Inflatable kayaks revolutionized the kayaking world when they were first introduced. Initially, many people thought that durability or stability must have been compromised, but the revolution of technology in paddling proved everyone wrong. Inflatables were just as good as hardshell kayaks.
One of the best inflatable kayaks available is the Intex Explorer K2 Kayak. In this article, I will be sharing a detailed Intex Explorer K2 Kayak Review with you. It is the top inflatable tandem kayak available out there with a lot of features that can fit right into your budget.
Intex Explorer K2 Kayak Review
SPECIFICATION
| Overall Length | 11.5ft (3.5m) |
| Overall Width | 2ft 6in (76cm) |
| Weight Capacity | 400 lbs (182kg) |
| Compliance | Certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association using ABYC standards |
| Material | Heavy duty puncture-resistant vinyl |
| Air Chambers | Two separate Air chambers |
| Warranty | 90 day limited warranty |
| Skeg | One removable Skeg |
PROS
Durability
The Intex Explorer K2 is made of SUPER-TOUGH™ 30-gauge vinyl over a 1200 denier nylon-shell with internal tubes, making it puncture-resistant. It has an inflatable I-beam floor to ensure rigidity against hard rocks.
Stability
The Explorer K2 offers great stability and tracking. A removable skeg is provided to help keep it stable on the water.
High Visibility in Emergencies
The high visible yellow color makes it visible on the water, which is good in case of emergency. If the kayak goes missing in the water, the high visibility color will help rescuers find the kayak easily.
Comfort Level
The Explorer K2 features inflatable seats that add to the comfort of this tandem kayak. You can paddle for long hours without getting tired. It also features an adjustable backrest that enhances your comfort level. Moreover, there is enough storage in the cockpit for the paddler.
Weight Capacity
Despite being an inflatable kayak, the K2 has a weight capacity of a whopping 400 pounds. You can load up your gear without worrying about the weight too much.
Transportation & Storage
The Intex Explorer K2 is an inflatable kayak, which means you can easily deflate it and fit it inside a duffle bag, making it easy to transport to or from the water. Storing this kayak is also not a big problem. You can easily store it in a corner of your garage, as it is very small in size after deflating.
Separate Air Chambers
The K2 features two separate air chambers, which is one of the great safety features for any inflatable kayak. It means if one of the chambers gets punctured, the boat will still be afloat using the other chamber. However, it is rare that the Explorer K2 gets punctured.
It is very important for any inflatable kayak that its floor is as rigid as a rock since it is the first thing that bears a lot of shocks. The Intex Explorer K2 has taken care of this by featuring an inflatable I-Beam flooring that ensures rock-solid rigidity and protects the floor from hits and shocks.
Quick Inflation and Deflation
It may seem that inflating and deflating a kayak may take a lot of time and energy from the kayaker – it can be a tiresome warm-up. However, this is not the case with the Intex Explorer K2, as it features Boston valves that help the kayaker to easily inflate and deflate the kayak.
Accessories
There are lots of accessories that come with the package, including 86” aluminum oars, an Intex high-output pump for inflation and deflation, a repair kit, and a carrying bag.
CONS
Short Warranty Coverage
One of the main drawbacks of the Explorer K2 is that they only provide a 90-day warranty. This means you have to test it as soon as possible to see if any faults can be found or encountered.
Not for Coastal Conditions
The Intex Explorer K2 is designed for smaller bodies of water, like lakes and mild rivers, which means it is not perfect for coastal conditions. Therefore, you should avoid taking it into the ocean or high waves.
Black Material Expands
The black material used on this kayak expands when exposed to a lot of sun as heat causes the expansion. When it expands, it may disturb the stability and tracking.
Hard to Paddle in Heavy Wind
It is very hard to paddle when there is heavy wind. You need to put a lot of energy into keeping it stable and paddling at the same time.
Whats Inside the Package?
Following are the things that you are going to get inside your package;
- The Kayak
- Two inflatable seats
- Repair Kit
- Storage duffle bag
- A skeg
- Two 86”aluminum oars
- Intex high-output pump
Intex Explorer K2 Features – Quick Overview
- Inflatable two-person kayak
- Puncture-resistant heavy-duty vinyl Boston valves for quick inflation and deflation
- Two separate air chambers
- I-Beam floor for rigidity
- Easy to store
- Removable skeg for stability
- High visibility color
- Includes repair kit
- Perfect for beginners
Conclusion – Should you buy Intex Explorer K2?
As per our experience and the feedback from our testers, the Intex Explorer K2 is a great beginner kayak that offers a lot of features at an affordable price point. With its puncture-resistant vinyl construction, I-Beam floor for rigidity, and Boston valves for quick inflation and deflation, this kayak is easy to use and maintain.
However, expert kayakers may find that the paddling experience is not as satisfying as a hardshell kayak. That being said, the Intex Explorer K2 can still be a great option for those who are just starting out and want to learn kayaking techniques.
It is important to note that the kayak is designed for smaller bodies of water and may not be suitable for coastal conditions or heavy winds. Additionally, the black material used on the kayak can expand when exposed to sunlight, which may affect stability and tracking.
Overall, we recommend the Intex Explorer K2 as a great entry-level kayak for beginners. If you have any questions or concerns, feel free to leave a comment and we will personally respond to you.
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