Following a tip from another RUclipsr we put one of those short foam surf-board beach things under the seats, which prevents the saggy bum problem, reduces drag and improves comfort. I'm sure better paddles make a big difference but we've used these for 3-4 hours at a time and they're not detracted from the enjoyment at all. Often it's not worth buying the cheapest thing in a category and it's better value to get something higher quality, but in this case, if you're not loaded and you're thinking you might enjoy a bit of paddling on lakes and rivers, do it. You won't regret it.
we don’t have a saggy problem at all, we just pump it until there isn’t any wrinkles and then some and it’s good to go, we have also been thinking about polyurethane expanding foam filling ours.
I specifically bought this kayak for 3 reasons. 1 it's cheap. 2 it's extremely portable. 3 it's highly inefficient meaning as long as my form is good, I'm getting a good workout.
The kayak says it’s a 400lb max weight limit or 330 with 2 people, but I can assure you it holds way more than that, I had 2 of my friends in it and we paddled for 6 miles easily, their combined weight together was easily over 550lbs and the kayak performed just fine
I think this is the best review I’ve seen of this kayak. He’s right it’s a toy. I got mine on sale Amazon for about $100, it’s my first kayak purchase. I don’t use second front seat, instead use the extra space for my dog the stability is great because the pup likes to shift and turn around unexpectedly and I never tip over. I like to bring an anchor and lunch, I paddle leisurely out and have on the water picnics. I found that I actually like the seat collapsing back so I can lay on my back and watch the clouds and birds while getting some sun on my face. I can just tighten up the straps on the back rest and it sits upright again. I’m small 5’2” and fairly light I don’t really understand the butt sagging thing, my feet feel level with my seat and I have plenty of room in it. It’s perfect for my use because I’m drifting around more than actually paddling. I will say I got stuck once fighting a headwind to get back to my boat launch, the nose just wobbled back and forth and it took forever to go just a few feet forward at a time, the crease of my thumbs got blisters and my shoulders were so sore, I was not happy after that ride. My sister and her husband have top of the line hard kayaks they scoff at how inefficient mine is. But turns out because the portability of this thing I’m going out all the time but they only go a few times for the whole summer, she says it’s too much work to transport them. If leisure is the goal this boat is joyful, if paddling and actually moving forward through the water is the goal just skip this boat! Here’s a tip: I bought an oversized water proof backpack it helps to hike the boat in and out of parking lots and campsites and it also keeps the car dry from using after the lake, also got an electric air pump set up is so much faster! Honestly the backpack, pump, and anchor cost me more than the boat!
This kayak should be reviewed for what it is. An affordable bit of fun. To say its not a good kayak is a bit negative because for the money its great. Me and my 7 year old daughter had it in the ocean yesterday and because of the curved design at the front it handled the waves getting out there better than more expensive ones ive had. Looks good and its sturdy 👍
I agree with you, Ken, that it's a gateway craft. It's an option as well for people who don't have either rivers/creeks nearby or don't have a livery or marina they can rent from. Totally a valid option for people who don't have anything else nearby to be able to test the waters. Great review as always!
Myself and a few friends started paddling with Intex K1s a few years ago, I think 4 or 5 were bought. It didn't take long until a couple of people gave up completely but three of us now paddle frequently having graduated through better inflatables to rigid boats. As for the K1, my niece and her boyfriend now have it and although a bit patched it still floats.
We bought 2 of these, used, for $75. Took them out to Saguaro Lake in AZ this afternoon. I agree with your review. It's very buoyant and that made 60yr old wife very comfortable. She never felt unsteady on the water. Your 100% on point with how it so easily veers to the side when you paddle. I don't see how 2 adults could fit in here. Maybe if you remove the back seat. Overall, we're very happy with them, especially for $37.50/each, and we will be on the water more because of it.
TIP: After much experimenting with the super uncomfortable lack of back support, I placed a smaller plastic cooler behind the seat. It worked great! A very simple solution to that problem! I pack TWO of these kayaks in the cabin of my sailboat when cruising. They’re great for exploring anchorages.
I made a 12mm plywood floor for it which prevents seat sag and its much better and extended both paddles by 12" taking the plastic part out of the middle and now they are spot on and I dont catch my hand on the seam. Your certainly right about the seats so I purchased 2x folding stadium seats to sit on top of the package seats which is now much better. My partner and I both weight 300Ibs in total so well within the weigh capability. A few modifications and taking care of it and my review is still 4.5😊
Many years ago, we started with Coleman inflatable sit on top kayaks. They were great for drifting down a lazy river or stream, but you worked your tail off to get anywhere on a lake. We finally bit the bullet after we decided that this is something we enjoyed doing. We now have five real kayaks (two of them I built) and 3 restored, vintage canoes. Those inflatables were our gateway into a bigger world!
👍 I agree with you on all points. My first kayak was the k2, like you stated, it was to see if it was something I would want to do. I used it for two summers. I have since upgraded to an inflatable dropstich. I suggest going to an inexpensive version first because it won't be so hard on your pocket if you decide it's not for you.
My husband and I started with Intex Challenger K2's- similar boats, and I agree with everything you've said. I had a better experience than he did, as I was able to be supported by the seat. I'm smaller. He had no support. We tried one together. That didn't last 10 minutes before I was ready to just dump him and swim for shore. Way too much drag. He broke one of those paddles after 2nd or 3rd time out with it. I upgraded my paddle and it's much better. We both upgraded our boats after only a couple months. Now we have spares in case someone wishes they could join but don't have a boat!
I love how you are NEVER a negative reviewer. Even if you review junk, you explain it in a way that does not bash manufacturers and show nothing but bad, like many reviewers do.
I am the person whom you've so correctly described this kayak is for. I appreciate your honest review and have learned a great deal more about the subject because of your review. I have yet to even get this thing out on the water because I want to learn more about it. And about watercraft safely in general before getting out there with my kiddos. Life jackets are a no-brainer, but how to use even the cheapest of kayaks is new to me. Your insight on its features really helps a newbie like me out....Thanks
I started with the K1 challenger several years ago and bought my third k1 today. I also bought the k2 a few years ago but have only used it once. It seemed much more cumbersome than the K1. None of them are the fastest and I wouldn't take them through rough waters where punctures are likely, but they're great for half day adventures or lounging on the water with a book or to watch the sunset, and they work for apartment dwellers with limited space and budget. All mine are still in use but once they get that first puncture I get a new one and save the patched one outings with friends.
You’re spot-on! The Intex explorer allowed my wife and I to discover kayaking and she loves it (I already knew I would) I love that the portability lets me transport it without a roof rack or pickup truck. It really resolves the storage and transportation challenge for us. I’d love a real Kayak (or sailing yacht! 😆) but until I can provision one correctly, this gives me a water play fix that I desperately needed! My greatest concern as we use this in the Schuykill River near Valley Forge PA is concern for a tear in the material if we encounter something sharp. It seems that th3 material is durable and high quality but hitting the wrong rock or stick could really make a rough day. Used it all year in ‘23 and no issues so far.
A tip I found on another YT video about the seats is to only inflate the backrest and leave the actual seat bottom deflated so your back sits lower and you get more support. This was the biggest issue when me and my wife picked these up. Picked up some extra support stadium seats off of Amazon and it made a huge difference. Also got 96" paddles from Sea Eagle that made a huge difference in touching the seams and the amount of water dripped into the kayak.
Review was spot on, as I have one. It is a kayak for getting out on the water, not paddling far and just seeing if you like paddling. It is not intended for two adults, and even with one young child it feels cramped. Buy one used if you are curious about kayaking, but dont try to go anywhere far because it is REALLY slow. The paddles are horrible, buy another one if you like paddling.
Cannot add anything to your review, you pretty much told my own kayak story, impressions, and opinions! What I can add is that I had so much fun in it, it was my very first kayak 5 years ago, I had the best picnics ever on it with my boyfriend, ashore away from the crowd and in front of the most beautiful beaches around Italy or in Germany. We upgraded to an Itiwit x100 as a tandem and the Itiwit x500 as a solo. Still great fun and great time, but my heart still beats when I see our old "banana boat" as we named it! 😍
My wife happened to grab this kayak kit on Prime day and we just took it to the local lake. I completely agree with your review. Not a great kayak, but fun and easy for entry-level/casual use. Good for the price. Kinda like a movie you think is going to be bad, but isn't as bad as you expect. With my wife in front, my feet were in decent position under her seat and I was able to brace a little. When we both paddled, we made better progress than expected.
Your review is all on point. This is a gateway kayak, a vacation toy, a high performance inner tube, and the cheapest way to get across the lake on a calm day. The value is through the roof since you don't need a roof rack or a garage to store it.
The "covid" kayak. When people were forced to stay at home during the pandemic and overseas holidays were off limits, this was the kayak they brought. I still see them on the beaches here and they sell well in the UK. They have no resale value and most end up in landfill within a few years. Its a good beach toy and a lot of fun for kids. Its a shame the k2 isn't like the k1. Now that's a fun kayak !!
I disagree that it’s just a toy. I live near the Puget Sound and have used both the challenger and explorer to set crab pots. Because of the explorer’s high bow, it can handle high waves much better by cutting through them, while the challenger gets washed over with the wake and water flows right into your lap. I’ve had the explorer for about three years and have had to patch it about 25 times (as I’ve had to do with the challenger) but the shape and design is better for heavy waves and chop.
I started with their K1 (for $79!) and loved it so much I got 2 of them! I also have one of these K2's but that's only because I want to rig a sail to it and it has the qualities I'm looking for. I've had a couple inflatable kayaks before these. One was terrible and pretty much impossible to paddle. The other was like $400 (and this was over a decade ago) and not much better. The little K1's are much more rigid and that skeg is what really makes them. You're right about that seam though. The K1 also has a rather obnoxious one and a few other random bits that would have better off in a slightly different location. That's about my worst critique of these things. Is a rigid kayak better? Sure. Will it fit in your car's trunk? Nah. (BTW I'm pretty sure yours is underinflated and that's part of why it's so underwhelming.)
My wife’s side of the family loves to go tubing, and one of the group brings a Kayak, and I thought, I think I’d love to try it out. I haven’t been in a Kayak in forever, and we only casually do it-a few times through the summer really. When I saw these as an option, I thought “well everybody is in Intex tubes, Intex boats, maybe I should try an Intex kayak.” This is about what I expected, I appreciate the honest review-may be a good option for me to see if I’d want to upgrade later, but in the meantime have something quick, easy and portable just to get on the water.
love this video...very honest and truthful. It's great for someone who wants to get into calm water and/or is limited on storage space (some days I wish I could fold up my boat and put it in my closet bc it lives on my car usually lol)... but I think it's important for consumers to be informed about this. A few weeks ago I saw someone with a similar type of kayak in salt water with currents and thankfully easier weather conditions and no life jacket, definitely not ideal.
I bought this model (K2 Explorer) as well as the single-seater (K1 challenger) just over 5 years ago (for myself and two children). All three of us fit into the K2 perfectly the first year but they're big enough to start paddling their own vessels. Long story short - they were the perfect way to get acquainted and figure out we do enjoy kayaking. We've taken them out only about a dozen times, as the inflating and deflating, storing, and unpacking is about the most challenging part of these inflatables... but it gets better each time. We used them 2x in 2019, 0 times in 2020 and 2021, 2x in 2022, 3x in 2023, and 3x already in 2024 before May. This year I decided not to deflate them because I'm planning to use them as many times as possible while also I bought a hardshell and looking for additional hardshells. I LOVE the idea some YTrs have shown about creating a hard bottom for it (out of foam or folding plywood, etc) but haven't tried it myself; next time I WILL be taking our boogie boards and I'll see if that adds to the experience. I wanted to take these in the river near us, and we did a couple times but to practice near the launch); because they're inflatable Ive decided against taking the kids down the river thus far (rocks, sticks, and branches). I might go by myself in the K2 now that I feel slightly more experienced but usually We just take them to the coast where we swim anyway because its more clear water and it's all sandy bottom. We have a GREAT time with them paddling along the coast off the mangrove beaches!
I got mine for $60. I've used it at least 20 times now, often for an entire day trip. I got new paddles and a strap seat, but otherwise its been a great purchase. So cool that I can just keep in my trunk at all times and inflate in 5 minutes with a cordless pump.
have you ever used without the skeg? I lost mine last trip and am trying to decide if it's worth trying out in a [fairly calm] bay soon, or if that's a bad idea...
Great review, i just bought one of these as i cant get my sit on kayak on my car roof as i have a small car now. i got this for the portability, its so convenient, and yeh, it is a bit difficult to steer and paddling against the wind is a struggle, but for like you said, getting on the water and trying it out is worth the money. and kayaking is so much fun i think this is a good intro to the hobby. Great video, thank you :)
Get the Sea Eagle 330. Little bit more $ but absolutely worth it. It was my first kayak years ago and I still use it at times even though I have better performance kayaks now.
We bought one of these for my wife and I to get on the water. Only a few times a year, so it was a great buy. Neither of us are tall and we are a little crammed, but with 2 the feet up problem isn't an issue. We added "festival chairs" (the kind that just fold in half) on top on the inflatable seats to add a ton of support. For the occasional water day it is fine. I'm already eyeing up a "better" inflatable just for me.
Good review. I bought an Intex Tacoma K2 from Academy over a year ago for only $89. Same thing as the Explorer K2 only it's blue instead of yellow. I paddled it with my woman off Biloxi beach out to Deer Island, her first time ever kayaking. Her back started hurting after being in it for a while. A couple good things i can say about it, it sure handles the chop well and it is fast to setup even with manual pump plus my woman can come with me. Paddling solo, I sit all the way at the back for better back support but it's not the most optimal position to paddle. It's fun for what it is but I hate how it sags in the middle like many other cheap inflatables, I'd rather something much more stiff such as an Advanced Elements. In the end, I agree with everything you mentioned here.
Good, honest review. I had one for two summers at the cottage. It was fun for a while -even did an overnight trip with it, but then a friend got me an Advanced Elements kayak for a bargain price so I sold the K2. It was quite a lot better and much more like a "real" kayak. Long story short, I now have two HDPE boats: a 14´1" (430cm) and a 17´3" (525cm) sea kayak. So yeah, I guess the entry level dinghy really worked luring me into this hobby!
I bought the Intex Explorer K2 just over a year ago from Amazon on Prime day for $102 USD. I consider it to be an amazing value as an entry inflatable kayak. I agree with all of your points except for a couple: 1. Paddling with my son and myself, I didn't feel particularly confined (and he is 6'2"). This was for 2-3 hour trips on very calm water, so your mileage may vary. And I've never taken it out solo, so the point about the annoying seam hasn't really been a factor for me. I believe this is because for two people, the width isn't as prominent. I was considering to buy a second K2 this year on Prime Day 2023 as the price was $88 USD. Instead I held off and watched entirely too many reviews of sub $500 inflatables, many of which were from you ( your reviews were extremely helpful). In the end, I decided to go with the Decathlon Itiwit 100 3P (original orange model) as my second Kayak. I came into it knowing that canvas wrapped "Class 2" kayaks are a pain to clean, but the toughness advantages and price difference between true drop stitch fit my requirements. I originally had dreams that my family of 5 could fit on these two inflatables for short jaunts. I don't think that is the case now, but the Itiwit as a 2 person kayak is an upgrade in many, many ways. If you catch a K2 on sale, it is definitely a gateway drug. Curious of your opinions on other options if 300-400 USD was the limit. Thank you for what you do!
You are perfectly correct in your assesment of the Intex kayaks as being a "gateway" kayak. Both the explorer and the challenger are dirt cheap and allow you to get on the water for little money. For me, the "gateway" kayak was an Intex Challenger K2 with paddles and pump. Bought two vests, just like you described, and we were ready for some beach paddling. Now, it is damaged due to over-inflation and will most likely never be repaired again, as I have better kayaks. But to put the Intex boats into perspective: you can easily pay as much for a good carbon paddle as you pay for the whole set of boat, paddle and pump. And to be fair, the paddles are quite good for the price. The aluminium paddels are really light from the K2. I still use them as spare paddles.
I experienced all the short commings on my first outing a couple weeks ago. Granted, my biggest issue is that I'm out of shape and couldn't sit up straight. My wife and her friend who have been using one for a year had been enjoying it tandem, so we bought two so everyone could have their own to go down the river. The seat back was useless for me, and the other two were easily twice as fast as me. Since I need the exercise, I'm hoping to resolve the seat and bend in the middle issues (256 lbs will cause that). I may try the pool noodles down the floor sides to stiffen it, or the foam board on the bottom mentioned above. I've read somewhere else that the bleacher seat with a taller back and side straps may help the seating. I hope to figure it out as I did enjoy being on the river.
Agree, it is great for entry level. It is probably a great option for someone who rents an apartment and wants to experience the water and don't want to spend money storing a kayak.
Just pulled an abandoned half deflated one of these out of my local and favorite fishing creek. Both seats still buckled in, have no idea what happened to the cheapskate owners, but I’m happy there’s less plastic waste in the water.
do you have any recommendations for a affordable kayak(inflatable or otherwise) for carrying a 250lbs man, 110lbs german shepherd, and probably 50lbs of gear/a tent, to use around north carolina coastal inlets(masonboro island for example)? Wouldn't be going out into open ocean, just marsh land and shallow water.
I bought the K1 one last year to get myself back into kayaking after over 20 years. After 2 hours on the water I was already looking for an upgrade. So this wasn't for me but I do see lots of them out there.
I love your channel. Thanks to him I learned the basics of kayaking. Thanks for this. Is there a chance that you will test itiwit strenfit x500 tandem?
I bought this kayak on Amazon based on the reviews. My husband and I usually rent (hard shell) kayaks but then we are limited by the hours of the rental company so no evening kayaking or early/late season kayaking. This seems like a good option as we live in an apartment and there’s no room to store a hard shell kayak. We paddle 2-3 hours at a time on a calm lake so we are hoping this kayak will suit our needs. We won’t be using it together as we paddle separately - husband bought himself a paddleboard but I have difficulty standing up on them due to health issues and previous knee and ankle injuries. I hope my $199 CAD won’t be a big regret as I am already accustomed to paddling using a hard shell.
Great review of this kayak. I bought this, used it once, and had a real problem on my return journey of about a mile. It offers virtually zero back support. It really is only good for messing about on rhe water. I also have the Intex Challenger K1 and this does support the lower back very well (not sure that the same can be said for the Challenger K2 though).
I bought the Sierra K2 which I hear is the walmart variant for $100. I hear it is basically the same exact thing. We needed more kayaks for a family camping trip and it did its job. I live in NYC and have only taken trips here in the North East in the US. Space is limited both in the home and in the vehicles. For $100-150 it sure fits the bill for our uses, I would also cry if I bought a more expensive kayak and lent it out just to get it punctured, I have also since bought a used challenger for $80 and will likely mix and match parts as things wear out or break. We will likely be getting 1-2 hardshells in the future but it’s good to have a spare inflatable tandem for guests.
As I appreciate your professional point of view on this kayak. I personally love it I purchased it about 2 months ago I've been out on the pond three times. And like you mentioned the portability is number one for me. I'm 60 years old and I wanted something that I could deflate and carry with me I have my little cart that I carry it with it's easy to blow up. My butt doesn't sag in mine. I do find a very comfortable and I think I will remove the seats though you're right they don't support you at all. To me it's more probably like a boat than a kayak but I get around I just purchased some more expensive paddles
Word of caution, born from experience: Make damned sure that the wheels on that cart can't get anywhere near the kayak bag, even if it sags. There's nothing quite like arriving at the water and finding a quarter-sized hole in both the bag and the boat.
Oh my God this is so awesome so there's something even lighter than what I have! It is more expensive but as I get older in age it'll definitely be way easier on me so something I have to save up for. Thank you so much I had no idea these existed
@@trustedguidance, the Anfibio Rebel 2K, for instance, has everything one could need, from a spray deck to the astounding in-tube storage. And the whole package weighs in at under 3 kg! Such a packraft costs a number of times more than the Intex kayak (which, in all earnesty, I find outrageous; every manufacturer is greedy these days), but it is made of a very sturdy material (packrafts are often used on whitewater, that is how reliable they are) and can be carried literally anywhere.
My first kayak (in this century)...well, the "challenger," not the "explorer." Almost identical. Loved it, but it's slow and the seats suck. Great for getting into kayaking, and great for portability. It spent two summers in the back seat of my civic, with room for a kid-and-a-half back there, too. Pretty awesome. The paddles are remarkably good! Better than some sold-separately paddles I've bought! And it's okay to say it stinks. It does. But...for what it is, it's a great starter....
This was an awesome review. I wish I had watched this before i bought 2 of them. I mean, yeah, they'll get you started. Good point you make is the quality of the paddles a good paddle cost more then this whole setup
When this was my only kayak I absolutely loved it, but it’s definitely a gateway. I soon bought a pelican mustang kayak and I loved that kayak wayyy more, than from there I got an old town, and now I’m looking at getting a P&H kayak, I still have the k2 in fact I have 2 now but only for friends when I take em to a lake or a calm river with me
You must pump more air, pal! Then will be excellent!👍 of course, you can bye more seriously kayaks, but not for this price! But for this affordable price you receive a reliable hobby-kayak! 👍
Bang on review Ken. I'll ask though, what about a back to back review of the green Challenger K1 you've reviewed before...& this K2. I ask this as many people would benefit from such, having it back to back. I remember the K1 review you initially gave was very positive, compared to this K2. Both are the worlds best selling Kayaks.
I agree with everything, though in my case I use it as a fishing kayak and like it because of how well it handles in rough waters. It's stability is great. . Personally I'd say it's more of a hybrid canoe/kayak. Not meant for speed or comfort but rather built like a tank.
A question I'm getting from a friend with something like this (maybe this kayak?) is what is a good cheap upgrade from this kayak? There are so many cheap kayaks out there that knowing what is a worthy upgrade vs a tricked out revenue generator is not an easy task. Would a folding kayak be the next step? Maybe a walmart sit on top? Soooo many choices.
I upgraded from a K1 to an AE once I decided I was all-in on the sport. A lot depends on whether the person wants to stay with an inflatable or go with a hard shell; they each have their pluses and minuses in terms of price, setup, handling, etc. A friend has an Oru folding kayak and loves it.
They are fun and hilarious and great....until you get in the wind, or rough water, or want to paddle any distance. So much fun for playing with the grandchildren! The best thing Intex ever made was their 45 inch canvas surf mat for about $15 to $20. Now they are triple that is you can find them and they are the ultimate wave riding machine.
Have you ever found an inflatable kayak that doesn't have standing water in it with the drains open? My sea eagle 300x has the drains so low in the water I always have standing water. I'm river running up to class 4. Someone needs to design a kayak where the drains sit above the water line and below the floor.
All right! What's this small people thing? I'm 70kg/1.80m or 154lb/5'11". that thing has enough capacity for two of me and [s]gear[/s], ... well lunch at least. I'll stick with my more rigid yaks.
Another awesome video, Ken. I've never used an inflatable but completely agree with your reasoning on all points. Its amazing how my Dagger runs the rivers and why hard rotomolded kayaks slice through the waters more easily.
This is what i got back into kayaking with now i have a dagger rpm talk about one extreme to another. That said had many great days on the river in the k2. But wow a proper kayak is 200% better.
At the front of the kayak, I have a hole in a similar position as the one in the back which is used to drain water. Should there be a hole at the front or is my one defected? I don’t have a plug or anything to fit in the front
I tried a friend's Intex K1 once and I'm pretty sure they give you a child sized bendy paddle because the boat doesn't have enough tracking to support a real paddle. I was doing 270 degree spins with a forward stroke, not even a sweep.
I had it. Used it a bit. Got rid of it. It was just way too slow and I couldn’t keep up. It was also heavy and awkward. It never punctured though. Held up well for that.
The problem is that if you do a little browsing on your local classifieds, you can probably find a used Dagger, Old Town, or Perception kayak for $100. Don’t waste your time with these inflatables unless portability is your #1 concern.
Not in my area. Nothing under $200 except Walmart cheapo/flimsy kayaks and the occasional beat up no-name kayak from the '70s. Even cheap Pelicans go for $250-$300. Daggers, Perception, Wilderness Systems, and Old Town kayaks all go for way more because they were purchased by people who know what a kayak is worth.
Portability isn't as big an issue as storage. How many people have the space to store something that size, that they're only going to use a few times a year?
If you regularly kayak by yourself and aren't well built, do have to keep an eye on the weight of a hardshell in terms of getting it on and off the car rack without help, moving it to the water, etc. That's rarely an issue for inflatables.
in about this price range, you can get a relatively decent one by the Brand "Sevylor", who make inflatable Kayaks for a very long time. just to name a few, for example the "Tahiti" or "Riviera". or a used older version of the "Ranger" and the "Columbus", which even come with protective outer shell made of Canvas. i don't understand, why there are so many folks that are so hyped about this Intex Junk. their rubber boats and Kayaks aren't even ultra cheap tbh.
I picked one up a few days ago from a guy that used it 1 time. I figure it will go down the river here in town. I just inflated it in the living room and it seems like a little bit of a glorified pool toy. I doubt it would go UP the river but just to do a float trip it;s worth it as I only paid 20.00 for it. he lost the second seat when he flipped as he was as big as I am and that about taps out the weight limit. 6ft 2in and 280. the floor doesn't seem stiff enough, I go sometimes in a sea eagle and it has a wood floor insert but that raft is a boggy thing also. I mean the paddles are pretty much for steering away from trees and stuff - I am pretty sure this would be a little better than that because of it being 1/2 as wide but I bet the drag is is gnarly on the water. Looks like it's tacoing with you in it and I am sure I weigh more than you do. Might just sell it. LOL. I could always go back to the ole Truck inner tube and flip flop paddles with the butt freezer. I was just Thinking I cold cut a plywood sheet to size like a surf board and then put pool noodles on the edges to stiffen up that floor. there goes the portability though eh? still might be cool. Thanks for this review. it;s going to be Like 5 months before I am going to the river. OH! I just thought of something I could try before that! Might take up to McCall Or Bogus and see how it shoots down the mountain! LOL
I laughed when he said its for an adult with a child, when me and my husband use this kayak on our local beaches! XD I am small but damn I didn't think I was child sized XD
My most hated thing about this kayak was the air valves. The black ones are great. All of the valves should be like that, but you have air valves in certain places that look like something you would find on a pool float.
We used the K2 a lot in the beginning. It’s a cult piece 😂 I enjoyed your video espcially the paddles demonstration. It’s almost insulting how bad they are 😂
Without sounding stupid, how did you manage to operate the two person kayak solo? I thought the way it was made would make it sink if it only had one person
i use one of these for fishing, i was looking for a pair of waders but this was cheaper so i tired this instead. i just dont like the short paddles and it kinda awkward sitting with a life jacket but i just use it for sitting there fishing , felt stable reeling in a fish
For what it is. Its great. Is it a hobie? Hell naw. But can you comfortably stretch out in it after getting away from the dock? Hell yes. If you have realistic expectation with this thing, itll never let you down My seat "broke" yesterday, with the back seperated from the bottom it almost kind of works as a back support.
Nice review. I have had a K2 Explorer and have used the heck out of it, including class 2 rapids and out in Charleston Harbor with 15 to 20 kt wind and chop and it did the job. I agree with you totally about the seams. I started wearing long sleeve shirts and paddling gloves to minimize the annoyance. I've used it alot for fishing. For camping when paddling solo, the K2 can pack alot of gear. I've shifted more toward stand-up paddleboarding over the past two years but still use the old K2 occasionally. Also, I "upgraded" to a pair of inexpensive and short rigid sit on top fishing kayaks, which are not much faster or better tracking than my K2. I agree with all of your points. Great review.
The measuring tool comes with the kayak. The kayak skin stretches as you inflate it. Once it's inflated to the right level, it will match the marks on the measuring device. Make sense?
try a high angle paddle to get around the pontoons a bit better. but yeah i agree, intex kayaks are inflatable mattresses shaped like kayaks. first time i've seen you give a kayak a negative review
Wrong to say that this is not a good kayak. Its a very good Kayak for the money. Its clearly not something a regular and experienced Kayaker is going to buy, but that's not who its marketed to. I bought this model 3 years ago, its been on three holidays, in its bag in the boot of the car, been out on it in canals, gentle rivers and the sea. There is a video on youtube of someone using this Kayak on class 4 rapids, so while I wouldn't do that, its more than good enough for the casual paddler
I agree that this is a good option for people that are looking for an affordable way to get on the water... but it is a bad kayak when it comes to things like performance, durability and comfort. That being said, it is a good kayak when it comes to value and portability. As for paddling this kayak on class 4 rapids... NOT a good idea. There's a reason this kayak has a 90-day warranty, and not a 3-year warranty like quality inflatable kayaks that are designed to handle whitewater.
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Following a tip from another RUclipsr we put one of those short foam surf-board beach things under the seats, which prevents the saggy bum problem, reduces drag and improves comfort. I'm sure better paddles make a big difference but we've used these for 3-4 hours at a time and they're not detracted from the enjoyment at all. Often it's not worth buying the cheapest thing in a category and it's better value to get something higher quality, but in this case, if you're not loaded and you're thinking you might enjoy a bit of paddling on lakes and rivers, do it. You won't regret it.
we don’t have a saggy problem at all, we just pump it until there isn’t any wrinkles and then some and it’s good to go, we have also been thinking about polyurethane expanding foam filling ours.
I specifically bought this kayak for 3 reasons. 1 it's cheap. 2 it's extremely portable. 3 it's highly inefficient meaning as long as my form is good, I'm getting a good workout.
The kayak says it’s a 400lb max weight limit or 330 with 2 people, but I can assure you it holds way more than that, I had 2 of my friends in it and we paddled for 6 miles easily, their combined weight together was easily over 550lbs and the kayak performed just fine
330 is the max load the max breaking weight is probably 3 to 4 times that.
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I think this is the best review I’ve seen of this kayak. He’s right it’s a toy. I got mine on sale Amazon for about $100, it’s my first kayak purchase. I don’t use second front seat, instead use the extra space for my dog the stability is great because the pup likes to shift and turn around unexpectedly and I never tip over. I like to bring an anchor and lunch, I paddle leisurely out and have on the water picnics. I found that I actually like the seat collapsing back so I can lay on my back and watch the clouds and birds while getting some sun on my face. I can just tighten up the straps on the back rest and it sits upright again. I’m small 5’2” and fairly light I don’t really understand the butt sagging thing, my feet feel level with my seat and I have plenty of room in it. It’s perfect for my use because I’m drifting around more than actually paddling. I will say I got stuck once fighting a headwind to get back to my boat launch, the nose just wobbled back and forth and it took forever to go just a few feet forward at a time, the crease of my thumbs got blisters and my shoulders were so sore, I was not happy after that ride. My sister and her husband have top of the line hard kayaks they scoff at how inefficient mine is. But turns out because the portability of this thing I’m going out all the time but they only go a few times for the whole summer, she says it’s too much work to transport them. If leisure is the goal this boat is joyful, if paddling and actually moving forward through the water is the goal just skip this boat! Here’s a tip: I bought an oversized water proof backpack it helps to hike the boat in and out of parking lots and campsites and it also keeps the car dry from using after the lake, also got an electric air pump set up is so much faster! Honestly the backpack, pump, and anchor cost me more than the boat!
This kayak should be reviewed for what it is. An affordable bit of fun. To say its not a good kayak is a bit negative because for the money its great. Me and my 7 year old daughter had it in the ocean yesterday and because of the curved design at the front it handled the waves getting out there better than more expensive ones ive had. Looks good and its sturdy 👍
I agree with you, Ken, that it's a gateway craft. It's an option as well for people who don't have either rivers/creeks nearby or don't have a livery or marina they can rent from. Totally a valid option for people who don't have anything else nearby to be able to test the waters. Great review as always!
Myself and a few friends started paddling with Intex K1s a few years ago, I think 4 or 5 were bought. It didn't take long until a couple of people gave up completely but three of us now paddle frequently having graduated through better inflatables to rigid boats. As for the K1, my niece and her boyfriend now have it and although a bit patched it still floats.
We bought 2 of these, used, for $75. Took them out to Saguaro Lake in AZ this afternoon.
I agree with your review. It's very buoyant and that made 60yr old wife very comfortable. She never felt unsteady on the water.
Your 100% on point with how it so easily veers to the side when you paddle.
I don't see how 2 adults could fit in here. Maybe if you remove the back seat.
Overall, we're very happy with them, especially for $37.50/each, and we will be on the water more because of it.
Awesome to hear you're enjoying them! Can't beat $75 for 2!!!
TIP: After much experimenting with the super uncomfortable lack of back support, I placed a smaller plastic cooler behind the seat. It worked great! A very simple solution to that problem!
I pack TWO of these kayaks in the cabin of my sailboat when cruising. They’re great for exploring anchorages.
I made a 12mm plywood floor for it which prevents seat sag and its much better and extended both paddles by 12" taking the plastic part out of the middle and now they are spot on and I dont catch my hand on the seam. Your certainly right about the seats so I purchased 2x folding stadium seats to sit on top of the package seats which is now much better. My partner and I both weight 300Ibs in total so well within the weigh capability. A few modifications and taking care of it and my review is still 4.5😊
Many years ago, we started with Coleman inflatable sit on top kayaks. They were great for drifting down a lazy river or stream, but you worked your tail off to get anywhere on a lake. We finally bit the bullet after we decided that this is something we enjoyed doing. We now have five real kayaks (two of them I built) and 3 restored, vintage canoes. Those inflatables were our gateway into a bigger world!
👍 I agree with you on all points. My first kayak was the k2, like you stated, it was to see if it was something I would want to do. I used it for two summers. I have since upgraded to an inflatable dropstich. I suggest going to an inexpensive version first because it won't be so hard on your pocket if you decide it's not for you.
My husband and I started with Intex Challenger K2's- similar boats, and I agree with everything you've said. I had a better experience than he did, as I was able to be supported by the seat. I'm smaller. He had no support.
We tried one together. That didn't last 10 minutes before I was ready to just dump him and swim for shore. Way too much drag.
He broke one of those paddles after 2nd or 3rd time out with it. I upgraded my paddle and it's much better.
We both upgraded our boats after only a couple months. Now we have spares in case someone wishes they could join but don't have a boat!
I love how you are NEVER a negative reviewer. Even if you review junk, you explain it in a way that does not bash manufacturers and show nothing but bad, like many reviewers do.
I am the person whom you've so correctly described this kayak is for. I appreciate your honest review and have learned a great deal more about the subject because of your review. I have yet to even get this thing out on the water because I want to learn more about it. And about watercraft safely in general before getting out there with my kiddos.
Life jackets are a no-brainer, but how to use even the cheapest of kayaks is new to me. Your insight on its features really helps a newbie like me out....Thanks
I started with the K1 challenger several years ago and bought my third k1 today. I also bought the k2 a few years ago but have only used it once. It seemed much more cumbersome than the K1. None of them are the fastest and I wouldn't take them through rough waters where punctures are likely, but they're great for half day adventures or lounging on the water with a book or to watch the sunset, and they work for apartment dwellers with limited space and budget. All mine are still in use but once they get that first puncture I get a new one and save the patched one outings with friends.
What would you suggest between the Challenger and the explorer as a starter?
You’re spot-on! The Intex explorer allowed my wife and I to discover kayaking and she loves it (I already knew I would) I love that the portability lets me transport it without a roof rack or pickup truck. It really resolves the storage and transportation challenge for us. I’d love a real Kayak (or sailing yacht! 😆) but until I can provision one correctly, this gives me a water play fix that I desperately needed!
My greatest concern as we use this in the Schuykill River near Valley Forge PA is concern for a tear in the material if we encounter something sharp. It seems that th3 material is durable and high quality but hitting the wrong rock or stick could really make a rough day. Used it all year in ‘23 and no issues so far.
A tip I found on another YT video about the seats is to only inflate the backrest and leave the actual seat bottom deflated so your back sits lower and you get more support. This was the biggest issue when me and my wife picked these up. Picked up some extra support stadium seats off of Amazon and it made a huge difference. Also got 96" paddles from Sea Eagle that made a huge difference in touching the seams and the amount of water dripped into the kayak.
Review was spot on, as I have one. It is a kayak for getting out on the water, not paddling far and just seeing if you like paddling. It is not intended for two adults, and even with one young child it feels cramped. Buy one used if you are curious about kayaking, but dont try to go anywhere far because it is REALLY slow. The paddles are horrible, buy another one if you like paddling.
very happy to see these comments. recently moved to Lake Tahoe and have been wanting to get out on the water ever since.
Cannot add anything to your review, you pretty much told my own kayak story, impressions, and opinions! What I can add is that I had so much fun in it, it was my very first kayak 5 years ago, I had the best picnics ever on it with my boyfriend, ashore away from the crowd and in front of the most beautiful beaches around Italy or in Germany. We upgraded to an Itiwit x100 as a tandem and the Itiwit x500 as a solo. Still great fun and great time, but my heart still beats when I see our old "banana boat" as we named it! 😍
Awesome to hear! :)
My wife happened to grab this kayak kit on Prime day and we just took it to the local lake. I completely agree with your review. Not a great kayak, but fun and easy for entry-level/casual use. Good for the price. Kinda like a movie you think is going to be bad, but isn't as bad as you expect.
With my wife in front, my feet were in decent position under her seat and I was able to brace a little. When we both paddled, we made better progress than expected.
Your review is all on point. This is a gateway kayak, a vacation toy, a high performance inner tube, and the cheapest way to get across the lake on a calm day. The value is through the roof since you don't need a roof rack or a garage to store it.
The "covid" kayak. When people were forced to stay at home during the pandemic and overseas holidays were off limits, this was the kayak they brought. I still see them on the beaches here and they sell well in the UK. They have no resale value and most end up in landfill within a few years. Its a good beach toy and a lot of fun for kids. Its a shame the k2 isn't like the k1. Now that's a fun kayak !!
I disagree that it’s just a toy. I live near the Puget Sound and have used both the challenger and explorer to set crab pots. Because of the explorer’s high bow, it can handle high waves much better by cutting through them, while the challenger gets washed over with the wake and water flows right into your lap.
I’ve had the explorer for about three years and have had to patch it about 25 times (as I’ve had to do with the challenger) but the shape and design is better for heavy waves and chop.
I started with their K1 (for $79!) and loved it so much I got 2 of them! I also have one of these K2's but that's only because I want to rig a sail to it and it has the qualities I'm looking for. I've had a couple inflatable kayaks before these. One was terrible and pretty much impossible to paddle. The other was like $400 (and this was over a decade ago) and not much better. The little K1's are much more rigid and that skeg is what really makes them. You're right about that seam though. The K1 also has a rather obnoxious one and a few other random bits that would have better off in a slightly different location. That's about my worst critique of these things. Is a rigid kayak better? Sure. Will it fit in your car's trunk? Nah.
(BTW I'm pretty sure yours is underinflated and that's part of why it's so underwhelming.)
My wife’s side of the family loves to go tubing, and one of the group brings a Kayak, and I thought, I think I’d love to try it out. I haven’t been in a Kayak in forever, and we only casually do it-a few times through the summer really.
When I saw these as an option, I thought “well everybody is in Intex tubes, Intex boats, maybe I should try an Intex kayak.”
This is about what I expected, I appreciate the honest review-may be a good option for me to see if I’d want to upgrade later, but in the meantime have something quick, easy and portable just to get on the water.
love this video...very honest and truthful. It's great for someone who wants to get into calm water and/or is limited on storage space (some days I wish I could fold up my boat and put it in my closet bc it lives on my car usually lol)... but I think it's important for consumers to be informed about this. A few weeks ago I saw someone with a similar type of kayak in salt water with currents and thankfully easier weather conditions and no life jacket, definitely not ideal.
I bought this model (K2 Explorer) as well as the single-seater (K1 challenger) just over 5 years ago (for myself and two children). All three of us fit into the K2 perfectly the first year but they're big enough to start paddling their own vessels. Long story short - they were the perfect way to get acquainted and figure out we do enjoy kayaking. We've taken them out only about a dozen times, as the inflating and deflating, storing, and unpacking is about the most challenging part of these inflatables... but it gets better each time. We used them 2x in 2019, 0 times in 2020 and 2021, 2x in 2022, 3x in 2023, and 3x already in 2024 before May. This year I decided not to deflate them because I'm planning to use them as many times as possible while also I bought a hardshell and looking for additional hardshells. I LOVE the idea some YTrs have shown about creating a hard bottom for it (out of foam or folding plywood, etc) but haven't tried it myself; next time I WILL be taking our boogie boards and I'll see if that adds to the experience. I wanted to take these in the river near us, and we did a couple times but to practice near the launch); because they're inflatable Ive decided against taking the kids down the river thus far (rocks, sticks, and branches). I might go by myself in the K2 now that I feel slightly more experienced but usually We just take them to the coast where we swim anyway because its more clear water and it's all sandy bottom. We have a GREAT time with them paddling along the coast off the mangrove beaches!
i had the challanger k1 for 3 years and i loved it, after an upgrade i knew what kayaking actually means! so yeah i understand that
I got mine for $60. I've used it at least 20 times now, often for an entire day trip. I got new paddles and a strap seat, but otherwise its been a great purchase. So cool that I can just keep in my trunk at all times and inflate in 5 minutes with a cordless pump.
have you ever used without the skeg? I lost mine last trip and am trying to decide if it's worth trying out in a [fairly calm] bay soon, or if that's a bad idea...
Great review, i just bought one of these as i cant get my sit on kayak on my car roof as i have a small car now. i got this for the portability, its so convenient, and yeh, it is a bit difficult to steer and paddling against the wind is a struggle, but for like you said, getting on the water and trying it out is worth the money. and kayaking is so much fun i think this is a good intro to the hobby. Great video, thank you :)
Get the Sea Eagle 330. Little bit more $ but absolutely worth it. It was my first kayak years ago and I still use it at times even though I have better performance kayaks now.
We bought one of these for my wife and I to get on the water. Only a few times a year, so it was a great buy. Neither of us are tall and we are a little crammed, but with 2 the feet up problem isn't an issue. We added "festival chairs" (the kind that just fold in half) on top on the inflatable seats to add a ton of support. For the occasional water day it is fine. I'm already eyeing up a "better" inflatable just for me.
Good review. I bought an Intex Tacoma K2 from Academy over a year ago for only $89. Same thing as the Explorer K2 only it's blue instead of yellow. I paddled it with my woman off Biloxi beach out to Deer Island, her first time ever kayaking. Her back started hurting after being in it for a while. A couple good things i can say about it, it sure handles the chop well and it is fast to setup even with manual pump plus my woman can come with me. Paddling solo, I sit all the way at the back for better back support but it's not the most optimal position to paddle. It's fun for what it is but I hate how it sags in the middle like many other cheap inflatables, I'd rather something much more stiff such as an Advanced Elements. In the end, I agree with everything you mentioned here.
Thanks for sharing your experience with it!
Good, honest review. I had one for two summers at the cottage. It was fun for a while -even did an overnight trip with it, but then a friend got me an Advanced Elements kayak for a bargain price so I sold the K2. It was quite a lot better and much more like a "real" kayak. Long story short, I now have two HDPE boats: a 14´1" (430cm) and a 17´3" (525cm) sea kayak. So yeah, I guess the entry level dinghy really worked luring me into this hobby!
I bought the Intex Explorer K2 just over a year ago from Amazon on Prime day for $102 USD. I consider it to be an amazing value as an entry inflatable kayak.
I agree with all of your points except for a couple: 1. Paddling with my son and myself, I didn't feel particularly confined (and he is 6'2"). This was for 2-3 hour trips on very calm water, so your mileage may vary. And I've never taken it out solo, so the point about the annoying seam hasn't really been a factor for me. I believe this is because for two people, the width isn't as prominent.
I was considering to buy a second K2 this year on Prime Day 2023 as the price was $88 USD. Instead I held off and watched entirely too many reviews of sub $500 inflatables, many of which were from you ( your reviews were extremely helpful). In the end, I decided to go with the Decathlon Itiwit 100 3P (original orange model) as my second Kayak. I came into it knowing that canvas wrapped "Class 2" kayaks are a pain to clean, but the toughness advantages and price difference between true drop stitch fit my requirements. I originally had dreams that my family of 5 could fit on these two inflatables for short jaunts. I don't think that is the case now, but the Itiwit as a 2 person kayak is an upgrade in many, many ways. If you catch a K2 on sale, it is definitely a gateway drug.
Curious of your opinions on other options if 300-400 USD was the limit. Thank you for what you do!
You are perfectly correct in your assesment of the Intex kayaks as being a "gateway" kayak. Both the explorer and the challenger are dirt cheap and allow you to get on the water for little money.
For me, the "gateway" kayak was an Intex Challenger K2 with paddles and pump. Bought two vests, just like you described, and we were ready for some beach paddling. Now, it is damaged due to over-inflation and will most likely never be repaired again, as I have better kayaks.
But to put the Intex boats into perspective: you can easily pay as much for a good carbon paddle as you pay for the whole set of boat, paddle and pump. And to be fair, the paddles are quite good for the price. The aluminium paddels are really light from the K2. I still use them as spare paddles.
I experienced all the short commings on my first outing a couple weeks ago. Granted, my biggest issue is that I'm out of shape and couldn't sit up straight. My wife and her friend who have been using one for a year had been enjoying it tandem, so we bought two so everyone could have their own to go down the river. The seat back was useless for me, and the other two were easily twice as fast as me.
Since I need the exercise, I'm hoping to resolve the seat and bend in the middle issues (256 lbs will cause that). I may try the pool noodles down the floor sides to stiffen it, or the foam board on the bottom mentioned above. I've read somewhere else that the bleacher seat with a taller back and side straps may help the seating. I hope to figure it out as I did enjoy being on the river.
Agree, it is great for entry level. It is probably a great option for someone who rents an apartment and wants to experience the water and don't want to spend money storing a kayak.
Just pulled an abandoned half deflated one of these out of my local and favorite fishing creek. Both seats still buckled in, have no idea what happened to the cheapskate owners, but I’m happy there’s less plastic waste in the water.
Who dumps a kayak in the water?? Thanks for helping keep our waterways clean!
do you have any recommendations for a affordable kayak(inflatable or otherwise) for carrying a 250lbs man, 110lbs german shepherd, and probably 50lbs of gear/a tent, to use around north carolina coastal inlets(masonboro island for example)? Wouldn't be going out into open ocean, just marsh land and shallow water.
Bought this for $70 and we are excited to try this on the lake next week.😊
I bought the K1 one last year to get myself back into kayaking after over 20 years. After 2 hours on the water I was already looking for an upgrade. So this wasn't for me but I do see lots of them out there.
Here in Greece the cost is 118 euros. I bought it 100 euros. I have it 4 years with extreme use 7 months per year.
You gave a VERY accurate review. I love this "kayak" for its purpose. And am actively looking and trying out real kayaks for the best fit.
I love your channel. Thanks to him I learned the basics of kayaking. Thanks for this. Is there a chance that you will test itiwit strenfit x500 tandem?
So far mine has been on a local lake and in the gulf of mexico. It handles 1-2 ft seas nice. I anchored it and chilled for hours.
Love my little boat
I bought this kayak on Amazon based on the reviews. My husband and I usually rent (hard shell) kayaks but then we are limited by the hours of the rental company so no evening kayaking or early/late season kayaking. This seems like a good option as we live in an apartment and there’s no room to store a hard shell kayak. We paddle 2-3 hours at a time on a calm lake so we are hoping this kayak will suit our needs. We won’t be using it together as we paddle separately - husband bought himself a paddleboard but I have difficulty standing up on them due to health issues and previous knee and ankle injuries. I hope my $199 CAD won’t be a big regret as I am already accustomed to paddling using a hard shell.
Great review of this kayak. I bought this, used it once, and had a real problem on my return journey of about a mile. It offers virtually zero back support. It really is only good for messing about on rhe water. I also have the Intex Challenger K1 and this does support the lower back very well (not sure that the same can be said for the Challenger K2 though).
Thanks for sharing!
I bought the Sierra K2 which I hear is the walmart variant for $100. I hear it is basically the same exact thing. We needed more kayaks for a family camping trip and it did its job. I live in NYC and have only taken trips here in the North East in the US. Space is limited both in the home and in the vehicles.
For $100-150 it sure fits the bill for our uses, I would also cry if I bought a more expensive kayak and lent it out just to get it punctured, I have also since bought a used challenger for $80 and will likely mix and match parts as things wear out or break.
We will likely be getting 1-2 hardshells in the future but it’s good to have a spare inflatable tandem for guests.
As I appreciate your professional point of view on this kayak. I personally love it I purchased it about 2 months ago I've been out on the pond three times. And like you mentioned the portability is number one for me. I'm 60 years old and I wanted something that I could deflate and carry with me I have my little cart that I carry it with it's easy to blow up. My butt doesn't sag in mine. I do find a very comfortable and I think I will remove the seats though you're right they don't support you at all. To me it's more probably like a boat than a kayak but I get around I just purchased some more expensive paddles
Word of caution, born from experience: Make damned sure that the wheels on that cart can't get anywhere near the kayak bag, even if it sags. There's nothing quite like arriving at the water and finding a quarter-sized hole in both the bag and the boat.
Yes I have those new type of carts that hold up to 175lb and fully covered like a wagon
Have you considered a packraft? It weighs between 2 and 6 kilograms, depending on the model you choose. The K2 weighs 16.64 kg.
Oh my God this is so awesome so there's something even lighter than what I have! It is more expensive but as I get older in age it'll definitely be way easier on me so something I have to save up for. Thank you so much I had no idea these existed
@@trustedguidance, the Anfibio Rebel 2K, for instance, has everything one could need, from a spray deck to the astounding in-tube storage. And the whole package weighs in at under 3 kg!
Such a packraft costs a number of times more than the Intex kayak (which, in all earnesty, I find outrageous; every manufacturer is greedy these days), but it is made of a very sturdy material (packrafts are often used on whitewater, that is how reliable they are) and can be carried literally anywhere.
Good video👍. Is this kayak suitable for paddling in calm seas with very little or no waves? Thank you!
My first kayak (in this century)...well, the "challenger," not the "explorer." Almost identical. Loved it, but it's slow and the seats suck. Great for getting into kayaking, and great for portability. It spent two summers in the back seat of my civic, with room for a kid-and-a-half back there, too. Pretty awesome. The paddles are remarkably good! Better than some sold-separately paddles I've bought! And it's okay to say it stinks. It does. But...for what it is, it's a great starter....
This was an awesome review. I wish I had watched this before i bought 2 of them. I mean, yeah, they'll get you started. Good point you make is the quality of the paddles a good paddle cost more then this whole setup
As soon as I saw you paddling I knew what the review would be. But you got a better work out than usual.
as an air mattress it's a good kayak
When this was my only kayak I absolutely loved it, but it’s definitely a gateway. I soon bought a pelican mustang kayak and I loved that kayak wayyy more, than from there I got an old town, and now I’m looking at getting a P&H kayak, I still have the k2 in fact I have 2 now but only for friends when I take em to a lake or a calm river with me
Awesome! You've stepped up the kayaks a lot! Sounds like you're hooked. :)
You must pump more air, pal! Then will be excellent!👍 of course, you can bye more seriously kayaks, but not for this price! But for this affordable price you receive a reliable hobby-kayak! 👍
Bang on review Ken.
I'll ask though, what about a back to back review of the green Challenger K1 you've reviewed before...& this K2.
I ask this as many people would benefit from such, having it back to back.
I remember the K1 review you initially gave was very positive, compared to this K2.
Both are the worlds best selling Kayaks.
Good idea!
I agree with everything, though in my case I use it as a fishing kayak and like it because of how well it handles in rough waters. It's stability is great. . Personally I'd say it's more of a hybrid canoe/kayak. Not meant for speed or comfort but rather built like a tank.
A question I'm getting from a friend with something like this (maybe this kayak?) is what is a good cheap upgrade from this kayak? There are so many cheap kayaks out there that knowing what is a worthy upgrade vs a tricked out revenue generator is not an easy task. Would a folding kayak be the next step? Maybe a walmart sit on top? Soooo many choices.
I upgraded from a K1 to an AE once I decided I was all-in on the sport. A lot depends on whether the person wants to stay with an inflatable or go with a hard shell; they each have their pluses and minuses in terms of price, setup, handling, etc. A friend has an Oru folding kayak and loves it.
They are fun and hilarious and great....until you get in the wind, or rough water, or want to paddle any distance. So much fun for playing with the grandchildren! The best thing Intex ever made was their 45 inch canvas surf mat for about $15 to $20. Now they are triple that is you can find them and they are the ultimate wave riding machine.
I bought this for $128 CND. It’s a great deal. And I will stay in my world by not trying another kayak 😅
Have you ever found an inflatable kayak that doesn't have standing water in it with the drains open? My sea eagle 300x has the drains so low in the water I always have standing water. I'm river running up to class 4. Someone needs to design a kayak where the drains sit above the water line and below the floor.
All right! What's this small people thing? I'm 70kg/1.80m or 154lb/5'11". that thing has enough capacity for two of me and [s]gear[/s], ... well lunch at least. I'll stick with my more rigid yaks.
To get you out on the water, everything is good. To optimize that experience, you will have to upgrade a bit.
That's it!
Enjoy your experience!
Another awesome video, Ken. I've never used an inflatable but completely agree with your reasoning on all points. Its amazing how my Dagger runs the rivers and why hard rotomolded kayaks slice through the waters more easily.
This is what i got back into kayaking with now i have a dagger rpm talk about one extreme to another. That said had many great days on the river in the k2. But wow a proper kayak is 200% better.
At the front of the kayak, I have a hole in a similar position as the one in the back which is used to drain water. Should there be a hole at the front or is my one defected? I don’t have a plug or anything to fit in the front
I tried a friend's Intex K1 once and I'm pretty sure they give you a child sized bendy paddle because the boat doesn't have enough tracking to support a real paddle. I was doing 270 degree spins with a forward stroke, not even a sweep.
I had it. Used it a bit. Got rid of it. It was just way too slow and I couldn’t keep up. It was also heavy and awkward. It never punctured though. Held up well for that.
Agreed but for people who don't have a space to store a ' real' kayak, this is a good option
I have this and it works awesome! A toy? Not hardly. Just a cheap affordable kayak. Definitely worth the $100-150!
This seems like a good option for a small lake in our HOA that I'm gonna go on with our 2 year old.
The problem is that if you do a little browsing on your local classifieds, you can probably find a used Dagger, Old Town, or Perception kayak for $100. Don’t waste your time with these inflatables unless portability is your #1 concern.
Not in my area. Nothing under $200 except Walmart cheapo/flimsy kayaks and the occasional beat up no-name kayak from the '70s. Even cheap Pelicans go for $250-$300. Daggers, Perception, Wilderness Systems, and Old Town kayaks all go for way more because they were purchased by people who know what a kayak is worth.
I have not seen any used kayaks for that low, but I have seen them for about $250 or more. Even the used ones have gone up lately.
Portability isn't as big an issue as storage. How many people have the space to store something that size, that they're only going to use a few times a year?
If you regularly kayak by yourself and aren't well built, do have to keep an eye on the weight of a hardshell in terms of getting it on and off the car rack without help, moving it to the water, etc. That's rarely an issue for inflatables.
Then what do you recommend as a upgrade from this model
That's what I want to know
The seat isn’t clipped…
in about this price range, you can get a relatively decent one by the Brand "Sevylor", who make inflatable Kayaks for a very long time. just to name a few, for example the "Tahiti" or "Riviera". or a used older version of the "Ranger" and the "Columbus", which even come with protective outer shell made of Canvas. i don't understand, why there are so many folks that are so hyped about this Intex Junk. their rubber boats and Kayaks aren't even ultra cheap tbh.
I picked one up a few days ago from a guy that used it 1 time. I figure it will go down the river here in town. I just inflated it in the living room and it seems like a little bit of a glorified pool toy. I doubt it would go UP the river but just to do a float trip it;s worth it as I only paid 20.00 for it. he lost the second seat when he flipped as he was as big as I am and that about taps out the weight limit. 6ft 2in and 280. the floor doesn't seem stiff enough, I go sometimes in a sea eagle and it has a wood floor insert but that raft is a boggy thing also. I mean the paddles are pretty much for steering away from trees and stuff - I am pretty sure this would be a little better than that because of it being 1/2 as wide but I bet the drag is is gnarly on the water. Looks like it's tacoing with you in it and I am sure I weigh more than you do. Might just sell it. LOL. I could always go back to the ole Truck inner tube and flip flop paddles with the butt freezer. I was just Thinking I cold cut a plywood sheet to size like a surf board and then put pool noodles on the edges to stiffen up that floor. there goes the portability though eh? still might be cool. Thanks for this review. it;s going to be Like 5 months before I am going to the river. OH! I just thought of something I could try before that! Might take up to McCall Or Bogus and see how it shoots down the mountain! LOL
Great review! Very informative. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful!
It’s cheap it’s a good buy for beginners so why not buy it 🤔. Lightweight and functional I’d say. You get what you pay for 🤷♂️ simple as that.
He didn’t attach the seat straps So he could have back support @Paddletv
I did attach them. It's just a bad seat.
I laughed when he said its for an adult with a child, when me and my husband use this kayak on our local beaches! XD I am small but damn I didn't think I was child sized XD
My most hated thing about this kayak was the air valves. The black ones are great. All of the valves should be like that, but you have air valves in certain places that look like something you would find on a pool float.
Very true!
@@PaddleTV Hydro force Ventura is a much better entry level inflatable, and not much more expensive.
We used the K2 a lot in the beginning. It’s a cult piece 😂 I enjoyed your video espcially the paddles demonstration. It’s almost insulting how bad they are 😂
I was impressed with the Intex Excursion Pro. A bit more money but worth it.
Can I use this on the sea?
I noticed that you failed to use the straps that are on the seat, intended to help provide support to the back of the seat.
Nope. I'm using them.
Without sounding stupid, how did you manage to operate the two person kayak solo? I thought the way it was made would make it sink if it only had one person
It's a kayak that 'can handle' two people. It can be used as either a solo or tandem kayak though.
@@PaddleTV Cool, thanks man. I really appreciate this
i use one of these for fishing, i was looking for a pair of waders but this was cheaper so i tired this instead. i just dont like the short paddles and it kinda awkward sitting with a life jacket but i just use it for sitting there fishing , felt stable reeling in a fish
For what it is. Its great. Is it a hobie? Hell naw. But can you comfortably stretch out in it after getting away from the dock? Hell yes.
If you have realistic expectation with this thing, itll never let you down
My seat "broke" yesterday, with the back seperated from the bottom it almost kind of works as a back support.
Nice review. I have had a K2 Explorer and have used the heck out of it, including class 2 rapids and out in Charleston Harbor with 15 to 20 kt wind and chop and it did the job. I agree with you totally about the seams. I started wearing long sleeve shirts and paddling gloves to minimize the annoyance. I've used it alot for fishing. For camping when paddling solo, the K2 can pack alot of gear. I've shifted more toward stand-up paddleboarding over the past two years but still use the old K2 occasionally. Also, I "upgraded" to a pair of inexpensive and short rigid sit on top fishing kayaks, which are not much faster or better tracking than my K2. I agree with all of your points. Great review.
Thanks for sharing your experience with it!
Around the 1 minute 34 second mark he is using what looks like a measuring tool. Does anyone know what that is for, the instructions do not tell me.
The measuring tool comes with the kayak. The kayak skin stretches as you inflate it. Once it's inflated to the right level, it will match the marks on the measuring device. Make sense?
Anyone know if you need a license or anything to put a kayak in a lake or state park lakes etc?
Sounds like it's a large inner tube. Thanks. I'll buy an Itiwit.
Amazing review
Cheers!
try a high angle paddle to get around the pontoons a bit better. but yeah i agree, intex kayaks are inflatable mattresses shaped like kayaks. first time i've seen you give a kayak a negative review
Wrong to say that this is not a good kayak. Its a very good Kayak for the money. Its clearly not something a regular and experienced Kayaker is going to buy, but that's not who its marketed to.
I bought this model 3 years ago, its been on three holidays, in its bag in the boot of the car, been out on it in canals, gentle rivers and the sea. There is a video on youtube of someone using this Kayak on class 4 rapids, so while I wouldn't do that, its more than good enough for the casual paddler
I agree that this is a good option for people that are looking for an affordable way to get on the water... but it is a bad kayak when it comes to things like performance, durability and comfort. That being said, it is a good kayak when it comes to value and portability. As for paddling this kayak on class 4 rapids... NOT a good idea. There's a reason this kayak has a 90-day warranty, and not a 3-year warranty like quality inflatable kayaks that are designed to handle whitewater.
I put 2 boogie boards in mine and it went from terrible to really good.