You’ll need a watercraft every time you want to go out fishing or want to go on an adventure with your friends or relatives. And, by the way, getting the best inflatable boat doesn’t mean breaking the bank, which is why the Intex Excursion 5 was created.
This dinghy is a bit pricey but a fun way to spend some time on the water with family and friends. Additionally, it is designed for fun and comfort over speed, so if you’re looking for maximum performance, you’ll be disappointed.
In this post, we offer a comprehensive review of the Intex Excursion 5. This dinghy has many small details that show how much effort Intex put into making the boat. So if you’ve been thinking about purchasing an Intex Excursion 5, this post will help you make the right purchasing decision.
Comprehensive Intex Excursion 5 Review
This Intex Excursion 5 is ideal for a day on the water—whether fishing or simply cruising. Besides, this inflatable boat is easy to assemble and safe to use on the water.
This dinghy is an inflatable boat manufactured by Intex Recreation Corp, a leading inflatable boat manufacturer made of tough and durable materials that allow you to use even in rough waters.
Besides, Intex Excursion 5 is equipped with all of the features to make any water adventure more enjoyable. The dinghy has enough space for five adults to sit comfortably.
Moreover, this dinghy comes with three air chambers, motor mount fittings developed from fishing rod hooks, and two grab handles. In a nutshell, the Excursion 5 is undoubtedly one of the best heavy-duty inflatable boats in the market.
Intex Excursion 5 Pros and Cons
Pros
- It is large and spacious
- This boat comes with two paddles on each end
- The Intex Excursion 5 comes with motor mount fittings
- It can hold up to 1320 pounds.
- This keel has secured the TUV and NMMA certifications
Cons
- The boat’s lightweight design allows it to drift away easily
- Because of the soft floor, you can feel the waves underneath you
- For a large inflatable boat, short paddles are recommended
Who Should Get the Intex Excursion 5?
This Excursion 5 is ideal for anyone looking for a relaxing and enjoyable time on the water. It’s simple to set up, and it only takes a few minutes to start.
The Excursion 5’s maximum load capacity of 1320 pounds, combined with the four built-in fishing rod holders, makes it an excellent choice for an angler looking to spend the day on the water.
If your primary goal is relaxation, a small trolling motor is probably a good investment. Those who don’t want to deal with rowing the Excursion 5 will appreciate the built-in motor fitting.
Keep in mind that this isn’t a boat for speed freaks or adrenaline junkies. The Intex Excursion 5 travels at a leisurely five mph even with the trolling motor engaged. Additionally, Intex’s Mariner 4 inflatable boat is also an excellent choice if you’re looking for something durable.
Besides, the Excursion 5 is ideal for those who want a hassle-free, low-cost way to spend some time on the water because of its relatively small size when packed.
Intex Excursion 5 Review
1. Comfort
The boat’s official capacity is five people with a maximum weight capacity of 1320 pounds. However, there is sufficient space for up to four adults to sleep comfortably. It is enormous, measuring 12 feet long by 5.5 feet wide, but if this size is too big for you, check out another smaller version called the Excursion 4.
There are two inflatable seats on the boat’s two ends with backrests for a comfortable sitting experience. The seats are comfortable, making it the best boat choice for anyone who plans on spending a lot of time in the water.
The seats are comfortable, but they consume a lot of space. So if you need more space and want to have four adults in the boat simultaneously, you can remove them, especially if you intend to bring additional items, such as a cooler. Most people pull the extra inflatable seat in the middle because it gets in the way.
2. Weight Limit
This inflatable boat can accommodate up to 1320 pounds. As a result, you can bring a lot of gear, including a heavy cooler, on your fishing trips. The best of all is that you can bring up to five people, so you don’t have to worry if you have friends who’d love to come with you.
However, you will be disappointed if you plan to sail this dinghy at the fastest speed because it’s just best for relaxing or fishing. However, you can still achieve your fast speeds if you put a 1.5 to 2 hp motor in the back.
3. Safety Features
The Intex Excursion 5 has three chambers that support its weight, making it safe on the water. There is another auxiliary chamber in the hull, which means you can rely on it if one of the air chambers is punctured.
The fittings can also be used to mount a trolling engine to the back of the boat. What’s more, you can move the boat wherever you want with auxiliary power, making your boating trip more enjoyable.
4. Intex Excursion 5 Construction
This dinghy is suited for large groups of people constantly looking for new experiences. Besides, this craft comes, making it one of the most preferred by many anglers out there. Furthermore, this keel can carry up to five people without any issues or complications.
The Excursion’s seats can be found at this craft’s ends and are ideal as a place to relax while expecting that big fish to bite. What’s more, you can remove the seats if you need to increase the boat’s capacity by adding extra gear or passengers.
Besides, it is closed enough to seize the grab line and the four grab handles. The holders in the fishing rod are always situated at the two ends of each seat for easy accessibility. But that’s not all—this keel also features oar holders to prevent slips and falls when the boat isn’t in use.
The Excursion 5 series comes with two primary chambers—each with Boston valves for quick inflation and deflation. In other words, you won’t have to fret about escaping air when using the Boston valves.
If you desire to include a motor for a high momentum dinghy feel, there are motor mount fittings at the stern of the boat. And finally, you can easily transport this dinghy, mainly when it’s deflated, thanks to its lightweight design and holdall.
5. Components
If you buy this incredible boat, you are entitled to a lot of free stuff. The company will provide two 54-inch aluminum rowers and four rowlocks on each side of the boat to secure your rowers when unused. Additionally, it comes in conjunction with four built-in fishing rods astride the watercraft for an increased convenient fishing experience.
But that’s not all—this Intex most preferred dinghy has got a depository pouch to its center that can hold all the items you’d like to carry. If you’d want to pump this inflatable boat, check out the handcrafted pump that comes with this Intex’s dinghy.
This boat also comes with a carry bag (alongside the pump), where you can keep your vessel after you deflate it. You’ll also get a maintenance kit, which will come in handy when emergencies occur.
6. Storage And Upkeep
The Boston valves make deflating and storing your inflatable keel a breeze. Make sure to crisp your Excursion 5 before storing it. After wiping it, deflate and fold your craft to the desired shape, then place it in the carrying pouch with the rest of the accessories.
Maintenance is relatively straightforward, and you don’t have to be an expert. The only caution is to inflate the boat in a quiet place while listening for any leaks if it has some holes.
Alternatively, you can prepare a soapy solution and spritz it around the boat’s essential areas. When bubbles start to appear, that’s a sign that there’s a hole somewhere and you need to fix it, and this is where the maintenance toolkit that came with the package comes in handy.
Other Modifications For Intex Excursion 5
Canopy
On a hot summer day, a canopy is what you need while lounging on your Excursion 5. The canopy is simple to attach to your boat, and it will provide excellent protection from the harsh sun rays and remain stable.
This dinghy’s canopy is made of the same PVC and a durable polyester as the Excursion 4. Additionally, its canopy’s stand is made of aluminum tubing to make it sturdy and rigid. Fold the canopy and keep it inside the boat to store it after use.
Trolling Motor
The Intex Excursion 5 comes with an engine port on its aft for a reason. First, the stern can be fitted with a trolling motor if you’re looking for more adventure with your dinghy—all you need is a trolling motor, a cell, and a cell box.
If you don’t want to row your dinghy on your next fishing excursion, it is possible to attach your boat’s motor and navigate it seamlessly.
A motor that runs on gasoline could also be fixed to your inflatable dinghy. However, keep in mind that it’s only possible to go up to five mph. And it’s also important to note that the excellent engine for your Excursion 5 should have a maximum horsepower of 1.5. Also, you must register your boat once you install a trolling engine on it.
Swivel Chairs
If you’ve already built a hard floor for your boat and want a chair to go with it, swivel chairs are an excellent option. With these chairs, rest assured you’ll take your fishing and boating experience to a whole new level.
Some people use swivel chairs with folding backs that are attached to the hard floor directly. Either way, you’ll go with what’s best and works for you. All-in-all, you will not regret having this modification on your Excursion 5 if you have a good set of carpentry hands.
Hard Floor
The soft flooring on this inflatable boat is rigid enough to withstand any movements. You can build a sturdy hard floor to balance and stand if you desire a fishing dinghy.
It might seem challenging to add a hard floor to your keel, but it could be relatively straightforward with a bit of guidance. To make your floor less slippery, all you’ll need is plywood, template, pro floor varnish, and drop linen, and an outdoor carpet.
After gathering all the materials you need, put your handyman skills to very excellent usage, and you’ll have a fantastic hard floor. Get a foam tube insulator for your dinghy’s edges if you still aren’t satisfied and want to protect your boat from the wooden floorboard.
Supply Boxes
You’ll need to finish off your fishing trip expertise, a decent supply pack for your gear, as well as other fishing items. If you have a firm floor, installing these boxes will be easier. Did you know that you can place a rotating chair in front of the boxes?
Bottom Line
The Excursion 5 is ideal for a relaxing afternoon on water bodies with friends. It’s suitable for those ancient, face-to-face talks that appear to be vanishing in today’s hurried, tech-driven lifestyles because of the seats facing each other.
Intex has acquired possession to great lengths to make Excursion 5 extra comfortable. The inflatable dinghy floor stabilizes the boat and provides comfort to passengers who do not have seats. The boat is lightweight, and features carry lines to make it easily portable.
If you want to make the Excursion 5 boating experience as easy as possible, you’ll want to fund a small outboard engine and a galvanic pump to reduce the amount of effort required to inflate and row the boat. You’ll not have any trouble installing an engine on the Excursion 5 because it comes in conjunction with engine mount fitting.
The Intex Excursion 5’s durability and functionality are incredible. The quality, functionality, design, and pricing of this product are all excellent, and it can fairly compete with other boat brands in the marketplace.
The inflatable boat’s simplicity can be modified in various ways to make it more versatile, and usableYou’ll be getting value for your money if you opt for the Intex Excursion 5 dinghy. However, you’ll need to keep tabs on all its features before splashing the cash.
