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

Product Information

But the used material for the boat skin is very sensitive and the greatest weakness of this inflatable boat.

The Challenger™ K2 Kayak provides added accessories including: two 86 inch aluminum paddles and an Intex high-output pump for easy inflation and deflation. We won't lie; we initially had some doubts about how the Intex Challenger K2 would perform on the water. Constructed of only a 30-gauge PVC vinyl, this tandem feels like a short step from your average pool floaties. Because the seats are inflatable, too (though Josh preferred the lower part of his deflated so he could sit lower in the kayak), there’s a lot of cushion for your tush and the backrest can be easily adjusted. This may not be an issue if you're leaning forward to paddle and make good headway, but if you'd rather recline and kick your feet up, these seats make that more challenging.If you're carrying just the boat itself (without paddles or a pump), you're only responsible for just over 27 pounds of watercraft. I won't be taking them to any strong water though (there's a lot of canals here to explore), and they will always wear their Buoyancy Aids. I go kayaking with my dad who has a fibreglass kayak and can keep up with no problems in terms of speed and moving around, but all kayaks are different in terms of what they’re designed to do.

The material of the bag is so thin that already after the first use there was a small hole in the bottom. The front cargo area allows for accessories, shoes, and water to be safely stowed within reach of the seat for easy access. If you have a number of kids you need to get afloat, then the Intex Challenger K1 is an affordable option - which is why we bought two! As we both improvise, adapt and overcome by using a common sense approach to some of the pit falls you mentioned. Its plastic exterior glides through the water fine, but we easily sink deep into this craft, adding drag on the bottom of the boat.If you sit in the front seat you will have no back support of any kind which can kill the trip pretty quickly. Kayak, pump, repair kit, and breakdown paddle, the only thing we needed to add was a life jacket which we had already. As well as the main inflatable chambers, the Intex Challenger K1 comes with an inflatable seat and a separate inflatable foot rest. If you're ready for a bigger investment that comes with serious paddling prowess, the Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible Tandem is our favorite inflatable two-person kayak.

The boat itself consists of a bottom and side chamber, which are inflated via Boston valves with the supplied air pump. The hard plastic skegs on the underside of the kayak (similar to the underside of a surfboard) provide directional control so you can be sure you'll get where you want to go. Overall - Manageable when handling and has an average stability, but poor in construction and goes slowly in the water. This is because the kayak is pretty short for a 2-person kayak with a cockpit (due to the cockpit, the seat can only be positioned far back to a limited extent) at 351 cm / 11’5” in length. Of course, you can paddle the kayak without the fin, this is great in shallow conditions to stop you from getting hung up on weeds.However, my partner Alex is 6 foot tall (not sure how much he weights but he’s pretty slim/fit), and he felt more unstable and wobbly due to the weight.

If by chance you do end up in the water, then the Challenger K1 is extremely buoyant, floating to the surface and self-bailing before you re-enter.We even had two small punctures in the bottom chamber of one model on the first day, even though we hadn’t even paddled yet (most likely caused by stones when setting up on the shore). The Intex Challenger K2 is the company’s mid-range inflatable kayak and the one that I have owned and enjoyed for years. They are also quite lightweight and have slightly squishy grips, which makes them a bit more comfortable — and different than most other paddles on the market.