The Intex Excursion 5 is no doubt one of the biggest and most casual inflatable boats on the market right now.
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We wanted to write an Intex Excursion 5 review to give you the lowdown on the specs, features, and overall excitement, that this inflatable boat provides for a day on the water.
There’s no question about its popularity, as for the sheer size, it’s a very affordable inflatable boat.
The Intex Excursion 5 is an excellent option for larger families who are looking to get something portable and affordable out to the lake for the summer.
The Excursion 5 Review
Specifications
Pro's
Con's
Features and Benefits
Comfort
Let’s talk about how comfortable the Intex 5 is first!
Not only does the amount of room in the boat allow for full-grown adults to lay flat end-to-end with ease, but the seats are also incredibly comfortable for sitting in, especially for an inflatable boat. The two fixed inflatable seats are located on each end of the boat and come complete with backrests for lumbar support.
This is very important if you’re spending hours on end in the water. If you want, you can also take them out entirely.
Built-in Accessories
The Intex Excursion 5 is excellent for fishing, as it comes with four built-in fishing rod holders. You could comfortably fit 2-3 fishermen on board with tackle boxes and bait. It also comes with two 54-inch aluminum oars that are great for recreational paddling. These oars easily hook into the oar holders that are fixed onto the sides of the boat. Lastly, you have a manual pump that, when in use, takes about 15 minutes to inflate the boat entirely. Much of this is thanks to the Boston Valves that are included on board.
Transportation
Because the boat is big, you’d think it would be difficult to transport. Luckily, there’s an all-around grab line that makes carrying the boat from your vehicle to the water and back an absolute breeze. Not to mention the boat is only 44lbs, an unreal weight considering its 1000lb weight limit. The grab line not only makes it easier to carry but also adds an element of safety for anyone that might accidentally go overboard and need something to grab on to.
Durability
The Intex Excursion 5 is crafted out of a high-quality and extremely durable PVC vinyl. This makes the craft completely puncture resistant. In full, there are two layers of this PVC vinyl and one layer of polyester. No matter if you’re dragging it along the beach to get it to the water or accidentally bump into a rock in the water, you’re boat should more than likely come out undamaged.
Accessories
For the simplicity of the Intex Excursion 4, it actually comes packed with some pretty cool features.
If you’re looking to take this baby out for some good old fishin’, the two fishing rod holders will make your trip more convenient than ever, as you’ll be able to cast more lines than you have hands to do so. The Intex Excursion 4 also comes complete with a storage pouch to hold your small accessories like your phone and wallet, and also has four welded oar locks to keep the included 54-inch aluminum oars locked to the boat, even when they aren’t in use.
After all, no one wants to dive out of the boat into the depths of the murky lake to retrieve their only method of movement
Intex Excursion 5 Mods
Trolling Motor
If your ultimate goal is to kick back and relax, there’s no doubt that you should pair your Intex Excursion 5 with a trolling motor. The small motor that easily attaches to the Intex Excursion 5’s motor mount takes the hassle out of having to row your boat all day. Even with the Excursion 5 motor attached (considering the motor mount will only hold up to a 1.5HP motor), your boat will still only go about 5mph. One thing to note is that you will need to have your Excursion 5 registered if you decide to put the motor on.
Canopy
Having a canopy on your Intex Excursion 5 can completely change your boating experience. They are very easy to fasten to your boat and can add tons of protection on your lake trip. Not only will a canopy protect you and your family from harmful UV rays, but it will also protect you and your gear in the case of a surprise rainstorm. The canopies that you can purchase for the Excursion 5 is constructed with the same durable PVC coated polyester as the boat, and have aluminum tubing that is just as sturdy. When you’re all done with your canopy, just fold it up and store it inside your boat.
Swivel Chairs
If you want a little bit more versatility for your ride and are getting sick of the inflatable chairs that are fastened down to the boats ends, why not install some swivel chairs? Many people install two swivel chairs with folding backs to their Excursion 5s by bolting them into small pieces of plywood on the floors. Installing them will take a bit of effort and ingenuity, though having chairs that are raised and can spin is far worth it!
Frequently Asked Questions
Intex Excursion 5 vs. Mariner 4
The main difference that you’ll notice is the size of the Mariner 4 vs. the size of the Excursion 5. The Mariner 4. At a weight capacity of 880lbs, the Mariner 4 has just about enough room for four people at a tight fit. While the Mariner 4 does come with inflatable seats, they, unfortunately, do not have backrests, making it slightly less comfortable than the Excursion 5.
On the positive side, the Mariner 4 has rotating oarlocks installed, which make it much easier to maneuver through the water. It also has an inflatable keel that makes it much easier to maneuver as well. Besides those differences, the Excursion 5 and Mariner 4 share a lot of the same properties.
Overall, we would recommend the Excursion 5 for larger families or those looking to relax, and the Mariner 4 for those looking to do some more serious boating.
What kinds of conditions does the Excursion 5 work best in?
The Excursion 5 excels on nice, calm summer days out on the lake. It’s great for large families or fishermen who have tons of gear to bring. You can easily row it on calmer rivers as well if the current isn’t too strong and it’s very comfortable to relax in. Seriously, this boat is all about relaxing. We would strongly recommend trying to take your Excursion 5 out in the waves, as the underside of the body is far too soft. This means every wave will be felt instead of being cut through. Not only does that make the boat incredibly uncomfortable, but it also makes it a huge pain to row.
How do you register your Intex Excursion 5 if you get a motor?
You’ll have to get in touch with the people over at Intex and give them the identification number that is located on the stern of the boat. If you find the capacity label, it is the number that is on the bottom.
Can you go out by yourself with the Intex Excursion 5?
You can definitely do it it just won’t be an easy or relaxing time. The boat is shaped wide and long, meaning it’ll be difficult to paddle and maneuver alone. If you’re planning on going alone, we would highly recommend getting an outboard motor to attach. Either that or check out a smaller boat such as the Intex Excursion 4.
Can I repair the Intex Excursion 5 by myself?
Any leaks or punctures that are smaller than 2 inches can easily be sealed up with the patch they provide. If your boat’s wound is larger, Intex recommends that you send it in for professional repair.
Overall Review
For an inexpensive and exciting time on the water, we have to give the Excursion 5 an A+.
If you’re looking for the ultimate inflatable boat that can provide some much-needed river relaxation, this is the one.
With the durable build, onboard features, and variety of additional mods and upgrades, the Intex Excursion 5 is perfect for recreational boaters with a budget in mind.
Interested in checking out some reviews of our other favorite inflatable boats? Make sure to view our guide!
