Orhun Karpuz Sit On Top Kayak

Kayak Sea Eagle

Sea Eagle 385 FastTrack Inflatable Kayak Review

Sea Eagle has been very popular in the inflatable kayak market for a very long time. Their Explorer inflatable kayaks and Sport inflatable kayaks are well known all over the world. Just this year (2010) they have come out with a brand new sleeker model that will likely appeal to a wide range of paddling enthusiasts.

The Sea Eagle FastTrack is a faster and lighter weight inflatable kayak that can handle most types of water including lakes, ocean and river kayaking (up to class III). Below I will compare it to Sea Eagle's Explorer kayaks as well as point out the pros and cons of this new popular model.

My Inflatable Kayak Story

I have personally been a fan of Sea Eagle inflatable boats ever since I first began searching for an inflatable kayak a few years ago. I have kayaked for most of my life and in the past had always used a rigid hard-shell kayak. I chose to purchase an inflatable kayak for the sheer convenience of them. I wanted a kayak that I could easily store away in a closet, transport in the trunk of my car as well as on an airplane and be able to carry by myself.

After a whole lot of research I ended up purchasing the Sea Eagle 380X Explorer Kayak. I have been absolutely satisfied and happy with it and have used it for many, many hours of paddling fun… including for some travel as well.

What Makes the FastTrack so Great

I love my Explorer kayak but there are two things about it that I wished were different. For one thing I wish it was lighter. It weighs 47 lbs. which isn't bad for a tandem kayak but it would be far easier for travel if it were lighter.

The second thing I wish were different is the speed. Again it isn't bad but it is known for not being the fastest kayak in the water.

Knowing these two downsides of my own inflatable kayak I couldn't help but love the new Sea Eagle FastTrack. With this inflatable kayak they have taken all of the positive features of their Explorer kayaks and added:

• a new design for better speed and tracking
• as well as a new super rugged but lighter weight material

The Sea Eagle FastTrack compared to the Sea Eagle Explorer Kayaks

The FastTrack is very comparable to the Sea Eagle 380X as far as size is concerned. It is identical in length and about an inch smaller in width. It also has the identical weight capacity (750 lbs.).

However the major plus with the FastTrack is the fact that it weighs twelve pounds less than the 380X. That is quite a big difference and will make transporting the kayak to and from the water as well as much easier for airplane travel.

The fact that this tandem inflatable kayak weighs so little is awesome and it also means that if a person wanted to use the kayak solo they would have no problem carrying it themselves.

As far as design is concerned you can tell just by looking at the FastTrack that it has a slightly different shape than the Explorer kayaks. This new shape allows for better speeds for three reasons:

• It has a drop stitch outside keel at the bow which provides buoyancy and helps to stop the natural yaw of an inflatable kayak.
• There is a removable rear skeg that helps to keep the kayak tracking straight.
• It comes with a separate very rigid drop stitch floor which increases the overall rigidity of the kayak and creates side chines under the pontoons which enhances the overall paddling performance.

Sea Eagle actually states that the floor of the new FastTrack is so rigid that it could even be used as a stand-up paddle board. That is quite impressive.

Pros & Cons of the Sea Eagle FastTrack

Pro Sea Eagle FastTrack:

• able to reach higher speeds than any other Sea Eagle inflatable kayak
• very high load capacity
• lots of room for two people to be very comfortable – can also be paddled solo
• very lightweight for a tandem inflatable kayak
• self-bailing
• versatile – can handle most types of water including lakes, ocean and rivers (up to class III)
• good tracking
• rigid floor
• good storage space including below spray skirts and rope lacing for storage above

Against Sea Eagle FastTrack:

• At this time there is only the one size option – whereas the Explorer kayaks come in three different size options.

Conclusion on the Sea Eagle FastTrack

I think there is little doubt why the Sea Eagle 385 FastTrack is quickly becoming a favorite inflatable kayak with many. Even though I love my 380X Explorer kayak, if I had the choice today I would have chosen the FastTrack over my currant model.

The fact that this kayak has lighter weight and gets higher speeds as well as has the same rugged and solid construction makes this inflatable kayak in my opinion the very best one on the Sea Eagle website as well as likely one of the best ones on the market.

I think if you do the comparisons yourself you will likely agree that the FastTrack offers far more positive points and features than many other inflatable kayaks on the market.

One thing that is for sure is that there are lots of inflatable kayak brands to choose from. I would suggest doing the comparisons yourself so you can decide which features are most important in a kayak for you.

About the Author

To learn much more about Sea Eagle inflatable kayaks visit www.InflatableKayakWorld.com where you'll find comprehensive reviews and information on all of the different types of inflatable kayaks.

Sea Eagle 380xd Inflatable Kayak $899 Sea Eagle 380x inflatable kayak. 12'4" long, holds 2 adults. Rated for up to class 4 whitewater.

340xd Explorer Kayak $849 2 person inflatable kayak, great for camping and whitewater.

Deluxe Kayak Seat $39 Deluxe Kayak Seat. A great kayak seat that provides extra back support for paddling or rowing. Works in all of our kayaks.

SE370 Deluxe Kayak $349 12 ft kayak featuring:Self bailing drain valveThree deluxe one-way valvesLashed down inflatable spray skirtsI-beam construction floor2 skegs on the bottom for better tracking & speed Pressure Gauge and Repair KitBow & Stern Grab Line3 year warranty

395ps PaddleSki $899 2 person inflatable rowing catamaran kayak. Great for sea kayaking!

Deluxe Fly Fishing Seat $39 Our new Deluxe Fly Fishing Kayak High Seat provides super comfort and great back support like our regular Deluxe Kayak seat, but it sits you up 3” higher for greater casting comfort. Can be used with the SE 330, 395 ps, 435 ps, 340x, 380x, & 420x.

A-41 Large Bellows Pump $39 A high capacity footpump made of durable ABS plastic. Packs down for easy travel. Comes with adapter valves for Motormount boats, Transom boats, Paddleski, and kayak models.

AB40 7' 10 Double End Paddle $95 The asymmetrical spoon blade design of this kayak paddle allows for smooth entries and an even pull, maximizing the power from your stroke. Made with ABS/Fiberglass composite blades and an aluminum shaft that disconnects in the center. 4 lbs

Sea Eagle Surf Mat $19 Great Fun on the Ocean!Two built in skegs let the Sea Eagle Surf Mat track down the face of a wave like a North Shore pro! Double I-Beam construction makes it rigid and bouyant, and an extra heavy PolyKrylar material make it tough and durable.

Sea Eagle 330 Deluxe Package $299 Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable Canoe. Rugged 33 mil polykrylar hull. 11'2" x 2'10" Only 26 lbs. Complete with two seats, two 7' 10" paddles, footpump, and repair kit.

Sea Eagle 14SR Deluxe Inflatable Boat $2299 Sea Eagle 14SR Inflatable sport boat. Deluxe Package. Carries 7 adults, 40 HP engine. Double reinforced 19" inflatable tubes.

Sea Eagle 8FD Inflatable Boat $549 9' 7" Four man inflatable boat. Complete with motormount, floorboards, two seats, oars, pump, repair kit

Sea Eagle 10.6SRD 5 man Inflatable boat $1499 10' 6" Inflatable boat Deluxe package. HOlds 5-people, 15 hp. capacity. Rugged 1000 denier fabric, reinforcement layers under hull. Great for yacht tending.

Sea Eagle 9 Fisherman's Dream Kit $599 Rugged 11' x 4'8" Inflatable boat featuring super thick 38 mil Polykrylar hull material, wooden floorboards, two seats, motormount, oars, foot pump and repair kit.

Sea Eagle 375fc Fold Cat Pro Angler $1299 Pontoon boats are a great way to get to places where fish are hiding. But who has 35-40 minutes to spare to put your boat together? Most rowing frames take that long to assemble. Our FoldCat has a unique folding support system that can be inflated and assembled in 5 minutes by one person.

Sea Eagle 12.6 SRD 6 Man inflatable Boat $1799 12' 6" - 6 man inflatable boat. Rugged 1000 denier material, maintenance free plastic floorboards. 3 year warranty. Complete kit - see page for details.

Sea Eagle KAYAKANCHKIT Sea Eagle Kayak Anchor Kit $63.18 Sea Eagle Sea Eagle Kayak Anchor Kit KAYAKANCHKIT. Mushroom Anchor Kit for Kayaks. Includes Mushroom Anchor and 25 ft.

SeaEagle.com life jacket $39 Sea Eagle Coast Guard Approved Life Jackets are good looking and durable. Features four plastic closures on adjustable nylon straps for a comfortable, secure fit.

Nylon Carry Bag for inflatable boat $25 Our storage bag is a convenient way to transport your Sea Eagle. This 26x43 inch bag will comfortably hold a deflated SE-6, SE-8, SE-9, or SE-330 and several accessories (i.e. oars, pump & motormount).

AB-25-3 OARS $30 Our AB-25-3 Oars will row a Sea Eagle 6, 8 or 9 at a surprisingly brisk pace. Aluminum shaft with ABS plastic blades. Length is 56 inches long. (pair)

Sea Eagle 380x Deluxe Kayak $2325.8 Get out on the water with the Sea Eagle 380x 2-person inflatable deluxe kayak. This deluxe package includes a pump, paddles and everything else you need to get out quickly and easily. The kayak has an I-beam floor for rigidity and is set-up with front and rear spray skirts with water deflector guards and rope lacingFour self-draining valvesInflates in eight minutesThis package features an NMMA-certified kayak Two AB30 paddlesTwo DKS seatsFoot pumpKayak carry bagRepair kit and instructionsExterior size: 12 feet 6 inches long x 3 feet 1 inch wideInterior size: 11 feet 9 inches long x 1 feet 3 inches wide

Sea Eagle 420x Deluxe Kayak $2584.52 The Sea Eagle 420x Kayak Deluxe package features an NMMA-certified kayak and accessories. You will get on the water quick as this kayak inflates in 9 minutes.Four high-capacity, self-bailing drain valvesRemovable inflatable seatsFront and rear spray skirts with water deflector guards and rope lacingSeparate I-beam floor for rigidity6 D-rings to secure seat for 1 or 2 people1-way valves on main chambersCarry bag, repair kit, and instructionsExterior size: 14' x 3'1Interior size: 13'4 x 1'3Deflated: 31 inches x 21 inches x 10 inchesTube Diameter: 11.5 inchesCapacity: 2-3 adults or 855 poundsWeight: 54 poundsModel number: 420_xkDNMMA certifiedDeluxe package includesSea Eagle 420x KayakTwo (2) AB30 paddlesTwo (2) DKS seatsFoot pumpKayak carry bagRepair kit and instructions

8.10YT Yacht Tender Inflatable Boat $999 3 man foldable inflatable boat. Inflates in minutes, folds to fit in any trunk. 5 hp. capacity, makes a great yacht tender or RV companion

Bow Storage Bag $21 This trim, attractive bag fits on the bow of our 420x, 380x & 340x kayaks. Great for storing snacks, sodas, repair kits or a spare pump.Also fits on our 395ps and 435ps paddleski models.

Stern Storage Bag $18 This trim, attractive bag fits on the stern of our canoes. Great for storing snacks, sodas, repair kits or a spare pump.

Nylon Seat Bag for Aluminum Seat $39 Makes excellent use of the dead space underneath the wooden seat. Nylon flap secured with Velcro makes attachment easy. Comes with Nylon shoulder strap to carry to and from your boat. Storage capacity: 14 x 24 x 9.

Repair Kit For Transom Boats $15 Repair kit for Transom Sport Boats, Explorer Kayaks and Paddleski models. Includes two pieces of hull material, tube of glue & Halkey-Roberts valve replacement tool.

MB-50 Electric Pump $39 The MB-50 electric pump inflates our motormount boats in a matter of minutes. Includes a cigarette lighter adapter for automotive use. Includes multiple valve adapters and a nine foot battery cable. This pump is for the SE6, SE8, SE9 and SE330 models.

MB100 High Pressure Electric $89 Designed for our Sport Boats, PaddleSkis, & Kayaks (except the SE-330), the MB-100 high speed electric pump is specifically designed for higher pressure inflatable boats. Hooks up to a car battery. Just set the pressure gauge to the desired pressure and turn on.

Swivel Seat $49 Padded Swivel Seat. Can be used with the Seat Spider or attaches to our Fold Cat.

AB25-5 OARS $39 Designed for our Transom Boats, these oars connect with oarlock pins for fast, comfortable rowing. Collapsible for easy transport. 5 ft. 5 in. long.

seaeagletest $100 test

Sea Eagle 420x Pro Kayak $2972.59 The Sea Eagle 420x Kayak is NMMA-certified and includes all the accessories that you need to get out there. This kayak inflates in 9 minutes and can hold up to 855 pounds.Four high-capacity, self-bailing drain valvesRemovable inflatable seatsFront and rear spray skirts with water deflector guards and rope lacingSeparate I-beam floor for rigiditySix (6) D-rings to secure seat for 1 or 2 peopleOne-way valves on main chambersCarry bag, repair kit, and instructionsExterior size: 14' x 3'1Interior size: 13'4 x 1'3Deflated: 31 inches x 21 inches x 10 inchesTube Diameter: 11.5 inchesCapacity: 2-3 adults or 855 poundsWeight: 54 poundsModel number: 420_xkDNMMA certifiedDeluxe package includesSea Eagle 420x KayakTwo (2) AB30 paddlesTwo (2) TBS seatsFoot pumpStern bag and bow bagKayak carry bagRepair kit and instructions

Sea Eagle 420XDLX Sea Eagle 420X Kayak Deluxe Package $1577.92 CALLING ALL ADVENTURERS: EXPEDITIONRATED KAYAK KNOWS NO FEAR Built for Raging Whitewater or OpenWater Wilderness Touring. Are you a true adventurer? If your idea of a perfect weekend means harrowing treks and trips that make others blanch you definitely qualify. Explorer Kayaks Can: Rocket fearlessly down Class IV rapids Traverse miles of wilderness rivers to spend weeks at primitive campsites Fly fish remote trout streams other fishermen can t get to Carry easily on a small plane to impossibly obscure fishing or camping sites Why are Sea Eagle Explorers the top choice of Wilderness Adventures? Onthefly flexibility: handles wet OR dry conditions with ease What do you do when the placid river you re kayaking becomes a freeforall of rapids? If you re in an ordinary dryonly kayak with no drains you must either portage your craft or get ready to sit in several inches of cold water. Similarly a common wetonly kayak s permanently open drains let water in even in deadcalm water. The Sea Eagle Explorer Kayak is ready for wet OR dry conditions with four extralarge easily convertible drains. Drains OPEN the craft bails itself in rough whitewater conditions. Drains CLOSED they don t let a drop of water in so you and your cargo stay comfortably dry in calm water. And worst case even filled to the gunwales with water the Explorer Kayak still floats. DoubleFloor Protection The Sea Eagle Explorer Kayak is as tough as nails and as rugged as the men and women who choose it. Stem to stern it s constructed of tough 1 000 denier polyestersupported highpressure fabric with quadruplethickness electronicwelded seams. How tough is the Explorer Kayak? In torture testing we pounded it mercilessly with the claw of a claw hammer. It had no effect. Neither did stabbing it with a screwdriver. We simply couldn t penetrate the crocodile hide hull. Material you can hit with a hammer Would you hit an inflatable boat with a claw hammer? We hit the hull 1000 denier hull material in our

Sea Eagle 380XDLX Sea Eagle 380X Deluxe Kayak Package $1419.97 CALLING ALL ADVENTURERS: EXPEDITIONRATED KAYAK KNOWS NO FEAR Built for Raging Whitewater or OpenWater Wilderness Touring. Are you a true adventurer? If your idea of a perfect weekend means harrowing treks and trips that make others blanch you definitely qualify. Explorer Kayaks Can: Rocket fearlessly down Class IV rapids Traverse miles of wilderness rivers to spend weeks at primitive campsites Fly fish remote trout streams other fishermen can t get to Carry easily on a small plane to impossibly obscure fishing or camping sites Why are Sea Eagle Explorers the top choice of Wilderness Adventures? Onthefly flexibility: handles wet OR dry conditions with ease What do you do when the placid river you re kayaking becomes a freeforall of rapids? If you re in an ordinary dryonly kayak with no drains you must either portage your craft or get ready to sit in several inches of cold water. Similarly a common wetonly kayak s permanently open drains let water in even in deadcalm water. The Sea Eagle Explorer Kayak is ready for wet OR dry conditions with four extralarge easily convertible drains. Drains OPEN the craft bails itself in rough whitewater conditions. Drains CLOSED they don t let a drop of water in so you and your cargo stay comfortably dry in calm water. And worst case even filled to the gunwales with water the Explorer Kayak still floats. DoubleFloor Protection The Sea Eagle Explorer Kayak is as tough as nails and as rugged as the men and women who choose it. Stem to stern it s constructed of tough 1 000 denier polyestersupported highpressure fabric with quadruplethickness electronicwelded seams. How tough is the Explorer Kayak? In torture testing we pounded it mercilessly with the claw of a claw hammer. It had no effect. Neither did stabbing it with a screwdriver. We simply couldn t penetrate the crocodile hide hull. Material you can hit with a hammer Would you hit an inflatable boat with a claw hammer? We hit the hull 1000 denier hull material in our

Sea Eagle 420XPRO Sea Eagle 420X Kayak Pro Package $1735.87 CALLING ALL ADVENTURERS: EXPEDITIONRATED KAYAK KNOWS NO FEAR Built for Raging Whitewater or OpenWater Wilderness Touring. Are you a true adventurer? If your idea of a perfect weekend means harrowing treks and trips that make others blanch you definitely qualify. Explorer Kayaks Can: Rocket fearlessly down Class IV rapids Traverse miles of wilderness rivers to spend weeks at primitive campsites Fly fish remote trout streams other fishermen can t get to Carry easily on a small plane to impossibly obscure fishing or camping sites Why are Sea Eagle Explorers the top choice of Wilderness Adventures? Onthefly flexibility: handles wet OR dry conditions with ease What do you do when the placid river you re kayaking becomes a freeforall of rapids? If you re in an ordinary dryonly kayak with no drains you must either portage your craft or get ready to sit in several inches of cold water. Similarly a common wetonly kayak s permanently open drains let water in even in deadcalm water. The Sea Eagle Explorer Kayak is ready for wet OR dry conditions with four extralarge easily convertible drains. Drains OPEN the craft bails itself in rough whitewater conditions. Drains CLOSED they don t let a drop of water in so you and your cargo stay comfortably dry in calm water. And worst case even filled to the gunwales with water the Explorer Kayak still floats. DoubleFloor Protection The Sea Eagle Explorer Kayak is as tough as nails and as rugged as the men and women who choose it. Stem to stern it s constructed of tough 1 000 denier polyestersupported highpressure fabric with quadruplethickness electronicwelded seams. How tough is the Explorer Kayak? In torture testing we pounded it mercilessly with the claw of a claw hammer. It had no effect. Neither did stabbing it with a screwdriver. We simply couldn t penetrate the crocodile hide hull. Material you can hit with a hammer Would you hit an inflatable boat with a claw hammer? We hit the hull 1000 denier hull material in our

Sea Eagle 380XPRO Sea Eagle 380X Kayak Pro Package $1656.9 CALLING ALL ADVENTURERS: EXPEDITIONRATED KAYAK KNOWS NO FEAR Built for Raging Whitewater or OpenWater Wilderness Touring. Are you a true adventurer? If your idea of a perfect weekend means harrowing treks and trips that make others blanch you definitely qualify. Explorer Kayaks Can: Rocket fearlessly down Class IV rapids Traverse miles of wilderness rivers to spend weeks at primitive campsites Fly fish remote trout streams other fishermen can t get to Carry easily on a small plane to impossibly obscure fishing or camping sites Why are Sea Eagle Explorers the top choice of Wilderness Adventures? Onthefly flexibility: handles wet OR dry conditions with ease What do you do when the placid river you re kayaking becomes a freeforall of rapids? If you re in an ordinary dryonly kayak with no drains you must either portage your craft or get ready to sit in several inches of cold water. Similarly a common wetonly kayak s permanently open drains let water in even in deadcalm water. The Sea Eagle Explorer Kayak is ready for wet OR dry conditions with four extralarge easily convertible drains. Drains OPEN the craft bails itself in rough whitewater conditions. Drains CLOSED they don t let a drop of water in so you and your cargo stay comfortably dry in calm water. And worst case even filled to the gunwales with water the Explorer Kayak still floats. DoubleFloor Protection The Sea Eagle Explorer Kayak is as tough as nails and as rugged as the men and women who choose it. Stem to stern it s constructed of tough 1 000 denier polyestersupported highpressure fabric with quadruplethickness electronicwelded seams. How tough is the Explorer Kayak? In torture testing we pounded it mercilessly with the claw of a claw hammer. It had no effect. Neither did stabbing it with a screwdriver. We simply couldn t penetrate the crocodile hide hull. Material you can hit with a hammer Would you hit an inflatable boat with a claw hammer? We hit the hull 1000 denier hull material in our

Sea Eagle 435ps Deluxe Paddleski Inflatable Kayak $2843.22 Get out on the water with this Sea Eagle 435ps PaddleSki. The PaddleSki is crafted with a wide beam hull for stability and three aluminum yokes for a rigid structure. This boat is light and easy to set up for quick action.The Pro Sea Eagle 435ps PaddleSki package features an NMMA-certified kayak plus two AB30 paddlesPackage also includes two DKS seats, a foot pump, a bow bag, a kayak carry bag, a repair kit and instructionsIt includes a front spray skirt with a water deflector guard and rope lacingFeatures a wide beam hullThree aluminum yokes for rigid structureEasy to transportSets up in minutesWeighs 41 pounds

Sea Eagle 435ps Pro Paddleski Inflatable Kayak $3101.94 Get out on the water with this Sea Eagle 435ps Pro PaddleSki. The Pro PaddleSki is crafted with a wide beam hull for stability and three aluminum yokes for a rigid structure. This boat is light and easy to set up for quick action.The Pro Sea Eagle 435ps PaddleSki package features an NMMA-certified kayak plus two AB30 paddlesPackage also includes two DKS seats, a foot pump, a bow bag, a kayak carry bag, a repair kit and instructionsIt includes a front spray skirt with a water deflector guard and rope lacingFeatures a wide beam hullThree aluminum yokes for rigid structureEasy to transportSets up in minutesWeighs 41 pounds

Sea Eagle DKS Sea Eagle Deluxe Kayak Seat $68.8 Deluxe Kayak Seat. A great kayak seat that provides extra back support for paddling or rowing. Works in all of our kayaks. Inflates to 3 H and is 15 W at the base.