Intex Challenger Inflatable Kayak Set

Product Description

The Intex Challenger K1 Kayak is sporty and fun with a streamlined design for easy paddling. The bright green color and sporty graphics make the kayak highly visible in the water. Great for experiencing lakes and mild rivers solo, this Sports Series kayak is perfect for one adult. Lightweight and compact, this kayak is very easy to assemble and, with the Boston valve, it inflates and deflates in minutes. You can take the fun of kayaking wherever you go. Made with rugged vinyl construction and built for performance, this sturdy kayak has an inflatable I-beam floor, a low-profile deck and high-buoyancy side chambers for stability, comfort and function. A removable skeg provides exceptional directional movement, while an adjustable, inflatable seat with a backrest is included for comfortable seating. A grab line at each end is provided for your convenience, as well as a cargo net for extra storage, a NMMA certified U.S. Coast Guard I.D., and a repair patch kit. The Challenger K1 Kayak provides added accessories including: one 86 inch aluminum paddle and an Intex high-output pump for easy inflation and deflation.

Product in Inches (L x W x H): 108 x 30 x 13

Maximum Weight Capacity: 220 lbs

Includes: High-output hand pump. One 86 inch aluminum paddle. Adjustable inflatable seat with backrest. Cargo net for extra storage. Grab line on both ends. Removable skeg for directional stability. Roomy cockpit. Inflatable floor. Quick-fill Boston valve. Repair patch kit. Carry bag. U.S. Coast Guard I.D. - NMMA Certified.

Features

• SUPER-STRONG – SuperStrong enhanced molecular formulation PVC provides superior strength and durability, ensuring high impact and abrasion resistance
• LOW PROFILE DESIGN – The Challenger K1 has a streamlined low-profile design that is perfect for easy paddling in lakes and mild rivers
• COCKPIT SEATS – Built with removable and adjustable seats, the cockpit design is spacious and comfortable, providing plenty of room for your legs and gear
• REMOVABLE SKEG – Attached to the underside of the kayak, the removable skeg provides directional stability, making it easier to maintain a straight and steady course while paddling
• 1-PERSON CAPACITY – Inflated size is 9 feet x 2.6 feet x 1.1 feet with a weight capacity of 220 pounds and easily foldable to be put in the carry bag that allows for easy transportation

Top Reviews

VERY DETAILED REVIEW & TIPS ON DRYING THIS KAYAK EFFORTLESSLY IN LESS THAN 30 MINUTES IN THE SUN
by Zenzinin (5 out of 5 stars)
July 24, 2017

This listing includes:
- 1 Inflatable kayak
- 1 Skeg (to keep your kayak straight in the water)
- 1 Set of collapsible oars
- 1 Inflatable seat
- 1 Inflatable green thing for the front of your kayak
- 1 Repair kit
- 1 Instruction manual
- 1 Carry bag
- 1 Pump with hose attachment - this pump is a really fast pump, by the way.
- 1 Clear, plastic measuring tape which you won't use after your first time.

What else you'll need:
- PFD (Life Jacket)
- Large, preferably absorbent towel for when you need to dry and wipe your kayak before you put it away.
- Zip lock bag or water-proof case for your phone and other items.
- Sun screen
- Something to drink
- Body of water with a wind speed factor of less than 12mph, to take the kayak out to.

OVERVIEW:

We bought two Intex Challenger K1 Kayaks and took them out for a spin the very weekend we received it. It turned into a 3-hour kayaking session because we had so much fun with it! They were $49.99 each when it was on sale, and I couldn't help but to buy it after reading the reviews, both positive and negative. What I took away from this entire purchase was how glad I am that I took a chance on it. This is one of the best purchases I've made.

PROS - REVIEW - Here's the good stuff first (Pros):

The QUALITY was better than I expected. Repair is also super simple, according to Youtube, but I haven't had to do this as there were no defects in my kayaks... yet. Anyways, they are so sturdy and the material is so thick that I have no problem with my dogs jumping in and out of it, but I would still yell at them to be careful...

The COLLAPSIBLE OARS are actually more than good enough for me. They were easy to assemble and didn't clip my hands or felt loose. They actually felt perfect in the water as well. I suppose the other reviews had me worried that the oars would be terrible, and I'd have to go buy another one at Walmart, but really, they work completely fine and a lot better than anticipated. I do think that better paddles would get you places faster though.

The WEIGHT was maybe 20 lbs and fits in a bag! I wouldn't throw it over my back and bike it to the lake, but it's so compact! I love being able to just throw it into the trunk and take the inflatable kayak to the water whenever we feel like it.

PUMPING and ASSEMBLING the kayak was sooooo easy and fast AFTER the first time. Yes, it took some time to figure stuff out the first time and I even got angry at the vague instructions, BUT after that, I was literally able to pump up the main kayak in less than 2 minutes and have it out in the water in less than 5 - all with just the pump that was supplied. I thought I'd have to use an electric pump, but no need! The manual pump that it came with worked so well and so fast that I am thinking of using it for my inflatable bed for camping as well (or should I say "glamping"?).

The BOSTON CAP made it convenient to pump as well, because air only goes in one way when you're pumping, so you don't have to rush to close the cap for fear of air escaping. With the pumping of the kayak, there are two main compartments - one for the base and the other one for the top. I actually counted the number of pumps that worked for us: 63 pumps for the base and 44 pumps for the top. It's silly to think that it will always remain the same number though, but knowing this number helps me keep track of the rubber's condition of my kayak.

The SKEG stayed in place real well. I did have to check on it once in a while just to make sure it was still there. So far, it's lasted. I have no problems with it at all.

The INFLATABLE SEAT, like many people have said, sits quite high if you inflate the bottom as well. So we took other people's advice and only inflated the back portion of the seat. It's nice and comfy.

The SPACE FOR THE LEGS are not bad. We're 5'1" and 5'5". That being said, there's this inflatable green triangle/oblong-like thing that everyone keeps wondering about. It actually slides into the front of your kayak. At first, we thought it's so it's easier for short people's legs, then I realize that 1. it lifts the front-top portion of the kayak a little bit so it kind of helps with keeping water out of front of the kayak, 2. it helps with lifting the front top so your legs don't get squished or feels too restricted in the kayak, and 3. it actually helped a whole bunch with using it to reach the ends with my towel when I needed to completely dry the inside (not necessary, but more on this later).

This inflatable kayak is awesome for CRUISING speeds. Once you get going, you really pick up that speed and get going. TRACKING was quite excellent. It always went in the direction I wanted it to go, never went off-track, and made turns effortlessly. It felt like I wore it like my own skin. We also had WINDS at a constant of about 9 or 10mph, with an occasional gust of 12-15mph. There was significant waves once in a while when boats are close by with their motors on. Our kayaks stayed on course really well through it all, with a little bit of resistance when going against the wind. At one point, we did feel like the kayak was going to flip over with the significance of some of the waves, but we didn't stick around to find out.

CONS - REVIEW - Cons and Suggestions:

The supplied CARRYING BAG is actually not that great. It reminds me of the recycled tote people use as grocery bags. In fact, those recycled grocery totes are probably better quality. However, with that said, the bag is still big enough and decent enough. I wouldn't waste any money to buy a replacement bag.

These inflatable kayaks do LEAN TO THE RIGHT! My goodness, I thought this was going to be a problem, but guess what? It only took 2 minutes in the water for BOTH our bodies to completely adjust itself to the slight skew of the kayak. You may notice you'll naturally lean more to one direction. Or more likely, you'll notice yourself holding your oars more towards one direction. For us, we both held the oars lower to the right to adjust for the balance of the kayak. It's just so natural that there's absolutely nothing to worry about. You'll forget about it as soon as you start paddling. Someone also suggested letting out a little air and/or getting out and adjusting the bottom a little. I haven't tried it yet, but worth looking into. Well, for our kayaks, it just tilts very little and doesn't matter how much we inflate or deflate it or move it around, but we never really did too much to fix it; we just sort of accepted it the way it is lol. Then again, like I said, you won't notice it soon after you paddle off.

We didn't flip over in the middle of the lake, but my wife did FLIP over was when she climbed into her kayak in the very first time. I wasn't watching, so I don't even know how she managed to do that. She might have sat too close to the edge as she tried to get on?? I don't know... She seemed just as stunned by it, so she couldn't really describe how it flipped over. The kayak was light enough to flip back over effortlessly. I honestly don't know if this should be a con or pro though, because imagine if you did flip over in the middle of kayaking. If you know nothing about flipping a regular kayak back over and climbing back in, you'll have to be wait to be saved by other people. Now imagine your inflatable kayak flipping over... If it's anything like a regular float at water parks, it may prove to be easy to get back on - or not, hopefully without completely filling the kayak with water... I've never really tried it and never came across the problem, but will amend the review if it happens.

It was actually quite confusing to FOLD the kayak back up. If you're like my wife, you'll just do whatever works for you and get on with it. I'm more of a pain-in-the-a about it, so I had to do it exactly how it was unfolded. I can already tell you the difference between my kayak and my wife's kayak is that mine will last far better than hers. I took someone else's advice and took pictures of how it was unfolded so that I can fold it back up exactly like so. After a few tries, you won't need the pictures anymore. The reason for folding it back the way it was folded is to 1. protect the skeg area, 2. keep the kayak compact enough to fit back into the bag that it came with, and 3. possibly to keep from creating new edges to fold which may be sharp and cause punctures along the new sharp edges/corners. If you don't really care about all that kind of stuff, just fold it into thirds and throw it in the trunk. That works for my wife too. Lol. Now that I think about it though, I may just do what my wife does and fold it into thirds the long way and place it in the back seat/trunk. The less folding, the better it may last.

PUMPING with the supplied pump is so incredibly easy and awesome, but it's pretty embarrassing pumping with a tiny little thing and having your feet on the teeny-tiny little bases. You'll be tempted not to place both feet on the base at first or just use your hands to pump instead because you're so MUCH cooler than that, but you'll quickly realize the you just want to get it over with and in the water as quickly as possible. Sooo, you'll eventually pump the kayak with both feet on the base, hunched over with your butt all the way in the air, and pumping away frantically. I've seen others do it and it looks just as embarrassing as it feels. Honestly two embarrassing minutes. Every. Single. Time. If you can get past the embarrassment though, the pump is actually so damn fine, you'll love it and want to keep it with you wherever you go. Okay, let me walk back on that pump... I meant that the pump is fast and has all the attachments you'll ever need for you kayak. So, it's also great for floats! The quality of the pump's plastic, on the other hand, is really cheap-feeling and light-weight.

Edited: DRYING THE KAYAKS were no easy feat the first time around. However, I figured out the fastest and the best way to do this. It will require an absorbent, large towel per kayak, the sun, and about 10-30 minutes.
1. KEEP the kayak INFLATED. Take the skeg off the kayak.
2. Have the inflated kayak at a slope the long way (doesn't have to be a big slope at all) so the water inside the kayak rolls down the opposite end. If you don't have a slope, lean it against the cool side of your car (so the metal doesn't get so hot that it'd melt the rubber off your kayak) or a wall - the long-way. Or prop it up on one end with a duffel or something.
3. Stick the towel inside the end that the water rolls down to. If your arms are not long enough, you'll need the green thing to help you, but otherwise, stuff it gently all the way to absorb the water.
4. Keep it in the sun for about 5-10 minutes (release some air if your kayak starts to inflate in the heat so it doesn't over-inflate on its own).
5. Check on it - you may have to use your towel to wipe some water off.
6. Take the towel out, wipe off excess water that you still see, and squeeze the towel dry.
7. Flip the kayak over the long-way and do the same for the other end (repeat steps 2 to 6) for another 5-10 minutes. Make sure to stick your towel in there to catch the water BEFORE you flip it. This sounds unnecessary, but believe me, if there's water, you'll want to get it all out or as much as you can.
8. The front side of your kayak should be dry by now, but if there's still water, just wipe it off with the towel.
9. Flip the kayak onto the back (where the skeg goes) onto a flat surface (or leaning is fine, it doesn't matter) and dry off for another 5 or 10 minutes.
10. Wipe off excess water where necessary. Use additional time if you have to, but don't leave the kayaks out in the direct sun for too long if you don't have to. Release some air if the kayak inflates too much in the heat.

All this sounds like a lot of steps, but that's just because I broke it down into steps. It literally takes less than 30 minutes while you're not even paying attention and just sitting and enjoying a beer or something. It matters if you have sun or not as well. Arizona is so hot and so dry that this really completely dried off everything in about 10-20 minutes total.

OTHER SUGGESTIONS:
- Take pictures/a video on how the kayak is unfolded so you can fold it back up the way it was folded, if you prefer.
- Practice opening and assembling this kayak just once (or more times if you have to) while you're at home. This will make it easier when you take it out to the water and not have to figure out what goes where, so you can get a feel for what over-inflation/under-inflation/just-right-inflation feels like, and know how to fold it back up.
- Keep the new kayak inflated overnight in your home when you first get it so that you can know if there's any major leaks or a leak at all.
- It goes without saying, but keep the inflatable kayak from sharp things/jagged surfaces.
- Youtube how to repair a leak in your kayak. It's super easy and takes 2 minutes to watch, and possibly 2 minutes to repair.
- Bring the repair kit with you just in case.
- Use the supplied air pump - really fast and really easy. No batteries!

INSTRUCTION MANUAL:

Initially, I thought the instructions were very vague. I was quite frustrated at first, but after I read it, identified what was what, knew where everything went, and got it inflated and deflated the first time, I realized the manual couldn't have been any more detailed than it had to be. So, don't give up. The instructions are ALL there. True, you may feel like you'll want a ctrl+find though...

Willow Beach, Arizona - Review:

We went to Arizona's Willow Beach Marina. If you do go there, there's certain things you should be aware of. First of all, there's a $20 entrance fee per vehicle (there's an option for annual passes, $40/year). Second of all, if you don't want to compete in the water with motorized vehicles, Sundays and Mondays are the days that are designated for non-motorized paddle boats only (which means kayaks, canoes, and paddleboards only, or whatever non-motorized water sports you bring). Third of all, check the weather, specifically for the wind factor. Anything under 12mph, you'll be alright at the lake at Willow Beach Marina. Finally, the area is monitored, so please go to Walmart and buy yourself a $15 life jacket or they WILL cite you if they have to warn you more than once about keeping your life jacket on in the middle of the lake.
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Just buy this kayak!! You'll thank me later!
by Beautiful Day Every Day (5 out of 5 stars)
September 14, 2016

Wow!!!! The best $60 I have EVER spent. I received a ton of compliments as well while out on the lake. Reasons why I love this kayak:
1) I'm a woman- I'm strong but I can't carry a hard plastic kayak. This kayak is ultra light!!
2) Its super fast to inflate and deflate
3) It fits in the back of my Lexus NX 200t
4) My dog can kayak with me, he naps and watches the birds go by. I'm never worried that his nails may puncture the kayak.
5) Its safe and sturdy
6) It's FUN!!!!!!

Now just go and click "BUY" already and it will arrive in 2 days!! You'll be out on the lake by the weekend :-) :-) Have fun!!!!
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This is a Good Kayak, let me start by saying that I ...
by Alison R (4 out of 5 stars)
January 12, 2016

This is a Good Kayak, let me start by saying that I have traveled long distances in conventional kayaks ranging from $2500 fiberglass ocean kayaks to the cheaper kind that most rental places have, these kayaks are not for long distance travel but great for shorter day trips. I bought these because I already own 2 5-air-chamber Coleman inflatables and have so much fun on them I wanted to buy 2 more so friends could come out with me and my husband, unfortunately Coleman has stopped making them, too bad because they are the best, and were only $80 each (p.s. I've had them for 10 years now). When I found these I read just about every review from good to bad but because the price is low I thought it would be worth the investment. I am 5'10" with long legs and 170 lbs, I was very comfortable and felt that I had enough room.
I took the kayak out on a windy day on Biscayne bay in Miami (I live on Miami Beach) and their are several little islands around the bay that are actually part of our parks system. The bay waters were at a light chop, 1-2 foot waves though passing boats and jet skis would give us bigger waves now and then (which is fun, its like kayak surfing), slightly stronger current, at high tide. The kayaks handled just fine, the skeg that it came with kept the kayak straight and stayed on strong, and because the kayaks are inflatable they sit on top of the water and allows a stronger current to just flow under you instead of pushing you with it, so it is easy to paddle even during the tide change
The inflatable seat though is too high, I prefer to sit in a kayak not on top so I deflated the seat but kept the backrest inflatable, is was pretty comfortable, I did notice that the kayak seemed to tilt to the right a little, as if the inflation was not symmetrical, but perhaps I just naturally sit more to the right making the kayak tilt. Be prepared to get wet, the water that splashes on the bow channels almost directly right into the boat, by the time we got to the first island I was sitting in about 5 inches of water, but I never go out assuming I won't get wet, besides these are inflatables so it's not gonna sink. The net on top is a good feature, but again whatever you put there will get wet, not so for my Coleman kayaks which bow sits very high off the water so that things can stay dry. I have included a picture of both my Coleman and Intex kayaks so you can see the comparison. This boat also comes with its own pump which can be stored in the stern of the kayak so you can inflate if there is any leakage ( I did not need it, there were no leaks but I like to be prepared just in case) I recommend inflating it at home then waiting over night to see if there are any leaks.
Overall I think these are a good investment and perfect for a day on the water. I would however recommend investing in a better paddle though, you can get a good one for about $30.

HAPPY PADDLING
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Hours of fun for cheap. Excellent value.
by CS (5 out of 5 stars)
March 19, 2017

At the $70 price tag this is a heck of a deal. An excellent value. Don't get me wrong, it's not a perfect product, but at this price point I don't think you will find anything comparable, if you find anything at all. If you can afford/have room for a non-inflatable kayak, I would recommend that. If you're an apartment dweller, this is a great option.

Pros:
1. The fun per dollar ratio is extremely high. You'll pay for this after only a few hours of skipping the kayak rental fee.
2. Everything you need to get on the water, except for a PFD, is included.
3. Comes with a decent carrying bag and you can easily fit two or three of these kayaks in the trunk of a compact car.
4. Durable - we've taken the out on the American River a number of times without any hiccups

Cons
1. The paddle is usable but a bit flimsy. You don't have to replace it but I did.
2. From the other reviews I've heard of folks having problem with the Skeg coming off. I avoided this problem by installing a lanyard on the skeg right off the bat. I can't comment on whether this is a real problem or not, but I've never had one come off.
3. This is not a fast, smooth paddling kayak. Expect to work harder than folks in rental and to have a lot of left-right movement when trying to go straight.
4. I found that if I put on aerosol sunscreen it will take the paint right off the kayak. Stick with regular sunscreen unless you want to disembark wearing a new coat of gray paint.
5. It's a bit of a pain to get it completely dried out, which you need to do if you're going to pack it away in a closet.

Notes:
1. The included pump works fine, but spend a few bucks and get a cigarette lighter powered pump. There's a bright yellow 12V pump on Amazon for about 11 bucks that works great.
2. Try inflating it at home before taking it out. If you want to have fun with it, you'll want to set yourself up for an easy time inflating and deflating it.
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Easy to use, transport, and store - review includes suggested extra gear
by Melissa M (5 out of 5 stars)
July 17, 2018

We own three of these Intex Challenger 1-Person kayaks, and two of the Intex Explorer K2 2-Person Inflatable Kayaks
.

We love these kayaks and recommend them to anyone looking for the fun and flexibility of a kayak without the typical hassles of transportation and storage. If you're looking for a fast ride down a waterway, this isn't it. They move well but you won't be able to race a hard shell kayak.

The single ones are fantastic for teens and adults. The 2-person ones are great for two younger people, one adult and child, or a single person that really wants a lot of room to stretch out. You can but don't have to put both seats in if you only need one. I prefer the green 1-person kayak myself. It's a little narrower and possibly moves a little faster, which I like, but my husband usually chooses the 2 person even if he's riding solo.

Want to do a solo one-way trip? Go farther than you planned? UBER.

INFLATABLE KAYAK PROS
- Easy to store and transport
- More stable than standard kayaks. We haven't gotten close to tipping; I can't imagine it happening.
- Durable plastic - on our many trips, with various kids and adults, we haven't had one leak
- Much higher weight limit than hard shell kayaks
- Comes with everything you need - kayak, seat, storage bag, paddle, skeg (snaps on underneath for stability), patch kit and air pump (the 2-person version comes with all the same stuff, except it has 2 paddles and 2 seats)
- Storage - there's enough room in the front and back sections of the kayak for your all your gear leftovers, and a drybag with your extras
- Pumps up quickly - takes me about 9 minutes for the 2 person K2, and about 6 minutes to hand inflate a K1 (the first few times it'll take you a bit longer than that)
- Have electricity where you're going? You can use a standard air mattress pump to inflate.
- VERY easy to figure out right out of the box - just READ THE DIRECTIONS the first time!
- If you did get a leak (which we have not, even with teens butt-scooting the kayaks from shore to deeper water -- sigh), your kayak will be more difficult to paddle, but probably still won't sink. The kayaks have more than one chamber to inflate, so at most you'd eventually lose half of your air.

INFLATABLE KAYAK CONS
- You won't win any races in these - they're not as fast as hard shell kayaks
- The manual air pumps work great, and once you get into a rhythm most people won't have an issue, but they aren't made for tall people and you will get a bit of a cardio workout when pumping. I love it, but some don't. Electric air mattress pumps do work, if you have electricity access.
- Rinsing off and drying once you're home can be a pain
- Getting the skeg off after it's been gunked up a bit can take a moment. But seriously use the skeg; without it you're basically paddling on an air mattress down the river.

OTHER GEAR WE'VE FOUND USEFUL
- SeaSense 8690 X-1 Marine Kayak Paddle, 96-Inch - little longer, little nicer of a grip, but will not fit in your storage bag
- 8' X 10' Blue Waterproof Tarp - any cheap tarp will do. For inflating on a non-sharp surface, deflating on a clean-ish surface, and for your vehicle, as they will probably be wet on your trip home
- Airhead Folding Grapnel Anchor System - great if you want to hang out in one spot. You can also make your own with an old 5 lb hand weight, marine rope and a carabiner clip (we have 2 like this that work fine.)
- Earth Pak Dry Bag and Waterproof Phone Case - 10L / 20L - or any such dry bag and waterproof phone case, for your keys, phone, towel, etc. There's enough room in the front or back of the kayak to store your gear
- Crocs Unisex Classic Clog - better than aqua socks and fancy sandals. You can walk on sharp, rocky surfaces, kick them off and shake pebbles out, AND they float!
- Shock Cord - 1/8" x 100 ft. Spool Marine Grade - this cord and some extra carabiners will let you make any kayak-type leashes you may need. Great for connecting kayaks together when needed, tether to a pier, paddle leashes, etc.
- Sportneer 6.25' Portable Pop Up Changing Dressing Room Tent - a couple times we've kayaked in spots where exiting the water has been in less than pristine conditions...having some wet wipes, dry clean clothes and a moment of privacy can be helpful
- Ikea 901.491.48 Frakta Storage Bag - the bag the kayak comes in is ok, but this one is better. Everything you get with the Intex Kayak fits in this bag (even the 2-person yellow kayak fits in it), and you can actually wear the bag as an uncomfortable backpack if you want. They're only about five bucks at the actual store, though, so if you live near one, get it there. The longer oar I suggest above won't fit in this.
- Etekcity Quick-Fill Air Mattress Pump, 110-120V - when we do use an electric pump, we use one that came with an old air mattress like this one. Definitely nice for those that don't want the cardio workout. Also nice when pumping in extreme temperatures.
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Love this boat!
by Kindle Customer (5 out of 5 stars)
October 14, 2015

I am a T-2 paraplegic and a water baby at heart and have always wanted a kayak, but my lack of trunk control and balance has kept me from enjoying one. This boat is AMAZING! It is completely stable and gave me no worries of flipping over. I was able to unpack it, inflate it, get in it and go in no time at all. The material is super tough and feels very solid. Once inside the cockpit you feel nice and snug, and the skeg gives you great control over the craft. I plan on spending as much time on the water as possible with my new favorite toy! Great product!!
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Great idea, lousy execution. Don't buy if you're going to use it.
by harringtonhound (1 out of 5 stars)
August 16, 2017

I bought this mid-June this year. I didn't buy the extended warranty because at the time, I thought I was buying a product that would at least last the Summer. I inflate it exactly as directed, and verify using a tape measure against the 10cm line on both chambers. I take it out in a lake about twice a week, no more. There are no rocks or sticks to abraid it. When I bring it home, I dry it out thoroughly before storing it. Honestly, there is not much more that can be done to take care of this. And this morning on my paddle, the bottom chamber lost 1cm of air pressure while I was on the lake. I would like to think it's a one-off except: A K2 double that I bought last year and used for 6 weeks in the fall, and then another 6 weeks in the early summer, also developed a mysterious leak--I thought THAT was a one-off. Then, another K1 that I bought for a friend a few weeks ago, ALSO developed a mysterious leak. That one expired during the 30-day period (which was convenient) and I had bought an extended warranty for it as well. But the bottom line is that I've had three (3) Intex inflatable kayaks--all under a year old, some only a few weeks in my possession--die on me in the last 6 weeks and I'm not going to buy another from this company.
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Mostly good, needs improvements that wouldn't cost the company much.
by Monkey (4 out of 5 stars)
June 18, 2015

I love this kayak. Granted, it's my first experience with a kayak, but compared to my other two intex blow up boats, this is my favorite. There are a few things I don't like about it, so here're my pros and cons...

Pros:
- It's extremely sturdy and buoyant. You won't flip or tip once you're in it. You can also hop out, swim around (or, you know, go pee), and get back in. Even if it somehow fills to the brim with water, you'll still be perfectly sea-worthy.
- It's perfectly sized. I'm an average sized man - 30 years old, 5'9", 185lbs. Fits me perfectly.
- Super easy and quick to set up. The boat was blown up in 3 minutes. It took longer to figure out how to put together the paddle than it did the boat.
- Love the net in the front. Stuck my backpack in it that held all my chachkies.
- Tracks relatively straight, with minimal swish.
- The paddle is pretty darned sturdy and light. I don't know why some of the reviewers are using it to jab at rocks. Maybe that's in Kayak 202...
- It's own carrying case and pump!
- The chair is super comfy.
- And it's pretty fast on the water. I was booking it! But I've also got moderately meaty arms.
- You can throw your legs over the top and kayak that way, lay down on it very comfortably, or my favorite was sitting cross-legged.

Cons:
- The hull space needs to be bigger. My poor feet were pretty cramped in there. Not lengthwise, but I had to either point them forward, inward, or off to the sides.
- The foot cushion thingy was pretty pointless. It offered little in the way of bracing opportunity. I deflated it, and it was much more comfortable for my feet in there.
- The hull gets uncomfortably warm when the sun is shining.
- There's no draining hole in the top of the hull for letting water escape when you're done. Getting the water out is a chore. I found it easiest to wear the kayak like a hat, so you can see where the water is hiding, and maneuver it out of there that way.
- The paddle needs to be longer. With the inflated sides of the boat taking up that much more space, 84" was not enough for ease of paddling.
- The paddle needs more comfortable grips. I had blisters from rubbing against the plastic-y grips in short order.
- I know this isn't possible given all the variables, but I wish it were about 10 lbs lighter and smaller when packed, so that I could bike it to destinations. With everything bundled together, it's about 30 lbs, which is too much to carry one-handed for more than a block or two, and it's dimensions are too large to strap to a bike. So I have to drive it to the lakes, which aren't that far away.
- And getting it all back in the bag after its first trip was like trying to stuff my thighs back into my high school jeans. Like trying to stuff the sausages back in their casings.
--------------Update-------------------

I've had it for 3, maybe 3.5 years now. I still love it. I keep it stored in the trunk of my car through summer and winter. The only problem I've had with it is a very tiny leak, which I fixed with some "shoe glue". When I first got it, I think I was probably the first person in Minnesota who had it. People saw me in it, looked at my cockeyed and asked "An inflatable kayak? Aren't you afraid of sinking?" Now I've seen some 15-20 people with the same kayak, just on my chain of lakes alone. We nod at each other in mutual appreciation. "Best purchase!"
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Just buy it now! ITS WORTH IT! Read on for the pros and cons
by Jenna (5 out of 5 stars)
July 11, 2017

I read many reviews and listened, I clicked buy and I LOVE this kayak so much. My first trip on the lake was so much fun. I was on the water very comfortably for almost 3 hours because I did not want to leave. Here are the PERKS, the FALSE concerns that I had, and ADVICE that I'm glad I took from the reviews!

Awesome Perks:
1) Easy set up, comfort, FUN, AWESOME PRICE- CAN'T BEAT IT!
2) So many people approached me about how cool this thing is! I actually made several lake friends due to this kayak!
3) Very relaxing and easy to operate.
4) LOTS of storage space. Front top net for storage, if you are shorter like me, tons of storage in the foot area, AND you can easily stash a small cooler and waterproof bag behind the seat.

Here were my false concerns:
1) The skeg falling off. I took the preventative measure and drilled a small hole in the skeg and attached a leash. But really, I don't think it was necessary. I actually struggled to remove the skeg for packing, it hooks on very securely!
2) Cramped leg space- not for me, I am 5'4" and it was perfect but I couldn't reach the foot rest- but I didn't find it necessary. I actually had my legs on top the whole time, it was VERY comfortable!!!
3) Durability- very great material! I don't think it would pop even going over rocks or sticks. Even if it popped, I would buy this again!

Advice from reviews that I am glad I took:
1) Setting it up at home for the first time. Great opportunity to figure out what goes where and how quickly it goes together. I had trouble opening the double valve for the first time because it was on so tight and the moving the skeg was tricky at first.
2) Buying a water proof case for my phone. I am still learning to kayak so I splashed a lot of water while paddling.
3) Buying a different ore. The ore provided was OK, but I bought one at Walmart for a whole 15 bucks as a preventative measure. It worked really well and was just a bit more sturdy than the one provided. It would probably work well in calm water though.

Really- JUST BUY IT! :)
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Bought a second one for my grandson.
by Wander Woman (5 out of 5 stars)
May 17, 2017

I bought this kayak for when I travel solo. I'm a 65+ year old women, 5'2" & needed something I could handle alone. I love this thing! It's easy to inflate & great for smooth water paddling. The hardest part for me is folding it back up to fit the carrying case but it gets easier each time I pack up. I haven't taken it out in the ocean or fast moving rivers but it's great for exploring. I bought the same model for my grandson's 7th birthday & he was thrilled. I looked at children's kayaks but decided he should have one that will last him years. I've dragged mine over sand, forest floors & small rocks with no problems. I recommend this kayak for recreational kayaking. You won't be disappointed.

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