Intex Excursion Pro Inflatable Kayak Review

The Intex Excursion Pro is not just an inflatable kayak, it’s a complete kit that comes with paddles, a pump, a pressure valve, and all the accessories you need to be on the water within minutes of opening the box. The rugged materials, comfortable cockpit, and high-quality construction make this a kayak with the convenience of an inflatable, but the durability of a conventional hardshell kayak. It even has some special features that make it particularly suitable for fishing.

In this post we’re going to give you our Intex Excursion Pro review and take a close look at some of the features and benefits that make it one of best inflatable fishing kayaks on the market today.

Overview of the Intex Excursion Pro

The Intex Excursion Pro is a 2-person inflatable kayak make of super-tough laminate PVC. Its versatile design allows you to use it solo or with two people, has removable foot rests for comfort or increased speed, has two removable directional skegs for different water depths, fishing rod holders, an accessory mounting bracket, and even an included booster seat for people who want to sit higher in the kayak. This versatility of design and accessories make it easy to reconfigure the cockpit for maximum comfort, and it’s a great option for almost any kind of activity on the water.

Specs

• Weight capacity – 2 persons/400 pounds
• Inflated size – 12 feet 7 inches x 3 feet 1 inch x 1 foot 6 inches
• Kayak weight – 39 pounds
• Certifications – Compliant with the ISO 6185 international standard. Certified by the National Marine Manufacturer’s Association using ABYC standards.

Construction and features

The Intex Excursion Pro is built with a 3-ply high impact, abrasion resistant PVC vinyl. This high strength plastic design means that it’s great at resisting damage from abrasion, accidental impacts, and UV rays from sunlight. 

The Excursion Pro is made up of three air chambers that means that it’s more stable in the water and that you won’t sink in the event of a puncture. This is an essential feature for inflatables for safety reasons and we wouldn’t recommend you buy one without at least two air chambers. The down side of this is that it does take a little longer to inflate but it’s a no brainer in our minds.

This also means that it has a very high weight capacity and can hold up to 400lbs, more than enough for even two large men with some left over for gear and your catch at the end of the day.

When it comes to inflation, the valves on the Excursion Pro are high pressure and spring loaded. This means that it’s easier and faster to inflate and can be ready to go in around 15 minutes and even less once you get the hang of it. We didn’t really like the pump that comes with the kit and would consider upgrading it to a pump that is a bit quicker and easier to use if budget allows.

Other useful features on the Excursion Pro are the drain plug that allows you to drain it of any water that’s splashed in during your trip. It also has a number of attachment points including D-rings for tying down gear, grab holders to make it easy to carry and it comes with two removable skegs that help with steering and the tracking.

As well as all that it has comfortable seats with backresst, an inflatable booster pad to raise up shorter paddlers if they need it and 2 x 86 inch aluminum paddles, so you can get on the water within minutes of opening the box. To top it all off it has a convenient carry bag that everything packs down into making it very portable and easy to transport. We also love that it’s got two integrated fishing rod holders

About the Manufacturer: Intex

The Excursion Pro is made by Intex Recreation, which has been making inflatable devices for over 50 years. Starting from their origins with the inflatable beach ball in 1966, the company now has a wide range of air mattresses, above-ground pools, inflatable kayaks, toys and games, that can be found in over 100 countries. 

Intex has a history of innovation, with over 30 patents for inflatable valves, devices, and pumps. They are also committed to help the environment, by reducing their carbon footprint and their use of fossil fuels. 

Pros

• Complete kit – No additional purchases necessary as it comes with paddles, pump, two skegs
• Pump included – It comes with a pump
• Mounting bracket – It has a mounted bracket for attaching fishing accessories
• Adjustable footrests – Comes with two footrests that you can adjust for extra comfort
• Very affordable – Very competitively priced and a good entry level fishing kayak
• Comfortable – Removable comfy seats with backrest and seat booster
• Carry bag – Comes with a bag that it all packs into for easy portability and convenience

Cons

• Poor pump – Not the best pump included with this kit (we’d upgrade it)
• Can get punctures – Although very strong it’s not as high quality as some of the more premium brands so can puncture (repair kit is included)
• Paddles are a little short – We’d suggest upgrading the paddles as the included ones aren’t long enough for most adults

Intex Excursion Pro Alternatives

Although the Intex Excursion Pro is one of the top choices for those looking for a low cost inflatable kayak that you can use for fishing. But there are a couple of other kayaks that might be worth a look.

Sea Eagle 350fx Fishing Explorer

If you have a bit more budget to spend and want to get the best, then we’d recommend taking a look at the Sea Eagle 350fx Fishing Explorer. With all the features you’d want to see in a kayak for fishing to customize it to your needs. It’s also built with highly durable 2000 denier nearly indestructible fabric that will last for years. Definitely worth the additional cost and for more information to get the best price click below.

Sevylor Colorado Fishing Kayak

Another option in a similar sort of range to the Intex Excursion Pro is the Sevylor Colorado fishing fayak. It has a number of features we like to see like the durable 1000 dernier bottom with multiple air chambers for safety as well as the Berkley Quick Set rod holders and fittings to install a trolling motor if you wanted. The reviews aren’t quite as good as the Excursion Cro but it’s good to compare.

Conclusion: Should you Buy it?

While some inflatable kayaks are only meant to last for a summer or two, the Intex Excursion Pro has durable, 3-ply construction that will help you enjoy it for years to come. Its rugged construction, thoughtful design, and easy setup, use, and storage make this an excellent inflatable kayak for all your adventures on the water, whether you enjoy regular fishing trips, summer outdoor vacations, or just spontaneous weekend getaways.