Sea Eagle RazorLite vs. Sea Eagle FastTrack

Sea Eagle FastTrack vs Sea Eagle RazorLite

You may have noticed that Sea Eagle has come out with a new inflatable kayak this year called the 393 RazorLite.

This new kayak model is sleek, well made and totally unique to any other inflatable kayak on the market.

The popular Sea Eagle FastTrack has been my personal choice for paddling for a number of years.

I now have both the FastTrack and the RazorLite and really love them both.

However they have some obvious differences and because I have been receiving numerous questions regarding the comparison of these two IK’s I decided to write an article detailing those differences.

I’ve included a number of pictures as I think you can get the best idea of how these kayaks differ by looking at them side by side.

FastTrack and RazorLite Differences

At the time of this writing I have had the new RazorLite for a little over a month and I have been out paddling in it several times.

I won’t get into the pros and cons as you can read all about it in our 393 RazorLite review.

However I will say that when I first took it out I was quite surprised at how the design differed from all the other IK’s I had previously tried.

Narrow Sidewalls

The 393RL is the only all drop stitch kayak and the sidewalls are much narrower than I’ve seen before. You can see from the photos the difference in the size of the side walls.

Razorlite side walls compared to the FastTrack side walls

Air Pressure
The RL is able to hold far more air pressure and consequently the walls and floor feel rock hard.

I think that the FastTrack also feels super rigid but the RazorLite can hold about twice the air pressure. The more rigid the kayak, the better it will perform.

Design

The RL also has rigid bow and stern molds and a very straight hull design. These features create an inflatable kayak that is able to paddle at much higher speeds and track very straight.

The straight hull means that the entire length of the kayak is in the water.  This is one of the reasons the performance is more comparable to a hard-shell kayak.

The FastTrack has more of an upturned bow and stern and although for a tandem kayak it paddles quite fast and very smoothly, I found that there was less drag paddling the RazorLite making it move faster with less effort.

comparing the design of the 393RL and the 365FT

Stability

No question the RazorLite is not as stable as the FastTrack.

The leaner design makes the 393RL feel more ‘tippy’, more like a sleek hard shell kayak.

The FT is ultra stable. The wider pontoon-like sides make it stable enough to stand and I think it is far more ideal for fishing, kids, or anyone who needs a kayak that paddles well but still offers good stability.

comparing stability of the 393 Razorlite and 365 FastTrack kayaks

Maneuverability

I found the RL super easy to turn and maneuver even though it is almost 13 feet long.

It is very responsive and I think easier to turn quickly. I also notice it takes less effort to get moving at a good speed.

Setup Time

Having the two kayaks out on the same day allowed me to really notice all the differences as I set them both up and took them both out paddling.

The 393RL set up in half the time. It has the fastest setup time of any IK I have inflated, which is impressive considering the length.

Although it takes more air pressure, there is less to this kayak so it inflates very fast.

Normally I’m a stickler for using my electric pump these days as it is just so much easier and quicker to use.

However with the RL, I had no problem using the hand pump. It has a very quick setup time.

The setup time of the FT isn’t long but it definitely takes more effort and you will be pumping slightly longer and probably breaking a bit of a sweat.

inflating the 365 FastTrack kayak

Comfort

I find them both to be super comfortable especially with the tall back seats.

You might find the stability of the FT to feel a little more secure but overall the comfort level of both is good.

Versatility

I think the FT is more versatile. It is able to paddle well in most types of water (although it is best suited for flat water) and the stability makes it ideal for a lot of different activities and a variety of people.

The RL paddles best on flat water or on water with a little chop. The sleeker design is going to suit those who want to paddle efficiently for exercise, racing or touring.

Dogs or Kids

The FT will be far more stable for dogs and children. I had my dog with me in my RL and it was great but he is quite little.

A larger dog will certainly affect the stability of the RL. Overall with kids or more dogs I would prefer to be in the FastTrack.

For smaller dogs or dogs that are good at sitting still in one spot, the RazorLite will be fine.

paddling the FastTrack with a large dog

My friend Lisa paddling the FastTrack with her dog Ellie

 

Overall Look

The day I had both kayaks out was quite interesting. There was a man who was taking out his inflatable pontoon boat to go fishing.

He was interested in the kayaks as he mentioned his pontoon boat is super heavy and takes forever to inflate.

He could tell the FastTrack was inflatable but he was surprised to learn the RazorLite was inflatable as well.

I think this says a lot about the overall look. The RL performs more like a hard-shell kayak and from a distance it is much harder to tell that it is actually an inflatable.

More Pics

comparing sea eagle kayaks

width comparison of RL and FT inflatable kayaks

bow comparison of 393RL and 365FT

393RL and 365FT bow

Final Thoughts

The truth is I love both these kayaks. They are both strong, durable and perform well… but they are quite different in look and feel.

I felt that the RazorLite can outperform the FastTrack.  However the FT still offers some pretty great advantages that make it ideal for so many people.

When I head out solo, I will definitely be paddling the 393RL. However when I want to paddle tandem or want more stability for any reason, I will be more than happy to take out my 365FT.

My boyfriend tried out the RazorLite and then went paddling in the FastTrack after to take pictures out on the water.  In his words while in the FastTrack … “this thing is a tank!”.

I had to laugh as the truth is the FastTrack is actually one of the more streamlined IK’s on the market and paddles quite efficiently.  However after spending some time paddling the RazorLite I think any other inflatable kayak is going to feel more like a tank… and I think that really sums up the difference in the RL both on and off the water.

Hope the pictures help with those who want to see a side-by-side comparison!


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