When choosing a kayak, you always want to pay close attention to the purpose for which it is designed. Some kayaks are built with rough waters in mind, handling them easily with a sturdy hull and streamlined design. Others are more inclined towards leisurely fishing, with a more spacious design with plenty of space for storing rods and fishing equipment. Of course, a good kayak should be able to balance those extremes and offer a great overall experience. Case in point, the Intex Excursion Pro. Designed primarily with fishing in mind, this inflatable kayak is nevertheless more versatile than it first appears.
Intex Excursion Pro Features
The first thing to note about this kayak is that it is reasonably large at around 151” x 13” x 18” and weighs in at 39 pounds. It is made from a tough laminate-blended material that includes a polyester core. This is an inflatable kayak (hence the lower weight) so it has three air chambers in addition to the standard two holders for fishing rods.
In addition, the unit has two seats and a capacity for two (excluding small children and pets) along with two adjustable seats and footrests. The seats come with a backrest — which, like the kayak, needs to be inflated — making it that much easier to kick back and relax while fishing or paddling along. Even better, this model also comes with a removable booster seat, making it that much easier for parents looking to take a small child along for the ride to do so. The two primary seats are outfitted with buckles that keep the crew from being jostled out of place easily.
User Experience
All of that size and weight are focused on trying to provide the most space in which to fish. What’s especially notable about this model is that it is able to combine that size with a soft, mattress-like build, which makes it incredibly comfortable to sit in this kayak for long periods of time. Anyone who has fished in a kayak before knows that isn’t something that can be said of all kayaks and it’s reflected in the positive user response towards this model’s build.
Have you felt cramped in other kayaks before? Do you want extra room while you fish? Does the idea of fishing on a mattress-soft surface appeal to you? Then this may well be a model to consider.
Material
With all of the softness, and with the kayak inflatable rather than molded into a fixed plastic shape, you might think that this model would be delicate. However, you would be wrong as the kayak is surprisingly strong for an inflatable kayak, boasting 30-gauge vinyl material that can withstand a fair amount of wear and tear. That said, it is still inflatable so tearing is still a possibility and one that you’ll want to avoid at all costs, making it essential to avoid sharp surfaces and jagged rocks.
Inflation and Setup Time
Setup is also easy, with it usually only talking about 10 minutes for users to inflate and set up the kayak. Nobody wants to spend forever setting up a kayak before casting off and the fast setup time boasted by the Intex Excursion Pro speaks to the ease and accessibility that characterizes the overall experience of most users. Add to that the fact that the kayak’s open, spacious design makes it incredibly easy to fish in all directions while storing the bounty of your catch with ease and the benefits of using this kayak for fishing in particular become clear.
Pros and Cons
- As mentioned above, by far one of the biggest pros this model has going for it is the fact that it is so comfortable. This is something that you shouldn’t take for granted and if you have ever felt sore or squashed after sitting in a hard narrow kayak, you definitely won’t. With comfort comes a more pleasant fishing and kayaking experience.
- In addition, the easy setup and lightweight design make this model very easy to carry and transport.
- The load capacity of 400 pounds is more than enough for a fishing pair. What’s more, for its size, this kayak is surprisingly maneuverable.
- The oars are the weak link for this model as they’re not quite as strong as others. What’s more, while this model is surprisingly versatile, it still isn’t durable enough to handle the choppiest waters or rockiest shores so be careful where you use it.
- It’s also a bit expensive when compared to other similar models
In Conclusion
Our rating: 
4.4 / 5
On the whole, the Intex Excursion Pro is an excellent kayak, particularly for those looking for a more comfortable kayak without sacrificing quality or versatility. It is especially good for those looking to fish as well as buyers looking for a lightweight model that is easy to inflate, deflate, transport, and use.
Whether you’re a beginner kayaker or are looking to go fishing with a partner or friend, the Intex Excursion Pro is a great catch.