
So, you’re going to want a kayak built for stability. If you think about it, a multi-chine hull is exactly what you want in a fishing kayak since you may have to fight with the fish a bit to reel it in (even small fish are surprisingly strong!). One slight drawback is that it can be harder to maneuver. The benefit of the multi-chine hull is that it’s very stable. This is opposed to a soft-chine kayak that has a curved edge. This fishing kayak has a multi-chine hull, meaning there’s a square (or almost square) edge where the sidewall of the kayak meets the bottom of the kayak. This is a sit-on-top, hard shell, one-person kayak designed specifically for fishing. The Pelican Sentinel 100X Angler is our pick for the best affordable kayak for fishing.
SIT IN KAYAK PLUS
So, while it likely won’t be a problem for most folks, it may not be suitable for two tall paddlers plus fishing gear and coolers filled with ice and drinks.Īdditionally, while I appreciate the two different skeg sizes, the skeg holder on the bottom of the kayak isn’t always mounted perfectly straight, which means keeping a steady direction on this kayak could be a challenge. The weight capacity on this tandem kayak is 400 pounds. In terms of storage space, both the stern and bow have stainless steel rings to clip dry bags to. Keep in mind this is still a budget tandem kayak, so while it does have a higher max air pressure than the Intex Challenger, it still doesn’t have the air pressure capacity of top-of-the-line inflatable tandem kayaks. In addition to the thicker material, this kayak has a higher max air pressure (.08 bar) than the Challenger, making it overall more sturdy. The material (or “skin”) of this tandem kayak is PVC-coated polyester, which is certainly more durable than polyester alone. The middle of the kayak also has an optional mounting bracket for additional fishing accessories like a GPS.Īnother cool feature is that the pump is a double-action pump so that you’re inflating with both the up and down stroke, which helps the inflation process go faster. This kayak comes with a pressure gauge to measure the air pressure in the kayak as well as a deep and shallow water skeg and two fishing rod holders.
SIT IN KAYAK PRO
Compared with the other Intex models, the Excursion Pro is made of more durable materials and has a few more bells and whistles. The Intex Excursion Pro is Intex’s premier tandem inflatable kayak.

While this isn’t a deal-breaker, you certainly wouldn’t want to take this kayak in fast rivers where contact with the river bed is possible. The Intex Challenger, on the other hand, can still be squeezed fairly easily with your hand. Higher-end inflatable kayaks have higher max air pressures, which allows the kayak to have a very rigid feeling.

It also comes with a skeg (a fin that attaches to the back of the kayak and helps steer the boat) which is an essential feature on short kayaks.Īdditionally, the carry bag for this kayak has handles that make it easy to transport, although the bag is quite thin, so it can develop holes somewhat quickly.įinally, the maximum air pressure for this kayak is a little on the low side. One plus side of the shorter body is that shorter boats are easier to turn and maneuver than longer boats, and this is true of the Challenger. If you’re tall, you could purchase the tandem kayak model of this boat though and row it solo. This kayak has an inflatable seat that’s attached with velcro and, while the kayak has decent stability, the solo version of this kayak is too small for taller paddlers (over ~6 ft tall). One thing to note is that this kayak doesn’t have handles like a hardshell kayak, but they’re not really needed because it’s so light.

The design of this kayak includes multiple air chambers, so if one springs a leak you can still get yourself to shore. The Intex Challenger is a sit-inside kayak and only takes 10-15 minutes to inflate. I have this kayak in the tandem version and it’s a great option for first starting out on the water. This inflatable kayak is perfect for paddling lakes or other calm waters.

It’s rare to find a kayak for under $100 and the Challenger is one of the few that actually has decent reviews. The Intex Challenger is our choice for the best affordable kayak for beginners.
