Honest Reviews. Expert Advice. Better Fishing
Intex Excursion 5 Inflatable Boat Set
Roomy family raft for calm water
- Seats up to five with a rated load near 1,300 lbs
- Inflatable I-beam floor and three air chambers for buoyancy
- Includes two oars, high-output pump, and carry bag
- Motor mount fittings accept a small trolling or gas motor
If you want to fish from a boat but flinch at the price of a hard hull, trailer, and storage, the Intex Excursion 5 is where a lot of anglers start. It is one of the best-selling inflatable boats ever made, and the reason is simple: it puts a genuinely roomy, five-person craft within reach of almost any budget.
The layout is built for casual fishing. You get two inflatable bench seats with backrests, four molded rod holders, an inflatable I-beam floor that firms the boat up underfoot, and a gear pouch for tackle. Three air chambers, including an auxiliary chamber in the hull, provide a safety margin if one section loses pressure.
Portability is a real strength. The whole set weighs under 60 pounds and packs into a single carry bag, so it rides in a car trunk and launches anywhere you can walk to the water. The included high-output pump gets you inflated in a reasonable window, and the motor mount fittings mean you can add a small trolling motor instead of rowing all day.
Durability is the honest caveat. The heavy-duty PVC shrugs off ordinary bumps and sun, but consensus among owners is that the seams are the sensitive spot, and slow leaks near a seam are the most common long-term complaint. This is a boat for calm lakes and gentle rivers, not rocky shoals, surf, or fast current.
Set expectations accordingly and it holds up well. Keep it off abrasive shorelines, dry it before storage, and carry a patch kit, and most owners get years of relaxed fishing out of it. The five-person rating is generous for casting, so treat it as a two- to three-angler platform with room to spare for gear.
Bottom line: The Excursion 5 is the best budget on-ramp to boat fishing there is, as long as you respect its calm-water limits and baby the seams.
Specifications
| Type | Inflatable raft (PVC) |
| Capacity | 5 adults / ~1,300 lbs |
| Weight | About 57 lbs |
| Dimensions | 144 x 66 x 17 in inflated |
| Material | 30-gauge heavy-duty PVC |
| Best For | Calm lakes and mild rivers |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Intex Excursion 5 hold a trolling motor?
Yes. It ships with motor mount fittings rated for a small motor in the neighborhood of 1.5 HP, so a modest trolling motor or tiny gas outboard works well for slow trolling on flat water.
Is it safe for ocean or river fishing?
It is built for calm lakes and mild rivers only. Owners who take it into surf or fast current risk stressing the seams, so keep it on protected, flat water.
How many people can actually fish from it?
It is rated for five adults, but for comfortable casting most anglers treat it as a two- to three-person fishing platform and use the extra capacity for gear.
How durable is the PVC?
The 30-gauge PVC resists everyday punctures and UV reasonably well, but it is moderately durable overall. Avoid dragging it over rocks and store it dry to extend its life.
How long does it take to inflate?
With the included high-output hand pump most owners are on the water in roughly ten to fifteen minutes. An electric pump cuts that down considerably.