The initial test run of my Intex Excursion 5 was done at Steamboat Lake Sate Park in Colorado. The only thing that had not been completed from the initial construction was the carpet over the wood floor. I simply ran out of time prior to departure.
On its first weekend out, the boat performed great. It easily fit two adults and a dog, two kids and two adults, and three adults and a dog on separate journeys. That said, I learned a lot about the capabilities of the boat and what type of modifications I want to make for the future.
1) A motor is going to be a must have. Rowing the boat isn't all that bad until the wind picks up. Even a little bit of wind pushes the boat around a lot. This makes rowing into the wind very difficult.
2) Storage and better seats are going to be a needed upgrade. I used a small step stool on these first journeys which made rowing easier. Adding some type of seat that can aid with rowing comfort and ergonomics will help. Plus, having the ability to carry supplies, snacks, drinks, and fishing gear without it rolling around would be a big plus.
3) The fishing rod holders only securely hold 1 of the 3 rods that I brought with me. They are also behind me when rowing. I will need to modify how the rods are held so I have easy access to what I want. I am going to try and adjust the rod holder forward so it is more in my line of sight when rowing. That way I can at least see the rod tip while "trolling".
4) An anchor is going to be a good investment to increase fishing time. I spent a lot of effort rowing to where I wanted to be fishing. Unfortunately, the wind pushed me away from those spots with ease. An anchor that can at least keep the boat close to where I want it will help ensure I get to spend more time fishing than rowing.
5) I really want to add a fish finder. This might have to come after I add a battery for the motor but I am really tempted to get a portable unit such as the iBobber or Deeper. That I could also use for other types of fishing (i.e. shore or ice fishing). The other benefit to having a fish finder would be having an idea of the depth for anchoring.
6) Although the floor did a decent job, I may have to end up re-visiting the sectional floor. It held up well but was more difficult to put together than I anticipated. It will stick around for awhile as it fits in the back of the Subaru Outback well. That said, I may re-engineer the floor to use a hinged setup that can be deployed more simply.
7) A powered pump that can inflate and deflate would be a welcome addition.
All told, I'm very happy with my boat thus far. Its a lot of fun to take out on the water and it is going to provide a lot of fun projects!
