Welcome to our in-depth review of the Sea Eagle 385FT FastTrack Kayak! If you’re in the market for a high-quality inflatable kayak that’s built to last and can handle a variety of water conditions, the Sea Eagle 385FT may be just what you need.
In this review, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the Sea Eagle 385FT, including its key features, performance on the water, durability, and more. We’ll also provide you with an overview of its pros and cons, so you can make an informed decision before making your purchase.
The Sea Eagle 385FT is a popular choice among kayakers of all skill levels, thanks to its portability, ease of use, and versatility. Whether you’re planning a day trip on a calm lake or an adventurous river excursion, this kayak can handle it all.
So let’s dive into our review of the Sea Eagle 385FT FastTrack Kayak and see what makes it one of the best inflatable kayaks on the market today!
Sea Eagle 385FT FastTrack Inflatable Tandem Kayak
The Sea Eagle 385FT FastTrack is an inflatable tandem kayak that has been created to make cruising across flatwater faster and more smoother. This canoe is great for one or two people, plus it has enough space for a third person such as a kid, grownup or pet.
- Length: 12 foot 6 inches
- Width: 36 inches
- Weight: 35 pounds
- Weight Capacity: 635 pounds
This vessel is optimized for a great family experience, being both buoyant and lightweight making it perfect for days out and camping trips. It is very convenient to move around and collapses down to a size of 24 by 18 by 8 inches when it has been deflated, making it easy to store.
The 385FT FastTrack Inflatable Is For…
The Sea Eagle 385FT is suitable for 1, 2, or even up to 3 people to use for paddling. This is an inflatable kayak that stands at a length of 12 feet 6 inches and is created to be long-lasting and unsinkable. The inflatable keel on this kayak gives it exceptional stability on level surfaces, enabling you to paddle more rapidly and traverse more space.
Inflatables can be a great choice if your living space is limited and you don’t have the room to keep a solid-hull boat. This kayak is designed to fit into the trunk of a car, eliminating the requirement for other methods of transportation.
There is a variety of bundles available for the 385T, each one including a pump and a maintenance set. This kayak could be a great choice for both novice and experienced kayakers. It offers multiple packages and has a high capacity, which makes it useful and practical.
Top Features Of The Sea Eagle 385FT FastTrack
Rigid Keel
The Sea Eagle 385FT FastTrack enjoys the advantage of its proprietary NeedleKnife inflatable keel that features drop stitch technology. This can potentially accelerate your movement and optimize the ability to track on glassy water, as it has sleeker bow and stern sections than some other inflatable kayaks.
A hard keel can be advantageous when journeying over extended distances, since it can help to avoid tiring out due to the one’s paddling strokes becoming more effective. The keel aids in quick and effortless navigation through the water, allowing you to go faster.
A detachable skeg is useful for keeping your kayak going straight while out on the open water. Make sure to take off the stabilizer if you’re going to paddle in extremely shallow water or through rapids as it can cause damage or fracture the stabilizer.
Safety
This tandem boat made of inflatable material has four different compartments, offering great stability and extra protection. This can be advantageous if one of the compartments is pierced, since the other three segments can remain unaffected, keeping the buoyancy.
The boat is made from 1100 Decitex Reinforced fabric and has further reinforcing along the seams for increased durability.
The large pressure change in the floor brings solid stability when standing. The floor has additional benefits from adding an extra external floor with rug that can provide extra coverage and toughness.
Versatile Paddling
This boat, the 385FT, could be perfect if you need something that is versatile. This boat offers excellent performance in calm waters and can also be used in bodies of water that have some flow, such as rivers with Class II rapids. This makes it a perfect choice for sailings on a river that might have slight rapids.
This boat has the bonus of being paddled by the one person alone, or up to three people together. If you go out canoeing by yourself, you’ll discover that you can fit plenty of camping or angling supplies or just have the opportunity to stretch out your legs.
This item is good for people taking extended trips, since it can handle up to 635 lbs. of extra supplies and provisions, helping you bring along whatever you deem to be necessary for your journey.
You can use bow and stern spray skirts as little protection for some of your equipment, as well as strings on the top to make sure extra gear, like dry bags, are secured.
Motors
It is possible to add a motor to the 385FT, which is a convenient feature. You will get both a motor mount and a 24 pound thrust electric motor that can be used in both saltwater and freshwater when you purchase the Pro Motor Package.
A kayak is created to cope with motors that can apply a force of up to 34 pounds, provided that the motor weighs 15 pounds or less. This presents a potential to raise your strength and swiftness over the liquid, if you’re attempting to fish or simply roam.
Sea Eagle FastTrack Package Options
- Deluxe Solo – This comes with a single inflatable seat, a foot pump, carry bag, skeg and repair kit. It also comes with a 4 piece aluminum paddle with fiberglass reinforced nylon blades.
- Deluxe – This is similar to the Solo but comes with two inflatable seats and two 4 piece paddles. It also comes with the repair kit, carry bag, skeg and foot pump.
- Swivel Seat Fishing Rig – This is similar to the Solo package but with an upgraded seat. The seat features an aluminum frame base so it can swivel and it also has built-in rod holders. Standard features, such as the paddle, skeg and repair kit are also included.
- Pro – This package comes with two foam padded high back seats, two upgraded paddles, two cargo bags, as well as the repair kit, carry bag, foot pump and skeg.
- Pro Carbon – This is an upgraded version of the Pro package, with all the same features and the difference being the addition of the upgraded two piece carbon-fiberglass paddles.
- QuikSail – This has everything included with the Pro package but with the added feature of the removable sail. This can give you added power and speed when paddling down-wind.
- Pro Motor – This also has everything you’ll find in the Pro package but with the addition of a motor mount and a Watersnake Asp T24 motor. It also includes two 4 foot tie-down straps.
- QuikRow – This package includes two 4 piece paddles, two inflatable seats, two rod holders and mounts, plus the QuikRow kit. The QuikRow kit includes an aluminum frame rowing base and swivel seat. It also comes with oar locks and two 2 piece oars, letting you transform your kayak into a rowing boat.
Shopping for a used Sea Eagle kayak?
You might find a second-hand Sea Eagle kayak on sites like Kijiji or Facebook Marketplace, or you could look in places like Craigslist to see if they have any of them available. You could also consider obtaining a used Sea Eagle product from the manufacturer.
Check out the collection of secondhand kayaks on Sea Eagle’s page; each kayak comes with a 3 year warranty and a 120 day window to return it for a full refund.
Sea Eagle inflatable kayaks are an optimal option for those new to the sport of kayaking, providing a great way for the whole family to enjoy whitewater at a beginner’s level. They don’t take up much room to store and can be easily moved around, even in a car of modest size. Once you’ve found a contender, consider the following advice to make a good used purchase:
- There are key differences when looking at used inflatables like Sea Eagle kayaks compared to traditional rigid kayaks. Inflatable kayaks come with more assembly parts—such as seats, seat backs, foot rests, skeg (a removable fin that slides into the hull) and grab lines—so you’ll want to make sure that everything is included. If you’re buying the kayak from an independent seller, it’s crucial that you fully inflate the boat to ensure that there are no leaks, holes or other damage to the tubes and inflation valves. If you’re ordering a used kayak directly from Sea Eagle, they have a guarantee that their boats are in good working condition.
- Watch for any stains and mold, which may reveal the kayak was stored wet. Is there any fading in the Sea Eagle kayak’s deck (top) or hull (bottom)? Fading reveals UV damage, which may compromise durability.
- Outfitting is the critical interface between the paddler and kayak, including the seat, back support and foot rests. These features are usually air-filled, so be sure to check for leaks. Examine these parts individually and consider how well they work together as a whole.The easiest way to achieve this is by sitting in the boat (and ideally paddling it) to make sure it feels comfortable.Think about how long you’ll be sitting in the kayak. If it’s uncomfortable in a quick test, how will it feel after an hour? Outfitting often comes down to personal preference; there’s no one-size-fits-all.
- The only way to fully appreciate the comfort and performance of a kayak is to try it before committing to a purchase. Arrange a meeting place with the seller that allows you to take a few moments on the water. Bring your usual paddle and dress in what you plan to wear while paddling. Be sure to assess how easy the boat is to enter and exit.
Sea Eagle inflatable kayak buying advice
Inflatable water vessels such as kayaks have significantly advanced in recent years. Drop-stitch technology has been on the rise, which permits Sea Eagle and other companies to construct boats that possess rigid shapes with superior performance.
The primary benefit of an inflatable kayak as compared to a rigid one is its convenience for storage—people who don’t have much room to spare will greatly value a kayak able to be carried in a duffle.
Sea Eagle inflatable kayaks can fit in small living spaces, such as condos, and can be conveniently transported in automobiles, taking up minimal space in the trunk. Inflatable kayaks have the advantage of being lightweight, having excellent buoyancy, giving great stability and providing a comfortable ride.
Inflatable kayaks are great for children and beginners who want to learn kayaking techniques.
In contrast, inflatable kayaks can be blown away more easily by the wind and are not as suitable for coastal excursions like hard-shell kayaks are. Inflatables are also generally slower compared to rigid kayaks.
You can purchase Sea Eagle kayaks from certain stores in North America and directly from the company via the internet. If you’re buying items on the internet, you won’t have to pay shipping costs when you purchase an inflatable canoe.
One frequent concern with getting a kayak on the internet is not having an opportunity to test it prior to making the purchase. Sea Eagle provides a 180-day warranty for their kayaks; hence, if you find it does not suit you, you are able to have your money back.
Sea Eagle kayaks are suitable for a variety of activities from recreational activities to fishing to whitewater rafting; each one is made specially for single, double, and triple occupancy as well as for individuals of all sizes.
Typically, Sea Eagle packages come with the kayak, inflator, oar(s), mending set and tote bag, meaning all you need to add is a life vest and an officially sanctioned safety kit, and then you’re ready to head out on the open water.
