Pelican Intrepid 100X Angler – Kayak Review

For over 45 years Pelican International has been a leading designer and manufacturer of kayaks, canoes, pedal boats and fishing boats. Pelican firmly believes in a commitment to innovation, investment in state of the art technology and rigorous quality control standards. In 2014, our good friends at Pelican blessed us with the opportunity to review the Angler Strike 100x, which was a big a hit among our team.  Recently, Pelican has give us the excellent opportunity to paddle around in their new Intrepid 100x Angler.  The Intrepid 100x was designed and built with novices in mind, the Intrepid’s twin arched “multichine hull” is designed to offer incredible stability and tracking, while still offering great acceleration and speed.

To fully explore the capabilities of the Interepid 100x Angler we took her up to the Au Sable river up in Northern Michigan for an extended testing period.  The Au Sable stretches an impressive 138 miles and offers some of the finest fishing and outdoor activities in the country and is the perfect place to test out the Intrepid 100x Angler.  Was the Intrepid able to hold up? Well, here’s what we discovered…

Key Features:

• 4’’ day hatch with storage bag
• Adjustable footrests
• Drain plug
• Elastic bungee cords
• Ergoband seating system
• Ergonomic carrying handles
• Flush mount rod holders
• Knee pads
• Smart phone holder
• Swivel rod holder
• Storage platform with mesh deck cover
• Vertical rod holders

Specs:

• Length: 10′
• Beam: 29″
• Depth: 12″
• Cockpit Width: 25″
• Cockpit Length: 47″
• Weight: 39 LBS
• Hull Material: Ram-X Premium

Design:

The Intrepid 100x Angler is loaded with a whole host of features, so many features in fact, it that took us multiple trips down the river to realize all of the different options that were available. At 10 feet long this kayak is not designed to be the fastest on the water but for its size it delivers impressive speed and acceleration.  As you can see, this is a sit-in style kayak designed with fishermen in mind.  While many fishermen enjoy sit-on-top kayaks for the added stability and easy in/out seating they typically offer, we really liked the Intrepid because within the cockpit we were protected from the elements.  We tested this kayak in the early Spring over several chilly Northern Michigan days and it was it was nice to stay warm and dry while fishing on the Au Sable river.  At the front of the
cockpit you have a mounted swivel rod holder that worked perfectly and secured the rod very well. In the back ofthe cockpit (just behind the seat) you have two flush mount rod holders that work great for holding a net or an extra pole.

With all of the adjustable options this kayak is pure comfort.  The footrests, knee pads and ergoband seating system allow you to find your perfect comfort level.  Once you get your adjustments dialed in just right, you can float in this kayak for hours and likely hit your fish limits for the day before you get sore in the Intrepid.

Maneuverability: 

Weighing in at 39 pounds the Intrepid 100X Angler is almost 15 pounds lighter than the previously reviewed Pelican Strike 100X Angler.  To our surprise, the reduction in weight had little effect on stability and maneuverability. The twin arched “multichine” hull keeps the kayak tracking on a straight line, which is nice. Especially with your line in the water.  When you catch a fish it allows you to focus on reeling him in with peace of mind knowing the boat will keep on track.  The boat also has very good acceleration that allow you to move well and get out of tight spots quickly.  Kayaks that track well aren’t always the most nimble and while the Intrepid is not the quickest turning kayak we’ve ever tested it still does a pretty good job. If you are looking for a nice leisurely cruise down the river then the Intrepid is a good choice as it does a lot of the work for you.

Stability: 

Built with beginners in mind, the Intrepid 100X Angler delivers impressive stability on the water, with much of the credit going to Pelican’s multichine hull, which delivers the tacking of a v-hull and the stability of a flat bottom boat. While at rest the boat feels very stable which is a good sign if you are looking to take the boat fishing and for getting in and out.  We did however notice moments of instability after getting into some tight spots on the river and during times when excessive paddling was called for.  Since the kayak is on the lighter side, the key is not to push it too hard with the paddle and keep the boat under control.

The #1 recommendation we can give you for stability on the water is to use the footrests! Adjust the footrests inside the cockpit to your specific height. They will add comfort to your time on the water and without a doubt increase stability.

Storage:

The folks at Pelican threw in some nifty storage options that really round out the boat well. Whether you are going for a day fishing trip or just a nice cruise, there are more than enough options to store what you need for the trip. Upfront there is a storage area fitted with bungee cords that allowed us to secure a good amount of fishing supplies securely.  In the back you have a storage platform with a bungee/mesh cover for additional storage options. Also a great location for a cooler that contains some tasty cold treats for your float.  The kayak also features a 4 inch dry-hatch to keep your personal belongings dry.

The cockpit even has a nifty smartphone holder.  If you like to have fun and listen to tunes on the river, this boat pairs nicely with the ECOCGEAR ECOPEBBLE as the waterproof Bluetooth speaker clips easily to the boat while your phone stays dry in the holder.

Value:

Priced at $499 the Pelican Intrepid 100x Angler has great value especially with all of the great features that come with the kayak.  While it is not the cheapest nor the most expensive on the market, the hull is made of Pelican’s high density, impact resistant, UV protected RAM-X Premium material which provides great durability.  At the conclusion of testing we found that the RAM-X material really protects the kayak well and you will have Intrepid around for a long time making it a very good investment.  Pelican’s guiding principal is to bring quality products within reach of all outdoor enthusiasts and the Intrepid 100X Angler definitely lives up to that principal.

Buy Now: $499 or to learn more, go to: PelicanSport.com