Enjoyable and rugged whatever your limitations, capabilities and risk tolerance. Paddled the Sea Eagle 370 to the Boston Harbor Outer Islands a few times, Buzzards bay a few times, Ninigrit National Wildlife Refuge, Slocum River, Contotook River, and the Hudson River. Caught black sea bass, fluke, st
ripers, and blues. Each trip was 5-10 miles and fun as heck. Bobbed over 3 ft swells, ferry wakes, and chaotic chop. Have not yet felt at risk of capsizing. Almost fell out playing around in the bow with a fish finder transducer bracket. [lesson: keep a line tied to you and the sea eagle on open water.] If you do capsize (unlikely) or fall out (more likely), it is easier to get back into the Sea Eagle than a kayak. Practice before going offshore. It's fun and will build your confidence/competence. Dragged the Sea Eagle over coastlines strewn with shells and pebbles. Hit submerged river rocks and bounced around/over them. The closet I've come to puncturing it is (a) hooks (b) knives. [lesson: (a) No knives are on board (b) all hooks must be grounded in a (wine) corks. Be really careful casting, and even more careful landing fish]. Make sure the inflation caps are on securely. The bottom seat bag twice deflated after the cap rubbed against something and somehow worked itself loose. [lesson: like a boat propeller or sailboat boom - keep the inflation caps clear] Aside: When the water temp gets cold, I will try towing an inexpensive, one person, inflatable as back-up. Takes more work to get from point A to point B compared to the hard shell kayaks. For reference If you can propel a hard shell 3 mph for 5 miles, plan on 2.5 mph in the Sea Eagle. The good news is that the Sea Eagle will melt away more extra calories and in increase your upper body strength :). Tracks into 10 mph gusting 14 mph breezes 200+ lbs on board without much more effort than a hard shell kayak. Like most vessels, yaws when running with swells. Adding a keg might help, but I drag it up on the shore and portage over sand/rock bars frequently and don't want to bother removing it each time. The 2 skegs already on the Sea Eagle haven't broken yet. Get the best seat they offer. If you plan on taking gear or two adults without much gear, get the bigger version. Probably not much difference in performance. One is heavier to carry. Why a sea eagle and not a sea kayak? - Lower cost - Transport solo and without car racks - Requires much smaller storage space after use - greater capacity for fishing gear, picnic stuff, camping stuff - More stability if you move around. Less likely to capsize - easier to get back in if you swamp or fall out (see below) - friends and family without car racks can borrow it. - if it gets damaged, lost, or stolen, unpleasant but replaceable and not a huge loss of money.. Why a kayak and not a Sea Eagle? - Faster and easier to cover distances - more convenient if you can store it at the water and use if frequently from the same place - Tougher construction, hard to puncture unless you really hit something hard - Novices can rent and get lessons Why either? - I paddled about a mile out on Buzzards Bay to fish a ledge. The only other boat around was a huge, beautiful, 100+ foot yacht at anchor. When I got closer to it, I saw couple kayaks tied off the stern. Ask them. - Paddle to an island or light house and experience the warm and special reception reserved for paddlers - Feel ten feet tall when captains hail hello and make you feel part of their world. - Tell fish stories to prove you are no longer New England's worst fisherman. - Scoff at novice boaters and yahoos on the water. - Let your sweetheart see and feel your new body. - Watch family and friends laugh and play. Set-up/break down: Takes about 15 minutes to set up and same amount of time to dry and roll up, no biggie. Foot pump is fine. Make sure the inflation hole caps are on securely. Maintenance - After deflating, dry it with a towel or you'll get mildew. I bring a big sponge on board to soak up what little water that might get in and wipe the kayak off after use. Drying towels in the car trunk are handy when you get back ashore. A fun and creative project is to add a PVC bracket to mount a Signtek-type portable fish finder with holders for the display, a fishing rod, and a flag (or light). Heavy duty carry bag, but wish it bag had 2 back pack style straps. It's awkward and uncomfortable to carry. Final note: It's not if, but when you will have an unplanned event. Fun can quickly turn ugly if you don't plan for emergencies, don't file a float plan, or don't pay attention to the weather and water conditions. It can turn tragic if you don't wear a PFD. Respect your capabilities and limitations.
...
show more
Reviewed in the United States on August 22, 2016 by Amazon Customer
