INTEX Challenger Inflatable Kayak Series: Includes Deluxe 86in Kayak Paddles and High-Output Pump – SuperStrong PVC – Adjustable Seat with Backrest – Removable Skeg – Cargo Storage Net

----I purchased the Intek Challenger K1 to try kayaking and see if I enjoyed it enough to warrant spending $500-$600 on a solid-shell vessel. I spent the first few weeks paddling around a small lake behind my home and had no complaints. The Challenger is easy to inflate, easy to deflate, and fitting it back inside the carrying bag was easy as well. I would recommend purchasing a higher quality paddle because the one that comes with the Challenger is a bit short and not very durable. After approximately three weeks of use my paddle cracked, but since the packaged deal was so cheap I didn’t mind purchasing a new one.----After about two months of paddling around in small bodies of water, some friends of mine and I decided to go on an 11 mile trip down a popular local creek that we heard was ideal for inner-tubing and kayaking. In hindsight, that decision turned out to be one of the worst we had ever made. Our trip took place in early May, 2011, and just two weeks prior much of our area was devastated by tornados. The creek was low, so we all drug out kayaks through ankle-deep water for the first half-mile. Once the water deepened a little bit we were kayaking like some pros, but at around the three mile mark we encountered some trees that had fallen across the creek. I was particularly nervous since my kayak was the only inflatable of the bunch, but I threw it on top of the pile of trees, climbed up beside it, threw it down into the water, and began cruising again. Less than 5 minutes after our first climb over trees, we encountered several more fallen trees. Again, I threw my Challenger on top of the pile of trees, climbed up beside it, threw it down into the water, climbed in, and paddled on. We all kept telling ourselves that we had to have gone through the worst of it, but the fallen trees we kept coming up on proved us wrong. The estimated three-hour casual kayaking trip we planned turned into 8 hours of tossing or pulling kayaks on top of tree piles (most of which were 10-12 feet high), dragging kayaks through shallow water, and navigating around all of the household items (lawn mowers, refrigerators, etc.) the tornados had dropped in the creek. About four hours into the trip I was hoping that my Challenger would get a hole in it so that I would have had a good excuse to scale the wall of the creek, walk to the nearest road, and call someone to come pick me up. Unfortunately, none of the abuse my Challenger received that day fazed it….not one single hole!----After the “trauma” of that trip I decided kayaking was not for me and I draped my Challenger over a fence in my yard to dry. The kayak remained on top of that fence in blistering heat, rain, and cold for the next 9 months. In early 2012, I finally removed the Challenger from my fence, folded it up, put it in its bag, and stuck it in my shed. Recently I decided to give kayaking another try so I broke out the old Challenger and pumped it up to see if its time on the fence had damaged it. The Challenger pumped up as easy as the day I bought it, and it did not have a single leak.----Overall, I would say that the Intek Challenger K1 Kayak is a great product and ideal for beginners or those who have to walk long distances to get to where they are going to be paddling. The kayak, paddle, and pump are relatively lightweight and easy to carry in the included case. As I said before, I would recommend purchasing a separate paddle since the one that comes in the kit is not the best quality. The Challenger does not glide through the water like most high-dollar solid-shell kayaks, but it easy to paddle and steer. If you are like I once was and want to try kayaking without investing a lot of money, the Intel Challenger K1 is what you need.

Let’s be honest here why buy an expensive fishing float when you can have this I get it’s nice to have your feet in the water but all the time? Nah you can miss me with that.This kayak has met all my expectations in terms of ultra light fishing. I’m an experienced angler but not an experienced kayaker or anything to do with the water. To be honest this is the first time I ever used a kayak!So pros of this kayakFirst off it breaks down and builds up super fast 5 ten mins each time.Comfortable it’s an inflatable kayak under 100 bucks all these people complain about back support baffle me lol I I’m a short guy 5’6”That being said my legs fit inside the kayak be it a bit tight that’s only when I’m paddling about.When I’m casting and relaxing feet out and over the sides relaxing! Really fun since it is inflatable if you wanted to just sit and relax fell the motion of the waves you totally can.StabilityDon’t blame your lack of balance for the kayaks stability I think I have great balance and reaction times Sometimes I would get scared when I would turn to grab a rod and the kayak would tip but that’s my fault for not balancing out correctly.Other times I would make an erratic motion and I would be tipped of balance a bit but like I said it all my fault lol. Haven’t taken a dip yet hahah.Can you stand on it? I mean sure if you wanna feel like Jesus for a second and possible be a fish the next. I’m sure you can I tried a for a second but thought “Do I really wanna be in the lake?” So I sat back down.Maneuverability?This thing can get goingCan turn easyCan stop easyJust up to you on how you control it this being my first ever watercraft experience I Had no problems learning the ways of paddling and learning how to move around in the water.Okay...... for fishing this craft is great I think it’s better than a tube at least you can stay dry ish with water just splashing a bit on you taking a fishing vest back pack everything fit up front on the netting putting some weight down on the front while you can paddle comfortably. Folding net on my side bait and small tackle box in front of me while I fish. Heaven guys heaven.I was able to store rods with out rigging on the sides with the little ropes.Everything is a very durable vinyl so everything has playroom I was able to also store rods standing up right behind my seat! As long as you are careful with your hooks and anything sharp you will be fine you are sitting above the water though so you will be kicked around a lot more by the wind. It doest have an anchor so at times I would be concentrating rigging up a rod and I would look up an see I got really close to shore lolI was out for seven hours on the water and noting was deflated considering hard kayaks are a pain to store and fishing floats are situational this this is a little beast.Also you can store the pump and any nonessential in the backYou don’t need an electric pump the pump supplied got me going in five mins an electric pump is probably an extra hassle.Broke down in 5 mins cleans up and tossed it in the back of my trunk off to the next lake. So much fun.Good luck my fellow anglers be safe tight lines!And for my fellow kayakers be safe too!