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

Product Information

Compared to rigid kayaks, the Challenger K2 is also much easier to handle and carry because it is so light and as it’s an inflatable boat it can also be bent and manipulated easily. The person in the back needs several powerful paddle strokes to move the kayak in the desired direction. If you have got some experience with inflatable kayaks, you will also notice that the material is not as thick as used for high-quality inflatables. It is important to inflate the air chambers correctly, as too high an operating pressure can damage the air chambers and too low an operating pressure can impair rigidity and riding characteristics.

What’s even crazier is that this week marks exactly 6 years since I first bought my two Intex Challenger K1 kayaks*, and I’m very happy to say that they’ve lasted really well and I’m excited to continue using them this summer. g. Gumotex Solar, Gumotex Seawave, Itiwit x500, nortik scubi 1 XL, …) have a 3-5 times higher operating pressure, which results in considerably better handling characteristics and a significantly higher rigidity.It also has a removable skeg to make handling better, and a hand/foot pump that makes inflating easy. The skeg is definitely a must-have for the kayak because it improved the performance on the water a lot.

Inflating them was not only a little tedious, but also a bit fiddly, as the air always escaped quickly before the valve was closed. The Intex Challenger K1 has a removable skeg included in the package, this is ideal for aiding directional stability and helping the kayak to track in a straight line. The only reason I did not give 5* is I now have 3 kayaks because one of them puncture and they are a little bit challenging to patch so I bought another one. Nevertheless, with the Intex Challenger K2 in the 1-person configuration, you can reach a speed of approx.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. 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). 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. It doesn't come with a spray deck (the bit that seals people into their kayaks) and so if it did tip over, your kids will easily slip out. Great for experiencing lakes and mild rivers solo, this Sports Series kayak is perfect for one adult.

There is also a detachable skeg on the bottom of the boat to help keep you headed in a semi-straight direction, but do expect the nose of the kayak to swing back and forth a bit when you paddle, especially if doing so aggressively. Manoeuvring around corners wasn’t too bad, but it just doesn’t stay in constant forward movement and its lack of a hard surface on the bottom means it doesn’t go particularly fast either. If you're carrying just the boat itself (without paddles or a pump), you're only responsible for just over 27 pounds of watercraft. Product 1: Challenger K1 One Person Kayak set is made from Intex "Super-Tough" vinyl which is a high molecular PVC that is unaffected by gasoline, oil and salt water. It doesn’t track very well and it’s not too durable either, but for the amount of money you’re paying, that is to be expected.On our first day, we had already two little holes in the floor chamber and we have started paddling yet. The value of this kit is amazing: an inflatable kayak, paddle, hand pump, and repair patch is great value for money. Honestly, that paddle will probably be the first thing to break, though I imagine it will last us at least a couple of years. But we missed having our own boats so we could take them traveling, stop paying so much on rentals, and head to the water whenever it beckoned. After inflating the bottom, the second chamber needs to be filled with air, which forms the sides and the deck of the kayak.

Besides the possibility to stow the luggage behind the seat in the stern, the kayak also has a luggage net on the bow. If you’re a terribly large individual with crazy long legs, the Intex Challenger K1 Kayak might not be for you. Inflatable kayaks like sups are lightweight and susceptible to being pushed off course by wind or waves.

While we appreciate that the paddles are included, we found that they are rather flimsy and not of much help in pushing off objects like the shore or an encroaching branch.