I'm retired and a big guy. My son is only 12 and has a paddle board . My wife and I wanted more time on the water with him . We got the 380 explorer and we love it. We got up grade with carbon fiber paddles and high back seats . We absolutely love it super stable easy to paddle and maneuvering just as easy with 1 or 2 people. My wife loves it because when she gets tired I take over and it's just as easy to paddle and manuever.
Great overview. I've tried the razorlite double and smaller FastTrack as a first time paddler on flatwater lakes with experience in mountain biking and consider myself an athletic person. I'd say I prefer the razorlite based on speed and ease of setup anyday, but you do need to think about balance a little bit on razorlite.. like riding a bike.. whereas FT is like a 3 wheeler. Just paddle and go albeit with more effort and at a slower pace. If doing tandem don't forget the abilities and comfort of your partner! In my case we bit off more than we could chew in the razorlite.. even though we did a 10 mile paddle the first time out.. I'm so proud of my partner.. she's a great sport! She always felt uneasy and I found myself always counterbalacing the boat for the both of us until one time we capsized and she was all but happy 😮 The great thing is that Sea Eagle has a very generous exchange policy, which we took advantage of and now own the smaller FastTrack, which has been great! It's a relaxing and more care free experience for sure, but still moves pretty good. We love passing up all the hardshell rentals and get asked.. "is that inflatable " 😂 She's 5 foot and I'm almost 6 foot tall and fit comfortably. It's really easy to get in and out of even with poor technique. It's very versatile. I sometimes take it out solo in windy and rougher conditions and it handles that fine too. Last week had my 10 year old nephew in there and no problem with him enthusiastally leaning over each side spotting fish as well as jumping in and out to go swimming. I've even had my 74 year old father in there with me and he had a blast. This all said, once you get a taste of speed, you know what you're missing so to satisfy my craving I bought a second kayak that is simular to the razorlite (Decathlon x500) That's really the great thing with any of these inflatables... they almost take up no space!
Great video and information! However, one thing I didn't hear you mention about the Sea Eagle kayaks is that they offer slightly used kayaks for sale on their website and at a great discounted price and with the same warranty as new. I purchased the Fasttrack from them (used) and love it.
I love my Razorlite! I went from a hard shell sea kayak to the 393 and was pleasantly surprised to learn that it isn’t much slower! I have taken the RL on many kayak camping trips on big lakes with rough surf and it’s done great! My Labrador retriever fits too!
"I went from a hard shell sea kayak to the 393 and was pleasantly surprised to learn that it isn’t much slower!" Sorry, but that's impossible! All these "393-like" models plow a lot of water in front of them and if the wind hits them then it's GAME OVER speedwise! Don't get me wrong : They are all great fun and stable enough to fall asleep inside them on the water, but their speed is not comparable to a real hardshell kayak or something like the TRAK 2.0 for that matter...
@@GTN355 I wouldn't agree with you on this. This is true for more typical inflatable designs, like the Explorer and Fast Track Series, but the Razorlite series does act much more like a hardshell recreational touring kayak than a sit-on-top kayak. It has a V bow that doesn't plow water.
@@PaddleTV Models similar to the Razorlite 393RL are just as wide and have the same short V-bow that doesn't do anything once you get them on really flat water in my experience ?! The bottom of those models is still flat in the end and once a small wave hits it then it's "Tap tap tap" like a SUP 😬 I think the difference is that you tested it in actual flowing river water and then that V-bow behaves differently due to higher waves ? Even the Pakayak has this issue to some degree according to many and after testing it myself I have seen what they mean! IMHO the best portable kayak is and probably always will be the TRAK 2.0 unless you want a solo open canoe that you can paddle like a kayak experience.
My husband and I started with the SE370, which we enjoyed, but upgraded to the 473RL the following year. We love it. We primarily kayak on lakes and streams, so it's perfect for us.
I am in the market for an Inflatable one is because I cycle a lot and have access to some open water so why I'd like to try bringing one on a ride so thanks for the video
Great overview of the Sea Eagle kayaks. It would be fantastic if you were able to test & review the Nortik Scuby XL Kayak as well as the Gumotex line of Kayaks. Thanks for all you do.
I started out with their SE330 Sport kayak and have a fleet of Sea Eagle's now. Low my Razorlite. It's not only faster, but the big this is....."much easier" & effortless to paddle than all the others. Now that I'm in my mid 50s, I've come down with some wrist issues with arthritis & tendonitis. The Razorlite is much easier on the wrists & arms as you barely paddle and move well. Also slices through the wind, assuming it's not incredibly strong where you shouldn't be out paddling. My favorite of all their kayaks is no longer produced, the Paddleski 435ps. It was the perfect hybrid of a kayak that paddles pretty well, and a motorboat & or sailboat. There's nothing else like it on the market. Mine has been used approx 600 times and is on it's 15th season. It's the only kayak out there that can take a real motor (not a trolling motor, or a Bixpy). Paddles in calm conditions almost as well as the Explorer. On a calm wind free day I beat my friend in a race against his Fast Track, but I am a more experienced paddler. I have their current Paddleski too (437ps) and it's an awesome boat.......but.....not a kayak like the old model was. I bought a spare 435ps (10 years newer) for when it "wears out", but I hope it comes back on the market as there's nothing else like it out there. Also fits in the trunk of my sedan with motor & accessories. I sail mine too with a full sail rig (as now sold by Sailboatstogo, but I bought my sail kit from Sea Eagle. I wish they still sold those too). The 435ps was the kayak advertised as the most versatile kayak in the world.....until it was no longer produced. And it really was, and....still is! Hint hint....bring it back! I'll also worth a mention, Sea Eagle's largest dealer (until they retired) called the Paddleski 435ps their favorite kayak in the line-up and frequently praised it and it was their most recommended kayak even over the Explorer & Fast Track. One kayak that really could do it all (kayaking, decent motoring & sailing) and still comfortably fit inside a small car's trunk. Also offered the most stability of the line-up, yet paddled well.
I have a Razorlite 393, and also an Aqua Glide 155 Chelan. Both top notch boats with different missions in mind. The 393 makes a perfect backcountry pack boat for me and can handle rougher water than you might think with an experienced paddler in it. Can do well up to class two, and major fun just playing on the ocean as well (read "Surfs pretty well" if you add thigh straps). On longer trips on the salt chuck I lean on the Chelan. The Sea Eagle equivalent would be the Fast Track units. I go with the Chelan here because in Desolation Sound or the Broken Island Group etc one most often needs to add a week or more of fresh water to the payload as well as other extra gear. Also the water can get very rough and then one appreciates the extra stability and self bailing features at key moments. Given that both boats are virtually unsinkable, I tend not to worry too much about waves swamping me (just carry a pump like any other sea kayak). You just feel the wind a little more than a hard shell kayak. Performance-wise the Chelan is a little slower than the 393, but as I said - Different missions for different boats. And when I'm done they store in my apartment closet until I want them again.
Just ordered a pair of ezlite kayaks for my wife and I. We have hard shells (an axis 12 and pungo 125), but its too much and way too hard to get them up and down off the SUV if want to paddle the bay for an hour. Im excited for our new boats. Your earlier reciew was very helpful and determinign what we needed :)
Great video. I have to watch it again as I am still confused which one to get. I started kayaking but don’t want the sport series. I do flat water but sometimes flat water gets winds and waves. I do rivers as well and yes…I like to go a little fast. I was looking at the Explorer series but really want a boat that tracks well. So, I am confused.
Sounds like the your best options would be the FastTrack 385, EZLite 10, or 393 RazorLite. The Fast track is the most stable and deals with rough water the best, but it's the slower boat. The EZLite is faster and still stable, but isn't as good in rough water. The 393 Razorlite is the fastest boat, but lacks the stability of the other two. Hope that helps!
Very thorough, great pacing and very informative. I have a fleet of 370s that i use for various purposes including as inexpensive pontoons and stand up paddlers as well as straightforward kayaks. In all cases, i install removable foam floors (think long foam boogy boards placed end to end and overlapped in the middle joint) that greatly increase the rigidity and performance of these tough little boats and make them awesome for stand up paddling. I usually add glue on skegs too both at the front and back. Now if somebody could figure out a way to cut down on their vulnerability to acting like a sail in the wind.....!!!
I just purchased an IATAK 110 inflatable fishing kayak. Have or will you be reviewing this kayak? Curious of your opinion on it. I find it very heavy for me even when on kayak cart. Maybe you could give any helpful hints for women who struggle with the weight of most of these boats but absolutely love kayaking and fishing (I don't use it for fishing all the time, mostly for a good day on the lake) but don't want to purchase a non quality boat just have something light weight. Thank you, love your channel ❤.
I have a 7 year old SeaEagle Razorlite 473rl. It feels very stable to me. I’ve never flipped over in it and I’ve paddled in some rough water in the open ocean. Also paddled it in lakes and rivers in Australia, Canada and the Pacific Northwest. Will be taking it to Hilo and Kona Hawaii this August and September. Remember to always wear a personal flotation device and also wear a leash. Safety first and always. Good health!
We own the 330, 385ft, and 393rl. The 330 (the first one) needs weight in it for it to track even somewhat comfortably. Our friends also own one and use it as a tandem, but it doesn't spin out as often. The 393rl was the second one purchased and wife loves it! She is an experienced rower from her college days and found it extremely comfy. She has fallen into the water a couple of times, but never during our camping trips (when there is more weight in the kayak). She gets a bit unnerved when in chop or windy conditions. I ended up with the 385ft for a five day kayak expedition down the Green River. Did this twice. Also use it to haul around our two huskies during other adventures while using the fabric carrier as an additional barrier for the floor. We do own hard sides, but they have their purposes. If I had to downsize, I would keep the Sea Eagles.
I have had my 380X for two full years now and love it more than ever. This year I added the motormount with a short trolling motor. Changes everything for me. I can now go upriver or reach further spots from put-in and tilt the motor out and paddle in shallow waters. When big waves come from boats passing by, I smile and enjoy them instead of stressing out. Even found a way to hold a sunshade over my ‘dog’s front seat! Just writing about it now excites me for my next trip. I get plenty of compliments from bystanders.
I purchased the Razorlite 473 last summer as something to take my dog (now dogs) out in and couldn't be happier. Good speed, easy to transport and surprisingly easy to pump by hand. Having 2 inflatable paddle boards, I was worried because they are horrible to inflate by hand.
I really like the foot "pedals" in the EZLite one. So many of the inflatables have nothing to leverage your legs for easy and stronger paddling. I have however stuffed the one I used to have with a dry bag to push my feet against for paddling but never seen foot "pedals" in one yet so this is very cool.
I have a 380x Explorer. It's great on rivers and decent on flat water, but definitely isn't fast. If you plan on trying to cover any significant distance on flat water the 380x shouldn't be your first choice. However, it can handle almost anything I've thrown at it, and it's incredibly stable.
I bought the 380x last year because I was totally new to kayaking and wanted something to take my wife with me. This year I picked up a Razorlite for me and now we have two boats to use. I’ve found the rl hard to dial in with the foot pegs. Either they’re too far and my ankles are extended or too short and I have pain in my upper leg. Gonna try a cushion to raise my seating position.
Great video. Love my Razorlite but it needs more D rings and effective ways to store bags for touring. The video says great for touring with lots of space for gear. True, but only if you want your gear rolling around unsecured in the kayak. If you want to go kayak camping, this is an issue.
You can get d-rings of different sizes from Sea Eagle and attach them where it works best for you. With the multitude of possible setups in most SE kayaks it's hard to decide ahead of time where d-rings should go.
any plans on doing a review on inflatable kayaks that are good for multi day trips been wanting to do the whole rideau canal from ottawa to kingston, the NRS pikes what i'm looking at but I'm a total newbie and don't want to get the wrong kayak for the job
I have added multiple additional d rings and handles on my Razorlite and Explorer kayaks. They make them easier to carry solo and also more flexibility for strapping in seats and gear.
Glad to see the side carry handles on the EZlite. Maybe Sea Eagle has gotten over their weird aversion to them. That's one thing I like about my wife's Itiwit 3 vs. my SE370---I can grab the side handles and swing the Itiwit up over my back to carry it to the water. With the SE370, I have to hold one of the side tubes in a cupped hand and kind of hoist it up into my shoulder. It's a really awkward position, made worse because the seats don't actually attach to the boat & could fall out if you try to carry the boat with them in it.
This video is really helpful! Can you do a video on how to self rescue in a wider inflatable? How do you not pull it over when you are crawling back in since they are so lightweight? Can you use a modified heel-hook technique etc? Thanks!
I just got into kayaking last year and really enjoy it. I've been wanting to go out again, but I broke my wrist in april and I'm still healing. My rotomolded kayak is too heavy and cumbersome for me to lift right now and load up onto my car. it sucks because I feel like getting out there and paddling would be good exercise for my wrist. But I don't have the ability to load my kayak and get out to the water. Now I'm considering an inflatable even though that's not what I wanted originally.
This was great. I have an Aquaglide that I love but it was really interesting to see the different construction options and how they affect performance.
Thanks for breaking down the whole range of SeaEagle kayaks. One thing that SeaEagle is missing from their offer is a sit inside kayak - all current models are open-decked. Oh, FYI Ken - Gumotex Rush has a keel integrated in its drop stitch hull. It's my main boat, can't be happier with it. 😊
That's one thing that really bugs me : Why are their only 2 brands that I know of out there that have a feature on their boats which allows you to cover up the open deck like on a real canoe ?! - Verano - Zelgear If Sea Eagle for example expects me to pay 100% more than for any other competitor out there for their Razorlite 393RL than it better have a similar feature and otherwise it's just not worth it! And bungees on both decks! LOL! :)
@@GTN355 Then now you know 3 😅 Gumotex has several models where you can purchase cockpit kits and the boats are prepared for adding them. Rush 1, Rush 2, Seawave, and Seashine have this option (solo and tandem cockpits are available for all except Rush 1, which is a solo kayak). I think Grabner also has some deck covers but Grabner is the absolute top of the inflatable boat range (and the most expensive).
@@LetsGoPaddling I have a Nortik Scuby XL 1. It has a deck/cockpit that you can attach. It also has an optional sail & a drop stitch floor insert if wanted. Nortik also makes a Scuby XL 2 & a Scuby Lite. They all have optional decks/cockpits. I love my XL 1. You should google them & check them out. They are the closest thing to a proper hard shell kayak but still collapses & has inflatable tubes on both sides. The hull is skin on an aluminum frame & is a full V-shaped that sits in the water like a proper kayak. It paddles & tracks like a dream. Unfortunately they are about as expensive as the higher end Gumotex like the Rush.
@@LetsGoPaddling Yeah, that is technically true but for ease of explaining to anyone interested, I generally just refer to it as an inflatable kayak or perhaps a hybrid. I also have a Gumotex Sunny tandem & a Gumotex Swing 1. Those are definitely inflatable kayaks but the Scuby XL is by far my favourite. I really like the Gumotex Rush & the new Seawave but alas, my budget will not allow. I really don't need all the 3 kayaks I have already so 2 more would be a little over the top if not outright excessive. Maybe I will sell my 2 older Gumotex kayaks & upgrade to the Rush or Seawave & keep the Scuby XL. BTW: I watch all your videos & appreciate your reviews. Thanks for your reply. Cheers!
I don't know about the 'best', but I've been using the AirBank Puffer Pro for 2 years now, and it's worked great. amzn.to/3X4PYBu. Not cheap though! There are cheaper ones that aren't rechargeable - they simply plug into your car.
Another AWESOME review, Ken. I have the Explorer 300X which has become my whitewater boat. A 380X which is my multi-day camping boat and also my fishing boat where I add the bass seat and a trolling motor. And I also have a Razorlite for flatwater. I would say the 380X is by far my favorite and no doubt the most versatile of the fleet! I'm pondering an EXLite, but having trouble justifying another boat!
I think it would be a lot more interesting to watch a video about how to add footpegs and thighbraces to the Explorer and FastTrack models and perhaps some additional D-rings since those models could really use them! :) NRS PVC Footpegs should do the trick since the Sea Eagle FlexBrace Kit doesn't fit on these because of the position of the valves. And what about adding bungees to the Razorlite models ? They should really add those from the factory!
Well Ken as you may remember I have the PakAyaK so speed and ruff water is covered. However, I have ordered the EZLite10 for them hard to reach spots (as it's so light to carry) and them day's when you just want to have a smooth relaxing paddle and even have a laydown in the boat and catch some sun. Fantastic information Ken hell of a good video.
Hi Ken thanks for great vid, i like to ask your opinion between sea eagle 380x or aquaglide blackfoot 130.... like the size and features ... will be going touring and some fishing on small lakes, with seagle like the option that i know its good for whitewater, which eventually i like to do.... and would customize the 380x not a problem .... performance and durability wise which you think is better from your expertise ? Thank you
This is excellent i have a question. How would the EZLite 10 do in intercoastal water? The main issue is there is often a headwind and of course the tide. There are sometimes big waves when fast boats pass nearby. Also, how does it compare to the Advanced Elements airvolution sport 10?
That EZLite looks like the best performing inflatable for the weight and price on the market right now. I would say it's the way to go unless u want to do lots of whitewater or need to carry more stuff, in which I would simply suggest a paddleboard instead.
The main issue with the EZLite kayak is the seat comfort. The deluxe seat is tall and unstable, while the thinner seat (tall back seat) causes numbness in my butt and legs after 1.5 - 2 hours of paddling. This discomfort may be due to the V-shaped bottom, which isn't as comfortable as a flat bottom. I'll try using seat cushions to see if it improves the situation
@@shortiaw6850 I bought a cushion at five below. When it’s pumped all the way up it’s too tall and the kayak is a little more unstable but not unusable. Still had it in rough water. It feels like I’m on a couch. I’m gonna try letting some air out so it’s not as tall and see if it helps
@@shortiaw6850 Ouch, honestly that sounds exactly like the RazerLite too. Part of the reason I abandoned inflatable kayaks all together and simply switch to inflatable paddleboards. They are slower but you can sit any way you want and strap so much gear to them that it's hard to go back to kayaks. It's weird because Ken has kayaked using paddleboards plenty of times, but he never suggests them as an option when comparing inflatables.
Very informative video! We owned a SE370 which was an incredible value. Now considering two EZ Lite 10s. Question is: we now live in the Tampa FL area and have been kayaking the bay, mangrove “swamps”, rivers and springs (with rentals). Since all of these can have alligators, is it crazy to use an inflatable kayak in these waters? My gut sense is no, not a problem (when was the last time you heard about a kayaker being attacked?), but it would be nice to hear the same from an expert! Thanks!
I personally wouldn't be concerned, unless I was fishing... because I've fished in Florida water with gators, and we had some gators looking for a free lunch. That being said, I paddled the Okefenokee Swamp in an inflatable kayak, and didn't think twice about it. Here's a link to that video: ruclips.net/video/qUeOMfqpFpo/видео.htmlsi=HGr2AUZrTIXBhGS9
awsome kayaks, all of them, unfortunetly i had to settle for ,lot cheeper, intex excursion pro k2. i was wondering is it safe to try it on some white water?
the floor is the weak spot on the Pro model, so caution needed. Class I is fine, but Class II means rocks, gravel. It's a good paddler when on a budget.
New subscriber here, we love your videos, and have been waiting for this video since your EZLite 10 review. My wife and I are in the market for our first kayaks and looking for additional insight. We are middle-aged novices. We live next to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Cuyahoga River but often travel in our campervan. We would like to be able to paddle class I/II rivers, lakes, and estuaries. Portability, stability, and safety are our main priorities. We want to paddle single, but I'm 6'3" tall and weigh 260lbs so I expect that I'll be looking at something that could double as a tandem. Maybe we would use the tandem together if we want to cover more distance. We are looking at the Sea Eagle 300/380 Explorers or 385 Fast Tracks, Aquaglide 120/140 Chelans or Cirrus 110/150, and Kokopelli Platte/Platte Plus. Questions: Are inflatables appropriate on rivers with a lot of tree falls, rock and shallow waters? Should we plan on portaging through these shallow areas? If we have to drag the boat though these shallow areas does weight or durability take precedence? Is it better drag a Sea Eagle around or pick up a something like the Aquaglide Cirrus and carry it to safer waters? (I guess dragging a boat with your gear in it might always be easier.) Are we on the right track here? Thanks in advance.
All these models are super light to carry IMHO and you should have ZERO reason to drag them in general ;) Don't worry about scratches/rocks too much : PVC 1000/1100D material can take a lot!
My wife and I live in the Cleveland area, we got the 473 rl, and love it. Took it down through cvnp putting in at peninsula a little while ago and definitely ran aground and had to carry a few times, no issues with durability yet. I'm a little shorter at 6'2 but there's plenty of room for me. It's not exactly a stable boat, but we were able to laugh our way through some mild whitewater without issue. If we can do all the paddling in this area happily in a boat as narrow as the Razorlite, you shouldn't have issues with any of the ones you named above.
We purchased the Kokopelli Platte and Platte-Plus kayaks. We liked their weight (24/31 lbs in the water), durability (same 1000d PVC they use on their Recon whitewater packraft), and lifetime warranty. And they come in a competitively priced, complete kit which is great for newbies like us. The Platte-Plus can be used as a tandem if we want to which opens up a seat for one of our adult sons if they want to go with us. We realized we aren't interested in doing any significant whitewater so something like the 380x will likely be heavy and boring our needs. If we want whitewater, we'll book a guided trip and/or consider getting lightweight packrafts. One could argue that the heavier Fast Tack and Chelan might perform better than the lighter Platte and Cirrus kayaks. This might be true, but I get the sense the difference will be marginal compared to something like the Razor Lite kayaks. So we'll give these lighter boats a try and see how they do. 🙂 A big thanks to @GTN355 and @emmber19 for pointing out all of these kayaks should be durable enough to put on the river.
I'm torn between the Sea Eagle Fat Track Fishing and the NRS Pike. Both seem perfect for my needs. Wondering which performs better for inshore fishing in bays and creeks.
The NRS Kuda might be a better choice for inshore fishing because you don't have to worry about waves bringing water into a kayak without self-bailing. However, you'll need to do some DIY to secure your gear box and ensure it doesn't slip off the kayak, as the edges of the Kuda are low.
I have the fast track angler. Although it should good for multi people, it is really a single person with gear and still have room to turn around. Standing up in the bay still has rolling waves, not white caps, so be careful.
@@bradleedenney I'm fishing solo in the kayak. I can be selective about when and where I go out. I'm on Long Island, so sight casting isn't really viable, so no need to stand. The only rolling waves are from boat traffic, but I try to fish away from that. Never really crossing the bay, mostly fish in cove and creeks. Thanks for the response.
I want a light kayak for a tender to replace my heavy dinghy. The explorer series looks right and both the 300 and 380 would fit on my boat. Smaller is better, but I would like to hold 2 people occasionally. Anyone with some thoughts?
Which situation are you worried about? If it's near the shore, you can just swim back. If you're in the middle of a big lake, usually nothing will break an inflatable kayak. If the side chamber leaks, you can use the bottom as a paddleboard. If the bottom leaks, the kayak will not sink.I have never seen an inflatable kayak puncture two chambers at the same time unless you heavily hit a sharp rock in whitewater. This kayak is not designed for whitewater use.
@@shortiaw6850 One of my uses for this would be shallow streams. Which often can have objects that can even be unseen that are potential risks. I wouldn't be traveling at breakneck speeds though, as my main use is for fishing. Basically a water taxi if you will.
I have an explorer and Razorlite and I never use the bag. I usually roll it up and put in in the car and then unroll them the garage to dry. Sea Eagle sells a larger bag used for their 330 I think? I bought it as an extra bag to fit all my other gear.
Sea Eagle seems so expensive. Compare them to the Aqua Marina Tomahawk Air, the Sea Eagle in that price range is balloon like, and not drop stitched stiff like the Aqua Marina. This is the price range I am looking in, and I still haven't figured out which to get.
Totally agree! :) There is soo much stuff out there that is built by the same Chinese/South Korean companies the exact same way and up to 50% CHEAPER !!! Just pick the cheapest one and maybe do some upgrades on it like Sea Eagle or NRS footpegs and get out there and have fun paddling! ;)
They really don't have any mid-priced options, unless you start looking outside things that could be considered kayaks (the PackFish7, Sea Eagle 9, and their inflatable paddleboards---and the higher-end options there are pushing it). They jump straight from the sub-$300 sport kayaks to the $800 300x Explorer, completely ignoring a reasonable $300-$600 midrange.
Ken, thanks for this video. My first boat was the Sea Eagle 330. I love this boat, and I took it out a lot of lakes and rivers (nothing real swift) and even canoe camping. I love Sea Eagle. I have since upgraded to an Old Town Next, which I alo love. I do a lot of canoe camping and wanted to better capacity and comfort. I know your schedule is packed with trips, but I wanted to extend an open invitation to come paddle the Turtle Flambeau flowage in Wisconsin. It's a beautiful scenic waterway with tons of wonderful camp sites. I will be headed there in mid September. Here's one of my videos from a past trip ruclips.net/video/dLdrv0JnqFk/видео.htmlsi=TaKAS5wR_XdJjLSz Thanks again! Paddle on!
Been there with the Razorlite 393RL and the 370. I moved up to Saturn kayaks for higher quality and lower prices as they sell direct. My Ocean Pro 14' has been a beast and the new ones now have self regulating, one way, scupper drain valves so no screw out the plug/screw back in the plug. Tracks very well with the raised hull and twin skegs (removable). Saturn has a solid name in the whitewater world and their same 1,100 denier is what's used in their non ww boats. boatstogo.
I'm retired and a big guy. My son is only 12 and has a paddle board . My wife and I wanted more time on the water with him . We got the 380 explorer and we love it. We got up grade with carbon fiber paddles and high back seats . We absolutely love it super stable easy to paddle and maneuvering just as easy with 1 or 2 people. My wife loves it because when she gets tired I take over and it's just as easy to paddle and manuever.
a really well done and comprehensive review of Sea Eagle inflatable Kayaks
Great overview. I've tried the razorlite double and smaller FastTrack as a first time paddler on flatwater lakes with experience in mountain biking and consider myself an athletic person. I'd say I prefer the razorlite based on speed and ease of setup anyday, but you do need to think about balance a little bit on razorlite.. like riding a bike.. whereas FT is like a 3 wheeler. Just paddle and go albeit with more effort and at a slower pace.
If doing tandem don't forget the abilities and comfort of your partner! In my case we bit off more than we could chew in the razorlite.. even though we did a 10 mile paddle the first time out.. I'm so proud of my partner.. she's a great sport! She always felt uneasy and I found myself always counterbalacing the boat for the both of us until one time we capsized and she was all but happy 😮
The great thing is that Sea Eagle has a very generous exchange policy, which we took advantage of and now own the smaller FastTrack, which has been great! It's a relaxing and more care free experience for sure, but still moves pretty good. We love passing up all the hardshell rentals and get asked.. "is that inflatable " 😂
She's 5 foot and I'm almost 6 foot tall and fit comfortably. It's really easy to get in and out of even with poor technique. It's very versatile. I sometimes take it out solo in windy and rougher conditions and it handles that fine too. Last week had my 10 year old nephew in there and no problem with him enthusiastally leaning over each side spotting fish as well as jumping in and out to go swimming. I've even had my 74 year old father in there with me and he had a blast.
This all said, once you get a taste of speed, you know what you're missing so to satisfy my craving I bought a second kayak that is simular to the razorlite (Decathlon x500) That's really the great thing with any of these inflatables... they almost take up no space!
Great video and information! However, one thing I didn't hear you mention about the Sea Eagle kayaks is that they offer slightly used kayaks for sale on their website and at a great discounted price and with the same warranty as new. I purchased the Fasttrack from them (used) and love it.
I didn't know that! Thanks for sharing!
I love my Razorlite! I went from a hard shell sea kayak to the 393 and was pleasantly surprised to learn that it isn’t much slower! I have taken the RL on many kayak camping trips on big lakes with rough surf and it’s done great! My Labrador retriever fits too!
"I went from a hard shell sea kayak to the 393 and was pleasantly surprised to learn that it isn’t much slower!"
Sorry, but that's impossible!
All these "393-like" models plow a lot of water in front of them and if the wind hits them then it's GAME OVER speedwise!
Don't get me wrong :
They are all great fun and stable enough to fall asleep inside them on the water, but their speed is not comparable to a real hardshell kayak or something like the TRAK 2.0 for that matter...
@@GTN355 I wouldn't agree with you on this. This is true for more typical inflatable designs, like the Explorer and Fast Track Series, but the Razorlite series does act much more like a hardshell recreational touring kayak than a sit-on-top kayak. It has a V bow that doesn't plow water.
@@PaddleTV Models similar to the Razorlite 393RL are just as wide and have the same short V-bow that doesn't do anything once you get them on really flat water in my experience ?!
The bottom of those models is still flat in the end and once a small wave hits it then it's "Tap tap tap" like a SUP 😬
I think the difference is that you tested it in actual flowing river water and then that V-bow behaves differently due to higher waves ?
Even the Pakayak has this issue to some degree according to many and after testing it myself I have seen what they mean!
IMHO the best portable kayak is and probably always will be the TRAK 2.0 unless you want a solo open canoe that you can paddle like a kayak experience.
My husband and I started with the SE370, which we enjoyed, but upgraded to the 473RL the following year. We love it. We primarily kayak on lakes and streams, so it's perfect for us.
Great upgrade!
I am in the market for an Inflatable one is because I cycle a lot and have access to some open water so why I'd like to try bringing one on a ride so thanks for the video
Great overview of the Sea Eagle kayaks.
It would be fantastic if you were able to test & review the Nortik Scuby XL Kayak as well as the Gumotex line of Kayaks.
Thanks for all you do.
I started out with their SE330 Sport kayak and have a fleet of Sea Eagle's now.
Low my Razorlite. It's not only faster, but the big this is....."much easier" & effortless to paddle than all the others. Now that I'm in my mid 50s, I've come down with some wrist issues with arthritis & tendonitis. The Razorlite is much easier on the wrists & arms as you barely paddle and move well. Also slices through the wind, assuming it's not incredibly strong where you shouldn't be out paddling.
My favorite of all their kayaks is no longer produced, the Paddleski 435ps. It was the perfect hybrid of a kayak that paddles pretty well, and a motorboat & or sailboat. There's nothing else like it on the market. Mine has been used approx 600 times and is on it's 15th season. It's the only kayak out there that can take a real motor (not a trolling motor, or a Bixpy). Paddles in calm conditions almost as well as the Explorer. On a calm wind free day I beat my friend in a race against his Fast Track, but I am a more experienced paddler. I have their current Paddleski too (437ps) and it's an awesome boat.......but.....not a kayak like the old model was. I bought a spare 435ps (10 years newer) for when it "wears out", but I hope it comes back on the market as there's nothing else like it out there. Also fits in the trunk of my sedan with motor & accessories. I sail mine too with a full sail rig (as now sold by Sailboatstogo, but I bought my sail kit from Sea Eagle. I wish they still sold those too).
The 435ps was the kayak advertised as the most versatile kayak in the world.....until it was no longer produced. And it really was, and....still is! Hint hint....bring it back! I'll also worth a mention, Sea Eagle's largest dealer (until they retired) called the Paddleski 435ps their favorite kayak in the line-up and frequently praised it and it was their most recommended kayak even over the Explorer & Fast Track. One kayak that really could do it all (kayaking, decent motoring & sailing) and still comfortably fit inside a small car's trunk. Also offered the most stability of the line-up, yet paddled well.
I have a Razorlite 393, and also an Aqua Glide 155 Chelan. Both top notch boats with different missions in mind. The 393 makes a perfect backcountry pack boat for me and can handle rougher water than you might think with an experienced paddler in it. Can do well up to class two, and major fun just playing on the ocean as well (read "Surfs pretty well" if you add thigh straps). On longer trips on the salt chuck I lean on the Chelan. The Sea Eagle equivalent would be the Fast Track units. I go with the Chelan here because in Desolation Sound or the Broken Island Group etc one most often needs to add a week or more of fresh water to the payload as well as other extra gear. Also the water can get very rough and then one appreciates the extra stability and self bailing features at key moments. Given that both boats are virtually unsinkable, I tend not to worry too much about waves swamping me (just carry a pump like any other sea kayak). You just feel the wind a little more than a hard shell kayak. Performance-wise the Chelan is a little slower than the 393, but as I said - Different missions for different boats. And when I'm done they store in my apartment closet until I want them again.
Just ordered a pair of ezlite kayaks for my wife and I. We have hard shells (an axis 12 and pungo 125), but its too much and way too hard to get them up and down off the SUV if want to paddle the bay for an hour. Im excited for our new boats. Your earlier reciew was very helpful and determinign what we needed :)
I recently sold my Sea Eagle for a Rotomold yak it was good for an inflatable but she was a heavy beast.
Great video. I have to watch it again as I am still confused which one to get. I started kayaking but don’t want the sport series. I do flat water but sometimes flat water gets winds and waves. I do rivers as well and yes…I like to go a little fast. I was looking at the Explorer series but really want a boat that tracks well. So, I am confused.
Sounds like the your best options would be the FastTrack 385, EZLite 10, or 393 RazorLite. The Fast track is the most stable and deals with rough water the best, but it's the slower boat. The EZLite is faster and still stable, but isn't as good in rough water. The 393 Razorlite is the fastest boat, but lacks the stability of the other two. Hope that helps!
Very thorough, great pacing and very informative. I have a fleet of 370s that i use for various purposes including as inexpensive pontoons and stand up paddlers as well as straightforward kayaks. In all cases, i install removable foam floors (think long foam boogy boards placed end to end and overlapped in the middle joint) that greatly increase the rigidity and performance of these tough little boats and make them awesome for stand up paddling. I usually add glue on skegs too both at the front and back. Now if somebody could figure out a way to cut down on their vulnerability to acting like a sail in the wind.....!!!
Neat ideas! Never heard of that before. :)
I just purchased an IATAK 110 inflatable fishing kayak. Have or will you be reviewing this kayak? Curious of your opinion on it. I find it very heavy for me even when on kayak cart. Maybe you could give any helpful hints for women who struggle with the weight of most of these boats but absolutely love kayaking and fishing (I don't use it for fishing all the time, mostly for a good day on the lake) but don't want to purchase a non quality boat just have something light weight. Thank you, love your channel ❤.
I have a 7 year old SeaEagle Razorlite 473rl. It feels very stable to me. I’ve never flipped over in it and I’ve paddled in some rough water in the open ocean. Also paddled it in lakes and rivers in Australia, Canada and the Pacific Northwest. Will be taking it to Hilo and Kona Hawaii this August and September.
Remember to always wear a personal flotation device and also wear a leash. Safety first and always.
Good health!
We own the 330, 385ft, and 393rl. The 330 (the first one) needs weight in it for it to track even somewhat comfortably. Our friends also own one and use it as a tandem, but it doesn't spin out as often. The 393rl was the second one purchased and wife loves it! She is an experienced rower from her college days and found it extremely comfy. She has fallen into the water a couple of times, but never during our camping trips (when there is more weight in the kayak). She gets a bit unnerved when in chop or windy conditions. I ended up with the 385ft for a five day kayak expedition down the Green River. Did this twice. Also use it to haul around our two huskies during other adventures while using the fabric carrier as an additional barrier for the floor. We do own hard sides, but they have their purposes. If I had to downsize, I would keep the Sea Eagles.
Very impressive review on Sea Eagle sir, you have sold me on the Explorer series, all the very best, health and happiness, amazing channel you have.
I have had my 380X for two full years now and love it more than ever.
This year I added the motormount with a short trolling motor. Changes everything for me. I can now go upriver or reach further spots from put-in and tilt the motor out and paddle in shallow waters.
When big waves come from boats passing by, I smile and enjoy them instead of stressing out.
Even found a way to hold a sunshade over my ‘dog’s front seat!
Just writing about it now excites me for my next trip.
I get plenty of compliments from bystanders.
I have the razor lite and fast track you explained them perfectly
I purchased the Razorlite 473 last summer as something to take my dog (now dogs) out in and couldn't be happier. Good speed, easy to transport and surprisingly easy to pump by hand. Having 2 inflatable paddle boards, I was worried because they are horrible to inflate by hand.
Do you think it would be big enough to take a GSD?
Awesome, thanks. I’ll probably just go for a plug in for now. Love your content and presentation!
Cheers!
I really like the foot "pedals" in the EZLite one. So many of the inflatables have nothing to leverage your legs for easy and stronger paddling. I have however stuffed the one I used to have with a dry bag to push my feet against for paddling but never seen foot "pedals" in one yet so this is very cool.
I've done the same thing!!
I have a 380x Explorer. It's great on rivers and decent on flat water, but definitely isn't fast. If you plan on trying to cover any significant distance on flat water the 380x shouldn't be your first choice. However, it can handle almost anything I've thrown at it, and it's incredibly stable.
I bought the 380x last year because I was totally new to kayaking and wanted something to take my wife with me. This year I picked up a Razorlite for me and now we have two boats to use. I’ve found the rl hard to dial in with the foot pegs. Either they’re too far and my ankles are extended or too short and I have pain in my upper leg. Gonna try a cushion to raise my seating position.
@@kdogg7882 I believe you can put them both in the high and low position : Have you tried that ?
Great video. Love my Razorlite but it needs more D rings and effective ways to store bags for touring. The video says great for touring with lots of space for gear. True, but only if you want your gear rolling around unsecured in the kayak. If you want to go kayak camping, this is an issue.
You can get d-rings of different sizes from Sea Eagle and attach them where it works best for you. With the multitude of possible setups in most SE kayaks it's hard to decide ahead of time where d-rings should go.
I own Fasttrack 385, class 3 river - no problem at all
any plans on doing a review on inflatable kayaks that are good for multi day trips been wanting to do the whole rideau canal from ottawa to kingston, the NRS pikes what i'm looking at but I'm a total newbie and don't want to get the wrong kayak for the job
The Razorlite needs the EZlite foot braces and handles on the sides for easier solo transport.
I have added multiple additional d rings and handles on my Razorlite and Explorer kayaks. They make them easier to carry solo and also more flexibility for strapping in seats and gear.
I modified my RL’s pedals and totally agree that it needs side handles
Maybe they will add it when they refresh the Razorlite series again in the future ?
The current version is the 3rd generation I believe...
Glad to see the side carry handles on the EZlite. Maybe Sea Eagle has gotten over their weird aversion to them. That's one thing I like about my wife's Itiwit 3 vs. my SE370---I can grab the side handles and swing the Itiwit up over my back to carry it to the water. With the SE370, I have to hold one of the side tubes in a cupped hand and kind of hoist it up into my shoulder. It's a really awkward position, made worse because the seats don't actually attach to the boat & could fall out if you try to carry the boat with them in it.
This video is really helpful! Can you do a video on how to self rescue in a wider inflatable? How do you not pull it over when you are crawling back in since they are so lightweight? Can you use a modified heel-hook technique etc? Thanks!
I just got into kayaking last year and really enjoy it. I've been wanting to go out again, but I broke my wrist in april and I'm still healing. My rotomolded kayak is too heavy and cumbersome for me to lift right now and load up onto my car. it sucks because I feel like getting out there and paddling would be good exercise for my wrist. But I don't have the ability to load my kayak and get out to the water. Now I'm considering an inflatable even though that's not what I wanted originally.
DAMN... that sucks! Hope you can get out there again soon! I hope your wrist heals fast! :)
Maybe get a SUP as a temporary solution ?!
Drop stitched IK’s are looking good these days.
This was great. I have an Aquaglide that I love but it was really interesting to see the different construction options and how they affect performance.
Thanks for breaking down the whole range of SeaEagle kayaks.
One thing that SeaEagle is missing from their offer is a sit inside kayak - all current models are open-decked.
Oh, FYI Ken - Gumotex Rush has a keel integrated in its drop stitch hull. It's my main boat, can't be happier with it. 😊
That's one thing that really bugs me :
Why are their only 2 brands that I know of out there that have a feature on their boats which allows you to cover up the open deck like on a real canoe ?!
- Verano
- Zelgear
If Sea Eagle for example expects me to pay 100% more than for any other competitor out there for their Razorlite 393RL than it better have a similar feature and otherwise it's just not worth it!
And bungees on both decks! LOL! :)
@@GTN355 Then now you know 3 😅
Gumotex has several models where you can purchase cockpit kits and the boats are prepared for adding them. Rush 1, Rush 2, Seawave, and Seashine have this option (solo and tandem cockpits are available for all except Rush 1, which is a solo kayak).
I think Grabner also has some deck covers but Grabner is the absolute top of the inflatable boat range (and the most expensive).
@@LetsGoPaddling I have a Nortik Scuby XL 1. It has a deck/cockpit that you can attach. It also has an optional sail & a drop stitch floor insert if wanted. Nortik also makes a Scuby XL 2 & a Scuby Lite. They all have optional decks/cockpits.
I love my XL 1. You should google them & check them out. They are the closest thing to a proper hard shell kayak but still collapses & has inflatable tubes on both sides.
The hull is skin on an aluminum frame & is a full V-shaped that sits in the water like a proper kayak. It paddles & tracks like a dream.
Unfortunately they are about as expensive as the higher end Gumotex like the Rush.
@@Imightberiding Ah, right... I forgot about Nortik... but then, they're not 100% inflatable. They're foldable frame kayaks, with inflatable parts. 😇
@@LetsGoPaddling Yeah, that is technically true but for ease of explaining to anyone interested, I generally just refer to it as an inflatable kayak or perhaps a hybrid.
I also have a Gumotex Sunny tandem & a Gumotex Swing 1. Those are definitely inflatable kayaks but the Scuby XL is by far my favourite. I really like the Gumotex Rush & the new Seawave but alas, my budget will not allow. I really don't need all the 3 kayaks I have already so 2 more would be a little over the top if not outright excessive.
Maybe I will sell my 2 older Gumotex kayaks & upgrade to the Rush or Seawave & keep the Scuby XL. BTW: I watch all your videos & appreciate your reviews. Thanks for your reply. Cheers!
Hey, love your channel, any suggestions on the best electric air pump for inflatables?
I don't know about the 'best', but I've been using the AirBank Puffer Pro for 2 years now, and it's worked great. amzn.to/3X4PYBu. Not cheap though! There are cheaper ones that aren't rechargeable - they simply plug into your car.
Another AWESOME review, Ken. I have the Explorer 300X which has become my whitewater boat. A 380X which is my multi-day camping boat and also my fishing boat where I add the bass seat and a trolling motor. And I also have a Razorlite for flatwater. I would say the 380X is by far my favorite and no doubt the most versatile of the fleet! I'm pondering an EXLite, but having trouble justifying another boat!
Thanks for answering questions we had about inflatable kayaks!
I think it would be a lot more interesting to watch a video about how to add footpegs and thighbraces to the Explorer and FastTrack models and perhaps some additional D-rings since those models could really use them! :)
NRS PVC Footpegs should do the trick since the Sea Eagle FlexBrace Kit doesn't fit on these because of the position of the valves.
And what about adding bungees to the Razorlite models ?
They should really add those from the factory!
Well Ken as you may remember I have the PakAyaK so speed and ruff water is covered. However, I have ordered the EZLite10 for them hard to reach spots (as it's so light to carry) and them day's when you just want to have a smooth relaxing paddle and even have a laydown in the boat and catch some sun.
Fantastic information Ken hell of a good video.
Looking forward to learning about these. Replacing a horse with a less expensive outdoor sport (:
Hi Ken thanks for great vid, i like to ask your opinion between sea eagle 380x or aquaglide blackfoot 130.... like the size and features ... will be going touring and some fishing on small lakes, with seagle like the option that i know its good for whitewater, which eventually i like to do.... and would customize the 380x not a problem .... performance and durability wise which you think is better from your expertise ?
Thank you
Did you get my response to the other comment you made?
This is excellent i have a question. How would the EZLite 10 do in intercoastal water? The main issue is there is often a headwind and of course the tide. There are sometimes big waves when fast boats pass nearby. Also, how does it compare to the Advanced Elements airvolution sport 10?
That EZLite looks like the best performing inflatable for the weight and price on the market right now. I would say it's the way to go unless u want to do lots of whitewater or need to carry more stuff, in which I would simply suggest a paddleboard instead.
I bought the Razorlite this year and I can say with certainty that it will outperform the ezlite
The main issue with the EZLite kayak is the seat comfort. The deluxe seat is tall and unstable, while the thinner seat (tall back seat) causes numbness in my butt and legs after 1.5 - 2 hours of paddling. This discomfort may be due to the V-shaped bottom, which isn't as comfortable as a flat bottom. I'll try using seat cushions to see if it improves the situation
@@shortiaw6850 I bought a cushion at five below. When it’s pumped all the way up it’s too tall and the kayak is a little more unstable but not unusable. Still had it in rough water. It feels like I’m on a couch. I’m gonna try letting some air out so it’s not as tall and see if it helps
@@shortiaw6850 Ouch, honestly that sounds exactly like the RazerLite too. Part of the reason I abandoned inflatable kayaks all together and simply switch to inflatable paddleboards. They are slower but you can sit any way you want and strap so much gear to them that it's hard to go back to kayaks.
It's weird because Ken has kayaked using paddleboards plenty of times, but he never suggests them as an option when comparing inflatables.
Very informative video! We owned a SE370 which was an incredible value. Now considering two EZ Lite 10s. Question is: we now live in the Tampa FL area and have been kayaking the bay, mangrove “swamps”, rivers and springs (with rentals). Since all of these can have alligators, is it crazy to use an inflatable kayak in these waters? My gut sense is no, not a problem (when was the last time you heard about a kayaker being attacked?), but it would be nice to hear the same from an expert! Thanks!
I personally wouldn't be concerned, unless I was fishing... because I've fished in Florida water with gators, and we had some gators looking for a free lunch. That being said, I paddled the Okefenokee Swamp in an inflatable kayak, and didn't think twice about it. Here's a link to that video: ruclips.net/video/qUeOMfqpFpo/видео.htmlsi=HGr2AUZrTIXBhGS9
awsome kayaks, all of them, unfortunetly i had to settle for ,lot cheeper, intex excursion pro k2.
i was wondering is it safe to try it on some white water?
the floor is the weak spot on the Pro model, so caution needed. Class I is fine, but Class II means rocks, gravel. It's a good paddler when on a budget.
Terrific reviews. Will a 6ft-2 adult fit comfortably in an EZLite10? I noticed your foot pedals appeared to be fully extended.
Not much room left! A little insider info... there's a bigger version coming! :). That will be better for you.
New subscriber here, we love your videos, and have been waiting for this video since your EZLite 10 review. My wife and I are in the market for our first kayaks and looking for additional insight.
We are middle-aged novices. We live next to the Cuyahoga Valley National Park and Cuyahoga River but often travel in our campervan. We would like to be able to paddle class I/II rivers, lakes, and estuaries. Portability, stability, and safety are our main priorities.
We want to paddle single, but I'm 6'3" tall and weigh 260lbs so I expect that I'll be looking at something that could double as a tandem. Maybe we would use the tandem together if we want to cover more distance. We are looking at the Sea Eagle 300/380 Explorers or 385 Fast Tracks, Aquaglide 120/140 Chelans or Cirrus 110/150, and Kokopelli Platte/Platte Plus.
Questions:
Are inflatables appropriate on rivers with a lot of tree falls, rock and shallow waters?
Should we plan on portaging through these shallow areas?
If we have to drag the boat though these shallow areas does weight or durability take precedence?
Is it better drag a Sea Eagle around or pick up a something like the Aquaglide Cirrus and carry it to safer waters? (I guess dragging a boat with your gear in it might always be easier.)
Are we on the right track here?
Thanks in advance.
All these models are super light to carry IMHO and you should have ZERO reason to drag them in general ;)
Don't worry about scratches/rocks too much : PVC 1000/1100D material can take a lot!
@@GTN355 Thank you for your comment. That's helpful information.
My wife and I live in the Cleveland area, we got the 473 rl, and love it. Took it down through cvnp putting in at peninsula a little while ago and definitely ran aground and had to carry a few times, no issues with durability yet. I'm a little shorter at 6'2 but there's plenty of room for me.
It's not exactly a stable boat, but we were able to laugh our way through some mild whitewater without issue. If we can do all the paddling in this area happily in a boat as narrow as the Razorlite, you shouldn't have issues with any of the ones you named above.
@@emmber19 Thanks for the reply. We enjoy a little adventure and a good laugh!
We purchased the Kokopelli Platte and Platte-Plus kayaks. We liked their weight (24/31 lbs in the water), durability (same 1000d PVC they use on their Recon whitewater packraft), and lifetime warranty. And they come in a competitively priced, complete kit which is great for newbies like us. The Platte-Plus can be used as a tandem if we want to which opens up a seat for one of our adult sons if they want to go with us.
We realized we aren't interested in doing any significant whitewater so something like the 380x will likely be heavy and boring our needs. If we want whitewater, we'll book a guided trip and/or consider getting lightweight packrafts.
One could argue that the heavier Fast Tack and Chelan might perform better than the lighter Platte and Cirrus kayaks. This might be true, but I get the sense the difference will be marginal compared to something like the Razor Lite kayaks. So we'll give these lighter boats a try and see how they do. 🙂
A big thanks to @GTN355 and @emmber19 for pointing out all of these kayaks should be durable enough to put on the river.
will the blackfoot 130 be little faster on calm water than the explorer 380x?
Seems like the advanced elements has some new inflatables with drop Stich, have you tried those?
Can you please try and review Kokopelli Moki? :)
I'm torn between the Sea Eagle Fat Track Fishing and the NRS Pike. Both seem perfect for my needs. Wondering which performs better for inshore fishing in bays and creeks.
The NRS Kuda might be a better choice for inshore fishing because you don't have to worry about waves bringing water into a kayak without self-bailing. However, you'll need to do some DIY to secure your gear box and ensure it doesn't slip off the kayak, as the edges of the Kuda are low.
I have the fast track angler. Although it should good for multi people, it is really a single person with gear and still have room to turn around. Standing up in the bay still has rolling waves, not white caps, so be careful.
@@bradleedenney I'm fishing solo in the kayak. I can be selective about when and where I go out. I'm on Long Island, so sight casting isn't really viable, so no need to stand. The only rolling waves are from boat traffic, but I try to fish away from that. Never really crossing the bay, mostly fish in cove and creeks. Thanks for the response.
YES!!! THANK YOU FOR this video!!
I want a light kayak for a tender to replace my heavy dinghy. The explorer series looks right and both the 300 and 380 would fit on my boat. Smaller is better, but I would like to hold 2 people occasionally. Anyone with some thoughts?
Why are Explorer and Fastrak anti foot pegs?
Ken, would you be concerned that the Ezlite 10 has only 2 chambers instead of the typical 3 that Sea Eagle normally provides?? Thanks.
With normal use it will be fine. You really have to try to damage them. I’ve hit some big rocks with both of mine and they are good.
@@kdogg7882 Thanks. Are you doing rivers with them ? If so, what class rapids ?
@@bobrich1950 I’ve done a couple but nothing too intense. That’s in my explorer though. I wouldn’t do any over like class one on the razorlite
Which situation are you worried about? If it's near the shore, you can just swim back. If you're in the middle of a big lake, usually nothing will break an inflatable kayak. If the side chamber leaks, you can use the bottom as a paddleboard. If the bottom leaks, the kayak will not sink.I have never seen an inflatable kayak puncture two chambers at the same time unless you heavily hit a sharp rock in whitewater. This kayak is not designed for whitewater use.
@@shortiaw6850 One of my uses for this would be shallow streams. Which often can have objects that can even be unseen that are potential risks. I wouldn't be traveling at breakneck speeds though, as my main use is for fishing. Basically a water taxi if you will.
I’m on year two with my SeaEagle 393RL, only complaint is the cheap bag. Are there third-party bags for these boats?
I have an explorer and Razorlite and I never use the bag. I usually roll it up and put in in the car and then unroll them the garage to dry. Sea Eagle sells a larger bag used for their 330 I think? I bought it as an extra bag to fit all my other gear.
Sea Eagle seems so expensive. Compare them to the Aqua Marina Tomahawk Air, the Sea Eagle in that price range is balloon like, and not drop stitched stiff like the Aqua Marina. This is the price range I am looking in, and I still haven't figured out which to get.
Totally agree! :)
There is soo much stuff out there that is built by the same Chinese/South Korean companies the exact same way and up to 50% CHEAPER !!!
Just pick the cheapest one and maybe do some upgrades on it like Sea Eagle or NRS footpegs and get out there and have fun paddling! ;)
They really don't have any mid-priced options, unless you start looking outside things that could be considered kayaks (the PackFish7, Sea Eagle 9, and their inflatable paddleboards---and the higher-end options there are pushing it). They jump straight from the sub-$300 sport kayaks to the $800 300x Explorer, completely ignoring a reasonable $300-$600 midrange.
I am looking for a good two person one for around 1,000.
Once dropstitch, never back.
exxxcellent!
Ken, thanks for this video. My first boat was the Sea Eagle 330. I love this boat, and I took it out a lot of lakes and rivers (nothing real swift) and even canoe camping. I love Sea Eagle.
I have since upgraded to an Old Town Next, which I alo love. I do a lot of canoe camping and wanted to better capacity and comfort.
I know your schedule is packed with trips, but I wanted to extend an open invitation to come paddle the Turtle Flambeau flowage in Wisconsin. It's a beautiful scenic waterway with tons of wonderful camp sites. I will be headed there in mid September. Here's one of my videos from a past trip ruclips.net/video/dLdrv0JnqFk/видео.htmlsi=TaKAS5wR_XdJjLSz
Thanks again! Paddle on!
They are all garbage, just get a real boat
Boooooo.
@@PaddleTV you'll see soon enough
@@PaddleTV they have no rigidity
@@toddlong8672All my experiences with Sea Eagle kayaks have been very different from yours, that's for sure.
Been there with the Razorlite 393RL and the 370. I moved up to Saturn kayaks for higher quality and lower prices as they sell direct. My Ocean Pro 14' has been a beast and the new ones now have self regulating, one way, scupper drain valves so no screw out the plug/screw back in the plug. Tracks very well with the raised hull and twin skegs (removable). Saturn has a solid name in the whitewater world and their same 1,100 denier is what's used in their non ww boats. boatstogo.
Much better prices than Sea Eagle indeed! Nice find! :)