Spacious and Stable

For an inflatable, the boat feels surprisingly tough and stable. The thick vinyl material gives confidence on calm rivers and lakes, and the multiple air chambers add a layer of safety in case of a puncture. Once inflated, the boat becomes rigid enough to walk around in carefully, and we were impressed by how high it sits in the water, even with a lot of gear on board. There are three inflatable seat cushions included with built-in backrests. They are basic, but they do the job and are pretty comfortable.

The built-in fishing rod holders and oar locks are handy, and the grab rope running along the sides which is good for launching or pulling yourself in from the water. There is plenty of space for storage and gear. We had a dry bag, cooler box, battery box, folded up trolley and motor gear onboard with no issues. There’s even a little pouch included for keeping small items off the floor. Overall, it’s thoughtfully laid out and very usable for casual adventures.

Inflation and Launching

Inflating the boat with the included hand pump takes around 10–15 minutes but is quite tiring. We bought a Ryobi ONE+ Cordless Volume Inflator, which really speeds things up. It quickly fills each compartment, and we only need about 30–60 seconds of manual topping up per chamber to reach the right pressure. This combo makes setup much quicker and less painful. Once inflated, the boat is large and fairly heavy. Not unmanageable, but certainly not something you’d want to carry far without help. We use a 4-wheel cart to transport the boat and all of our gear and then we inflate it at the side of the river.

Trolling Motor Setup – Smooth and Quiet Cruising

One of the biggest selling points for us was the ability to add a trolling motor. We went for the Osapian 55 Electric Outboard (55lbs thrust, 660W, 12V, 90cm shaft), which we purchased from Amazon. Mounting it was simple using the Intex Motor Mount Kit, which secures to the stern. The mount feels solid once attached.

On the water, the Osapian 55 gives the boat a relaxed cruising speed, faster than paddling, but still slow enough for sightseeing or fishing. It’s not designed for speed, but for calm lakes and rivers, it’s perfect. The motor is extremely quiet, and we could hold a normal conversation while running it. Reverse function works well too, which is useful when docking or navigating tight spots.

Powering It All – Lifepo4 Battery Setup

For the power source, we used the Eco-worthy LiFePO4 12V 100Ah battery. It’s lightweight compared to a lead-acid battery. On a single charge, we get around 4–5 hours on moderate throttle before the voltage starts to drop, or around 2 full hours on maximum speed. It fits neatly in the boat, and we keep it in a waterproof battery box for added protection.

Practical Considerations & Final Thoughts

There are a few things to be aware of. First, the boat is quite large and heavy. Carrying it to and from the car to the river along with all of the other gear is quite strenuous. We use a 4 wheel cart to drag it and all the kit. Secondly, it’s not the quickest to pack away – drying and deflating the boat properly takes time if you don’t want mould or mildew. The Ryobi Inflator mentioned earlier also has the ability to suck air out of the boat by putting the nozzle on the inlet. This really helps reduce the time it takes.

All things considered, the Intex Excursion 5 is a fantastic entry level inflatable boat, especially when paired with a quiet trolling motor and a reliable battery. It opens up a whole new level of freedom on the water, whether you’re just cruising, fishing, or floating downstream. Highly recommended if you want a low cost, low maintenance way to get out on the water with a bit of extra comfort.