Are you thinking of purchasing the Intex Challenger K2 inflatable kayak? Read our in-depth review to determine if it’s worth the investment and what to expect from this popular watercraft.
Intex Challenger K2 Kayak Review: Does It Live Up To The Customer Hype?
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We have two rigid plastic sit-on-top kayaks, but we wanted something more portable. Something that would fit in the backseat of the truck if we had our slide-in camper in the bed of it.
After reading numerous reviews, I purchased two inflatable kayaks made by Intex from Amazon.
What Comes In The Box
– 1 inflatable kayak
– 1 removable skeg
– 2 sets of collapsible oars
– 2 inflatable seats
– 1 inflatable green insert for the front of your kayak
– 1 repair kit
– 1 instruction manual
– 1 storage bag
– 1 pump with hose attachment
– 1 clear plastic measuring tape
Specs And Features
The inflated size of these kayaks is 11.6 feet in length by 2.6 feet in width. They have a weight capacity of 400 pounds. They are made from a one-ply, heavy-duty puncture-resistant vinyl. They have two Boston valves, one for each of the two separate air chambers (bottom and side), that make for quicker inflation and deflation.
The front of the kayak has a cargo net for storage, and the back has a grab line that you can use to carry the kayak to and from the water.
The two inflatable seats are attached to the bottom of the kayak using velcro strips and clips to the side of the kayak.
The removable skeg clicks into place along the bottom of the kayak.
The small green air cushion should be placed in the kayak’s bow to make placing your feet in this area easier.
The paddles come in 5 pieces that are snapped together. Make sure that the paddle is facing the same way. I didn’t the first time and it was awkward to fix it out on the water.
Why We Bought A 2-Person Kayak For One Person
You are probably wondering why we bought two tandem kayaks for two people. There were several reasons for this.
- We wanted to bring our dog, Dexter, with us. And now our dog Hueston as well.
- The K1 Challenger has a weight limit of 220 pounds. Both of us are close to 200 pounds, and each of our dogs is around the 20-pound mark. And then you add in our gear and we are over that in weight.
- Comfort! We wanted room to stretch our legs and bring our dogs and our stuff.
These boats work just fine with only one person in the cockpit.
Setup And Breakdown
The first time you inflate these will probably take at least 15 minutes, but the second time, it will take less than 10.
The setup begins with unfolding the boat. Grab the air pump and the ruler and start inflating the I-beam floor and then the side. Use the ruler against the guide printed on the boat to make sure that you do not over or under-inflate. Optimal inflation is 10 cm.
By mouth or pump, inflate the seats and place them where you want them in the boat. Inflate the green cushion and place it in the front of the boat.
Carry your boat to the water–do not drag. These inflatable kayaks are made with rugged vinyl construction, but they are still inflatable and, therefore, must be treated with utmost care to avoid punctures.
That said, when I was reading reviews, I found owners who have had their Intex kayaks for 6 to 10 years and were still using them.
When you are done paddling, lift your boat to a safe and preferably flat place to deflate it. Remove the seats. Use a towel to remove moisture in the boat and on the seats. Then open up the valve on the bottom and side of the boat and let the air release. As it is deflating, deflate the seats and green cushion. Fold the kayak. At this point, if it is 100 percent dry, you can put it bag in its carrying bag (more on what we think of the carrying bag in a minute). If the kayak is not dry, place it across your back seats or trunk and let it completely dry before you put it away to avoid mildew.
Pros Of The Intex Challenger K2 Kayak
Having kayaked in a rigid plastic sit-on-top and now an inflatable, we both agree that we like the inflatable better. We get less wet, our backs hurt less, and there is more room to bring things along.
Durable And Stable On The Water
We felt like these tandem kayaks were easy for a solo kayaker to maneuver on the water. The paddles are not the best quality, but they got the job done, and the fact that they break down so small is a definite plus.
Yes, we both have slight fears about punctures happening and putting us in a bad situation, but we feel 99% safe. We tend to stick to the shoreline to avoid big boats with motors anyway, meaning we are usually not more than a few swim strokes from shore.
Affordable Price
The price for the K2 and K1 Challenger can’t be beat. Use them two to three times instead of rentals and you have your investment paid for.
Comes With Accessories
After buying the Challenger, all you need to purchase is a life jacket–it comes with everything else.
Portable
At over 30 lbs, I think it is a stretch to call the K2 lightweight, but it is more portable than a traditional kayak. You can’t throw a sit-on kayak in the trunk of your car or the back seat, but you can fit this inflatable kayak.
Easy To Set Up And Inflate
You will be a pro after you get over the awkward first-time setup and breakdown. There is a minimal learning curve.
Cons Of The Intex Challenger K2 Kayak
Not Suitable For Rough Waters
This kayak is meant for mild rivers and lakes. It is not meant for white water rafting or riding over high ocean waves.
It is meant for beginner paddlers who want to get out and enjoy calm waters.
Limited Storage Space
Many reviews complain about the lack of storage space in this tandem kayak. I couldn’t figure out why until it hit me–we aren’t using it as a tandem. We are using these solo with small dogs as our companions. This leaves plenty of space to bring water, sunscreen, and a small bag with snacks and extra drinks.
So keep that in mind when deciding whether to buy the K1 or the K2.
Paddles Are Okay, But Not The Best
It comes with two 86-inch aluminum paddles that can be broken into five pieces. This is great for portability but creates a reasonable but not excellent paddle. Jack and I agree that if we have the space, we will bring the paddles from our sit-on kayaks. If we don’t have room, the ones included are fine; they just aren’t as powerful or as comfortable as a one-piece paddle.
There Are No Handles
I am getting nick-picky with this one, but I wish that instead of a grab line, Intex included handles. Handles make transporting the kayak to the water easier than using the grab lines, but that is my opinion.
The Carrying Case Is Flimsy
Truth–we threw away the carrying cases. We are those types of people who can never get something to fit in its original box. The carrying case is made of the same material as many inexpensive reusable grocery bags: thin and easy to rip.
At first, we stored ours in heavy-duty action packers. Later, I bought a HUGE, well-made bag with a zipper at Goodwill to store one and hope to find another, as the bins make the kayaks take up more space than they need to.
Why We Are Happy With Our Purchase
We are not multi-day trip paddlers, ocean kayakers, or whitewater enthusiasts. We like to get out on the water to chill out and see what you can’t see from the shore.
And the K2 Challenger lets us do that. Many reviewers call it a glorified raft like it is a bad thing, but for us it is a good thing. We can stretch out and lean back and enjoy the gentle lapping water beneath us and the warm sun in the sky above us.
We didn’t get much use out of our sit-on kayaks because they were not super portable–and owning an inflatable kayak that becomes compact when not inflated fixes that problem.
So, for us, the K2 Challengers are a great fit.
A Few Extras You May Want To Purchase
Water Shoes–Jack and I don’t like the feeling of mud squishing between our toes or the pain caused by walking on sharp rocks. If that is you too, buy some inexpensive water shoes like these ones. You can also use any type of rubber shoe that stays on your feet while in water.
Dry Bag–These come in all shapes and sizes. From one that will fit just your phone to one big enough for enough gear to go camping for several nights.
Sunglasses with strap–The sun reflecting on the water is brutal on the eyes. Protect them with a good pair of sunglasses, preferably one with a cord, so that you don’t lose them in the water.
A Storage Backpack–The version of this backpack with wheels is said to fit an inflatable kayak and one of the reviews says it fits her 2-person kayak along with all its accessories perfectly. A backpack would make the kayak easier to transport and thus, a suitable replacement for when the thin bag that comes with it rips.
A Better Patch Kit–The patches that come with the boat are small and self-adhesive. It would be better to use a patch kit that comes with strong glue.
A Few Things To Know If You Are Going To Bring A Dog Along
Dexter, our Yorkie-Poo, was nervous in the boat for the first few minutes. But with some reassuring words and many cuddles, he calmed down and ended up sleeping most of his first ride and every ride since.
To protect the boat from his nails, I bought neoprene dog booties. As a backup, I placed a small quilt below where he sat. I read a review of someone who uses a yoga mat for her dogs, and I plan to purchase one for the same purpose before we get the kayaks out again. A yoga mat is easier to dry off than a quilt and can be cut to fit the front of the kayak where Dexter sits.
I bought each of our dogs a life jacket built specifically for dogs (we now have a Beagle, too). Yes, dogs can swim, but so can humans. The life jacket makes the dog more buoyant, and they have a large handle on the top, which makes it easier for me to grab him should he jump out.
I had a harness on Dexter under his lifejacket and attached a short leash to it that I held until he got more settled. It also allowed me to obey leash rules when we were on land. I liked being shorter as it didn’t get tangled up in the boat.
Other Inflatable Kayaks By Intex
The Challenger is Intex’s cheapest kayak. They have three more to choose from available in both one-person and two-person.
Intex Excursion Pro
If you are interested in fishing in your kayak, you will like that the Excursion Pro comes with two rod holders. It is also harder to puncture with fishing equipment due to its 3-ply PVC construction (the Challenger is one-ply). This model also has footrests, a go-pro holder, and two skegs.
Intex Explorer
This model has handles instead of the tow line, which is a nice added feature if you need to transport the kayak a ways from where you inflate it. The Explorer is also several pounds lighter than the Challenger.
Intex Dakota
The Dakota is shorter than the Challenger and has handles like the Explorer. It comes with two dry bags and two different types of skegs. Skegs help with directional stability. Having options lets you decide which will work best wherever you are kayaking.
I hope this review has helped you decide whether or not to purchase a K1 or K2 Challenger Inflatable Kayak by Intex. You can view our entire list of kayak recommendations, as well as the accessories we love for ourselves and our dogs, over on Victoria’s Amazon page.
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