Sea Eagle Kayak Comparisons
Sea Eagle kayaks are some of the most popular inflatable kayaks on the market. They are not the top of the line but they do offer more versatility and features than most others in their price range.
It is no secret that I am a big fan of Sea Eagle kayaks, in particular their Explorer kayaks. My favorite model is the Sea Eagle 380X. I found that this inflatable kayak meets almost all of my needs:
- Tandem kayak that can also be paddled solo
- Versatile enough to paddle in different types of water
- Decent warranty
- Rigid yet very comfortable
- Can be taken traveling… anywhere
- Costs under $1000
Those were my basic requirements for an inflatable kayak and the 380X Sea Eagle kayak fit the bill… but how does it stack up to other comparable inflatable kayaks?
Below I will go through some comparison factors to other similar models.
The Sea Eagle 380X Compared To:
Aire Super Lynx
I strongly considered the Aire Super Lynx when I began searching for the right inflatable kayak. This kayak has been extremely popular and is similar to the Sea Eagle kayak in that it is a jack of all trades but a master at none. I don’t mind that because it tends to mirror my kayaking style.
- The Super Lynx is longer and is able to pick up higher speeds, which is nice.
- It weighs 43 lbs.
- It can hold a good amount of weight
- It is self-bailing and is known to be very comfortable.
- The quality is excellent and it has a top of the line warranty.
The problem… it is expensive. The Aire Super Lynx runs roughly at $1500 and that only includes the kayak and the seats. With the Sea Eagle kayaks you can get the kayak, the good seats, the good paddles, the air pump, etc. all for just over $800. Once you add all the essentials to the Super Lynx it will end up costing more than twice as much. Even though I do believe the Super Lynx is worth it, I am willing to settle for a slightly less impressive inflatable kayak for a much, much lower price.
Another thing to consider is that if you do plan on paddling your tandem kayak solo at times, the Super Lynx is long and may not be as easy to handle for one person.
Advanced Elements StraitEdge 2
The AE StraitEdge 2 has had its share of popularity. I would describe Advanced Elements kayaks as “middle of the road”. I like the StraitEdge because it can be paddled on flat water or whitewater, it is self-bailing, similar in size and weight to the 380x as well as similar in price.
I ended up dismissing it for a few reasons:
- There is no option to add a rudder.
- I am not fond of the AE seats (though these can always be changed).
- The Advanced Elements quality of construction is not as good as the Sea Eagle kayaks, nor is their warranty.
Aire Lynx II
No doubt about it, the Aire Lynx is a fantastic inflatable kayak. This kayak has many factors that are better than the Sea Eagle kayaks including:
- the quality
- the warranty
- the performance
In fact they are better than just about every other inflatable kayak on the market. However the Lynx is purely designed for whitewater and would not track well or paddle well on flat water.
I like the fact that it weighs only 39 pounds but dismissed it because I am not a hardcore whitewater kayaker. The Lynx II costs almost twice as much as the 380X and if I were to pay that kind of money, the kayak better meet all my needs. The Lynx II would be well suited to those wanting a really good quality, compact inflatable kayak that is able to take on big rapids.
Tributary Strike 2
For some reason the Tributary Strike seems to get overlooked. The Tributary kayaks (owned by Aire) do not offer the same excellent quality that the American made Aire kayaks do. The Tributary Strike however is one of the better ones and does offer versatility, a decent performance, similar dimensions to the Sea Eagle 380X as well as great stability.
It is in truth quite comparable to the Sea Eagle Explorer kayaks… the big difference is that it costs a fair amount more. Why would I pay almost $1000 for this kayak then still have to buy my paddles and my pump when I can get just as good of a kayak with Sea Eagle for a lot less? Well I wouldn’t.
Conclusion…
I know that not everyone would agree with me but even when I consider all these other similar inflatable kayaks, my choice is still the 380X Sea Eagle kayak. I am willing to sacrifice a little speed for a kayak that meets all my other needs.
The one thing that I would have preferred was a kayak that weighed a little bit less. The Sea Eagle 380X weighs 47 lbs which is still okay but for traveling I would have loved it to weigh less. However for all the pluses it offers I was willing to overlook this. Besides when a kayak is too light it tends to get blown by the wind and becomes hard to control.
I suppose that if I were to recommend one inflatable kayak that offers everything the Sea Eagle explorer kayak does and more it would be the Aire Super Lynx. It comes down to whether it is really worth it for you to spend twice the amount of money for a slightly better kayak. For me right now, it is not… but I would consider it down the road.
For more detailed information on individual models please see our reviews of inflatable kayaks.
New Inflatable Kayak and Inflatable Canoe Reviews
We have added four new inflatable kayak reviews and one new inflatable canoe review over the last couple of months that may be of interest.
New Inflatable Kayak Reviews
- Innova Twist – Extremely lightweight, small inflatable kayak that can be carried on your back and taken hiking, camping, traveling, cycling or on an airplane. Inexpensive yet with Innova’s great quality. Read full review.
- Advanced Elements Firefly – The smallest of the Advanced Elements kayaks it is really best suited for flatwater recreational paddling. It is recommended for new kayakers, children or for someone who wants a solo inflatable kayak that can be taken easily be taken anywhere in the world. It is not suited for a larger person. Read full review.
- Sevylor XK1 – Known as a river kayak but can actually be used on all types of water. Its versatility and lightweight make it ideal for traveling. Read full review.
- Sevylor XK2 – Tandem version of the XK1 and has a fair amount of room for two people. Good for traveling, rivers and ocean surf. Read full review.
New Inflatable Canoe Review
Innova Vagabond Inflatable Canoe – Extremely rugged and superior river trekking inflatable canoe that can handles up to class III rapids. It is light enough to take anywhere and works very well for multi-day expeditions. Read full review.
Check back often as we are continuously adding more inflatable kayak and inflatable boat reviews each month.
View a complete list of our inflatable boat reviews.
Best Inflatable Kayaks for Traveling
October 31, 2009 by IK World
Filed under Kayaking General
If you have considered bringing an inflatable kayak along on your travels there are a few things to consider…
- Weight
- Size
- Inflation time
- Will you be kayaking solo or tandem?
- Type of water you will be kayaking in
It is a really fantastic idea to bring along an inflatable kayak and it allows you the convenience of stopping to kayak anywhere your travels take you. Often times when you rent kayaks you are limited to where you can go and for how long. Having an inflatable along for the ride means that you can hop into any river, lake or ocean and explore areas and scenery you would not have been able to otherwise. Read more
Innova Kayaks
September 13, 2009 by IK World
Filed under Kayak Brands
Innova kayaks are European inflatable touring kayaks with their head office based out of Burlington, WA. They have been extremely popular over on the West Coast and are used for search and rescue by the Canadian Ranger Kayak Patrol on the west coast of Vancouver Island. These kayaks are tough and reliable.
Innova kayaks are built to last a lifetime and each model is manufactured to be extremely resistant to abrasion.
Below are the 10 Models of Innova Kayaks…
- Innova Helios I – good for flatwater paddling, handles well in ocean, optional rudder, perfect for traveling
Innova Helios II
- Innova Helios II – two person version of Helios, lightweight and great for traveling, rugged and solid
- Innova K1 – very high quality solo whitewater inflatable kayak that can handle up to class IV rapids
- Innova Sunny – one of the fastest inflatable kayaks, super lightweight, top performer, great for two people, lakes, oceans mild rivers
- Innova Solar – open style, lightweight, removable fin, for flatwater paddling
Innova Safari
- Innova Safari - whitewater up to class III, highly portable and compact, great performer, self-bailing
- Innnova Orinoco – river trekking for up to class IV rapids, unique design, great performance, self-bailing
- Innova Seaker I – high end sea expedition inflatable kayak, designed to be competitive with folding kayaks
Innova Seaker II
- Innova Seaker II – two person version of the Seaker, high end sea expedition inflatable kayak
- Innova Traveller – whitewater up to class IV, highly maneuverable, good for traveling
- Innova Twist – extremely lightweight, great for traveling, only good for flatwater, nice low price tag.
Facts About Innova Kayaks
- Each boat has three main air chambers . Plus there are other smaller chambers for the seats, decks or footrests.
- The Safari and the Orinoco are self-bailing but the other kayaks are not.
- The Traveller and the Seakers have eclosed cockpits and can be used with a spray skirt.
- With a foot pump, each kayak will take no more than 5 – 10 minutes to inflate.
- Each model inflates to 3 psi except for the Orinoco and the Seaker which inflate to 3.7 psi.
What Water Conditions can the Innova Kayaks handle?
Class I – Innova Sunny
Class II – Innova Helios I & II
Class III – Innova Safari
Class IV – Innova Orinoco, Innova Traveller, Innova K1
How do Innova Kayaks Handle in the Wind?
The great thing about Innova inflatable kayaks is that they are low-profile in design which means that are hardly affected by the wind at all. In fact the Innova Helios has been raced in 30-knot winds and 4-foot seas and actually performed better then many of the hard-shelled kayaks. Innova kayaks handle rough and windy conditions beautifully if you have them loaded properly.
However if you are experiencing any problems with the wind, using the rudder will help a lot as well as adding extra weight to your boat.
Pictures on this page provided by innovakayak.com
Innova Kayak Material
One thing that I absolutely love about the Innova company is that it is working hard to make all of their kayaks PVC-free. PVC is a standard material used to make inflatable kayaks that is extremely rugged and abrasion resistant. However it is also very toxic for the environment and more and more inflatable kayak companies are working with alternative materials to make their boats much more environmentally friendly. Innova is ahead of many other inflatable kayak manufacturers as they are hard at work to eliminate PVC from the production of their kayaks altogether.
Innova has been using a Nitrylon boat coating that is made of a blend of natural rubbers. It is extremely tough but also can be succeptable to UV damage. The quick and easy answer to protect your kayak from the harmful UV rays of the sun is to use a UV protectant spray on your boat. This will ensure that your kayak lasts a very long time in excellent condition.
Are there any negatives to the Innova Kayak?
Truthfully there are so many positives to the Innova kayaks that it can be hard to pick out the negatives. I would have to say that one negative is that they only have a two year warranty. There are lots of other inflatable kayak manufacturers that now offer warranties from 3 – 10 years. I think that Innova kayaks are phenomenal quality and that should be matched by an excellent warranty. Two years isn’t bad, but a longer one would be nice. It isn’t something to be too concerned about as with the proper care your Innova kayak will likely last a lifetime anyway.
Final Thoughts on Innova Kayaks…
I think the great thing about Innova kayaks is that they have a kayak for everyone. Whether you want a casual flatwater inflatable kayak or a super fast kayak, an expedition sea kayak or a fun whitewater play boat… they have it all. There kayaks are very lightweight (with the exception of the Seakers) and most are ideal for traveling.
The Innova Sunny happens to be one of my all-time favorite inflatable kayaks. It offers versatility, lightweight and awesome performance. I think that Innova is a brand that is only going to be gaining in popularity as more and more people realize how great these kayaks are.
Read our comprehensive Innova kayak reviews for more detailed information and pictures.
OR view other inflatable kayak reviews.
Sevylor Pointer K2 – New Review
The Sevylor Pointer K2 has been added to our tandem recreational inflatable kayak category. It is the first Sevylor that we have done a comprehensive review on. I don’t get too excited about the Sevylor boats as I don’t find their quality to be as good as the Advanced Elements, Sea Eagle or the Innova kayaks. However the Pointer K2 is worth looking at if you are a brand new kayaker and want an affordable boat to paddle with. Read more
Inflatable Kayak Online Retailers
June 21, 2009 by IK World
Filed under Essential Tips
Listed below are the online retailers for inflatable kayaks and for kayaking gear and accessories.
- Sea Eagle
- Mountain Plus
- NRS
- Amazon
- Altrec Outdoors
- Innova
- Backcountry
- Water Outfitters
- REI
- West Marine
When making a purchase online, especially a large one like an inflatable kayak, it is important that you are purchasing from a 100% secure, reputable and established website. The ten outdoor recreation stores listed here are some of the very best. Not only have they been around for a long time, they also provide phenomenal customer service, most of them have outdoor gear specialists ready to answer any of your questions and also have the best prices and deals. Read below for detailed information on each company.
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Sea Eagle – Inflatable Kayaks
- Been around for 40+ years.
- Sell only top quality, rugged inflatable boats.
- Great selection of inflatable boats and kayaks for all different types of water activities including kayaking, canoeing, fishing, sailing, motoring, stand-up paddling and yachting.
- 3 year warranty on all of their boats!
- Offer a 180 day risk free trial.
- Excellent prices – often have great sales.
- Lots of excellent pictures of real people using their boats and customer videos.
- Good FAQ page.
- Offer some used inflatable boats at a discounted price.
- Free shipping within the contiguous US (for boat packages).
- Will ship to Canada and Internationally.
- Downloadable instructions available on their site for the boat your purchase as well as video instructions.
- Very helpful customer service.
- Inflatable kayak brands available: Sea Eagle
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Mountain Plus – Inflatable Kayaks
- Phenomenal site for any outdoor enthusiast.
- Carries not only inflatable kayaks but all kayak and outdoor gear and accessories.
- Free shipping on any order over $45.
- Excellent international shipping rates – some of the cheapest I’ve seen.
- Most of their inflatable kayaks come with a free electric pump!
- Excellent online live help for any questions or concerns you have.
- Great outlet section with sales up to 60% off.
- Mountain Plus blog.
- Established online store since 1995, nearly 15 years.
- The Mountain Plus team will bend over backwards to make sure you receive excellent customer service.
- Inflatable kayak brands available: Advanced Elements, Aire, NRS, Tributary
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NRS – Inflatable Kayaks
- Founded in 1972.
- Excellent resource for kayaking information.
- Always lots of sale items.
- Excellent customer service.
- Every kayaking gear option you can think of.
- Will Ship to Canada and Internationally.
- Rock solid guarantee. Return or exchange any item you are not satisfied with.
- Gift cards available.
- Fast & very low priced shipping.
- Inflatable Kayak brands available: NRS, Aire, Tributary
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Amazon – Inflatable Kayaks
- Usually has a decent selection of different inflatable kayaks
- Sometimes have some good sales prices
- Huge website with very established reputation
- Also sell just about anything else you can think of
- Can ship all over the world
- Inflatable kayak brands available: Usually carries most inflatable kayak brands
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Altrec Outdoors – Inflatable Kayaks
- Good outlet section with savings up to 80% off.
- Free shipping on orders over $45 in the contiguous U.S.
- Will ship to Canada and Internationally.
- 100% lifetime guarantee – Return for a refund at anytime if you not are happy.
- Exceptionally fast delivery.
- Excellent customer service.
- Price Match Plus guarantee – If you find an identical product offered by another US authorized online retailer, they will beat their price by 5% of the difference.
- Live chat available with a customer service rep/gear specialist.
- Great selection of doggie water gear.
- Established online outdoor gear store since early 1999.
- Inflatable kayak brands available: Advanced Elements, Aire, NRS, Tributary, Innova, Trak
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Innova – Inflatable Kayaks
- European inflatable touring kayaks as well as whitewater inflatable kayaks and canoes
- Based out of Burlington, WA
- Most of Innova kayaks are made PVC-free – better for the environment
- One of the original producers of high end inflatable kayaks
- Very popular on the West Coast
- Sells all of the Innova brand inflatable kayaks as well as clothes, PFD’s and equipment
- Excellent customer service and very knowledgeable staff
- On-site blog with pictures, stories and news
- 2 year warranty on all Innova kayaks
- Shipping to all over the world
- Inflatable kayak brands available: Innova
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Backcountry – Inflatable Kayaks
- Free shipping on orders over $50 within the contiguous U.S.
- Will ship to Canada and Internationally.
- 100% guarantee – If you are ever not satisfied with your gear at anytime, even 30 years from now, send it back for a full refund.
- Live chat available with a customer service rep/gear expert.
- Gift certificates available.
- They have a great blog available on their website.
- Excellent customer service.
- Voted one of the top 50 internet retailers.
- Great outlet store on the website with huge savings.
- Good selection of UV protective clothing.
- Inflatable kayak brands available: NRS, Tributary, Aire
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Water Outfitters – Inflatable Kayaks
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REI – Inflatable Kayaks
- Huge outdoor gear storeStarted by 23 climbers in 1938
- 80-plus stores all over the U.S. as well as their huge online store
- Great outlet selection
- 100% satisfaction guarantee – if you are not satisfied with your purchase it can be returned for a full refund
- Option to become an REI member with lots of benefits
- Great expert advice
- International shipping
- Free shipping to any one of the REI stores where you can pick it up from there
- Gear and accessories for paddling, cycling, climbing, hiking, camping, travel and fitness
- Inflatable kayak brands available: Aire, Advanced Elements, Airis, Innova
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West Marine – Inflatable Kayaks
- $2.95 shipping on any order over $99
- International shipping available
- Marine store with good inflatable kayak selection
- One of the world’s largest boating supply retailers
- Been around for a very long time
- Excellent reputation
- Besides being an online retailer they have over 375 stores in 38 states, Puerto Rico and Canada
- No hassle returns – if you are ever dissatisfied with your purchase they will replace it
- Excellent customer service
- Very passionate about making sure the customer has a good experience and with providing great products
- Inflatable kayak brands available: Airis, Sevylor, West Marine kayaks
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