Blind45
Largo, Florida
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Joined: 01/27/2006
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The DW and I are thinking of getting a Sea Eagle model SE 370 inflatable kayak and I have a couple questions that I hope some owners out there can help us with. Most of the time, we will be using it in salt water and launching it from shore. I'm a bit worried about how the bottom will hold up since there are the possibilities of sort of sharp objects hitting the bottom. Now I know that if it's a real sharp object, it will cut the bottom but how should I expect it to hold up to the normal things that are found around shore and if it does get a hole, will the whole thing deflate or are there separate air chambers?
The other question is if you have one of these, do you like it?
Thanks for your input.
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Artum Snowbird
Campbell River, B.C., Canada
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We have this kind and have been very happy with it. I've talked to folks that have them, and they are almost impossible to tip over, and to puncture. Very tough units. Multiple protection from holes... Seperate compartments for air that go all around the boat each.
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Gunship Guy
Florida
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Joined: 08/09/2003
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We have 2 of the 370's and like them a lot.
The floor is a separate air chamber from the sides. The sides are also separate from each other. Things have to go pretty bad to lose all 3 chambers.
The material is pretty stout but can be punctured with a sharp rock or similar object. We've run into and over submerged limbs, logs, and stumps without any issues. The kayaks come with patch kits but we haven't used them yet.
Filling with the foot pump is surprisingly fast. The quality of the pump was more than I expected. In fact, the quality of the kayak was more than expected.
We would have preferred rigid kayaks but I really like the transportability of the inflatables and that's why we went with Sea Eagle. Sometimes we exit a river and have to trek a distance to a road. Being able to simply deflate the kayak, roll it up, and carry it under my arm is a huge plus.
We use our Jeep to pull a popup on our kayaking trips and we can put both 370's inside the Jeep. No need for a rack on the Jeep or popup. Try that with rigids.
Rigids paddle easier and track better than inflatables but that has not been an issue. The extra effort is minimal.
Very happy with our 370's and have no plans to switch.
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JUrban
Delaware
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Not sure about the unit you're considering, but I have owned 3 Sea Eagles. Started with a Paddle Ski then a 10' and now 14' sport boat. These units are great. Very tough skinned and multiple chambers. We've used the sport boats in Alaska and the southwest for 4 years, and my daughter is using the 10' with a very big dog. We fish salmon with downriggers and a lot of not too boat friendly other gear, and have never had an issue with the bottom or anything else. Give Sea Eagle a call if you have a question. Good people to talk with and work with.
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markbrumbaugh
Spring, Texas
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Artum Snowbird wrote:We have this kind and have been very happy with it. I've talked to folks that have them, and they are almost impossible to tip over, and to puncture. Very tough units. Multiple protection from holes... Seperate compartments for air that go all around the boat each.
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runway18-2
missouri
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I have a Zodiak. I have found that inflatable boats have a shelf life. The glue that holds them together starts decomposing after about 5 yrs. The seem around the bottom of mine needs reglued now. $800 to have factory reglue boat.
Never again!!!!! My next one will be Portaboat.
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~DJ~
Boise, Idaho
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Joined: 05/10/2005
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I don't have a Sea Eagle but I do have the Sevylor pictured below. As you can see I beach it on rocky shores. Before I made a dolly I have even dragged it with my motorcycle for a couple hundred yards to launch it!!!
It is pretty darn tough for a fairly inexpensive boat. Inflatables deserve more credit than a lot of folks give them. It is a good stable boat and easy to store. The two main things I do not like about it is it rows like what it is, a big inner tube. More expensive boats with high pressure air floors do much better. The other thing is the drastic pressure change in the boat between cold mornings, hot afternoons and cool evenings.
I just bought this specifically for paddling ease on non motorized lakes!!! 
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GSF
full-timing in North America
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I've had a Sea Eagle PaddleSki for about five years and have been real pleased with the quality and durability of the boat's construction. I saved a fair amount of money by buying mine from their returned boats section: Link
It came with the same warranty as a brand new one and the only sign of it being used was one 3 inch patch.
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