it’s safe performance on the water. However due to the fact that I wanted to fish out of said kayak, I eventually upgraded to a hard bottom. The Inflatable sprung a few minor air leaks during it’s run, which lead to me feeling slightly scared of the water coming in. Or it deflating and me having to swim back to shore while dragging it.
The Intex Explorer K2 Kayak
TheThe Intex Explorer™ K2 Kayak is sporty and fun with a streamlined design for easy paddling. The bright yellow color and sporty graphics makes the kayak highly visible in the water. Great for experiencing lakes and mild rivers with a friend, this Sports Series kayak is perfect for two adults. Lightweight and compact, this kayak is a snap to assemble, and allows you to take the fun of kayaking wherever you go. Made with rugged vinyl construction, this sturdy kayak has an inflatable I-beam floor for comfort and rigidity. A removable skeg provides directional stability, while two adjustable, inflatable seats with backrests are included for comfort. Quick inflating or deflating is a breeze with a Boston valve on each side. A grab line and grab handle at each end is provided for your convenience, as well as a U.S. Coast Guard I.D., and a repair patch kit. The Explorer™ K2 Kayak provides added accessories including: two 86in aluminum oars and an Intex high-output pump for easy inflation and deflation.
Sporty graphics for high visibility
Low-profile for lakes and mild rivers
Streamlined design for easy paddling
Cockpit designed for comfort and space
Rugged vinyl construction
Grab line on both ends
Adjustable inflatable seats with backrest
Inflatable I-beam floor for comfort and rigidity
Removable skeg for directional stability
Includes repair patch
Inflated size: 10 ft 3in X 3ft X 1ft 8in
Persons capacity: 2
Maximum weight capacity: 400 pounds
Final Review And Conclusion
I love that I can wrangle this kayak solo and that it comes with literally everything I need to get on the water. I paddled it solo,multiple times but the seats fell apart after a few weeks. Then there was the issue of constantly trying to find the best spot for leverage while paddling.
I found it to be plenty fast enough and easy to steer. As soon as you stop paddling, it does stop tracking but that didn’t bother me at all.
This Review From The Website…
Took it out for the first time last weekend and loved it. Handled amazingly for an inflatable on a semi rough river. Intex’s website has the best price anywhere, trust me I researched this product for two months before purchasing it. The only issue I have is that one of the main blow up valves was broken and would let air release if the outer screw on cap isn’t screwed on tight. I called Intex customer service and they handled the call amazingly, they are sending me a new Kayak. They really care about your customer experience.
It’s like everything else in life: it’s up to personal opinion and the different experiences that each person had. I found that once I bought a hard body kayak the entire experience was better and less stressful. The only issues I had really with the inflatable is the lack of storage areas for fishing, I never took a second person with me. I’m sure two people in the kayak would make the paddling and steering issues go away. It’s less expensive than a hard plastic kayak, but the time lost inflating and deflating it is just as annoying as lifting and strapping a plastic kayak.
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