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Intex Excursion 5 Review
The Intex Excursion 5 is an entry-level, 5 person inflatable boat that’s perfect for a fun day on the water. The boat is made of a heavy-duty, durable PVC vinyl, and it’s extremely easy to inflate and set up.
The phrase “inflatable boat” often brings to mind something flimsy, but the Intex Excursion 5 is much more than that. Intex has designed this boat to be easy to inflate and store, and they’ve added plenty of features to add to the boat’s functionality, comfort, and fun.
Intex understands fun and water. They have over forty years of history — starting with beach balls, and then pools, spas, pool toys, and inflatable boats. They’re committed to creating products that are fun and super affordable.
Additionally, Intex has an intense focus on sustainability and safety. They’ve worked for ten years to lower the carbon-footprint of their products, and are active on a wide variety of committees to set the safety standards within the industry.
Intex puts their safety standards to practice, routinely testing their products to make sure they live up the high standards set for them. Their history in the market and commitment to safety and quality makes the Excursion 5 a solid choice for anyone looking to have some fun on the water. The Intex Excursion 5 is also US Coast Guard Approved.
In this Intex Excursion 5 review, we’ll discuss the boat’s best features, the specs, the pros and cons, warranty coverage, what’s included, and more.
In a Hurry? Here’s a Quick Summary…
Intex Excursion 5 Review: Boat Overview
The Intex Excursion 5 is made to be fun and resilient, and comes with some very nice features. It has two inflatable seats with backrests and cushions — perfect for a relaxing day out. There’s also an inflatable floor added for extra comfort, and this also adds to the Excursion 5’s rigidity.
The Excursion 5 has three air chambers, including an auxiliary chamber in the hull to make sure that one puncture isn’t going to sink the boat.
If you like options, the Intex Excursion 5 comes with oar locks and fittings to mount a trolling motor.
A lot of the little things about the Excursion 5 reveal the effort Intex put into making the boat both comfortable and easy to use. This is clear to see by looking at the specifications, features, and included accessories.
Top Features
- Two Inflatable Seats with backrests and cushions
- Four built-in Fishing Rod Holders
- All-around Grab-line for easy carrying
- Grab Handle on the bow
- The Inflatable Floor, adding to the comfort and rigidity of the boat
- Motor Mount Fitting
- Oar Locks and Oar Holders that are fixed onto the boat
- Boston Valves on the two main chambers to speed up the inflating and deflating processes
Who is the Excursion 5 Best For?
Anyone looking for a fun, easy-going time on the water will enjoy the Excursion 5. It’s easy to set up, and it only takes a few minutes to inflate and get into the water.
The 1,000 pound max load that the Excursion 5 can support along with the four built-in fishing rod holders makes this a great option for a fisherman who wants to get out and spend the day on the water.
If relaxing is your main goal, it’s probably a good idea to buy a small trolling motor. The built-in motor fitting is perfect for those who don’t want to deal with rowing the Excursion 5.
One thing to note, is that this isn’t the boat for adrenaline junkies and speed freaks. Even with the trolling motor on, the Intex Excursion 5 will only travel at a leisurely speed of about 5mph. Also, if you’re looking for something that was designed for more longterm durability, we would recommend Intex’s Mariner 4 inflatable boat.
However, the ease of setting up and the relatively small size of the Excursion 5 when packed makes it absolutely perfect for those who want a hassle-free, inexpensive way to spend some time on the water.
Want an inexpensive inflatable boat that you can stow on your camper van or sailboat? The Excursion 5 is a great choice.
Intex Excursion 5 Rating
- Durability
- Features
- Versatility
- Stability
- Speed
- Portability
- Warranty
- Customer Service
- Price
Specs
Length | 144" |
Beam | 66" |
Weight | 53 pounds |
Max Weight Capacity | 1000 pounds |
Passenger Capacity | 5 person |
What’s Included
The Intex Excursion 5 boat comes with everything you need to get out and enjoy the water. In the box, you’ll find a gear pouch, 54 inch deluxe aluminum oars, a high-output manual air pump, and a repair patch.
Also, all Intex boats are backed by a 30 day warranty. We would really love to see Intex’s warranty extended to at least a year.
FAQ
I want to mount an outboard motor on the Intex Excursion 5. What is the recommended motor size?
An outboard motor like a trolling motor or 2 HP gas motor will work. Anything larger than that is not recommended.
Can I repair the Excursion 5 myself if it develops an air leak?
Small pinhole leaks and punctures are easily patched, but repairs to holes larger than 2 inches is discouraged by Intex for safety reasons.
Do I need to register the Excursion 5?
Yes, it would definitely need to be registered if you’re going to put a motor on.
How do I get a Certificate of Origin to register the boat?
Contact Intex and provide them with the boat’s Hull Identification Number, found on the bottom of the capacity label at the boat’s stern.
Can you turn the seats around to face in the same direction instead of each other?
No, the seats are fixed. The mounts built in for them don’t allow for either seat to be turned around. You can take them out entirely, however.
How long does it take to inflate the Excursion 5?
The boat takes about 15 minutes or so to inflate with the manual pump (included). An electric pump will do the same job in five to ten minutes.
Can a single person row the Intex Excursion 5?
Yes it’s possible, although it’s not easy due to the boat’s shape. If you’re planning to go out alone, it is probably a good idea to invest in a small outboard motor. Also, if you don’t necessarily need a boat as big as the Excursion 5, we recommend checking out the smaller Intex Excursion 4.
How many people can I take fishing with me?
Given the gear and tackle you’d have to take along, the Intex Excursion 5 will be able to take two or three fishermen comfortably.
Final Thoughts
The Intex Excursion 5 is an inexpensive and enjoyable way to get out on the water. It’s made for fun and comfort vs. speed, so if you’re looking for maximum performance, the Excursion 5 will probably leave you feeling disappointed.
The Excursion 5 is perfect for a leisurely row on the lake or relaxing with friends on a lazy afternoon. Since the seats face each other, it’s perfect for those old-fashioned, face-to-face conversations people seem to be missing in their hectic, tech-driven modern lives.
With the Excursion 5, Intex has gone out of their way to make things as relaxed and comfortable as possible. The inflatable floor is there to stabilize the boat, but also to add comfort for passengers who don’t have a seat. There are carry lines and a handle to make the boat easy to carry, and it’s light enough for anyone to transport.
The Intex Excursion 5 gives the owner peace-of-mind as it is constructed out of a thick PVC vinyl skin. Even if it springs a leak, the boat sports three air chambers, so a single puncture won’t sink the boat.
If you really make the Excursion 5 boating experience completely effort free, you’ll want to invest in a small outboard motor and an electric pump to cut down on the effort that comes with inflating and rowing the boat. The Excursion 5 comes with a motor mount fitting, so you’ll have no trouble installing a motor.
Overall, the Intex Excursion 5 is fun, cheap, and portable — making it a good boat for budget-minded recreational users.
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good catch… fixed!