I love my K1!! I’m a 65 yr. old Grandma who can totally handle the Kayak myself from start to finish!!! It handles so well. I cannot even begin to handle a plastic resin Kayak due to the weight of it and I can’t transport it myself. To me the K1 is a game changer. I only Kayak in lakes. I have never been in the ocean with it. Thank you for your review.
Protip: If you get the K2, you can clip the seat strap into the two buckles on the same side. With the seat deflated and rolled around it, you've got a really comfy carrying strap and you can wear the kayak like a giant handbag - great for carrying longer distances where the weight and bulk become annoying, and leaves your hands free for carrying other gear. As a solo kayaker (too heavy for the K1), this has made life a lot easier.
Just bought this kayak (only 75 quid on amazon at the moment) to get started as every now and then I tend to just rent and although they would be better than this, I am not limited to times etc. Plan is to get a drop-stitch one if I get into it more. Love your vids, keep it up! P.S. found from lots of reviews that it's best to deflate the seat to sit more inside.
I have a K1. First time out on the water yesterday. As a new kayaker, I loved it. Easy to put together and I got it back in its bag! Usually what comes out of a bag never goes back in the bag. Recommend.
I literally just used my k1 for the very first time on the weekend! I had it for two years. We bought our daughter an open kind of kayak that you sit on the top of! It’s a blowup one also. So together we tried them out. What a blast.
The K1 is a fine companion for water access. Inflatables do have multi chambers for the odd fishing accident puncturing one, and there is room behind the seat for the air pump and (included with the Kayak) patching kit for on the fly repairs if necessary. If you get off the kayak in the water, best be prepared to swim to shore unless you tether it to you with a rope. Because wind will push the K1 faster than you can swim fairly easily. The K1 is very stable in the water, almost annoyingly so if you are lighter weight. The removable keel works fine in lakes, but removing it for shallow water operation does make the K1 handle rather like a blow up mattress, and in a river, the K1 does like to travel ass forward, if not paddling. Its basic physics, as rivers are not in fact flat, but it bears observing that the heavier end likes to point downstream for the K1, but is controllable with just a little effort.
I have this kayak and your review is spot on, thank you! I suggest you move the paddle rings further down a bit towards the paddle. You'll get less water on you and in the kayak. Others have suggested a longer paddle as well which im wondering if that would also help against rubbing against the side of the kayak?
I have one of these now for 4 years its been in good sized swells on a big lake, up streams against the current and in Salt water as well and even though ot has more drag than a stiffer more expensive inflatable it does ok carries a good amount of cargo.
I bought the Challengers K1 and K2 and Explorer K2. The K1 is for my kid and I don't like my legs feeling trapped in the K2, but the K2 gives me leg freedom. The Challenger is a nice speedy kayak with room for gear, but the Explorer is better for taking more gear.
You sound like brummie. The two best motorcycles in the world were made in Birmingham, Norton at Bracebridge Street, and BSA at Small Heath. Enjoyed your video. Cheers.
It has been suggested that you lengthen the paddle with timer rod covered in duct tape. This stops water running down the paddle and making you wet. The stops on the paddle don’t work with a short paddle because the angle you have to use them.
I bought the K2, brilliant fun in the Thames Estuary where it can handle mild waves and rolls easily. My only problem with it literally, is getting it back in the bag after a session. It's really difficult to get the air out completely to get it back in the bag. I have to leave it in the garden overnight with the valves open to deflate overnight.
Hi Richard I ditched the pump you get with it and upgraded to a 2 stage pump ....the one with an inflate and deflate outlet so all the air can be sucked out then its easy to get back in the bag ....hope that helps
Great review! You really covered all the issues. . . except one. I've talked to kayakers and the main reason they don't get an inflatable is it would be embarrassing. What will people think of me? That's not a real kayak. I think that's so funny! I just want spend time on the water and not spend a ton of money. My inflatable is on it's way! Great channel! New sub here, glad I found you!🙋
Awesome and thanks for the feedback I love mine and don't really come across folk who poke fun I find them to be more curious especially as most are lugging a $400 walmart plastic special across the parking lot and your skipping by with your kayak perched merrily on your shoulder
That’s such a good point. I’m returning to the paddle as an adult after a 30 year absence, and I’m returning as a bit of a bunged up disabled idiot who frequently bites off more than I can chew and has let my (personal trainer) husband talk me (an ex personal trainer) into training for the para-olympics. I’m going along with the ruse and have just blown up my k1 and now I’m wondering if I can just stay sitting in it in the lounge room because I’m terrified😬🤭. I was concerned about that, “I’m going to look stupid” thing at first, but then I thought I’d rather spend under $200 to get on the water and get a feel for it again and then I can invest more in a hard shell if I continue, than waste upward of $500 getting a kayak and transporting it and storing it and then selling it when I don’t use it. Thanks for your review.
The paddles need to be longer, I've seen people using a chopped broom handle and gaffa tape to extend the paddles so that water doesn't come in as much. You do get wetter in the Explorer.
A longer oar (say 250cm or 96+inches) will keep the water out of your lap better. The wet is because the water is dripping off the water rings on the oars into your lap. If the oar is longer you won't have that ring passing over you.
Great video and info, thanks! I’m converting a GMC safari to a stealth camper and an inflatable kayak is a great way to stay stealth while still being able to get out on the water. I think I’m going to grab the Outbound one from Canadian Tire and try it out. Hopefully I don’t sit too deep in it. I’m more accustomed to sit on top kayaks, but these so cool so it’s worth a try!
I got one Christmas I’ve been wanting one for a year now I saved up $700 for my parents say no because it will take up to much room In garage and my parents got me one for Christmas I was for happy what do you think for it for fishing because I’m a very big fishermen🤣
Hmmm the whole point of being in a boat is you stay dry. If you're going to be getting soaked, and even end up sitting in a pool of water then you might as well just swim! I think I'll stick with my row boat. It stays dry and there is plenty of room to sit, kneel, lie down, whatever.
Well done on the review! Can you also review the newer version Intex Excursion Pro? It has been reviewed in the US, but I haven't seen a proper UK review. Thinking about buying!
Not liking the price tag on an Excursion pro seems very expensive but would be a good one to review for sure Im guessing there is a peak in design for inflatable kayaks and wonder what that one does differently to this one but sure will review one if I can convince intex to give me one !
Hi I live in British Columbia near the coast so the weather is really good There are lots of kayak days so paddling season for me I will start end of march and go through to end of September ...Also have the lakes so sunny day anytime I can get out on the water I don't like chop and wind so if the waters flat I go out and so neat just to throw it all in the car and go ....thanks for your question
Hello, thank you so much for the videos, I'm planning to buy 2, I have twins are are 10 - almost 11 about 100 pounds - so in the end do you recommend the k1 or outbound, you seem to enjoy different features of each . ...I don't know what to get?!?!?! Lol! Please help!! 😊
And if u get one in England and Wales and want to use it on are rivers and canals u need a licence it's £45 a year. I've been looking for a cheeper licence but can't find one. If u want it for the sea u don't need a licence. A lot of people don't no this, if u get cought it could cost u a thousand pound in fines.
Joining the British Canoe Union includes licences for a lot of waterways: members.britishcanoeing.org.uk/waterways-licence/ - check to see if your local water is covered. I had to do this before I could kayak to work along the local canal, Health and Safety insisted. Not sure how being licensed made me a safer kayaker, and they didn't check my licence or insurance when I drove onto site, but it made them happy. :P
If you buy an actual quality inflatable it won't get punctured on rocks, sticks, shells, fishhooks, etc. Intex is just a half step up from Sevylor which is garbage.
Hi Andrew I always go by rule of thumb on pressure as a big problem is if the day is hot. The air in the tubes will expand so generally inflate till its tight and does not crinkle when you slap it also you get a feel for the right sound. So different days make for different pressure. the cooler the more air introduced
Thats not a kayak its a toy if anybody watching this wants to be serious about buying a proper inflatable kayay buy gumotex advanced elements or stearns put the ks in the bin
Respectfully, bollocks. I've done 3- and 4-day river and lake trips in my K1 and, now that me plus camping gear is over the weight limit, my K2. As a first kayak, particularly if you're not sure how much you'll actually use the thing, the Intex Challenger (K1 or K2) is a great choice. After five years, I'm looking to upgrade to something a bit more capable (Itiwit X500 is top of my list), but the Intex Challengers have done really well. Treat them with the respect that any inflatable deserves, and you cannot beat the bang for the buck.
That's BS, I have the Aqua Marina Betta 475 and bought the Challenger K2 for my 10 y/o son. We tried it out yesterday, and it's a proper kayak for starters. They're just great fun for 1st time peddlers and they won't break the bank.
you could but I wouldn't If you did and changing hooks you would have to be very methodical in doing so as you dont want a puncture ....thats the down side you don't want a puncture so I would go for a plastic kayak if thats what you intend to do