There are two major issues that come to the foreground when trying to choose the right kayak. In terms of inflatables, the primary goal is often portability. This approach addresses the problem of transportation and storage, because when it's all packed away, the kayak has nowhere near the weight or footprint of a hard-shell. The other thing that all kayakers have to try and figure out is what kind of paddling do they envision doing? Sometimes this can be a tough call. What if you don't know, or don't want to choose a specific lane? Well, Sea Eagle thinks that they've found the coveted middle-ground solution in their 380x, all-around inflatable kayak. Here's what they have to say about it:
The Sea Eagle 380x is made to be ridden by one or two persons. Now you can do what others only dream of with our most versatile inflatable kayak series ever. [It's] capable of handling any type of adventure: fishing, touring, camping, adventuring, whitewater, but never boring.
Sounds pretty good, right? Well, now it's my job to put those claims to the test, let you know how it all stacks up, and figure out if it's worth the money. As always, let's start with the specs, and then I'll give you an in-depth review from my experience paddling this sucker on the Nantahala River in North Carolina.
ABOUT THE SEA EAGLE 380X KAYAK
Retail Price: $1,099 USD (Pro Package)
Length: 12′ 6″
Width: 39″
Weight: 40 LBS (18 KG)
Max Capacity: 750 LBS (340 KG)
Inflatable kayaks are durable and versatile
The 380x kayak has a drop-stitch floor, which can be pumped up to 10 psi – nice and firm! It also has 24 D-rings to secure seats and other gear. Next, it is self-bailing, with 16 drains that can be sealed. Plus, it has a removable skeg for better tracking. Finally, if you opt for the pro package, you'll get 2 paddles, 2 seats, a carry bag, repair kit, and a pump. Further add-on options include: a sailing kit, a rowing kit, and an electric motor kit.
How do you set up the inflatable Sea Eagle 380x kayak?
This kayak is very easy to pump up. There are simply three chambers to inflate. Since the floor is made with drop-stitch construction, it chugs up to a solid 10 psi, while the outer chambers come in a little softer. The whole thing can be done with a hand pump, but I think an electric pump is the way to go. Save the energy for paddling!
In terms of portability, there are carry handles at the bow and stern, but unfortunately nothing on the sides. This means it's an easy carry for two people, but a little trickier if you're riding solo. Either way, for a solid and versatile kayak, 40 LBS is a reasonable, portable weight. Once you've inflated the boat, anchored the seat, and decided if you want the drains open or closed (depending on your conditions), you're ready to rock.
How stable is the Sea Eagle 380x kayak?
The wide base makes the 380x inherently stable. You'd have to make a conscious effort to flip this thing. No matter the conditions I took it in, stability was the name of the game for this kayak. If interested, you can even stand in this boat, which is helpful for fishing or just stretching your legs.
How does the Sea Eagle 380x kayak perform?
Since I took the 380x in a variety of conditions, I experienced a range in its performance. Let's start with whitewater. A 12.5-foot kayak is a little too long for ideal river-running. But it's not trying to be an ideal whitewater boat, it's trying to be an all-around boat. Though it lacked the specificity for the job, I still had a blast riding the rapids. It didn't catch eddies or surf waves as well as a proper whitewater kayak, but it still managed these feats and instilled a lot of confidence while doing so.
In terms of flatwater, the extra length suddenly became an asset, while the width turned into a slight hindrance. The 380x is certainly not a fast boat, but again, it's not meant to shine in that particular area, it's meant to be well-rounded. Though it takes a bit of a grunt to get it going, this boat does hold a reasonable pace once you're there.
The removable skeg helped it track well, and at the same time, it still turned easily – that's a nice mix. I would therefore say that the 380x has good, but not great, performance on both whitewater and flatwater.
Is the Sea Eagle 380x kayak comfortable?
The ample room in the cockpit makes this kayak quite comfortable for one person. It would be more of a squeeze to go tandem, but certainly nothing to worry about.
I went with the upgraded seat from the pro package, which ended up being a nice addition. The elevated cushion kept my butt off the hard floor. In whitewater, you get wet no matter what, but in flatwater, this extra height made a real difference.
I found the high-back seat provided support more so when I was relaxing versus paddling. The only things missing, in my opinion, are foot braces. These tend to improve both comfort and performance. Thankfully, in this particular boat, your legs can press against the sides for added comfort. However, foot braces would still add leverage, and therefore paddling power, which would help boost the top-end speed a bit.
Sea Eagle 380x kayak features
I like that the 380x pro package comes with two seats and two paddles, giving the option for both tandem and solo adventures right out of the gate.
The self-draining capability also came into play while I was on the whitewater. Since waves were constantly splashing into the boat, I opened the 16 self-draining scupper plugs to allow the water to flow right back out. I then closed them while paddling around on the flatwater, as nothing was coming over the sides of the kayak that needed draining. In those conditions, water would just needlessly leak in through the open holes. So that's my hot tip if you're fiddling around with this boat in the near future.
I was pleasantly surprised to find a decent-sized pocket on the back of my upgraded seat. Most inflatable kayaks don't come with much storage space, but there are always at least a few things you need to take with you for a good-length paddle (i.e. water, snacks, sunscreen, bug spray, a first aid kit, etc.) Just note, the pouch isn't waterproof so make sure to throw anything more delicate into a dry bag first.
Is the Sea Eagle 380x kayak worth it?
The Sea Eagle 380x kayak is great for two main reasons. First, it checks the portability/transportability box for anyone who needs to store a boat in a closet, under the bed, in the corner of an apartment, etc., and come game day, easily get it to the water. Secondly, once it's all set up, this becomes an excellent, solo or tandem, general-use kayak.
If you want something that is stable and can provide a good time on both flatwater and whitewater, then the 380x will be right up your alley. On the other hand, if you want something fast on flatwater, or proficient on whitewater, then you will probably want to look for something more specifically suited to those tasks. Once again, the Sea Eagle 380x doesn't do anything exceptionally well, it does a lot of things pretty well. If that tickles your fancy, then you will get great value out of this versatile package.
Bonus note:
I wanted to give a quick mention to the American Canoe Association's free online paddling course. I know these things can be tempting to bypass, but I highly recommend you take the time to check it out. Paddling is generally safe and enjoyable, but when things do go wrong, they can escalate quickly. Often, a bit of key information can make the difference between an inconvenience and a disaster. And did I mention it was free? If you're reading this blog then that means you're probably already at your computer, so go ahead and click this link to find out more.
That's all I've got for you today. If you want to follow along with my North Carolina road/paddling trip, or for more tips, reviews, and adventures, check out PaddleTV.
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links in which Ken Whiting earns a small commission at no additional cost to you, but it is a great way to show your support. Thanks!
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