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Any experiences out there with Sea Eagle boat?

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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USA
4479 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/10/2008 : 15:37:00

My brother is looking to buy one of [url="http://www.seaeagle.com/MotormountBoats.aspx?hullID=SE6#OrderArea"]these Sea Eagle inflatable boats[/url], and asked my opinion. I thought I'd run it by you guys. He's looking for something to fish on lakes & ponds with his grandchildren, and for his kids to use running rivers or whatever.

Thoughts, opinions?

David
C-250 Mainsheet Editor

Sirius Lepak
1997 C-250 WK TR #271 --Seattle area Port Captain --

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/10/2008 : 16:25:34

I have a 10 foot Sea Hawk very very similar. It is not a real inflatable dinghy like an Avon or Zodiac. It is also not a pool toy. It is somewhere in between. Works OK for the money. Don't set off on a long voyage in one.

I made a motor mount.

Edited by - on

Tom Potter
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1913 Posts

Response Posted - 01/10/2008 : 17:00:14

I just tossed a Sea Eagle in the dumpster a couple weeks ago. I used it a couple times and it has been sitting on a shelf in the garage for a few years. Getting in and out of it is a trick, you have roll in and roll out.

I wanted something a little more sturdier. Watch those sharp hooks!

Here's a pic of the old Sea Eagle.

Edited by - on

redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts

Response Posted - 01/11/2008 : 07:55:09

A friend of mine had one, and yeah what a piece of crap unless you only use it two times a year and don't mind the 2 hour setup time. Get a Zodiac! You will never regret it. And not the West Marine variety either.

Sten

DPO Zephyr - '82 C25, FK, SR
SV Lysistrata - C&C 39 - St. Augustine, FL

Edited by - on

EAbrams
Navigator

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USA
130 Posts

Response Posted - 01/11/2008 : 08:01:02

I will vouch for the warranty.

While inflating mine ( Sea Eagle 8 or 9 ) It burst at the seam.
It was replaced without question. I think I had owned it about two years when it happened. (circa 1995)

I will never know whether it was my fault or not. They provide you with a measuring tape that you place on the hull as you inflate it. The lines on the tape must line up with the lines painted on the hull. Do not over inflate. I was using a 12 volt air pump and did not have the tape with me. Soooooo I'm not sure if it was my negligence or the seam failed. Like I said earlier it was replaced without question.

We use it for rafting/floating on the Delaware River north of the Delaware Water Gap. It has never been used as a dinghy, though the company does sell motor mounts and a wooden floor as options.

They are now selling a "Yacht Tender" made from different material.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3462 Posts

Response Posted - 01/11/2008 : 11:23:41

Ed,

Yours must have been defective or...you really over-inflated it. I have a cheapy Sevylor Classic Tahiti Canoe that cost somewhere between $100-$175 maybe 10 yrs or more ago. It has not had much use but it is still intact and very usable. My kids would sometimes use it when we go to the Outerbanks (Nags Head, NC) and rent a beach house. They would use it in the waves on the ocean side and my wife and I would use it to paddle around on the bay side.

Edited by - on

JimB517
Past Commodore

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USA
3285 Posts

Response Posted - 01/11/2008 : 13:39:20

I much prefer my 2 man kayak as a tender

You can step into it from the boat

You can carry it on the bow or tow it (not offshore)

You can paddle solo and carry huge loads (like gas, groceries)

It has rod holders.

Can't sink.

Never leaks.

Doesn't need gas.

Kids love it.

Cost $500 at Sports Authority.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/11/2008 : 14:17:01

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by redviking
 Get a Zodiac! You will never regret it. And not the West Marine variety either.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I dunno... WM's 8'6" rollup made by Zodiac seems like a pretty good buy, especially on sale (occasionally). Because it's PVC (like all Zodiacs) it's lighter than my 8-1/2' hypalon Achilles rollup, and the plastic slats help make it lighter and more "rollable" than my plywood floorboards do.

What kinds of rivers would they run--white or green water? I wouldn't count on a Sea Eagle in a river I couldn't walk out of when it went POP. For fishing, he's gonna want the optional floorboards and motor mount. (They're a pain to row very far, especially in a breeze.) I'd prefer the WM/Zodiac--stiff, stable, and ready to rumble. And if you lose interest, you don't throw a Zodiac into the dumpster--you SELL it.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 01/11/2008 14:20:22

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 01/11/2008 : 19:41:04

Hey Jim, I'm considering buying a Kayak as a tender. I like yours. I'm still undecided as to go with 2 one seaters or 1 double seater like yours. We would only use them to pick up the boat from a mooring ball or just for plain fun. I thought that 2 single seaters would be more fun for the kids. Any comments?

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/11/2008 : 21:40:36

Steve: A guy at a kayak store gave me a great tip some years back... I was looking at the sit-on-top Malibu 2 (from Ocean Kayak) for myself and a friend, my two daughters, etc... He said a number of people had bought 2-man boats and then, a few months later, come back to buy another 1-man so two people could have their own boats. Now that I've done some paddling (with other people on my two kayaks), I can't thank that guy enough. The more you think about the fore-and-aft two-man experience, the more you'll probably get it.

As for tenders... Getting from a boat to a marina dock with passengers, and back with some "stuff"...? Getting on and off a dock, not to mention the boat...? With all due respect to Jim, you might want an inflatable dinghy for that--Avon, Achilles, Zodiac, or the WM version of some of them. I heartily recommend them over hard dinks for stability and capacity.

Edit: Ooops... you don't need to do those things. Never mind.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 01/11/2008 21:42:36

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 01/11/2008 : 22:38:48

Thanks Dave, greatly appreciate the tip. I'll go with 2X 1-man kayaks then. I don't really need to carry anything with it. The idea is to paddle to the mooring ball then get the C250 to the dock and load gear and people from the docks. I may also be getting a slip if I'm lucky, so the kayaks will only be for play for my 9 and 13 year olds. My kids become bored after a while of sailing, I believe they will enjoy these.

This is what I'm thinking of (can get these localy from a sports shop). Pelican Burst 8.

This Pelican Burst 8 kayak is manufactured using innovative TST technology, and an exclusive impact resistant RAM-X hull & deck. This kayak has a self-bailing design and is lightweight, easy to paddle, and outfitted with a bottle holder, paddle holder and carrying handles. $230

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/11/2008 : 22:53:14

They look great, Steve... Sit-on-tops are wonderful for kids (and grownups) to knock around on--no need to learn what to do if you go over, 'cause they can't fill up with water. Just right them and climb back aboard. I have two. (...and there's just one of me.)

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 01/11/2008 22:54:45

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/11/2008 : 23:03:18

I just looked up the Pelican Burst--capacity 200 lbs... (That means a 180 pounder will have a wet butt from water coming through the scuppers.) You might want to consider the 11'6" Apex for at least one of the boats, for a full-sized person.

Edited by - on

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 01/12/2008 : 18:01:30

Darn, I weight about 185-190. Maybe I should look for a 250 lbs? Went to have a look at the Pelican Burst today. They had 2 in stock just like the color in the picture. Looked pretty good to me, and not to heavy for the kids to handle.

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 01/12/2008 18:02:21

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/12/2008 : 18:59:52

Guys, this is a proper dink:

Edited by - Nautiduck on 01/12/2008 19:00:43

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2008 : 04:04:32

Randy, I think my kids would disagree with you. :-)

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2008 : 11:37:43

Steve: One of my kayaks is an Ocean Kayak Scambler rated at 275 lbs. I'm around 190-195, and when I paddle that one I get some water in the "cockpit" through the drains (which can be plugged). So I'd say the capacity ratings for at least some of these things are marginal. For us grownups, an 11-footer is just about minimal.

Edited by - on

Dan Greer
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2008 : 13:53:31

I recently bought the Sea Eagle Yacht Tender for about $1,000.

We've only used it once, on a trip of about 7 days in the Sea of Cortez, so I can't testify as to its ultimate durability, but it seems to be well-constructed of adequate materials.

Stability is excellent. We loaded it up with a couple of 250 pound guys and one 10-yr old boy (of whatever weight 10-yr old boys usually are), some extra fuel, some lunch, and everyone's wet suits & snorkle gear and headed out exploring Isla San Marcos. We were crowded, but it was a sturdy & stable platform in the calm waters that we encountered.

In even the smallest waves, we did tend to take spray over the bow, so plan on getting a little wet.

The inflatable floor is really cool. Very rigid. No problem at all to stand up confidently in the boat.

It's a flat bottom. No inflatable keel. This makes rowing & steering a little tricky, but you can get used to it.

We mounted a 3.5 hp outboard which moved us along easily at (I'm guessing) 3 or 4 kts. Even with just the 10-yr old aboard, there was no way we could get it up on a plane. So, if we're never going to plane anyway, I think we might as well have saved a couple of bucks and only bought the 2 hp ouboard. There was very little difference in speed between half throttle and full throttle.

Good luck!

Edited by - on

Renzo
Admiral

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USA
621 Posts

Response Posted - 01/13/2008 : 14:25:34

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 Guys, this is a proper dink:

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Randy, Once more,I find myself in full agreement with you. Of course I am assuming that you eschew a mechanical means of propulsion and row ashore as befits a true sailor.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2008 : 11:25:39

I'm a two dink man (insert pun here) with a zodiac and an inflatable kayak. Both are very sturdy and are 'real' boats, not toys.
I think it is always a mistake to get a cheap inflatable. Been there done that.
Its kind of fun to watch people with cheap inflatables try to paddle against the wind and waves on their way to and from our mooring field.

My inflatable kayak is convertable, so it can easily be paddled as a single or double. (seats slide and adjust) Max capacity weight is 500LBs. It will carry two adults and a dog, along with some 'stuff'.
Ease and speed of setup were big buying features, mine fits easily into the trunk of my Maxima. Other great feature is that it tracks like a real kayak - through the water, not on top. The problem with sit-on-tops is that they are designed to get wet - which would be okay in many places other than our lake, which is cold most of the year. Much of the time when I sail, I'm trying to stay warm and dry. However, sit on tops are great for messing about and if you don't mind getting wet - they are a lot of fun, and are very safe. (perhaps the safest boat you send your kid out with, to mess around in) The self-bailing feature of plastic sit on tops makes them un-sinkable.
I looked at Sea Eagles and they are okay functionally, but IMHO - the cheaper models can be a compromise in safety.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2008 : 12:23:06

I like the Cessna Caravan with pontoons. But hey, I live in the Air Capital of the World!

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2008 : 13:45:16

Would this one from [url="http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/producte/10001/-1/10001/126116/377%20710%20894/712/kayak/Primary%20Search/mode%20matchallpartial/0/Customer%20Rating%7C1?N=377%20710%20894&Ne=712&Ntt=kayak&Ntk=Primary%20Search&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial&Nao=0&Ns=Customer%20Rating|1&keyword=kayak&isLTokenURL=true&storeNum=5005&subdeptNum=10&classNum=806"]WM [/url] be better? It's a sit-inside model rated 250lbs. Would I be more or less wet using a sit-in?

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2008 : 15:04:31

Renzo, I must admit that I bought a 1982 Evinrude 2hp outboard on E-Bay. Weighs just 22 lbs and should be perfect for the dink. So I wont be a purist any more.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2008 : 15:06:47

Steve: A little less until something unexpected happens, then you might have a boat full of water. My experience with my 11' sit-on-tops is that I get some drips on me from the paddle--the drip-cups help, but not completely. With that large opening, you might experience the same. I haven't been splashed by waves, although I haven't paddled in serious chop. My main criterion for getting sit-on-tops was safety and simplicity for whoever goes out on them. No need to learn eskimo rolls or how to recover a swamped boat. On a warm day, you can dangle your legs in the water.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 01/15/2008 15:14:01

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2008 : 18:11:21

I suggest renting kayaks and trying out several different type and vendors until you have a better idea of what you really need.
Some great place to rent and buy from. (University, MEC, Aqua-bound and probably a lot more)

By the way - you can spend a lot of dough on paddles too. We bought four piece break-down Carbon paddles for $245 each. we wanted the best paddles we could get, that would also fit into a suit case. We test drove quite a few paddles and found that a good paddle makes a large difference. We found that renting kayaks and paddles told us more about what we wanted than a lot of theorizing ever did.

Steve: if you want to try our kayak in the spring - I'll have it at the lake while I'm drinking your beer and watching you do your bottom job

Maybe you can take a break between coats and give it a test drive.

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 01/15/2008 : 18:13:33

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I like the Cessna Caravan with pontoons. But hey, I live in the Air Capital of the World!
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Hey Frank - do you use a painter line to tow that dingy? and is there any significant drag? Looks like there might be more drag than my Zodiac, but then you've got that propeller.

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