Intex Challenger Kayak, Man Inflatable Canoe with Aluminum Oars and Hand Pump

Product Information

I do launch off rocky coves all the time and regularly drag them through the sand, which is pretty stupid, but I’ve been lucky in not having any issues. Here we compare the different sizes of inflatable boats and show under which circumstances which size is most suitable. A directional skeg noticeably improves the directional stability of an inflatable kayak, as inflatable kayaks tend to float on the water rather than in the water compared to rigid hull and folding kayaks. Set up takes all of five minutes, while breakdown takes about ten minutes to clean any sand and squeeze out all of the air – the latter task is greatly sped by the include proprietary valve for rapid deflation.

It’s not a high end kayak by any means, but it does the job, getting you out on the water and letting you experience kayaking. Due to the separate air chambers it is still possible to reach the shore safely even if one chamber fails.They are made of thick inflatable material (thicker than a beach lilo for example), but less thick than some other inflatable kayaks on the market – but as I say, no problems as of yet. The foot rest will help padding, but also provides more buoyancy, which could prove useful in an accident. If you’re wondering whether the Intex Challenger K1 or K2 is right for you, we recommend reading the article 1, 2 or 3-seater canoe – Which boat size should it be? Setup/Pack down - We suggest that you BYO pump since it is hard to work with the supplied pump, but it is fairly easy to inflate once attached.

A lot of luggage can be stowed under the luggage net, which is quickly at hand during the paddling tour. A bag or backpack and shoes can be stowed underneath it without taking up additional space in the boat or getting in the way. Get Out With The Kids is packed full of ideas and useful info for enjoying outdoor activities with your kids. We struggled to keep it in a straight line on the calmest of water, and it’s not suitable for rough conditions as it takes a lot of effort to paddle when there are waves pushing against you.

Behind the seat there is not too much space and of course it is also difficult to reach even while paddling. I have only had one outing, the Kennet and Avon canal, but like you I plan to get in some coastal paddling as well, when conditions are suitable of course. Intex kayaks look great and professional regarding design but at a closer look you notice big difference with inflatable kayaks from other manufacturers that cost much more. It’s a no-brainer, especially if you’re a beginner kayaker – but I’ll talk more about that in a second. I nearly always having to take them home half-deflated, and then leave them outside to properly deflate for a couple of hours once back.