The post Intex Excursion 5 review – A day on the water appeared first on PumpupBoats.com.
The Intex Excursion family of boats are definitely among the most popular boats on the market. The Excursion 5 is among the biggest boats you can find.
I had a chance to use one on the lake a while back, and think the Excursion 5 makes an excellent vessel for large families that are trying to find a portable and price-friendly boat for a summer outing on the lake.
The following is a review of the Excursion 5, in which I’ll give you valuable insight into the features, specifications, and overall qualities that this raft offers on the water.
Features of the boat
Being a rather large SIB, there are a lot of things to talk about.
Comfort
Let’s begin by considering the level of comfort that the Intex Excursion 5 offers.
As the name suggests, the official capacity of the boat is 5 people, or 1000 lbs. I would say that there is ample room to comfortably accommodate four adults.
There are two inflatable seats that are located on both ends of the boat, equipped with backrests for comfortable sitting. The seats feel cozy, especially when you consider that you are in an inflatable boat. This is a convenient feature for anybody planning to spend a long time in the water.
You are also able to remove them entirely if you want more space.
Accessories
The Excursion 5 features 4 built-in fishing rod holders that make it perfect for a hobby fishing expedition. You can comfortably bring aboard two of your fishing buddies when going for a boating trip, as well as fit in bait and tackle boxes. Mind you, this boat is not a full-fledged fishing vessel, so don’t expect to stand up in it while fishing.
You’ll also find a pair of 54″ aluminum oars that you can use for paddling. The oars hook into their holders smoothly. There are actually 4 welded-on oar locks, so you can row the boat from either end. The oar locks are very basic though.
By the way, the boat has oar holders on the side, so you have somewhere to store the oars when you’re not using them.
You also get a manual pump (Intex Double Quick II High-Output Hand Pump) that you can use to inflate the boat fully in just 15 minutes. This is mainly possible because of the Boston Valves that can be found on board.
The package also includes a carry bag, so you basically get everything you’ll need for an outdoor adventure. Furthermore, any Intext boat you buy comes with a 30-day warranty.
Transportation
Just because the boat is big, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is challenging to carry and move around with when inflated
On the contrary.
The boat features an all-around grab line, which allows you to hoist the vessel from the car to the water and vice versa with very little hardship. Don’t forget that the boat weighs an unbelievable 44 pounds, which is quite impressive given that its weight limit is 1,000 pounds.
The grab line around the boat makes it easy to carry the boat and can serve as a safety feature: you can grab it if somebody goes overboard.
Durability
This inflatable boat is manufactured using top-of-the-range and super durable PVC vinyl. This gives it a sturdy build that is said to be totally puncture-proof if used sensibly.
Generally, the design features two layers of PVC vinyl to go with one polyester layer. Whether you scratch it against a rock when dragging it down to the river or along the beach, you can trust that it will come out unharmed and undamaged.
Specifications
Here is a nice table of all you need to know about the Intex Excursion 5.
| Capacity | 5 people or 1,000 lbs (450 kg) |
| Size | 144″ L x 66″ W x 17″ H |
| Weight | 44 lbs |
| Air chambers | 3 |
| Vinyl | 30 gauge |
| Accessories | 3 inflatable seats, duffel bag, repair patch, grab line, gear pouch, 2 oars, U.S. Coast Guard I.D. |
| Features | 4 oar locks, a pair on both ends of boat |
| oar holders | |
| 2 Boston valves on main hull chambers |
Who is the boat best for?
For anybody looking to spend some quality and relaxed moments on the lake, the Excursion 5 will prove to be the perfect vessel. The setup is quite easy and it will only take you a short while to inflate it and put it on the lake.
The Excursion 5 can hold a maximum load of 1,000 pounds and has ample room for a family of 4-5 people.
It comes with 2 pairs of built-in fishing rod holders, making it the ideal option for hobby fishermen who are looking to get on the water and enjoy a relaxing day of fishing.
Intex Excursion 5 modifications
The Excursion 5 offers a lot of modding possibilities.
Trolling motor
For those who just want to enjoy an easy-going boating experience, pairing the Excursion 5 with an electric trolling Motor is a great way to go.
Things you’ll need:
- Intex motor mount
- Trolling motor
- Battery
- Battery box (power center)
I discuss optimal motor + battery pairings in this article.
The tiny motor easily attaches to the Excursion 5s motor mount, saving you the trouble of having to row the boat while in the water. And even with the motor attached, your vessel will still be able to move at an easy 5mph.
You could even attach a gasoline-powered motor to the Excursion 5, just not a strong one, otherwise you’ll damage the boat.
An important thing to note is that you’ll need to have your boat registered when you decide to attach the motor.
Canopy
Adding a canopy (bimini) over the Excursion 5 can make your time out on the water much more comfortable on a hot, sunny day.
A canopy can easily be fastened to the boat and will do a good job of offering protection from elements like harmful UV rays, or even downpours that catch you unprepared.
You can buy a canopy best suited for the Intex 5 that has a similar build of durable polyester coated with PVC, featuring aluminum tubing that makes it even sturdier. Once you’re done with using the canopy, simply fold it and keep it inside the boat.
Here is a guide on installing a canopy.
Hard floor
If you have a bit of time on your hands, the Excursion 5 is a great boat to build a DIY hard floor for.
This is a very popular mod for the Excursion 5, since it can turn the boat into a sensibly priced fishing boat. You’ll even be able to stand up in the boat while casting.
I have a complete guide on how to build a hard floor here.
Swivel chairs
If you do build a hard floor and want something more functional that would make a great alternative to inflatable chairs fastened to the floor of the boat, you can try installing swivel chairs.
These would make a fishing trip even better.
You’ll find a lot of people installing a pair of swivel chairs that have folding backs to their Excursion by simply bolting the seats into tiny plywood pieces on the floor. Of course, this will require handyman skills and a bit of effort and improvisation.
All in all, having a pair of raised chairs on your boat that can spin is definitely worth the trouble.
Supply boxes
If you have a hard floor, you can build boxes to store your supplies in.
You can even put a swivel chair on top of the boxes, so you have an elevated view of the water.
Excursion 4 vs 5
The Intex Excursion 4 is a smaller version of the 5 version. Here are the differences:
- 4 person boat (880 lbs), but having more than 2 adults in the boat will be cramped.
- It is shorter by 20 inches, and narrower by 1 inch.
- It has 2 fishing rod holders instead of 4 on the Excursion 5.
- It has 2 (front and rear) seats, while the Excursion 5 has an inflatable middle row seat.
Other than these, the 2 boats are identical in terms of build and accessories as well.
The manufacturer: Intex
The name of the company that makes the Excursion is Intex. The company was founded in 1997, and has grown to sell its products in over 100 countries. It is based out of California.
The company makes all sorts of inflatable products, from air beds to pools to toys to boats.
They do provide support for their products, which is good to know and provides peace of mind. You can even buy replacements part directly on their site. So in case you lose the Boston valve or the fishing rod sleeve, you can order replacements from Intex.
FAQs
Is there a recommended motor size for the Excursion 5?
You can attach any electric trolling motor, or a gasoline power up to 2 HP. Attaching a motor which is too strong will damage the boat.
An outboard motor like a trolling motor or 2 HP gas motor will work. Anything larger than that is not recommended.
What happens if the boat develops a leak?
Small holes are easy to fix using the patch kit which is included. You should also read my article on how to find and fix air leaks.
Does the Excursion 5 need to be registered with the local authorities?
If you put a motor on the boat, it probably needs to be registered. Here is a guide for all US states. You will need to contact Intex to get a Certificate of Origin for your boat as well. Have your Hull ID Number ready when contacting them.
Is it possible to face all the seats forward, instead of them facing each other?
Unfortunately not, the seat mounts are fixed. You can take either seat out, but that’s about it. What I would do is keep the rear seat in, and take the front seat out.
Does it take long to inflate the boat?
The Excursion 5 will take about 15 minutes to inflate with included the manual pump. If that’s too long, you can get an electric pump which will do it in 7 minutes.
Is it possible for a single person to row the Excursion 5?
It is possible, yes. Daddy does the rowing, while the family sits back and relaxes.
But if you plan on using it alone for fishing, you should definitely get an outboard motor or a smaller boat, maybe the Excursion 4.
Can I go whitewater rafting with the Excursion 5?
You can go river boating, but not on whitewater. This boat is meant for relaxing in the sun, or light fishing trips.
Final opinion of the Excursion 5
When you combine all the onboard features, extra mods, and upgrades, as well as the boat’s durable build, you’ll realize that the Excursion 5 is a great recreational vessel for boaters on a budget. It is made using a thick PVC vinyl material and features three air chambers that keep it from sinking if it is punctured.
When it comes to spending quality and exciting time on the lake affordably, the Excursion 5 gets a solid A, thanks to its numerous features and low price. This boat will provide you with some well-deserved relaxation time on the lake or river, although it wasn’t designed for raging waters.
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