Comments on: Sea Eagle Kayak Comparisons

By: Allison

Allison — Wed, 12 May 2010 00:18:07 +0000

Hi Mark,
Would love to hear your feedback on the FastTrack after your four day adventrue. Sounds like a fantastic trip!
Good luck and thank you for your comment.
Cheers,
Allison

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 11 May 2010 17:56:32 +0000

Further to James’ email – I ordered a Fasttrack a couple of weeks ago and it should hopefully be arriving this week…. our first organised trip later this year will be kayaking down the Thames from the source (well Cricklade) to London over 4 days.

Our next trip will by a bit of sea kayaking around the Isle of Wight. I am hoping that the Fasttrack will be up to both tasks.

p.s. good, informative site

By: Allison

Allison — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 05:02:18 +0000

Hi James,
Thank you for your kind words.
I do think that the SE FastTrack offers more versatility than the Innova Sunny but I don’t know if it is going to be as fast as the Sunny. The Sunny is longer and slimmer and I have to think will still paddle faster… but I really can’t say for sure.
Good luck with your decision!
Cheers, Allison

By: James

James — Thu, 29 Apr 2010 21:21:04 +0000

Hi Allison
I am looking to buy an IK prdominantly for use on flat water (the Thames in the UK). Acknowledging you haven’t had a chance to try the Sea Eagle fast track, speed wise, is the fast track likely to close the gap on the Sunny.
Thanks
James
PS I’ve found your web site really useful and informative. Well laid out, well written. Thank you very much.

By: Henry Liu

Henry Liu — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 02:47:34 +0000

Thank you Allison for the reply and compliment. I will probably go with FastTrack, will decide before April 30. I hope the new IK will bring me more stunning shots. LOL.

By: Allison

Allison — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 03:45:10 +0000

Hi Henry,
Another quick note… I just checked out your webiste… your pictures are STUNNING!

By: Allison

Allison — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 03:40:22 +0000

Hi Henry,

Your camera backpack sounds fantastic!!

I think you are right, the FastTrack would be the best of both worlds. If I had my choice today I would have purchased the FastTrack over the 380X. I have just recently done a review on the FastTrack, here is the link for more info: Sea Eagle FastTrack Review

I think the FastTrack would be much more versatile than the Innova Sunny and more stable as you mentioned. However I haven’t seen the FastTrack in person yet and am unsure about flying with it. It is light enough that I don’t think it should cost you any more money to check-in (I believe we are allowed to have 50 lbs. without extra charges) but because the deflated size is fairly big I am not sure how easy it would be to check it through on an airplane. I would suggest emailing Sea Eagle directly and asking them their opinion on flying with it. They are usually very helpful and prompt.

Hope that helps!
Allison

By: Henry Liu

Henry Liu — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 03:08:56 +0000

Hi Allison,

Thank you so much for such detailed comparisons. I’m a landscape/nature photographer and thinking of using an inflatable kayak to expand my views. As this review was written in February and now Sea Eagle just announced their new model, the 385FT FastTrack. How would you comment on this new model? For me it sounds like best of two worlds: much lighter and better tracking. It should also be faster than 380X. It doesn’t handle class IV but I don’t think I will do anything higher than class II with my expensive camera backpack. (I just got a Lowepro Dryzone 200 watertight camera bag). It also looks much more stable than Innova Sunny. I would feel more comfortable if I have shoot pictures on a 385FT. My question is, Can I fly with it? I won’t carry it as carry-on bag (my camera backpack is my carry-on bag), if I pack it as check-in bag, will it cost me a lot more? It’s just 2 lbs more than Innova Sunny EX, but deflated size is much bigger — my only complaint about it so far.

Thanks again,
Henry

By: Allison

Allison — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 16:28:42 +0000

Hi Kim,
I am very excited for you to take out your 380. I am taking mine out this weekend as well (hopefully the sun sticks around for a bit). Not all kayaking stores are knowledgeable about inflatable kayaks and though Sea Eagle calls it a directional stabilizer, most hard-shell kayakers will call it a rudder. I am really not sure if just any rudder can be used on the 380 or if it has to be their own. I would suggest emailing Sea Eagle directly to ask them. I have a feeling you may have to order one from the Sea Eagle website unless you can find someone who has a used one. They will be able to tell you more and I have always found them to be extremely helpful. If you are going to be kayaking in the ocean a lot I would definitely recommend gettting the directional stabilizer as it really makes a big difference.
Hope that helps and good luck with your new kayak!!
Cheers,
Allison

By: Kim

Kim — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 03:35:18 +0000

I just bought a Sea Eagle 380. I am so excited I can’t wait to put it into the water. I bought it used and it does not have the directional stabilizer. I asked at a few of the local kayak stores here in Courtenay, BC and they looked at me like I was crazy. Is this a common item or is it exclusively from Sea Eagle?
I love this site. It has been so helpful for me making my decision to buy an inflatable.