Every water lover knows that it takes the right boat to sail and explore the wonders of the sea or lake. The right boat also does not need to burn holes in your pocket; that is why the Intex Excursion 5 was born.
The Intex Excursion 5 is a 5-person inflatable boat and is one of the most popular and best-selling boats of Intex because of its affordability and durability as well.
If you are curious about this boat and want to purchase one, our Intex Excursion 5 review might help answer your questions and help you understand why this is the best purchase for your next fishing trip.
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Intex Excursion 5 Review: Your Complete Guide
With the name Intex has made across the globe, there is no denying that it can compete with other brands in terms of durability, affordability, and high-quality inflatable boats. One of their best-selling inflatable boats is Excursion 5, which is the best choice for large families because of its size and weight capacity.
Just by looking at the boat, you might think that it’s expensive because of its high-quality construction and big capacity. But you will be shocked to know that it is one of the most affordable inflatable boats of Intex.
To know more about what the Intex Excursion has to offer, please read on our guide.
Specifications
- Dimensions: 144” x 66” x 17”
- Weight Capacity: 1000 lbs
- Passenger Capacity: 5
- Weight: 57.6 lbs
- Material: super-tough vinyl
- Beam: 66”
Intex believes that everything they do revolves around the quality, value, and time for family. With their affordable products built on the highest quality, every family will have the best leisure time.
One area that Intex is most known for is their inflatables. Their first ever product was even an inflatable beach ball. Over time, the company flourished and produced bigger inflatables such as Excursion 5. They still uphold their belief in giving families the best leisure time of their lives, therefore making the inflatable boat larger and more durable, yet affordable.
Features
- Two seats that are inflatable with backrests and cushions
- Four built-in fishing rod holders
- Oar holders with oarlocks fixed to the boat
- Grab-line that surrounds the boat
- Inflatable floor for better comfort and rigidity
- Grab handle on the bow
- Motor mount fitting for trolling motor
- Boston valves on the main chambers to facilitate fast inflating and deflating
- Package includes:
- Set of 54″ Aluminum oars
- Hand pump
- Repair kit
- Carry bag
Design and Construction
The Intex Excursion is designed for large families that are always out for an adventure. The boat has many features that will tell you it is one of the best SIBs out there.
The dimensions of the inflatable boat are big enough for a 5-person capacity and do not overcrowd. It is even spacious enough to bring some gear for your next fishing activity.
The inflatable seats are located at both ends of the boat and are comfortable enough for lounging while waiting for that fish to catch. The seats are cozy and made for longer lounging. If you want to fit more gear or people on the boat, you can easily remove the seats, especially the extra set in the middle.
The 360-degree grab line is close enough for grabbing along with the four grab handles. The fishing rod holders are put on the sides of the two seats for easy grabbing. The oar holders are built-in so that the oars will not easily slip through the boat when not in use.
Along with the inflatable boat is the inflatable floor that provides comfort and rigidity despite being air-based. It will enable you to balance well on the boat while freely moving.
The boat has two main chambers that have Boston valves to inflate and deflate it quickly. With the Boston valves, you don’t need to worry about air escaping when pumping.
There are fittings for a motor mount at the stern of the boat in case you want to attach a motor for a speed boat feel.
With the size of Excursion 5, you would be shocked to know that it is lightweight and easy to carry. The 50-lb inflatable boat can easily be transported with its lightweight feature and carry bag whenever it’s deflated.
Durability
Intex only produces the best and highest quality products. With Excursion 5, it is made with two layers of extremely durable PVC vinyl material topped with a polyester layer. That is why the boat would still get unscathed after some long dragging and bumping on the rocks.
Comfort
One of the things that the Excursion 5 boasts is its comfortability. Since it is mainly a fishing boat, you have to consider that the users would lounge on the boat for a longer period. The massive size of the boat makes it even spacious that you can bring some gear with you. You can also carry four more people along with your equipment and have a total weight capacity of fewer than 1000 lbs.
Accessories
When you purchase an Excursion 5, you do not only get the inflatable boat, and you also get many freebies. You will have two 54-inch aluminum oars and four oarlocks on each side of the boat to lock your oars when not in use. It also has four built-in fishing rods attached on each side of the boat for a more accessible fishing experience.
If you are worried about where to store your belongings, the inflatable boat has a storage pouch in the middle to hold your small accessories.
Excursion 5 also has a manual pump that can inflate it in about 15 minutes. Along with the pump is the carry bag where you can store your boat after deflation.
You will also have a repair kit that will save your life in case of a minor problem. With the kit, you can quickly fix it up in no time.
Transportation
Since the inflatable boat is big, you will think that it is tough to transport. But because of the 360-degree grab line of the boat, you can quickly grab it. Also, with the grab line, you can easily carry the boat from your vehicle to your desired area.
Excursion 5 is also lightweight. It only weighs 56.7 pounds despite carrying up to 1000 lbs of weight. Also, carrying your boat when deflated is easy because of the carry bag included in the package. Once deflated, you can fold the vessel to its desired shape and put it inside the bag, and then you are ready to go.
Storage and Maintenance
Storing your inflatable boat is an easy task since you can quickly deflate it with the help of the Boston valves. Before storing your Excursion 5, make sure that you wipe it clean and dry with a microfiber cloth. Any water droplet on the boat can be a home to mildew or molds once it is stored. After wiping, deflate it entirely, fold it to its desired shape, and then put it inside the carry bag along with its other accessories.
With a simple inflatable boat like the Excursion 5, maintenance is as easy as 1-2-3. Know if there holes on the boat by simply inflating it in a solemn place then listen to the leak. If you hear any hiss and see where the area is, you just did an excellent job. But if listening is not effective for you, then make a soap solution and spray it to the significant areas of the boat. Once you see bubbles coming out, then that is where the leak is. From there, you can now patch the holes using the repair kit included in the package.
Pros
- Spacious and big
- Comes with two paddles
- Has motor mount fittings
- Capacity is up to 1000 lbs
- NMMA and TUV certified
Cons
- The lightweight feature of the boat can easily drift away
- You can feel the waves underneath because of the soft floor
- Short paddles for a big inflatable boat
Modifications to the Excursion 5
One of the best features of many products is the availability of innovations for its parts and other accessories. As for the Excursion 5, the boat has several modifications along with its history. Some of the alterations of the inflatable boat are the following:
Trolling Motor
As mentioned above, the inflatable boat has a motor mount fitting on its stern, and there is a good reason for that. You can mount a trolling motor at the stern for those who love a little more adventure on the Excursion 5. All you need is a trolling motor, a battery, and a battery box, and you’re ready to go.
The motor can easily attach to the boat’s motor mount and can easily be navigated if you don’t like to row your boat on your next fishing trip. You can connect motors that can run up to 5mph enough to navigate and maneuver your boat.
You could also attach a gasoline-powered motor to the inflatable boat. But, you have to remember that it can only run to 5 mph. The best motor for the Excursion 5 has a 1.5 HP maximum.
One thing that you have to remember is that you need to get your boat registered once you attach a trolling motor to it.
Canopy
A canopy is just what you need on the hot summer day while lounging on your Excursion 5. The canopy can easily be attached to the boat and will do an excellent job of protecting you from the harsh sun rays and still have a durable stand.
The canopy meant for the Excursion 5 is also made with the same PVC material and durable polyester. The stand of the canopy is made with aluminum tubing, which makes it sturdy and rigid.
To store the canopy, simply fold it and keep it inside the boat.
Hard Floor
The inflatable boat has soft flooring that is still rigid enough for any movements. But if you want to turn it into a real fishing boat, you can build a sturdy hard floor where you can balance and stand.
Building a DIY hard floor may not be too easy, but it is doable. You just need to prepare a drop cloth, plywood, primer-sealer, anti-slip floor paint, and some outdoor carpet for a less slippery floor. You would need a foam tube insulator for the edges to protect the boat from the hard floorboard. After preparing all the required materials, all you have to do is use those handyman skills for good use and have an excellent hard floor.
Swivel Chairs
If you already built a hard floor for your boat and want a chair that can go with it, you can try installing swivel chairs. With the chairs, you will have a whole new level of fishing experience.
Some people install swivel chairs that have folding backs and attach the chairs directly to the hard floor. Although this will need a good set of carpentry hands, you will not regret having this modification on your Excursion 5.
Supply Boxes
To complete your fishing trip experience, you need to have a good supply box for your gear and other fishing supplies. If you already have a hard floor, installing the boxes would be easier. You can even put a swivel chair above the boxes.
The Intex History
You might already come across the brand, Intex, if you love going outdoors and into the water. Many of the inflatable boats, airbeds, and above ground pools nowadays are from the very well known, Intex Recreation Corp. But the company did not start with those big products before they became well-known.
Over 40 years ago, Intex developed its first inflatable product, which is the beach ball. They always knew that recreation and inflatables would be their path to success. In 1997, they developed the first above ground swimming pool, which is loved by many in today’s time. Now, they are home to airbeds, air furniture, floats and toys, pumps, spas, and sporting goods like the inflatable boats.
Their main objective was to always provide the highest quality products at affordable prices designed for comfort and fun. They are also proud to be a leading company serving more than 100 countries around the world.
Aside from their objective of giving the best products to their customers, Intex is also committed to their corporate social responsibility. They believe that reducing the number of fossil fuels can make a significant impact on the rehabilitation of the world, which is why they worked hand-in-hand with their suppliers.
Conclusion
There is no questioning the durability and usage of the Intex Excursion 5. It can compete with other brands with its quality, performance, design, and price. With the high-quality Intex products, you will have an excellent value for your money, especially with the Excursion 5.
The reason why Excursion 5 is one of the most popular inflatable boats in the market is its ample space and comfortability. At a very affordable price, you can already have the best family time outdoors.
Because of the simplicity of the inflatable boat, you can make many modifications to increase its usability and versatility. Overall, the Intex Excursion 5 will give you great outdoor experience with its features, durable build, and affordability.
FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Q: How long does it take to inflate the Excursion 5?
Q: What other activities can I do with the Excursion 5 aside from fishing?
Q: What happens if my Excursion 5 gets a leak?
Q: What kind of weather conditions work best with the Excursion 5?
Q: Can you row the Excursion 5 by yourself?
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Torsten Bird is a talented and adventurous waterman from Western Australia, passionate about surfing, stand-up paddleboarding, hydrofoiling, skimboarding, snowboarding and skateboarding. Torsten has spent countless hours mastering his skills and his dream is to one day represent Australia as an Olympic athlete. Follow Torsten’s adventures on Instagram.
