Looking for something small yet tough to take to the water? Intex is a brand that many kayakers and paddlers will be familiar with, and for good reason. I’ve taken a look at some of the best of their products in the past, and the Excursion Pro seems to be one of the most popular for duo travelers.
When you head out to the water, you’re going to want a solid, reliable vessel that’s also no hassle to wrangle both on and off your vehicle.
This is a lightweight but extremely tough kayak. It is designed for use by two people, and is supplied with a high output pump and two oars.
Built to a stunning professional standard, this kayak is designed with years of expertise and research in mind – meaning you know you’re setting sail in a vessel that’s going to keep you paddling for time to come.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Intex
- Construction: High density polythene
- Weight: 43.6lbs
- Supports: Up to 400lbs
- Length: 12 feet 7 inches
- Seats: 2
- Air chambers: 3
- Rod holders: 2 (swiveling)
- Oars: 2
- Other features: Bow and stern storage, tie down rings, spring loaded valves, carry bag, emergency patch, inflation pump
About the Intex Excursion Pro Kayak
This professional series kayak is built to offer a genuine pro experience in the water, hence the name. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be at professional level to enjoy paddling with it. It’s actually pretty easy to work with on the whole, so don’t be put off by the name. If anything, it should give you a bit more in the way of confidence!
It’s a striking-looking kayak built for two, usually available at a premium price tag compared to other kayaks on the market – but with Intex, you are usually guaranteed of a fantastic return. Let’s dig a bit deeper into what makes the Excursion Pro worth buying.
What are the best features of this kayak?
This well-built, sleekly designed kayak is clearly built with a raft of great features for that ‘pro’ experience. First of all, the build quality is exceptional. Made of laminated polythene, it is described as super tough – and it really does take a knock or two in practice.
The super-protective build enables the craft to withstand more air pressure. This ensures that although lightweight, the kayak has the benefit of extra rigidity. That in turn means the craft has fantastic handling. Experienced kayakers may well notice the difference when moving away from other brands – the experience with this kayak is a marked improvement from cheap and cheerful vessels on the market.
Secondly, the high output pump easily makes for rapid inflation. This means you can spend more time on the water and less time pumping up. Conversely, the craft is swift to deflate, too! You can make the most of daylight hours and good weather as it requires little in the way of packing out and packing up.
The kayak’s high density fabric is extremely durable. It is resistant to sunlight, abrasion and impact. It is also very easy to clean. For added protection when not in use, this kayak is supplied with a carry bag. This is good for transporting your kayak as well as for long term general storage. Also supplied is a ‘repair patch’ for use in an emergency – meaning if you do spring a leak, you’re ready to fix things up on the go.
The cockpit is designed with comfort and security in mind. The curved bucket seats hold you securely and give support as the kayak moves. Swivelling rod holder installations on board means that you do not need to take the weight of the rods to adjust positions. They also make for a less tiring experience on the whole. The kayak comes supplied with two good quality aluminum oars, too – strong, lightweight, and nice and easy to cut through the water with.
The recessed fishing rod holders make for a more streamlined appearance from the outside. Also, being less obtrusive, they do not snag fabrics of gear or cause any annoying hazards. What I also really like about this kayak is that you can adjust it to your own needs and specifications without any fumbling about.
In deep or shallow waters, this kayak is responsive and stable. Maneuverability is reliable, responsive and usually predictable. If you are kayaking in unfamiliar waters, this kayak has good stability that you can fall back on should you need to. Should you encounter overhanging branches, stems or rough surfaces, the fabric of the kayak is resistant to abrasion.
When not in use, it is recommended to keep your kayak in its storage bag. It is resistant to sunlight, either in or out of the water, so fading is not a problem. If it does get splashed with mud at any point, you can easily hose it down.
Are there any drawbacks to the Intex Excursion Pro Kayak?
If you are short of space, this kayak measures 12 feet 7 inches inflated – it’s a bit of a behemoth to say the least!. Deflated, however, it is fairly easy to transport in a large car boot or on a roof rack. It is also easiest to handle when two people work together – as should be fairly obvious. As you’re unlikely to be carrying a double kayak down to the water on your own, I doubt this will be much of a concern.
With a load weight capacity of 400 pounds, it may be less nimble than some other lighter crafts. You must remember it is constructed of super tough material. This trade-off is fairly common – do you want something light, yet flimsy, or heavy, yet robust? This pro kayak falls firmly in the latter category.
Generally, solo kayakers prefer lighter vessels on the whole as they can be easier to move around. Therefore, I can’t really take many points off this model for being a little on the bulky or stiff side. Coupled with the fact that this kayak offers amazing handling in the water, I can hardly complain. The rigidity and bulk are worth keeping on side if you are heading into choppier or faster-moving waters.
However, there is the argument that weight can slow you down. This kayak may therefore not be winning any races any time soon, even though it is still impressively fluid in the water once you get going. Slow and steady wins the race, as they say, but this seems to be more of a purchase those looking for stability and rigidity will want to keep in mind.
Should I buy Intex Excursion Pro Kayak?
If you are looking for a two man kayak, this model continues to court fantastic reviews. Via Amazon’s rankings totalling 2,911 reviews, it achieved 4.5 out of a possible 5 stars. It is considered a well designed, good quality craft with exceptional handling, and I can hardly disagree.
This kayak is not only built to last as well as to endure the choppiest of waters, it’s amazingly comfortable and intuitive in design. The cockpit is roomy, and the seats are of a superb, comfortable design with storage close to hand. The two skegs allow for kayaking in both deep or shallow water, too.
Everything you will need to start or continue two man kayaking arrives in the box with this purchase. This means you won’t need to scour Amazon for other compatible items and to splash the cash elsewhere.
For example, you won’t need to buy a separate pump or oars. You will already have the correct size and power for your kayak – Intex has thought of everything to make the purchase of this craft as simple as possible. That’s got to be a major plus point for any kayakers who are just getting started.
The Intex Excursion Pro is ideal for both adventuring and fishing – maybe even both at the same time. I’m impressed not only with the build and endurance of this model, but also the ease of setup. It’s amazingly speedy to pump up and get to the water, and it’s of course going to be all the easier to handle and get up to speed with two people.
There are a couple of trade-offs with this kayak that are worth keeping in mind. Again, it’s a bit of a bulky boat on the whole, which means you will always need to keep your own strength and abilities in mind before you start moving it around. You might lose a little bit of speed in the water in this way, too, however, it’s at the expense of amazing rigidity, and the exceptional handling that arrives as standard.
This kayak can be a little more expensive than most, however, you are absolutely paying for the quality in design and build. If you have the money, and you’re serious about duo kayaking, it’s a safe choice.
