Intex Challenger 2 Inflatable Boat

Was crossing Missouri River with a crossbow to go hunting on Howell Island. River was flooded and I miscalculated the amount of upstream paddling needed to cross the levy which was overflowing. Got to very end of levy and was sucked back over the levy down an extreme current and 10 foot levy waterfall drop. Miraculously didn’t capsize and boat got a tiny leak and was able to paddle to shore and eventually paddle back across after my very cold and wet hunt. Considered “borrowing” another hunters boat to get back across river but tested my fate and paddles about double distance up the levy and made it back across. Would have drowned for sure if this lil vessel had popped all the way.

Was looking at this for a while so when it came down in price a bit, I decided to take the plunge (metaphorically speaking).Off I went with my son like proper townies down to a nearby reservoir and set sail. We were still afloat after the first minute which I vocally considered a success. There is a technique to rowing which, after an hour on the water, I had yet to master. I spent more time going round in circles while trying to convince my son that's what's supposed to happen. Pleased with the sturdiness and robustness of it and impressed with what you get for your money. Nice little touches mean the oars won't drift away if you let go and they also clip on to the side of the boat. Doesn't take long to pump up using the supplied pump (5mins after the first ... MoreWas looking at this for a while so when it came down in price a bit, I decided to take the plunge (metaphorically speaking).Off I went with my son like proper townies down to a nearby reservoir and set sail. We were still afloat after the first minute which I vocally considered a success. There is a technique to rowing which, after an hour on the water, I had yet to master. I spent more time going round in circles while trying to convince my son that's what's supposed to happen. Pleased with the sturdiness and robustness of it and impressed with what you get for your money. Nice little touches mean the oars won't drift away if you let go and they also clip on to the side of the boat. Doesn't take long to pump up using the supplied pump (5mins after the first practice).Good size for myself and my son (10 Yr) . You could fit 2 adults but would be a squeeze. Alternatives look a bit flimsy and are more for swimming pools but this is good for reservoirs, lochs, lakes and canals. Probably OK in the sea if sticking near the shoreline on a calm day but I reckon you need a certain level of ability to do that which I don't have. We'll worth it even if you were to only use it occasionally.

I have been using this boat for more than a year. There is a lake in front of my house so I use the boat a lot. The boat itself is really good and can easily handle more weight than it mentioned. But if you will scratch it a bit on stones then it will leak out very fast. So you have to be very very careful with the boat. The other problem is paddles. Then can easily slip of if you leave then for a second and fell into water. So you have to hold them all the time. The point where you put the paddles, does not really hold it.

I can inflate this raft in 10 minutes if I'm moving quickly, but I end up fairly sweaty. The raft is pretty sturdy, but it can get a whole if you're bumping against rocks, or if you have to use rocks to get launch the raft. I lived on Treasure Island in San Francisco Bay, and I would take it out on very calm days, but it was very difficult to row when the waves picked up, even just a little bit. The holders for the oars are not usable at all. The holders bend to much and it is nearly impossible to use the oars in those holders. My modification was using half of each oar and moving to the front of the raft and doing a sort of breast stroke. Only use this raft if the water is just barely moving.

Takes forever to fill up, but once you get there, look out! It's worth it because I just keep the boat in my back seat during the summer and it stores easily. My wife and I squeeze in here just fine--two average adults will only fit comfortably if they are somewhat comfortable with intimacy, but it's perfect for a couple :)We float around and read and drink those frozen margaritas you get in a pouch and slowly burn to death while blaming each other for poor rowing. It's awesome. It's especially awesome in the time of Covid, it's easy to keep your distance in the middle of a big beautiful lake, but it feels to be good being outside doing something other than hiking. Really relaxing. And you can see other people, real humans you don't know intimately! Even wave at ... MoreTakes forever to fill up, but once you get there, look out! It's worth it because I just keep the boat in my back seat during the summer and it stores easily. My wife and I squeeze in here just fine--two average adults will only fit comfortably if they are somewhat comfortable with intimacy, but it's perfect for a couple :)We float around and read and drink those frozen margaritas you get in a pouch and slowly burn to death while blaming each other for poor rowing. It's awesome. It's especially awesome in the time of Covid, it's easy to keep your distance in the middle of a big beautiful lake, but it feels to be good being outside doing something other than hiking. Really relaxing. And you can see other people, real humans you don't know intimately! Even wave at them! Buy one and when spring comes around you'll be glad you did.

We got this little boat so we can take our dog out onto the water (with her life jacket on). It doesn't take too long to inflate especially if you have an electric pump. It's really comfortable to sit in even though you have to share leg space if you have another person on. We were able to fit our dog in the middle, but she's only about 40 lbs so she's not a big dog. The paddles aren't amazing but they work well enough. We may replace them with some a bit sturdier. Overall, we love it! We're able to fold it and put it back in the box every time too.

Really good purchase have had and used for two years. Very spacious and easy to assemble. Strong and very durable. Easy to pack away Fits in the bag perfectly. Very good value for money. Highly recommend Intex brand for inflatables always long lasting!

This boat was so much more than I expected! It was a breeze to blow up, it came with its own pump -took about 5 minutes to fill up. My 2 adult children fit and had plenty of room. We have been using it for a solid week at Cape May and it is sturdy! Also nice that it comes with paddles so it’s easy to carry. -It is really big so I’m uncertain how we will get it back in the box to take home.

Awesome boat! Highly recommended!

So far, I love this boat. I have had the Seahawk boat quite a few times, but I like the simplicity of this boat. I travel long distances when rowing, and it has been great thus far. Highly recommend if you don't need the motor (Seahawk can have a motor). It feels like the Seahawks cool younger brother. Highly recommended.

Long Life w/No Leaks

I bought the "first edition" of this Challenger inflatable around '98 or '99, when my three grandsons were 2-4 years old, and our granddaughter was about 10.. We used it every year at Galveston on our annual clan trip. I have a picture of our 4th grandson in it when he was two (born in 2006). It failed that summer when our then 11-13 year old grandsons decided to entertain the two year old by dragging him in the boat across the sand and an asphalt road!! So, the Challenger was killed after 9-10 years of faithful service, with never a leak/equipment failure of any nature!! I put my youngest son in charge of all beach arrangements after that summer, and he bought different brands of inflatables those next 6 years...none lasted more than two years. So, at my patient ... MoreI bought the "first edition" of this Challenger inflatable around '98 or '99, when my three grandsons were 2-4 years old, and our granddaughter was about 10.. We used it every year at Galveston on our annual clan trip. I have a picture of our 4th grandson in it when he was two (born in 2006). It failed that summer when our then 11-13 year old grandsons decided to entertain the two year old by dragging him in the boat across the sand and an asphalt road!! So, the Challenger was killed after 9-10 years of faithful service, with never a leak/equipment failure of any nature!! I put my youngest son in charge of all beach arrangements after that summer, and he bought different brands of inflatables those next 6 years...none lasted more than two years. So, at my patient and final direction, its back to now Challenger 2 in 2015 - absolutely appropriate name for us!! We have lost our oldest granddaughter to marriage, our three oldest grandsons are/soon will be lost to college. But, We still have our 4th grandson, now almost 9, added granddaughters - 8 & 6, and a 5th grandson - 2! So, the adventure of Challenger 2 will continue with them - and I can safely assume for MANY years!!