Sea Eagle FastTrack Inflatable Kayak Review

I remember when the FastTrack first came on the market several years ago. At the time I had been paddling a wider kayak for several years and was really excited to switch over to a slightly faster inflatable kayak with a leaner frame.

The FastTrack quickly became extremely popular due to the fact that it suits a wide variety of people and tracks better than many other IK’s on the market.

It has a really nice combination of stability and smooth glide, without the drag that you sometimes encounter with inflatables.

The smaller side tubes make it not only easier to paddle (less reach) but more efficient as well.

I loved the FastTrack then and I still love it now. I have spent almost 10 years paddling this kayak off and on. It has served me well and the latest model is even better than ever.

BEST SUITED FOR

The Sea Eagle FastTrack is best suited for paddling on lakes, calm rivers or along the ocean coastline.

It feels very stable yet it is slightly more streamlined than the wider Sea Eagle Explorer kayaks.

The 385FT is a tandem model that is ideal for heading out with your favorite kayaking buddy.

However you can also remove one seat and reposition the other one to the middle of the kayak for solo paddling as well, which is how I use it most often.

This is a very easy kayak for a beginner to use. It feels solid in the water, is nearly impossible to tip and feels very safe and comfortable to ride.

Yet more advanced paddlers will appreciate the good tracking, easy glide and rigid design.

If you love to fish, there is a fantastic angler series model that is fully decked out for easy kayak fishing.

NOT SUITED FOR

The FastTrack can handle choppy water and paddling through wake from boats. I have never had an issue plowing through rough or windy conditions.

Although it is fairly versatile it is worth noting that it is not suited for real whitewater kayaking.

It can handle up to class II rapids but is better suited for calmer water.

If you do find yourself in rougher conditions the FastTrack does have 4 recessed one way valves that you can open to drain the water.

If you want a kayak that can handle taking on some real rapids you would be better off taking a look at one of the Sea Eagle Explorer kayaks – the 300X, 380X or 420X, all of which are rated for up to class IV rapids.

Pictured below is the 380X – The 380X was the first IK I bought many years ago – super stable ride! You can read my review of the 380X here.

385FT – 1 OR 2 PADDLERS

LENGTH X WIDTH	12’6″ X 36″
WEIGHT	35 LBS.
MAX LOAD	635 LBS.
STABILITY
PERFORMANCE
WARRANTY	3 YEARS
WHITEWATER RATING	UP TO CLASS II
PRICE	CHECK PRICE

Pictured above is my dad and brother paddling my older 385 FastTrack.  This was the very first time my dad ever went kayaking and I was really happy that the FastTrack was comfortable enough for him to go out and enjoy.

I have used this kayak a lot over the years and taken it on so many road trips. It travels easy in the trunk of my car and takes only minutes to set up wherever I decide to launch it.

It comfortably fits two people but there isn’t a lot of room leftover. If you want extra space for two people plus a dog or child then you can jump up in size to the 465FT.

465FT – 2 OR 3 PADDLERS

LENGTH X WIDTH	15’3″ X 36″
WEIGHT	44 LBS.
MAX LOAD	794 LBS.
STABILITY
PERFORMANCE
WARRANTY	3 YEARS
WHITEWATER RATING	UP TO CLASS II
PRICE	CHECK PRICE

The larger 465 FastTrack is almost 3 feet longer and weighs 9 lbs more than the 385FT.

It comes with three seats and can sit three adults. This is a great option if you want to paddle with family members, more than one dog or if you need to load up for an expedition.

The 465FT is really fun to paddle with more than one person as you can really pick up some speed.

However I find it takes quite a bit more effort to paddle solo, at least for me. The extra length also makes it slightly harder to turn, you have to put a little more effort into it.

385FTA – FISHING KAYAK

LENGTH X WIDTH	12’6″ X 36″
WEIGHT	44 LBS.
MAX LOAD	635 LBS.
STABILITY
PERFORMANCE
WARRANTY	3 YEARS
WHITEWATER RATING	UP TO CLASS II
PRICE	CHECK PRICE

The 385FTA is part of Sea Eagle’s angler series. It was designed by and for fisherman.

I reviewed the 385FTA inflatable kayak awhile back and was impressed with how well thought out it is.  If you’re looking for a no-traditional way to fish, this is a great option.

Although many inflatable kayaks can be used for fishing, most don’t come with the customized extras that this one has.

It comes complete with customized front & rear spray skirts with built-in rod, tool, hook and lure holders.

It also has reinforced side walls and a 36″ built-in fish ruler.

The protective floor pad is made with non-slip crocodile hide EVA foam, which not only helps prevent slipping but also provides extra protection against punctures and lacerations from fish, hooks and fishing tools.

The 385FTA is ideal for camping by the lake or for early adventures to hard to reach fishing spots.

UNIQUE FEATURES

So just what makes this inflatable kayak unique? In my opinion there are two main factors.

1. TAPERED DESIGN & KNEEDLENIFE KEEL

It has a really nice touring shape with a tapered bow and stern as well as a unique kneedlenife keel.

The shape and rigid keel give the FastTrack a really smooth feel as it cuts through the water.

This is very noticeable if you have ever used other inflatable kayaks, many of which do not feel smooth in the water and certainly don’t track well.

2. HIGH PRESSURE DROP-STITCH FLOOR

Whereas many inflatable kayaks have a ribbed almost air mattress like feel, the high-pressure floor in the FastTrack is rigid and smooth.  It can be inflated up to 10 PSI, which is at least 6-7 PSI of air pressure more than most.

The inflatable floor is more comparable to the high pressure of an inflatable SUP.

Not many inflatable kayak companies offer a high-pressure rigid floor like this one and I can’t stress enough what an important feature this is.

The rigid floor creates an even stronger vessel. There is no sagging or drag. With this floor the kayak simply performs better.

STABILITY

I think most people would be surprised by how stable and secure it feels to paddle this kayak.

There can sometimes be a misconception that all inflatables are saggy and easy to tip.

That is simply not the case with the FastTrack.  It feels safe and fun to paddle. Even total beginners will appreciate how comfortable a ride this is.

With the high-pressure rigid floor and stability I can easily stand up and paddle SUP-style if I wish as well, which is kind of fun!

LEG ROOM

When paddling the 385FT solo there is TONS of leg room.  Regardless of your height you won’t have any issues with leg room when paddling this kayak solo.

When paddling tandem there is still plenty of leg room but of course it is more limited.

I haven’t been able to get some good pictures of this kayak being paddled with two people yet because I have been reviewing it during Covid and keeping myself at a safe distance.

I was limited to bringing out my husband so he could take some pictures of me paddling but couldn’t bring along a friend to get tandem paddling photos.  I will definitely add those once I am able to get them.

However I wanted to show the leg room with two seats in the kayak so I snapped a picture of my husband sitting in the back seat.  He is 5’10” for reference.

You can see he has his legs a bit bent but his feet aren’t touching the seat in front of him.  There’s plenty of room to be comfortable.

The front seat could even be moved forward another few inches to add more space if needed.  Up front there is still plenty of leg room even with the seat pushed forward.

SETUP

One of the common questions I get regarding inflatable kayaks from those who have never used one before is how easy is it to set up?

If you’re considering an inflatable then you’re probably really into the fact that they don’t take up much space to store and transport.

But are they worth it or is it just a hassle to setup once you get to the water?

I find the FastTrack extremely easy to setup and love that I can carry the bag myself to the water.

Included in the package is a standard foot pump.

The foot pump works well for inflating the side chambers but I find that a hand pump works way better for inflating the high pressure floor.

With a hand pump you can watch the gauge to make sure you inflate the floor to 10 PSI.  Sea Eagle sells a really good hand pump that works great.

There are three air valves, one on the floor and one on each side. I start with inflating the floor then move on to the sides.

I can inflate the whole kayak in under 8 minutes and be on the water in 10-15 minutes from the time I park my car.

Once inflated you’ll just need to secure the slide-in fin and attach the seats.

The swept-back touring fin easily slides into the fin box and clips into place. This fin is important to use if you want good tracking.

I find the whole process much simpler than in years past when I used to have a hard shell kayak that I had to transport on the roof of my car and couldn’t get it off myself.

Setup for the FastTrack is really simple.

ACCESSORIES

The accessories that come with your FastTrack will depend on which package you choose.  There are several great options to choose from.

I have the Pro 385 FastTrack Package which comes with:

TWO TALL BACK SEATS

The tall back seats are awesome and make the Pro Package totally worth it in my opinion.  They offer nice cushioning on the seat and the back can be adjusted so that it is as straight and rigid as you want it to be.

I have used some very uncomfortable kayak seats in the past and I know very well how how awful it can be to have an aching back while out paddling.

With these Tall Back Seats I am truly always comfortable.  They provide great support.

The seats secure to the D-rings on the side of the kayak and have a removable zippered pouch on the back for storing snacks or anything you want to keep within arms reach.

TWO 8′ AB40 4-PIECE PADDLES

The paddles that come with this package are mid range kayak paddles.  They come apart in 4-pieces and weigh just 2.9 lbs. each.

They easily clip together and are long enough to paddle a wider inflatable kayak comfortably.

I’ve never had an issue with these paddles.  They float if you drop them in the water and they feel good to use.

TWO KAYAK STOW BAGS

The stow bags are a nice touch and tie onto the front and back decks over the bungee cords.  These bags are not completely waterproof but I have never had anything inside get wet from spray.

KAYAK CARRY BAG

The carry bag folds over the kayak and is large enough to store the FastTrack hull and all accessories.  It cinches together with several ties and has two handles for carrying.

A41 FOOT PUMP

The foot pump works well for lower air pressures such as inflating the sides of the kayak.  However it isn’t the greatest for trying to inflate the floor to a higher air pressure of 10 PSI.

I’ve broken a few of these over the years, I don’t find them to be that durable.

I much prefer using a hand pump and would love if this package came with a hand pump instead.

If you really want to eliminate any hard work you could always get an electric pump as well.  With the electric pump you can set the PSI level and it will shut off automatically when it reaches it.

SWEPT BACK SKEG

The swept back skeg is easy to attach and clip in.  This kayak doesn’t track nearly as well without it so I highly recommend using it unless you are paddling in extremely shallow water.

REPAIR KIT

The repair kit includes a couple PVC patches, glue, and a valve tightener.  Hopefully you never have to use it but it has all of the necessities in case you do.

PORTABILITY

When the FT is deflated and stored in the carry bag it can be taken anywhere.

Although I wouldn’t want to walk too long of a distance carrying this bag fully loaded, I have no problem carrying it myself to and from the water.

The bag dimensions when fully packed are: 32″L x 22″W x 13″D.  However when it first arrives in the package Sea Eagle has this packed down even smaller.  I can never get it packed down quite as small again but you may have more success with that. 😉

The fact that it is so portable makes it ideal to take along camping, bringing along in an RV or on a larger boat where space is limited or just transporting to and from the water in the trunk of your vehicle.

When the kayak is inflated I don’t find it easy to carry myself. It’s doable but awkward and I much prefer to have someone help me.

There is a handle at both the bow and stern so it is easy to carry with two.

CONSTRUCTION

The material used to make the FastTrack is 1100 Decitex reinforced PVC. The seams are quadruple overlapped for added durability.

Compared to cheaper models, you can really tell the difference in the strength and durability of the construction of this kayak.

I’ve never had a moment where I have felt unsafe or fearful when paddling the FasTrack, even when kids and/or dogs are out with me.

I have never personally had a leak in any of my FastTracks but as with any inflatable leaks can happen and when they do it is most commonly in the seams.

If that is a concern for you here are a couple things to note:

1. WARRANTY

Sea Eagle has a 3-year warranty on all of their kayaks. That is one of the highest in the industry.

2. PROPER CARE

How well you take care of your inflatable can directly affect how long it lasts. Wear and tear are normal and these kayaks are made to withstand a fair amount of use and abuse.

However after over a decade of paddling inflatable kayaks I have learned there are things you can do to prolong the life of your purchase.

For important tips on how to do this check out my article: How To Prolong The Life & Durability Of Your Inflatable Kayak.

For a really quick rundown on proper care follow these tips:

• Dump any excess water out of your kayak after use and dry thoroughly with a towel.
• Use 303 Protectant spray to protect the material from harsh UV rays.
• Be cognizant of the fact that air expands in heat. If out in extreme heat let a little air pressure out of the kayak over time to allow for air expansion and protect the seams.
• Store your kayak in a dry cool place.

IN SUMMARY

I love paddling this kayak. I don’t use it as often as I used to, I tend to use the Sea Eagle Razorlite a little more these days as I like the sleekness and speed. However it isn’t nearly as stable and secure as the FastTrack.

The FT is the happy medium that works well for all kinds of adventures. It sits in the middle of the sleek Sea Eagle Razorlite and the wider more whitewater-worthy Sea Eagle Explorer kayaks.

I have recommended this inflatable kayak to several friends who have also been really happy with it and use it for recreational paddling.

If you have any questions that I can help you with that weren’t answered here leave a comment below and I’ll do my best to answer.

WHERE TO BUY THE FASTTRACK

The best deal for this inflatable kayak is directly from the manufacturer.

When you purchase directly from SeaEagle.com you not only get the 3-year warranty but you can take advantage of their 180-day guarantee, which gives you 6 months to return the kayak if you are not happy with it.

If you decide this is the inflatable kayak for you, I hope you love it as much as I have. Happy paddling!

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