Sea Eagle 420X Explorer Inflatable Kayak Review

My family and I have had so many amazing outings in this kayak. The comfort level is unmatched and it’s still holding up and going strong.

Update: I have now been using the Sea Eagle 420X for a couple of years and this kayak does not disappoint.

The 420X is the largest in the line of Sea Eagle Explorer kayaks.  In the past I have used their slightly smaller 380X model a LOT, it was actually the first inflatable kayak I ever bought.

There have been several improvements over the years and the latest model is hard to beat.

The 420X is a bigger kayak and comfortably fits two adults plus gear. This kayak comes with two seats but you could also pick up a third seat for a child and paddle with three if you wanted as well.

There will definitely be less leg room with three seats but it’s doable.

The seat positioning is adjustable so you can remove one seat and use it as a solo kayak as well.

Due to self isolation because of Covid this year I spend quite a bit of time out on the water kayaking by myself with 3 little dogs.

I didn’t think that I would enjoy paddling this kayak as a solo because of the larger size but I actually really enjoyed it.

It’s not the fastest inflatable out there but it tracks extremely well and the stability is a 10 out of 10.  Even if you have never kayaked before you are going to feel quite comfortable in the 420X.

My dogs had plenty of space to find their comfort spots.  They are just little but there is also lots of space for larger dogs.

SPECS

SPECS
LENGTH X WIDTH	14′ x 40″
WEIGHT	44 LBS.
MAX LOAD	855 LBS.
STABILITY
PERFORMANCE
WHITEWATER RATING	UP TO CLASS IV RAPIDS
ENGINE CAPACITY	34 LBS. THRUST ELECTRIC
INFLATION PRESSURE	SIDES 3.2 PSI FLOOR 10 PSI
WARRANTY	3 YEARS
PRICE	BEST DEAL: SEAEAGLE.COM

VIDEO REVIEW

BEST SUITED FOR

The 420 Explorer will suit a wide variety of people and adventures. All skill levels can enjoy this inflatable, whether you’re brand new to kayaking or a more advanced paddler.

• Families – Paddling with dogs or kids
• Taller people who need more leg room
• Heavy loads – This kayak can hold a ton of weight, over 855 lbs.
• Cruising on lakes or rivers
• Paddling through ocean chop or whitewater up to class IV rapids
• Taking aboard a larger boat or for traveling in an RV
• Camping and multi-day expeditions
• Kayak fishing

The 420X is truly a jack of all trades.  You can take it out for easy cruising or step it up a notch and tackle some whitewater rapids. It won’t let you down.

PERFORMANCE

Being a larger inflatable kayak it takes more power to paddle and turn.  If you plan to paddle solo the 420X will take more effort to propel forward than a smaller solo kayak, especially in wind.

However I truly have had no trouble with it and have been happily paddling it all over the place, although I do tend to avoid windy days.

With the power of two people paddling it moves along nicely and although it’s not the fastest kayak out there it glides well and plows through waves easily.

I did find it slower to turn when paddling solo because of the longer length but that is to be expected from a larger kayak.

If you plan to use it for whitewater and you want a kayak that maneuvers a little easier than you might want to take a look at the slightly smaller 380X model.

Overall it’s just a really comfortable ride.

STABILITY

I find all of the Sea Eagle Explorer kayaks stable but the 420X is ultra stable.  It is so stable that my little dogs have a funny habit of walking along the side tubes to get from one end of the kayak to the other.

I have never once felt unsafe in the Explorer kayaks regardless of where I was or what type of water I was paddling in.

In fact the 420X is so stable and the floor is so rigid that you can also stand and paddle it like a SUP if you wanted to.

I was able to do this even with my three little pups in the kayak with me.

It’s a little big for stand up paddling, but was fun to try it out that way.

The 420X is easy to get in and out of from shore and a solid ride.

DURABILITY

If you have ever used other inflatable kayaks you will notice right away when you inflate one of the Sea Eagle Explorer kayaks just how strong and durable they feel compared to others.

Sea Eagle has been in the business for over 50 years.  They know their stuff.  I have always found their kayaks to be very durable.

The 420X is made with 1100 Decitex Reinforced PVC material and the seams are glued quadruple overlapped for added durability.

The material is noticeably thicker and the overall construction more rigid than their lower priced Sport kayak models. 

These kayaks are made to withstand and deal with different water conditions and different types of kayaking.

If you want to paddle with your dog you don’t have to worry at all about any rips or tears from their claws.

Although my dogs are small it is absolutely no problem to paddle with a larger dog as well.

I would also like to note that the bottom of this kayak is extremely durable compared to many others I have reviewed.  

The bottom is really well constructed and the black PVC material on the very bottom is really strong.  

All that being said if you’d like some tips on how to take care of your inflatable kayak properly and prolong the life of your purchase take a look at my post here.

IMPORTANT FEATURES

There are several great features to be aware of but the one that in my opinion is the most important.

HIGH-PRESSURE FLOOR

The removable drop stitch high-pressure floor was added to the Explorer kayaks a few years back and it makes a big difference in not only the rigidity of the bottom of the kayak but it also greatly helps with performance.

The floor on the 420X can be inflated up to 10 PSI, compared to 3.2 PSI for the side chambers.

The higher air pressure for the floor creates a far more rigid and stronger platform and it eliminates any flex.

Not all inflatable kayaks have a drop stitch high-pressure floor but the ones that do perform much better.

An inflatable kayak with a floor that inflates to 10 PSI was unheard of when I first started paddling inflatables. 

I notice a big difference in the feel and performance of this kayak compared to my first Explorer kayak I bought over ten years ago and the newest version now with the high-pressure floor.

Its a big improvement and makes this kayak stand out compared to other similar size and shape models from other companies.

16 OPEN/CLOSE DRAIN VALVES

The 420X has a whopping 16 self-bailing drain valves.  They can be left open for wet whitewater kayaking or closed for dry flat-water kayaking.

I almost never use these as I rarely do whitewater kayaking.  However they’re fantastic to have and necessary if whitewater is your thrill.

REMOVABLE SLIDE-IN SKEG

The skeg easily slides into the fin box and clips into place.  I usually install it once the kayak is inflated.

Without the skeg the tracking isn’t nearly as good, in fact it can be quite frustrating to try and keep paddling in a straight line.

Remove the skeg if you will be in extremely shallow or rocky water but otherwise you’ll want to use it as performance is way better with it attached.

FRONT & BACK SPRAY SKIRTS

The front and back spray skirts add a little extra protection for spraying water.  They are also handy for storing gear under them.

BUNGEES FOR SECURING GEAR

There is a set of bungees on both the front and back spray skirts.  These bungees are ideal for storing a dry bag.

The bungee area isn’t huge but you can store a surprising amount of stuff under them and they are really handy to have.

D-RINGS

There are multiple D-rings on this kayak.  There are 6 on either side of the kayak that can be used for securing the seats, securing a cooler, tying down gear, attaching the Sea Eagle QuikSail, a motor mount or the Sea Eagle QuikRow – Which by the way is totally awesome.  My review for the QuikRow is coming soon.

There are also 4 D-rings on both the front and back spray skirts being used by the bungees.

With so many D-rings it provides lots of versatility for securing accessories and gear.

CARRY HANDLES

There are two durable carry handles at both the bow and stern.

Carrying this kayak solo when inflated is tricky but with two people it’s easy.

STANDARD ACCESSORIES

There are several different package options for the 420 Explorer to choose from.  A few accessories come standard and then each package has other specialized accessories that come with it.

2 KAYAK PADDLES

The standard accessories include:

The Deluxe Package comes with two aluminum shaft 7’10” AB30 kayak paddles that come apart into 4 pieces.  These paddles weigh 2.62 lbs.

All of the other packages except for one come with two AB43 paddles that come apart in two pieces.  These paddles weigh 3.1 lbs.

Even though the AB43 paddles weigh slightly more they are the nicer paddle.  

They are a little bit longer, which is helpful when paddling a wider inflatable kayak.  They have an aluminum shaft and swept-back blades as well as feather adjustments.

This paddle is better for efficient power strokes.

One package (the Pro Carbon Package) comes with Featherweight AB50 paddles.  These paddles weigh just 2.41 lbs. and come apart Into two pieces.

If you want to splurge, these paddles are awesome.  They feel great to use because they are so lightweight.  You will find less stress and fatigue on your shoulder, arm and back muscles.

They have a carbon-fibreglass shaft and a fibreglass nylon resin blade.  They also have the ability for flat, left or right feathering.

All fo the paddles are super durable and they all float.

TWO SEATS

Two seats come standard with most of the 420X packages.  Which seat you get depends on the package.

There is an inflatable seat that allows you to sit up a little higher.  It is more comfortable than you might think.

Or there is the tall-back seats which provide excellent back support and come with a zippered pouch on the back for storing snacks and things you need close by.

The tall back seats are definitely my preference.  I find I can go much further without a back ache.  

Uncomfortable seats are very common with kayaks in general.  These tall back seats provide good cushioning and adjustable back support.  They are one of the best I have tried.

Plus the tall-back seats come with a good sized removable zippered pouch on the back that is great for storing snacks or anything you want to keep handy within arms reach.

Both seats attach to the D-rings on the side of the kayak tubes and the straps can be adjusted for more rigid back support.

CARRY BAG

The carry bag that comes with this kayak is quite strong.  I’ve had them last for years and years and except for a few grass stains show hardly any wear and tear.

The bag folds over the rolled up kayak and cinches tight with straps.  It will fit the kayak hull, paddles, seats and fin but makes for a bulkier package with all the accessories in it.

The carry bag has two carry handles that can be used to carry over your shoulder or carried by two people to make it easier.

FOOT PUMP

The foot pump that comes with this package works well for the 2 side chambers.  

However I find it kind of useless for the high-pressure floor.  In order to inflate the floor to 10 PSI you need a high pressure pump.

Therefore you have two options.  You can invest in a double action hand pump.  Sea Eagle sells this one which works great.

Or you can make life a whole lot easier and go for an electric pump.  With these electric pumps you can set the PSI level on the dial and the pump will automatically shut off once it reaches it.

REPAIR KIT

Also included in the package is a repair kit.  All inflatable kayaks come with one and it includes a couple PVC patches, a valve tightener and boat repair glue.

OPTIONAL ACCESSORIES

There are several other accessories that are included depending on which package you choose.  These include:

• Stow Bags
• A Motormount
• The Watersnake Asp T24 (Fresh & Salt Water) Kayak Motor
• Two 4FT Straps
• The QuikRow Kit
• Two Scotty Rod Holders
• The Watersnake Venom 34 Thrust Electric Motor

ENGINE CAPACITY

The Sea Eagle 380X, 420X and their fishing model the 350X all have an engine capacity of 34 lbs. for a thrust electric motor (max engine weight 15 lbs.).

I’ve never used this kayak with an engine but it’s a nice option especially if you might be doing some fishing.

The Pro Motor Package and the Pro Motor Fishing Rig both come with motor options.

WARRANTY

Sea Eagle offers a great 3-year warranty on all of their inflatable kayaks.

They also have a 180-day guarantee that basically means if you are unhappy with your purchase within 180 days of purchase you can return it for a full refund.

IN SUMMARY

The 420X would be my kayak of choice for paddling with two people especially if you will be carrying larger loads be it with dogs, kids or extra gear.

I will be using the 420X this summer on some paddle/camping excursions that I do every year.

It is perfect for myself, my boyfriend, our dogs and all our gear.  Space for everyone and it can hold the no problem.

Last thing I wanted to note is that I have been reviewing this kayak during Covid self isolation. So I have only been able to get pictures of paddling it solo while my boyfriend took the shots.

I will hopefully get more pictures and video with two people paddling soon!

WHERE TO BUY

The best deal for the Sea Eagle 420X is directly from the manufacturer. When you buy from Sea Eagle you get not only their great 3-year warranty but also their 180-day guarantee.

Basically if you aren’t happy with your purchase you can return it within 180-days for a full refund, which is a pretty nice guarantee.

Click Here For The Best Deal On The Sea Eagle 420X Inflatable Kayak At SeaEagle.com