Campervans and exploration go hand in hand. As canals and lakes are amongst the most interesting places to explore, we would always look for kayak or paddle board hire whilst away on camping trips. But for remote areas we’d always wish we had our own. All campervan or motorhomers know, space is a premium. With this in mind, you have to be selective when choosing any gear to pack on a trip. In this review we’ll tell you why the Intex challenger 2 person inflatable kayak should be included on your next adventure.
First Impressions and Setup
Out of the box, the Intex Challenger 2 person kayak is impressive considering the relatively low price. It weights in at just 15Kg and the PVC construction seems sufficiently durable (more on this later). The Kayak comes with a transport bag, 2 collapsible double-blade paddles, 2 inflatable seats, a detachable fin, a pump and an inflatable front seat foot rest.
The kayak is constructed from 2 air chambers controlled via standard Boston valves. The chambers are divided into floor and side wall sections. The side wall chamber does the heavy lifting when it comes to buoyancy. The floor section essentially adds extra lift, stability and comfort whilst in the water.
Q: What is a Boston Valve?
A: Boston valves are used on the vast majority of inflatable boats. They are a capped one way valve (to ensure air doesn’t escape when you stop pumping or detach the air line) screwed into a larger diameter air port (open hole). The one way valve is for inflation. Rapid deflation can be achieved by simply unscrewing the valve from the air port(as the air now bypasses the valve).
The pump produces an acceptably high output pressure meaning both sections can be fully inflated within 10 minutes. Both the handle stem and feet either side of the pumps air chamber seem like they will be susceptible to plastic fatigue over time and will eventually snap. As such we recommend using the included pump with care. As with any inflatable kayak, the correct pressure is critical for not only water speed and manoeuvrability but longevity of your boats pressure retention material. Intex get around including a pressure gauge by including a transparent 10cm ruler to offer up to the air chambers equivalent scale. On each chamber there is a 10cm reference line, inflate each until the length matches the included ruler.
Once you have the main hull sections inflated you now spend 5-10 minutes inflating the 2 seats (comprising of 2 air chambers each) and optionally the front seat foot rest. The above items are controlled via oral inflation valves and don’t need a great deal of air to fill. The seats secure into the kayak via bottom mounted Velcro strips and a back strap to side release buckle combination. The mounting points for the back strap are in front of the natural position of the seat. This position curves the backrest and makes for a more comfortable experience.
The paddles are relatively easy to assemble by connecting the 5 sections (per paddle) together with sprung press studs.
The final job to fit the included fin, this locks into place on the underside of the kayak below the rear persons seat. Having forgotten to fit the skeg a number of times, i can tell you the tracking on the water is drastically reduced.
We have two inflatable kayaks, one of which has a large hole in the bottom. After stupidly inflating our first onto ground littered with sharp rocks a leak quickly became apparent on the water when we were surrounded by air bubbles. Luckily the floor air chamber isn’t required for buoyancy but be smarter than us. Inflate the kayak on grass and don’t run aground whilst in the water. Ideally the kayak would have more durable base material, but for the price its to be expected.
Performance on the Water
All things considered we found the kayak to be more than adequate for our needs. ‘Our Needs’ are essentially touring the many pubs located along England’s canals.
The kayak feels very stable in the water – we have never been worried about capsizing whilst paddling or otherwise. The Challenger K2 reacts relatively quickly to changes in direction and can pick up a decent amount of speed for an inflatable. It’s worth noting that you will consider most inflatables sluggish if you are used to rigid body equivalents. As previously mentioned the tracking, or ability to travel straight, is greatly affected by whether you have the included skeg fitted or not. With the fin fitted, the K2 has no issue travelling straight whilst paddling or resting.
The kayak comfortably has enough space for 2 adults and a cargo bag. The rear passenger can slide their legs either side of the front paddler. We tend to stick the taller person at the back for this reason.
The maximum time we have spent paddling is just over an hour before stopping at a pub. This said, I wouldn’t have any more comfort concerns over using a conventional kayak for longer.
Although deflation is easy once you’re finished, the lack of a bilge plug makes drying challenging. Water gets trapped between the chambers with no good way to get it out. This isn’t an issue if you have a large sponge to hand but can be frustrating otherwise.
2 Person Inflatable Kayak Pros and Cons
+ The price can’t really be beaten considering the relative quality, functionality and number of included accessories
+ Everything you need to get out on the water (except life jackets) is included
+ The front cargo net adds a very useful level of functionality
+ Lightweight and highly transportable when deflated; fits under our VW campervan bed
– The bottom material is susceptible to leaks and puncture
– The shape of the boat can make drying difficult due to trapped water
– The provided bag leaves a lot to be desired. Although it will serve its purpose and get to you and the kayak to the nearest canal or lake, don’t expect it to last very long. After the second or third outing our bag has completely ripped to the point of being unusable.
Conclusion
If you’re wanting a 2 person inflatable kayak for calm lakes and canals the Intex Challenger K2 is ideal. The low price and amount of included accessories make this entry level boat deservedly popular with campervan owners. The material durability however is not robust enough for more serious Kayak trips. Stay clear of rocks and rough water and you can have a lot of fun with this budget, space saving, kayak. We used this kayak whilst on our trip to the west coast of Scotland, read more about that here.
You can pick up this 2 person inflatable kayak on amazon here.
