Sea Eagle FastTrack V-Bottom Kayak: Is It Worth It?

The latest Sea Eagle FastTrack lineup, which consists of the popular 385FT and 465FT models offers one of the most ambitious inflatable kayak designs on the market.

It bridges the gap between simple entry-level inflatables and premium touring kayaks with performance approaching that of a rigid kayak.

Notably, Sea Eagle’s FastTrack isn’t just one kayak; instead, it’s a versatile lineup with models suited to different paddling needs – from solo to three-person configurations, including options for touring, recreation, sailing, and even an optional motor package

The new V-bottom floor is a game changer and a major upgrade from previous models. It provides more rigidity, better tracking and impressive paddling performance.

I’ve been using the FastTrack inflatable kayak for well over a decade. Over the years I have been fortunate enough to test out a few of the FastTrack models and the latest version is heads above the rest.

I’ve always loved this kayak as it is extremely functional, versatile and perfect for paddling solo my dogs. I’ve used it on many different adventures and really appreciate that I can add a second seat and bring a friend along for the ride if I want to.

Ultimately, it’s hard to find another inflatable kayak that compares to the convenience, functionality and popularity of the FastTrack.

That said, the questions remain: Will this kayak suit your needs? Is it worth the cost? What are the pros & cons?

Therefore, in order to answer these questions we need to dive in a little further to explore the data, break down where this kayak shines as well as it’s drawbacks and limitations.

What Is the FastTrack V-Bottom Series?

Put simply, the FastTrack series is Sea Eagle’s answer to the traditional touring kayak – but in an inflatable.

They use drop-stitch floor technology, an inflatable needle knife keel, and a sleek, asymmetrical hull shape designed to cut through water efficiently and track straight.

This makes them faster and more efficient than most standard inflatable kayaks, which can sometimes feel sluggish and hard to steer.

Sea Eagle FastTrack Ratings

Feature	Rating
Tracking
Speed
Stability
Ease of Setup
Portability
Durability
Value for Money

385FT Specifications

LENGTH	12’7″
WIDTH	31.5″
WEIGHT	31 lbs.
DEFLATED DIMENSIONS	30″x17″x11″
PERSON CAPACITY	2 Person
LOAD CAPACITY	635 lbs.
TUBE DIAMETER	9.5″
MATERIAL	1000 Denier Woven Reinforced PVC
SEAM	Welded w/ Quadruple Overlapped Superior Glued Finish
AIR VALVES	3 Recessed One Way Valves
MOTOR CAPACITY	Slide-in Skeg Motors
INFLATION TIME	3+ Minutes
FLOOR	Attached 4″ V-bottom Drop Stitch Floor
INFLATION PRESSURE (FLOOR)	10 PSI
INFLATION PRESSURE (SIDE CHAMBERS)	3.5 PSI
WHITEWATER RATING	Up To Class II Rapids
PRICE	Depends on the package. Check price options here.

Where The Sea Eagle FastTrack Shines:

There are several main areas where this kayak really shines. These include:

• High quality build & innovative design
• Lightweight construction allows for easy, solo transport and handling
• Excellent tracking, stability and speed for a recreational inflatable kayak
• Quick set-up time
• Nice comfort features
• Functional storage space
• Motor-mount compatible
• Self-bailing capability

Next, each of these areas are discussed in further detail below to really give a full picture of why the FastTrack truly stands out.

1. Design & Build Quality

If there’s one thing you can count on with Sea Eagle it’s the quality of their construction. The FastTrack is definitely no exception and the upgraded version for this year is better than ever.

The new design provides a longer waterline, which maximizes speed and efficiency for it’s size.

Right away, when inflating this kayak for the first time it’s hard to not be impressed. It’s a nice looking kayak that screams functional comfort and style.

Unique Hull Shape & Keel

At the heart of the FastTrack’s performance is its patented NeedleKnife™ inflatable keel. The keel is the structural center line running from the bow to the stern.

The keel vastly improves tracking, which means the kayak keeps a straight line and there is less corrective paddling.

In contrast, if you have used other inflatable kayaks before you’ll know that a little side-to-side yaw movement while paddling is not uncommon and corrective paddling is just part of the deal.

That is not the case with the FastTrack as Sea Eagles innovative use of external drop-stitch construction for the keel and V-bottom floor gives the kayak both speed and directional stability. Therefore, it feels a lot smoother to paddle with less resistance.

The Needleknife keel and the V-bottom floor really make this kayak stand out from any other inflatables on the market.

To date, I have not seen another inflatable kayak with this same unique design.

Rigid Drop-Stitch Floor

Unlike basic inflatables with soft, ribbed floors, the FastTrack’s attached high-pressure woven drop-stitch floor can be inflated up to 10 PSI, making it very rigid and closer to a hard shell kayak in feel.

In fact, the floor is firm enough to stand on while still remaining quite stable.. The rigidity of the floor is comparable to that of a good inflatable paddle board.

Quality Materials = Quality Product

The FastTrack kayaks use 1000 denier woven reinforced PVC with quadruple overlapped seams electrically welded for strength.

What Is The Advantage of WOVEN Drop Stitch?

Woven drop stitch is considered the new generation of material for inflatable kayaks as well as for inflatable paddle boards.

Essentially, the advantage to woven drop stitch is a tighter, stronger and lighter material that is more durable and rigid (think less stretchy) than traditional knitted drop stitch alternatives.

WOVEN DROP STITCH	KNITTED/CROSS KNITTED DROP STITCH
✅ Minimal stretch in both directions	More stretch, less rigid
✅ More durable & puncture resistant	More susceptible to tears and damage
✅ Reaches peak stiffness without max pressure	Less margin for heat & pressure changes
✅ Creates a lighter product with less flex	Heavier product with more flex
✅ Less PVC coating for airtight seal	More PVC coating needed
✅ More responsive with faster glide	Less responsive

Using this type of material creates a more responsive and efficient ride that has the added bonus of being lightweight and easier to manage. In fact, the current 385FT model is 4 lbs. lighter than it’s previous version.

Why don’t all inflatable kayak companies use woven drop stitch? For the simple fact that it costs more to use. However, those that do create a much better product.

Three Separate Air Chambers

The FastTrack also features three air chambers for added safety; if one chamber fails, the others keep you afloat. You’ll find one chamber on each side tube as well as one on the floor.

With regards to safety it is worth noting that Sea Eagle’s boats are NMMA certified. This is true evidence of their construction standards.

2. Weight & Portability

One of the biggest advantages of the FastTrack series is the weight.

For example, the 385FT V-bottom weighs only 31 lbs., a fraction of what a rigid kayak of similar size might weigh. As mentioned above this is also a reduction of 4 lbs compared to the previous FastTrack model that weighed 35 lbs.

It deflates and folds up into a carry bag that can be easily carried to the water.

The deflated hull size is 30″ long x 17″ wide x 11″ high. These kayaks pack down small enough to store in a closet or your car trunk, making them very functional for apartment dwellers and road trippers.

As well, the longer 465FT V-bottom weighs only 39 lbs. making it still very manageable.

With my 385FT model I found I could easily carry it by myself as the well thought out side handles make it very simple to lift and manage.

If you are looking for a smaller and lighter inflatable kayak the new Sea Eagle EZLite10 is a fantastic option.

However, the FastTrack offers quite a bit more space for added passengers and gear. Pictured below is the EZLite10 in front of the 385 FastTrack.

3. On-Water Performance

Tracking & Speed

One of the reasons to love the FastTrack is the fact that it is known for impressive tracking, particularly with the skeg attached.

The sleeker hull, inflatable keel and V-bottom floor help to eliminate wasted effort on corrective strokes and allow for longer, more efficient paddling.

This type of directional control is lacking in many other inflatable kayaks on the market.

Additionally, the tracking helps with cruising speed and the FastTrack is designed to reach 2-6 mph. Your speed will depend on the effort you put in as well as conditions.

For sustained steady cruising 3.5–4.5 mph on flat water is common.

That said, we did not find the FastTrack to be as fast as the popular Sea Eagle Razorlite kayak. However, it’s performance is impressive for it’s size and offers far more stability than the Razorlite does.

Stability

Thanks to the broader beam and substantial hull volume, the FastTrack is generally very stable, particularly for its speed class.

I normally have my three small dogs out with me and they tend to travel all over my kayak, even walking along the side beams to get from one end to the other. Even though they are small, there’s no way they could do that if it wasn’t stable.

For the kayak to actually tip over would take some real effort. With the high-pressure floor standing is even an option on calm water if you have good balance and feel comfortable.

When paddling in light waves, wind or chop the kayak feels solid and handles well. It remains smooth, plowing forward with ease.

Keep in mind the FastTrack is not quite as stable as the Sea Eagle Explorer kayaks, which are a little wider with a different design.

That said, you can count on it to provide a comfortable ride, dependable stability in nice conditions and good overall performance.

Maneuverability

With the length of the FastTracks you’ll need to put a little effort into tight turns especially if you want to make the turn quickly.

Although it is quite responsive, it is different than paddling a shorter more agile kayak.

The FastTrack is designed for more straight line paddling as opposed to quick maneuvers.

The optional skeg helps with tracking and we definitely recommend using it for a better overall performance. However if paddling in swift, shallow water you’ll want to remove the skeg so it doesn’t drag.

Handling in Wind & Waves

With the higher side tubes and sleek profile, crosswinds can affect handling somewhat although we still found it to be very manageable.

High winds may demand more corrective strokes but on calm days it’s smooth sailing with minimal effort.

Whitewater Use

Sea Eagle rates the V-bottom FastTrack kayak for Class II rapids.

Self-Bailing Drain Valves

A significant advantage to this inflatable kayak is the fact that it’s a self-bailer. On the rear floor are two drain holes. If needed the caps on these holes can be unscrewed to allow water to escape.

Therefore if water splashes in when paddling in rougher conditions, the drain holes can be opened to allow water to automatically drain out.

With the drain valves open the floor of the kayak will be wet but the kayak won’t become heavy or swamped.

Therefore it can handle mild rapids well, but for aggressive whitewater paddling it’s better to choose a kayak specifically built for rougher conditions.

The Sea Eagle Explorer kayaks are ideal for whitewater use up class IV rapids and come in three size options.

For most paddlers kayaking the FastTrack on calm water the drain valves will not need to be used.

4. Sea Eagle FastTrack Setup Guide

Setup & Inflation

Sea Eagle states the 385 FastTrack inflates in only 5 minutes with the included Bravo double action hand pump. It took me 6 minutes my first time out and I got a little faster after that. 5 minutes is very doable with steady pumping.

Inflating the drop-stitch floor to 10 PSI takes the most time, whereas the side tubes inflate rapidly to 3.5 PSI.

You can easily follow your progress by watching the pressure gauge on the pump.

OPTION: If you don’t want to bother with the work of pumping, Sea Eagle does offer a good electric pump that you can get with or without a battery pack.

The electric pump effortlessly inflates the kayak for you and shuts off automatically once it reaches the set PSI.

For more details you can check out the electric pump here.

Once all three air chambers are inflated clip together the three piece paddles, slide in the skeg and attach the seats to the side d-rings.

The whole process takes 10 minutes or less.

5. Sea Eagle FastTrack Seats & Comfort

Included in the FastTrack package Sea Eagle provides adjustable seats that are comfortable for most day trips on the water, with back support and enough padding for longer trips.

I have used these seats for years with my other Sea Eagle kayaks and they are extremely durable. In fact they just never seem to show any wear or tear.

They are lightweight at only 2lbs. each and very easy to attach.

Easily Adjust For Your Size & Comfort

You can adjust both the seat placement in the hull and the 19” high backrest support by loosening or tightening the straps.

Tighten the straps for a straighter and more rigid backrest or loosen the straps for a more relaxed feel.

With only one seat in the kayak there is tons of leg room. Pictured below the seat is further forward but it can be placed much further back for even more space.

For two people who are quite tall or who need a higher load capacity you could also consider the longer 465FT for added leg room, comfort and more storage space.

The bottom cushioning is made of thermal molded foam. With these seats you sit a little lower in the kayak, which I personally really like as it provides more stability and also more of an authentic kayak feel.

If you would like even more padding or to sit up a little higher you can always add an extra cushion on top – I have known people who have done this and it works just fine.

On the back of the seat is a removable zippered pouch. It’s a decent size for storing snacks, sunglasses, sunscreen, or other items you would like to have within easy reach.

6. Storage & Gear Management

FastTrack kayaks include bow and stern spray skirts with below-deck and above-deck storage, daisy chains, and multiple D-rings for attaching gear, dry bags, or fishing equipment.

This makes them very functional for storing enough gear for not only day trips but for overnight adventures as well.

The daisy chains can be found on both sides at the front and rear of the kayak with a larger set of daisy chains at the front and a shorter length at the rear.

7. Motor Mount Compatibility

There are several reasons why using a motor package with a kayak could be of interest.

With the FastTrack there is an option to choose the Bixpy Motor Package. This package includes a QuikSail as well as the ultralight Bixpy™ K-1 Electric Motor.

Here are a few key features of the Bixpy K-1 Motor:

• Has 33 lb of thrust
• Weighs only 10 lbs – this includes battery and motor.
• Runs for approximately 80 minutes at top speed and up to 12 hours at slower speeds.
• Operates via wireless bluetooth remote control
• Includes 12 forward speeds and 3 reverse speeds
• Quick release setup can be removed with just one bolt

Note: The motor cannot be shipped outside of the contiguous US.

Key Drawbacks

There’s a few drawbacks for the V-bottom FastTrack to be aware of. These aren’t so much criticisms, but thoughtful considerations when evaluating if this inflatable kayak model is the correct fit for your needs.

1. Lower Stability Level

The V-shaped hull improves speed and tracking, but reduces primary stability ever so slightly compared to flat-bottom inflatables. You sit a little higher up in the water, which may feel slightly less stable for total beginners.

A big advantage with the stock seats is that you sit lower in the kayak, which helps create a very stable feel. However if using a different seat that sits up higher such as for fishing the stability level may feel slightly reduced.

👉 Translation:
It’s extremely stable for an inflatable – but not as forgiving as wider, flatter kayaks.

2. Cockpit Width

The interior width of the cockpit is 18 inches. It is possible that a larger person may feel a bit squeezed between the side tubes.

This is not uncommon for inflatable kayaks in general as many have even leaner interior widths. If a cockpit gets too wide, reaching to paddle becomes difficult and the paddle can rub against the side tubes. This can make the kayak hard to manage.

👉 Translation:
This is a trade-off for a portable, efficient inflatable kayak that is still easy to manage.

3. More Affected By Wind

If you’re used to paddling inflatable kayaks you’ll know that most inflatables have a higher profile in the water than hard-shell kayaks. Therefore they are more affected by the wind.

Even with good tracking you’ll notice in headwinds that you’re progress will be a little slower.

I found that because the FastTrack glides so nicely it still plows through wind quite well but keep in mind that more corrective strokes may be needed in stronger headwinds.

👉 Translation:
Inflatable design + higher profile = more wind drift.

4. Tracking Variability

As discussed previously the tracking is great. However if you need to paddle without the skeg it will take more corrective strokes and effort to keep the kayak moving in a straight line.

It’s definitely better than the flat-bottom inflatable kayaks but still not ideal without the skeg.

👉 Translation:
Unless absolutely necessary always use the skeg to get the best performance!

5. Price Considerations

As with most things you pay for what you get. Yes there are lower priced inflatable kayaks on the market but I can assure you they are not nearly as well made nor do they perform as well.

The FastTrack is a kayak that you want to paddle. It’s comfortable, it feels great in the water and it is a very enjoyable ride. PLUS it is portable and easy to manage.

One of the great things about Sea Eagle is that they offer different package options with a range of prices. There is no need to go for the highest package to get a great kayak.

The kayak hull is the same in all of their package options. The price increases if you choose add ons such as:

• An extra seat and paddle to make it a tandem kayak
• A QuikSail to use your kayak for sailing
• Upgraded carbon ultra light paddles
• The Bixpy K-1 motor

👉 Translation:
You’re paying for quality, portability + performance. The price of this hybrid inflatable kayak compares to that of entry-level composite kayaks. It’s built to last.

Variant Comparisons

385FT vs. 465FT

In this review we have used photos of our 385FT model, which can be used as a solo or tandem kayak.

However, there’s also the longer 465FT model, which allows for two or three seats and offers more space with a higher load capacity.

Each version shares common DNA: light weight, portable design, efficient glide and premium Sea Eagle build quality.

The 385FT is ideal for solo paddling with dogs or gear or tandem touring. It’s lighter and easier to handle for one paddler.

The 465FT extends length, capacity, and comfort — great for three people or longer trips. It has a larger load capacity (~795 lbs) and similar performance features. However, the longer hull is a bit heavier and slightly slower to inflate.

Both models come standard with a removable skeg, kayak storage bag, dual action hand pump and a repair kit.

From there both the 385FT and the longer 465FT offer 5 different discount package options to choose from.

Sea Eagle FastTrack Package Options:

365FT 1-2 people	465FT 1-3 people
Pro Solo Package – Includes one tall-back seat and one AB40 8′ 4-piece kayak paddle.	Pro 2-Person Package – Two tall-back seats and two AB40 8′ 4-piece kayak paddles.
Pro Tandem Package -Two tall-back seats and two AB40 8′ 4-piece kayak paddles.	Pro 3-Person Package – Includes three tall-back seats and three AB40 8′ 4-piece kayak paddles.
QuickSail Package – Same as the Pro Tandem Package plus includes the QuickSail Universal Kayak Sail.	QuickSail Package – Same as the Pro Tandem Package plus includes the QuickSail Universal Kayak Sail.
Pro Carbon Package – Includes two tall-back seats, two AB50 8′ 4-piece featherweight carbon-fiberglass shaft paddles.	Pro Carbon Package – Includes three tall-back seats, three AB50 8′ 4-piece featherweight carbon-fiberglass shaft paddles.
Bixpy Motor Package – Includes two tall-back seats, two AB40 8′ 4-piece kayak paddles, the QuickSail Universal Kayak Sail and the Bixpy K-1 w/ 378 Battery Kit.	Bixpy Motor Package – Includes two tall-back seats, two AB40 8′ 4-piece kayak paddle and the Bixpy K-1 w/ 378 Battery Kit.
EXPLORE 365FT PACKAGE OPTIONS	EXPLORE 465FT PACKAGE OPTIONS

Angler Edition

If you love to fish there is also the FastTrack Angler version where you can add fishing accessories and mounting points and different seat options.

The fishing rig package is a little heavier and the kayak is designed slightly different than the new V-bottom floor FastTracks. It’s a great option for dedicated anglers.

Click here to learn more about the Sea Eagle 385fta FastTrack Angler inflatable kayak.

Who Should Buy a Sea Eagle FastTrack Kayak?

The FastTrack is ideal for:

• Touring paddlers who want better performance and quality than typical low-end inflatables.
• Recreational kayakers who lack storage space for a hard shell.
• Travellers who want a kayak that fits in a car trunk, RV or on a boat.
• Paddlers seeking a kayak that is easy to transport and handle on their own.
• Kayakers looking for flexible seating options and adaptable space.

It may be less ideal for:

• Whitewater purists seeking Class IV+ performance.
• Budget buyers wanting the cheapest inflatable available.
• Kayakers focused solely on maneuverability over tracking.

Final Verdict – Is The Sea Eagle FastTrack Worth It?

The Sea Eagle FastTrack delivers some of the best performance available in the inflatable kayak world for recreational paddling.

It combines portability, relatively light weight, excellent tracking, and a stable platform into a package that’s suitable for both beginners and experienced paddlers.

We feel that the performance gains, quality of product and user experience justify the cost — especially if you value portability without sacrificing paddling capability.

This is a kayak that is hard not to love and impresses right out of the box. If you’re looking to spend more time on the water either on solo adventures or with family and friends, the FastTrack is a fantastic option to make that possible.

👉 Bottom Line:
The Sea Eagle FastTrack is 100% worth it.

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