Compared to new version this kayak is lightweight and small package so I can carry it easily anywhere. It has more chambers so don’t worry about the stretching of the top middle part on the sun. For a budget inflatable canoe I was very impressed with how this little boat handled – it did feel much more like a real kayak and cut through the water quite well . It also has a removable skeg to make handling better, and a hand/foot pump that makes inflating easy. The Intex Challenger K1 Kayak is a one person inflatable canoe designed for mild water (i.e. canals and slow-moving rivers). It comes with an additional inflatable back seat for the most comfort of the kayaker.
The Intex Challenger K1 Inflatable Kayak includes an integrated fin for easy maneuverability. Intex produces a wide range of products, from pools and hot tubs to floating lily pad water mats and airbeds. Kayaks, however, are among their most popular products for outdoor sporting enthusiasts. We’re an Amazon affiliate and we hope you love the products we recommend!
So paddling is hardly possible or very uncomfortable. Also the material and the driving characteristics speak more for a boat to have fun on the water during ideal conditions on small lakes than a real inflatable kayak. Our trip to Colorado intex purespa serves as the perfect opportunity to test out the new kayaks. While there is some assembly required, and a few individual chambers to fill with the hand pump provided with the kayaks, it takes us about 15 minutes from unboxing to water.
There is a place underneath to attach a removable skeg. This inflatable kayak is made from heavy duty vinyl that provides some resistance to punctures. The kayak is easy to set up and good quality as far as I can tell as of now. I got it all blown and put together within 30 minutes and off I went. I ended up deflating the seat bottom cushion quite a bit as I felt I was riding a bit high for my liking. Easily maneuvered into and out of the water because it is relatively light weight.
It appears to be fairly tough, I have had it for 6 months with no punctures despite finding submerged branches and rocks. The paddle has worked well despite my initial apprehension intex frame pool about its strength. The blade angles can be set for in line or at 90 deg. The weight is an advantage (under 28 lb.) takes about the same time to deflate and pack up.
For those who want to try paddling for themselves first, the Intex Challenger K1 is ideal. The inflatable kayak is the only 1-person kayak for beginners on the market. It is particularly suitable for small paddling trips on calm waters. The boat is offered in a complete set with very useful accessories, such as the skeg, and enables an immediate start into paddling pleasure.
I ordered this seat which is from a different and more expensive inflatable kayak, but I haven’t tried it yet. It seems like it will fit, and it’s got two sets of adjustable straps with the hooks on them so I’m hoping I’ll be able to get it working halfway decent in there. To be fair, a good inflatable kayak will never outperform a intex baby float high performance traditional kayak. They just can’t be made with that degree of precision. But the average recreational kayaker will hardly notice the difference between a good quality inflatable kayak and an average traditional kayak. You’ll also find that quick inflating or deflating is a breeze with a Boston valve on each side.
It folds up Into a very SMALL package that is easy to carry and store in a small space. 3) Watch videos of people putting the kayak together. Pay close attention to what they do and follow their example. Before you go out, inflate the kayak at home and leave it overnight to ensure that it’ll hold air.
I always go out on flat days, but these kayaks have also been put to the test in breezier, choppier conditions too and been fine. This is the only part that’s a bit of a pain in the arse. When you unfold the kayak there are two pump holes, labelled by number to show which order you should pump these up in first. Start with the inside hole , and then go for the outside hole which pumps up the outer part of the kayak.