Sea Eagle 393rl Razorlite In-Depth Review

2018 Sea Eagle Razorlite inflatable kayak

As some of you know the Razorlite (RL) is my personal favourite inflatable kayak. I use it a lot and it has never let me down.

Out of all the inflatable kayaks I have tried over the years, this one tracks the best.

Inflatable kayaks are typically not known for great tracking, they often have a lot of yaw (side to side) movement going on.

For this reason they sometimes don’t get taken that seriously and I have heard some people compare them to pool toys.

Believe me the Sea Eagle Razorlite is no pool toy. It is sleek, it is rigid and it glides smoothly.  With a few good power strokes you can really get this kayak moving.

I find that the RL tracks efficiently, is very durable and best of all it is lightweight and portable.

SPECS

WordPress Table

DROP-STITCH TECHNOLOGY

393rl Razorlite inflatable kayak

One of the things that makes this kayak so special is that it is made entirely of drop stitch technology with the floor using 3” drop stitch material and the sides using 4” drop stitch material.

The drop stitch technology enables this kayak to be inflated to a higher air pressure of 10 PSI as opposed to only 3 or 4 PSI like most inflatable kayaks.

That’s a big difference and if you have ever tried any other inflatables you will notice the difference in rigidity as soon as you inflate the Razorlite, it is in a whole other class.

The drop stitch technology of the RL is comparable to how the inflatable SUP’s are made.  Very few companies are using this same technology for inflatable kayaks.  Why?  Because it costs more.

Sea Eagle has upped the game and created a very well performing inflatable that is still in a decent price range.

2020 RAZORLITE UPDATES

The latest Sea Eagle Razorlite has all the same design features as the previous models, there are just a couple of key updates.

FLEXBRACE™ FOOTREST

using the Sea Eagle Flexbrace footrest in my Razorlite kayak

The most notable new feature is the addition of the Adjustable FlexBrace™ Footrest.

This new ergonomic footrest will kick your comfort level up a notch.

The footrest can be quickly and very easily adjusted to 20 different positions so that it is perfect for your height.

I found that by bracing my feet on the FlexBrace I was able to get more power in my paddling strokes and I noticed less fatigue in my arms and shoulders as my leg muscles were helping me out.

I love this new footrest, it’s a great feature and it’s one more thing that sets this kayak apart from the rest.  It makes for a much more comfortable ride, especially if you are out on the water for more than an hour.

Also for all you fellow dog lovers, if you paddle with a small to medium size dog there is still room up front for the dog without the foot rests getting in the way.  There is also plenty of space at the back of the kayak as well.

DETACHING THE FOOTREST

The flexbrace is glued on to the side walls however the actual footrest part and the silver metal rod can be detached.

I have been leaving them attached when my kayak is deflated and rolled up.  I placed a thin piece of foam under the footrests so they don’t dig into the kayak when rolled up.

If you are concerned about them digging into the kayak material when deflated and rolled up then you can easily detach them for storage.

When reattaching insert the rod into the front portion first then bend and slide the rod into place at the back.  You will need to do this while the kayak is deflated.

DRAIN VALVES

On the new Razorlites you will also find the 2 open and close drain valves have been moved from the floor to the side walls.

I almost never use these drain valves.  However they can be handy if you are paddling in rough water or need to drain the water out of the kayak after use.

LARGE SWEPT-BACK FIN

The large swept back fin has actually been part of the Razorlite package for a little while now but it’s new to me because my old 393rl (which was several years old) still had the old fin, which was smaller and shaped a little different.

This updated swept back fin really helps with tracking, turning and stability. Without it you will notice the kayak does not perform as well.

The fin is removable easily slides into the fin box and clips into place.

SETUP

Even though the 393rl holds more air pressure I find that it sets up faster than other IK’s… Especially if you have an electric pump. 🙂

There are three air valves, one on the floor and one on each side.  Inflate the floor first then each side.  Then attach the fin and secure your seat.

You may need to push the floor down at the edges after you have inflated the sides so that it is positioned correctly.

I belong to an awesome kayaking group.  In this group there are a few of us with inflatable kayaks and several with hard kayaks.

I find that my setup process is just as fast as those with hard kayaks once they get them unloaded off their vehicle.

Packing up at the end is often faster for me than those with hard kayaks as they have the hassle of loading theirs on top of their cars.

It will take roughly ten minutes from the time you arrive at the water to inflate the kayak and attach the accessories.

PERFORMANCE

So why does the Razorlite perform so much better than other IK’s? There are a few reasons:

1. For one as mentioned before it is completely made with drop-stitch material so it can be inflated to a higher air pressure making it more rigid.

Some IK manufacturers are using high pressure drop stitch floors but there aren’t many others who are using this technology for the whole design.

2.. Second it has a straight hull design as opposed to an upturned bow and stern.

The maximum straight hull waterline length combined with the narrow width (only 25” at the waterline) keeps the 393rl gliding fast and smooth.

3.. Third it has bow and stern molds with tapered side walls. The bow and stern molds are unique to this kayak and greatly help with slicing through the water and the overall performance.

The bow and stern molds make for a slightly bulkier package when rolled up and stored away however the benefits are definitely worth it.

In Sea Eagle’s words:

The bow mold cuts through the water effortlessly at a high velocity. The water then meets the carefully designed Tapered Side Walls creating lift while reducing friction and drag, then exits just as fast as it entered at the stern mold leaving little to no wake behind.

HOW DOES THIS ALL TRANSLATE WHEN YOU ARE ACTUALLY PADDLING?

Basically what all this means besides the fact that it is a very durable product, is that it takes less effort to propel the RL forward.

The more rigid design helps to eliminate drag and this makes a really big difference in how well you glide.

This is something that many people might not think about.  I have tested out several inflatable kayaks that have terrible drag and side to side yaw movement.  The effort it took to paddle them made for a very tiring and frustrating experience.

The difference here is that the Razorlite feels lovely to paddle and feels very efficient.  To me this is much more fun!

SAFETY

Safety is a common concern for those considering using an inflatable kayak, especially if they have never tried one before.

Important to know is that there are three separate air chambers.

If a leak should ever occur you will only lose air pressure in one air chamber and still have two more fully inflated sides to get you safely to shore.

With proper care the Sea Eagle kayaks are extremely durable.  They also come with a solid 3-year warranty.

As far as tipping goes, I find inflatable kayaks in general very hard to tip.

Even the Razorlite with the sleeker design is not easy to tip over, you have to really work at it.

CARGO ROOM

The Razorlite has two size options:

  • The 393rl is the solo model. It is 12’8″ long and 28″ wide.
  • The 473rl is the tandem model.  It is 15.5″ long and 30″ wide.

393rl and 473rl inflatable kayaks

393RL

The 393rl is the one I use most often. I find it really easy to paddle and very portable for one person to use.

With my seat in the middle there is quite a bit of space up front and in the back for storing gear.

You can easily fit a small cooler and several dry bags and there is plenty of leg room even for a much taller person.

Sea Eagle Razorlite solo kayak

In my case I usually have one dry bag stored under the front spray skirt or just behind me and two small dogs along for the ride. I put a dog bed in the back for one of my dogs and a cushion up front for the other dog.

Even with the both of them in the kayak there is still a little room for extra gear.

473RL

kayaking the sea eagle 473 razorlite inflatable kayak

The larger 473 Razorlite is a tandem kayak but the seats can be adjusted and used as a solo as well.

If you plan to paddle tandem with family or friends, this is a great choice. With four arms powering it forward it really glides fast.

I’m not personally a huge fan of paddling this one solo as I it takes more effort to move with the heavier length and longer width.

However my boyfriend has often used it solo and doesn’t mind the longer length.

If you need a lot of extra space for kids, larger dogs, gear for overnight trips, or if you just want to paddle with a friend then the 473rl is awesome.

With the slightly wider width and added length it also feels more stable.  If you are a beginner or a larger person you might really appreciate the extra stability this model offers.

BEST SUITED FOR

The Razorlite is designed for flat water touring and I do find that it performs best on calm water.

I very often use it to paddle on a calm river, on several large lakes around my area and also for paddling along the ocean coastline.

TIPPING

I have been caught in wind and chop many times and never had any issues or had any times when tipping was even remotely a concern.

Although this is a leaner kayak and less stable than most of the wider models out there, it isn’t that easy to tip unless you find yourself in some really rough water.

BOAT WAKE

It handles boat wake well – just take the waves head on. The spray skirts will help deflect any splashes.

I don’t like to take it out in really rough water or in large waves as that’s not what it is intended for.

EXPERIENCE

With the sleek design and performance capabilities of the Razorlite, Sea Eagle states that it is best suited for intermediate to advanced paddlers.

The design of this kayak is different from the typical wider round-tube inflatable kayaks.  Although I have had several beginners out in my Razorlite, it is worth noting that it does feel more ‘tippy’ than other models.

If you are a total beginner and want to start with a wider more stable kayak then the Sea Eagle FastTrack is a really great option. I used the FastTrack for years before switching over to the Razorlite.

It’s not quite as fast but it still glides really well and provides more stability.

ACCESSORIES

PADDED SEAT

The adjustable paddled seat is very comfortable and provides good back support.

You can adjust the back so that it is as straight and rigid as you like.

There is also a fairly large removable zippered pouch at the back of the seat that is ideal for storing gear you need easy access to or snacks.

D-RINGS

There are 6 D-rings (3 on each side) that can be used to secure the seat and tie down any gear.

4-PIECE PADDLE

The 4-piece paddle can be stored in the backpack when not in use.

It easily clips together and although it is a basic paddle it is strong and durable and feels just fine to use.  The paddle also floats.

TIP:  To alleviate common blisters on your hands from paddling get a pair of Yak Grips for the shaft of your kayak paddle.  They don’t cost much and they are 100% worth it.  They will make paddling any distance FAR more comfortable for your hands.  I have been using the same pair of Yak Grips for over 10 years now!

HIGH-PRESSURE PUMP

The package also comes with the standard Sea Eagle high-pressure hand pump.  With the pump it takes me roughly 7 minutes to inflate the 393rl.  You can watch the pressure gauge on top of the pump to see when you reach 10 PSI.

BACKPACK

Sea Eagle 393rl kayak backpack

The durable nylon backpack storage bag has padded adjustable straps and a clear zippered outside pocket.

I always have a little trouble getting the kayak back into the bag after use.  It takes a bit of practice to fold it correctly so that it fits in the bag as it should.

My boyfriend has a knack for it so I usually pass the job over to him. 🙂

However the bag is a decent size and it does fit, it just might take a couple tries.

REPAIR KIT

Also included in the package is a repair kit that includes a valve tightener, glue and a couple PVC patches.

Hopefully you never have to use it but it’s got all the essentials if you should ever need it.

MORE INFO

For more information check out my older Razorlite review. All the information is still relevant and you will find many more pictures!

WHERE TO GET THE BEST DEAL

When you buy directly through SeaEagle.com you can take advantage of their 3-year warranty and 180-day money back guarantee.

Click Here For The Sea Eagle 393 Razorlite Inflatable Kayak At SeaEagle.com.

Or check for prices at:

Click Here For The Sea Eagle 393 Razorlite Inflatable Kayak At Outdoorplay.com.

Did You Know?
By clicking on the above seller links you can help keep InflatableKayakWorld.com growing. When you make a purchase after clicking on our links, the retailer will contribute a portion of the sale to help support this site. It won’t cost you anything extra and it’s a simple way to help us fund our kayak and gear reviews. Thanks!


Fatal error: Uncaught Error: Undefined constant "rand" in /home4/inflata3/public_html/wp-content/themes/magazine/functions.php:70 Stack trace: #0 /home4/inflata3/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-hook.php(324): child_related_posts('') #1 /home4/inflata3/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-hook.php(348): WP_Hook->apply_filters(NULL, Array) #2 /home4/inflata3/public_html/wp-includes/plugin.php(517): WP_Hook->do_action(Array) #3 /home4/inflata3/public_html/wp-content/themes/genesis/lib/structure/loops.php(280): do_action('genesis_after_p...') #4 /home4/inflata3/public_html/wp-content/themes/genesis/lib/structure/loops.php(71): genesis_legacy_loop() #5 /home4/inflata3/public_html/wp-content/themes/genesis/lib/structure/loops.php(41): genesis_standard_loop() #6 /home4/inflata3/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-hook.php(324): genesis_do_loop('') #7 /home4/inflata3/public_html/wp-includes/class-wp-hook.php(348): WP_Hook->apply_filters('', Array) #8 /home4/inflata3/public_html/wp-includes/plugin.php(517): WP_Hook->do_action(Array) #9 /home4/inflata3/public_html/wp-content/themes/genesis/lib/framework.php(66): do_action('genesis_loop') #10 /home4/inflata3/public_html/wp-content/themes/genesis/single.php(15): genesis() #11 /home4/inflata3/public_html/wp-includes/template-loader.php(106): include('/home4/inflata3...') #12 /home4/inflata3/public_html/wp-blog-header.php(19): require_once('/home4/inflata3...') #13 /home4/inflata3/public_html/index.php(17): require('/home4/inflata3...') #14 {main} thrown in /home4/inflata3/public_html/wp-content/themes/magazine/functions.php on line 70
WordPress › Error

There has been a critical error on this website.

Learn more about troubleshooting WordPress.