Review Contents
Last Updated: 1st April 2017
The Intex Explorer K2 Kayak, is a two person inflatable kayak designed for recreational usage on lakes and mild rivers. Although, due to its high build quality, users have reported it’s success on rapids and stronger rivers.
With a striking yellow and streamline design, the Intex Explorer offers and safe to use, stylish, easy to use kayak that can be transported with ease.
The price of this kayak is what makes it such an exciting prospect for the beginner and intermediate paddler.
Everything to do with this kayak is designed for ease, with inflatable seats with adjustable backrests, and the inclusion of oars, a hand pump, Boston valves for quick inflation, grab lines, puncture repair kits and carrying duffel bag.
Designed for use straight out of the box, the Intex Explorer looks to introduce you to the world of kayak by emphasizing convenience and ease of use.
Made from SUPER-TOUGH™ 30-guage vinyl over a 1200 denier nylon shell with internal tubes, the explorer is built for durability. Stability is also addressed with inflatable I-Beam floors as well as removable skegs for enhanced directional stability.
The body comprises of two separate air chambers, so if a puncture occurs, it remains buoyant. These chambers are located in the floor and the main hull. A reinforced bottom that also increases the weight carrying capacity of the explorer protects the chamber in the floor.
Clearly designed with multiple users in mind, the explorer promotes kayaking as a relaxing recreational activity. But does it actually relax, or is it littered with niggles and faults that will drive the regular user crazy? During this review we will address the positives and negatives that come hand in hand with the Intex Explorer K2.
Important Information – Intex Challenger K2
| Dimensions | |
| Overall Length | 10.3ft (3.12m) |
| Overall Width | 3ft (91cm) |
| Capacity | |
| Passengers | 2 |
| Maximum Weight | 400 lb (182 kg) |
| Compliance | |
| Certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association using ABYC standards. | |
Intex Explorer K2 Kayak – Positives
There are a lot of positive associated with the Explorer K2. For a start, it comes with everything you need to get going, which is an excellent plus if this is your first kayak. With sturdy 84” aluminum oars, and quick to inflate Boston valves, you can be out on the water in not time at all. With it’s bright yellow design, safety is guaranteed.
The luminous color combined with the contrasting shades of the water makes you easy to spot from other boats on the water. Kayakers are usually easy to miss due to how low you are to the waters surface, so this hand design addition makes sure you remain safe during your outing. Its because of this that the Explorer K2 comes US Coast Guard approved, offering a little peace of mind for the worried parents out there.
If you want to see some more pictures and other reviews then click here.
The Explorer K2 is refreshingly spacious for an inflatable kayak. Usually, inflatables focus solely on seating and not leaving much space for anything else. With the K2, you not only have enough space for two people to sit comfortably, there’s also space in the rear of the boat for any food, water, or extra equipment, giving the possibility of using the kayak for fishing.
Comfort was not compromised on either, with adjustable backrests for the seats giving extra support where it’s needed most. Also, as an inflatable kayak, the Explorer K2 is remarkably light, weighing just 30lbs. This means that when needed, it can be operated by just one person, meaning it can be taken on solo trips or when the kids give up paddling, you aren’t going to be left stranded in the middle of the lake.
Perhaps the biggest positive about the Explorer K2 though, is that it is an absolute bargain. Currently selling for under $120 dollars on Amazon, in terms of value for money, there isn’t a better kayak on the market.
If you are on a budget, this kayak is the perfect choice for you, leaving money left over to spend on accessories if needed. Considering that it works straight out of the box, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better value kayak under $200.
Intex Explorer K2 Kayak – Negatives
As with every product, there are a few niggles that come thrown in for free with the Explorer K2. The first of these is to do with the paddles. Seeming as the K2s marketing aims more towards the family audience than the bachelor, it’s surprising that the paddles are not adjustable. Measuring in at a sizable 84”, it can be difficult for children to get enough purchase on the paddle to be of any help when it comes to maneuvering.
The Explorer arguably compensates for this as can be operated by just one person, but it’s not as fun for your child. The plastic connectors for the oars are also prone to snapping, making storage less easy.
Secondly, a small design flaw is the black bottom of the boat. As black absorbs heat, on a sunny day the air in the kayak will expand, which means its prone to over inflation.
This can cause tears in the exterior, or slow punctures. Where the kayak comes with a repair kit, this is not ideal and could have been easily avoided by maintaining the yellow color scheme.
Conclusion – Should you buy the Intex K2?
All in all, the Intex Explorer K2 Kayak is excellent value for money.
It excels in all the areas it was designed for, except a small flaw in the overheating of the inside. Where this is unlikely to cause you big problems, it is something to bare in mind.
It’s worth remembering that the Explorer K2 was designed to be cheap and cheerful, and in that respect it ticks all the right boxes. If you’re a family man on a budget then this is undoubtedly the kayak for you, you need look no further. Safe, reliable and sturdy, you can’t go wrong with the Explorer K2.
If however, you are looking to get a little more adventurous with your kayaking, with the view of tackling some rapids or the open ocean, it’s worth looking elsewhere, for a kayak less prone to slow punctures.
All in all, this is an excellent product, and customer satisfaction is reflected in the short reviews that can be found with the online retailers. Comfort, affordability and functionality are combined in a stylish and safe kayak, that is a close to perfect for amateur kayakers as you are going to get.
Review
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Design
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Value
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Quality
I bought this kayak last year and after less than 100km of paddling flat water downstream, two big punctures (2 inches) appeared on the bow and stern- on the membrane that holds three buoyancy tanks, and this seems impossible to repair, as the position is exposed to bending while inflating, deflating. Paddles are very bad quality, buy another one. Comfy for one person and equipment, small with two adults tho. Dissapointed to be honest.
Did you speak directly to Intex about this? I’d be surprised if they didn’t get it fixed for you Boris.
I’m thinking of buying an intex explorer k2 but am trying to find out the the internal dims are behind the rear seat. I have a fishing bucket/rod holder that is 310mm diameter and 510mm high. Can you pos tel me what sizes these kayaks have in the rear and how high the sides are from inflatable floor (insided sizes)
I have asked ebay sellers but no one is bothering to reply.
Many thanks
Tristan
Hello Drakar- I just bought a Intex Explorer K2 – there is small hole at the bottom – Is it supposed to be there- I have used it just once – About 1/2 inch of water filled up in an 40 minutes of kayaking
Please help
KD
Yes. It is a drain hole. There is a plug inside the hull that you can insert.
Where is this plug? I have been unable to find it
Mine was attached to the ring surrounding the hole. Attached like the tips are attached to the hand pump.
I just purchased the K2 and have a quick question. What is the mnmum draft to prevent damage to the skeg?
Wij zijn onze skeg verloren tijdens het varen…. is het mogelijk om er los 1 te krijgen?.
Sorry Jits – I can’t understand what you are asking my friend.
Hi
Thank you for the review. I am deciding to buy either this Explorer one or the Challenger model. Both are the same price on Amazon UK. Want to take girlfriend out in the bay where I live and ideally take our tent and food for no more than 2 days. Have always used hard plastic kayaks in the past but the practicality of these seems amazing. As you have reviewed both would you mind giving your opinion on which one I (or you) would / should buy.
Many thanks
Hi
Very interested in the review since this is an option I’m looking at, but one big query:
What’s the actual weight of the boat i.e. without seats, paddles etc?
I’ve tried to find this out, but all I get is ‘Boxed Weight’
I just received this kayak from Amazon.com and have just completed a trial inflation and deflation. I’ve not yet actually been in the water. Inflation went without problem, but I have not found it possible to deflate the boat enough to get it back in its carry bag. I don’t suppose this is a serious problem; I’ll just find a larger bag somewhere.
Speaking of the carry bag, mine arrived torn, so I called the manufacturer to ask for a replacement. After a fifteen minute hold the service person told me my kayak didn’t come with a bag, so Amazon must have supplied it, and I should refer to them. This is obviously false. The boat came in a bag in a sealed box. It is obvious the bag came from the manufacturer. A moot point, though, as it seems I can’t use the bag anyway.
One other observation. The paddles seem a lot more substantial than I had expected reading the reviews. And I was delighted to see they even come with drip guards.
Now on to actual water.
what is the difference between the Explorer and Challenger variants for the average leisure kayaker?
Not that smart re kayaks, but had this for 4 years and still sweet. Kids love it & no problems!
Excellent, thanks for dropping by John!
Bought one last year and paddled a couple of short trips in it on the Adriatic and some on lakes and on the Danube. It was well worth the price I paid for it, surprisingly fast, while – being pretty wide – very-very stable.
I am very happy with my purchase. The only drawback is that it’s slower than hard kayaks.
I lost my inflation ruler. Could anybody tell me how long it is?
Thank you
10 cm or 3 3/4 in.
I am interested in purchasing this kayak. Can you recommend a carry bag for it?
Thanks, Brandi
Hi, i bought and i used the kayak but unfortunalelly i lost the flap(piece for the stability under the kayak).Is it possible to find and buy a new one?
Hi I have a Explorer K2 with a leak on the seam and cannot fix with the normal patch kit from the store. Is there a way to do it properly?
Thank you
Get in touch with Intex – they may just discount a new purchase if the seam is leaking and can’t be fixed.
Hello, I live in Florida and am interested in purchasing this inflatable kayak. I plan to take in out on the river (not white water river type kayaking) with my family. I am concerned about oyster beds (obviously we try to stay away from the oyster beds as a general rule). Any and all comments are greatly appreciated.
THANK YOU!
They won’t pop like a balloon but obviously they aren’t indestructable.
If you have the chance of catching on oyster beds – in my opinion you should look at the higher budget advancedframe kayaks which are much more robust, or even a rigid hull kayak (like in the fishing kayak section of this site)