Intex boats: varieties and recommendations for choosing

In order to have a good weekend, people purchase various leisure accessories. Those who like to go fishing often buy boats. Intex is one of the manufacturers of such attributes.

Intex was founded in the United States in 1964. Initially, it was a small trading company created by a few friends. Some time later, it grew into a huge corporation, which has branches in many countries on several continents.

Among the range of this brand there are inflatable products for swimming - these are boats, circles, as well as furniture (armchairs, mattresses and even whole sofas). In addition, this brand produces inflatable and frame pools and boats. There is a special line of products for children - these are swimming toys, children's pools, playpens, trampolines, houses and other accessories for beach and family holidays.

All Intex products are in great demand due to their high quality and the use of modern technologies. Goods produced under this brand undergo mandatory strength testing, are completely safe for human health and comply with ISO 9000 quality standards.

Brand products (excluding large structures) easy to operate and assemble. Intex has a representative office in Russia, and its products can be purchased online. An extensive network of pickup points operates throughout the Russian Federation. Also, for the convenience of customers, courier delivery service.

Inflatable boats manufactured by Intex are claimed to be rubber. In fact, this is not a completely correct statement, since All boats are made of three layers of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material. These are two layers of vinyl processed using a special technology. Super tight to increase strength, between which there is a reinforced polyester mesh.

Thanks to the use of PVC material, the boats are lightweight, maneuverable and at the same time have a long service life. They are resistant to prolonged exposure to sea salt, ultraviolet light, gasoline and other chemicals. PVC material is not susceptible to mold and other bacteria, does not crack, wear out or exfoliate.

Due to the low weight of the product, it can be used in shallow water. At the same time, in the event of an obstacle, such a boat can be easily lifted and moved manually, but it is much more difficult to roll over on it.

The design of any Intex boat consists of several autonomous compartments, each of which is inflated separately. Thanks to this approach, the boat will be able to stay afloat in case of damage to one of the compartments. It is much easier to repair than a solid one.

However, inflatable boats are not without drawbacks. The light weight of the product does not allow the installation of high-power motors on them, so such vehicles do not develop high speed and are suitable for short walks. They are also not designed to carry large groups.

Most often, Intex boats are able to withstand a weight of no more than 200-300 kg, while the total weight of a family of 3-4 people can exceed the declared limit. For all its strength, PVC material is also not eternal, and in case of damage, it can be quite difficult to repair the product.

Inflatable boats manufactured by Intex are divided into two categories: with oars and with a motor. All models, regardless of design, have a handle, oarlocks, repair kit, mooring rope and rod holders.

Rowing boats are steered with oars. They are perfect for leisurely walks on small bodies of water. Since they do not make much noise, they are very often purchased by fishermen and hunters. Most often, this design has a soft bottom and a small capacity. Their undoubted advantage is the democratic price.

There are several models with such characteristics in the assortment of the company. They will be discussed below.

• "Cars" Disney-Pixar. The model is made in the form of a car from a Disney cartoon.Designed for a child weighing up to 27 kg.

• Explorer 200 Set. Product weight - 3.4 kg. The boat is single, the permissible load is 95 kg. Includes paddles and hand pump.

• Explorer Pro50. The weight is 2 kg, the product occupies a volume (when folded) of only 0.007 m3. Paddles are not included.

• Explorer Pro 100. With a weight of 2.7 kg and a packaging volume of 0.011 m3, the model is able to withstand a load of up to 80 kg. The paddles will have to be purchased separately.

• Explorer Pro 200. The weight of the product is about 4 kg, the permissible load is up to 120 kg. Supplied without oars.

• Explorer Pro 200 Set. This is an updated version of the previous model. It weighs more than 5 kg, is equipped with plastic oars and an inflation pump.

• Challenger 1. This is a single model. Package weight - 4.1 kg. Permissible load - 100 kg. The design has three independent air chambers with double valves and an inflatable floor.

• challenger 2. With a total weight of 7.7 kg, the two-seat design can withstand 170 kg. The vessel has 3 independent chambers, 2 Boston valves, foot pump, plastic oars.

• Challenger 3 Set. This is a three-seater vessel capable of supporting up to 170 kg. The boat itself weighs 13.3 kg, has three independent air compartments with two Boston valves and one spare (for greater reliability). The kit also comes with two aluminum oars that can be assembled into one.

• Challenger K1. Single kayak with a weight of 13 kg and a maximum load of up to 100 kg. It has a double air compartment with valves. Comes with 218cm paddles.

• Challenger K2. The double kayak weighs 18.1 kg. Load - 160 kg. It has an inflatable floor, a keel and seats with backs, as well as 218 cm aluminum oars and a luggage net.

• Explorer K2. This is a double kayak, which is designed for a load of up to 180 kg. It has an inflatable floor and removable adjustable seats, as well as 2 oars made of aluminum with a length of 219 cm. An inflatable keel is offered in the kit.

• Excursion-4. The product is a double boat with inflatable seats and bottom. Maximum load - 400 kg, the product is equipped with oars.

• Excursion Pro. This is a kayak with oars and a hand pump. Product weight - 21.3 kg, maximum load - 180 kg. The design has inflatable seats with backs and a bottom, as well as carrying handles. Motor-rowing boats have a transom for installing a motor, due to which their speed is significantly increased. They are also suitable for hunting and fishing, but their cost is slightly higher than that of rowing models. At the same time, their speed of movement is much inferior to the speed of boats with a full-fledged motor.

• Model Seahawk-200 Set designed for two passengers up to 200 kg. The boat is equipped with a transom mount.

• Seahawk-3 Set. This three-person vessel weighs 10 kg and has a capacity of 360 kg.

• excursion 3. Such a double vessel weighs 19.7 kg and can withstand loads up to 300 kg. It has a reinforced bottom with additional rigidity, 3 autonomous air compartments, each of which is endowed with valves for inflating and lowering air. Also, the design has 2 seats with a back and a place for a transom.

• Excursion-4. This is a four-seater boat, the weight of which is 23.2 kg. The design has two air compartments, an inflatable bottom and reclining seats. Includes bag, aluminum paddles, foot pump, motor mount.

• Excursion-5 Set. The weight of such a vessel, together with oars, is 26.3 kg. The design can withstand loads up to 455 kg.The boat is equipped with 3 independent air compartments (two main and one spare), three inflatable seats, two of which have a back. Also included are 4 oarlocks, 2 rod holders, transom hardware, 2 Boston valves, 2 x 137cm paddles and a tool bag.

• Seahawk 4. This boat with a support for the motor can withstand 4 people with a total weight of up to 400 kg. The weight of the structure is 19.8 kg. The product is equipped with two main cameras and one spare. Each of them has two Boston valves. The floor and seats are inflatable. The kit comes with a standard repair kit, tool bag, rod holders and oarlocks.

• Mariner 3 Set. The three-seater vessel is designed for a 300 kg load, has two air chambers, each of which is endowed with two Boston valves. The design is equipped with two inflatable seats and an inflatable keel. To increase stability, the boat is equipped with reinforced side protection against possible damage.

Before you go to the shop for a boat, you need to have an idea, for what purposes it will be used. Fans of hunting and fishing are advised to pay attention to single or double mobile kayaks in not too bright colors such as the Challenger K2 or Explorer K2. They are lightweight and take up little space when folded. At the same time, such structures are distinguished by strength and reliability.

For a family or a large company, more spacious models with the possibility of using a motor should be selected so that you can travel long distances. For this reason, when buying, you should pay attention for carrying capacity and buy a product with a margin for luggage.

It is also desirable that the ship has wide stable bottom with additional stiffening ribs. For example, in this case, the Excursion 3 Set model is perfect.

It is very convenient if the seats are with backs, because if necessary they can be unfastened and turn the boat into a mattress. It is better to choose a lighter color so that the boat heats up less in the sun. It is better that the packed boat fits in a tourist backpack or at least in the trunk of a car.

The instructions for each model indicate the density of the PVC material. Usually this figure is in the range of 700-1050 g/m2. The higher this indicator, the heavier and stronger the product.

The number of air chambers is also an important indicator. The reliability of the entire structure directly depends on their number. The presence of several valves in each compartment makes it possible to pump up the boat on the go.

The bottom can be rigid or inflatable. A hard bottom is considered more reliable - such vessels are usually chosen for fishing. However, the soft bottom is more comfortable - in such a boat you can lie down and sunbathe.

As for the configuration, it is selected based on personal needs. Oars, a repair kit and oarlocks are present in many Intex models. Also in some kits there is a hand or foot pump, as well as a fender and a cable. Even if some accessory is missing in the original set, it can always be purchased separately.

To extend the life of your inflatable boat, follow the recommendations below.

• Do not drag the product with a drag on an uneven surface - you can damage the material of the product. This is especially true for instances of non-reinforcing fabric. To increase strength, it is recommended to reinforce the bottom with an additional layer of PVC fabric. This service can be ordered in specialized centers.
• Use of the product at high or low temperatures should be avoided, as in the cold the material begins to tan and crack, and in the heat the glue with which the air chambers are glued melts. For this reason, leaving the boat under the scorching sun and near heating appliances is quite dangerous.
• In models that provide for the use of a motor, do not install an engine with a power greater than the allowable one.

With rare exceptions, reviews of Intex brand boats are positive. Consumers note a diverse range of boats, which allows you to choose the best option for your purposes without overpaying for extra accessories. Also, many users note ease of assembly and ease of operation of mobile vehicles.

Sometimes there are complaints about the fragility of boats. This is due to the fact that budget products are usually made of thin material, which is often torn.

See the following video for an overview of the Intex inflatable boat.