Sea Eagle SE330 Inflatable Sports Kayak Pro Solo Package

My new kayak arrived last week on the earliest day promised, even with a delay by UPS. On Sunday, I took it to the lake and got things set up. It was pretty easy overall. I don't consider myself a mechanical guru by any means...I'm a middle aged woman with minimal skills in that area. The point being, nothing about getting this thing on the water is difficult. Once all the rings were in place, it took less than 10 minutes to inflate. I got the upgraded seat because I don't want to find myself out paddling with an achey back and nothing to do about it. The reviews convinced me. Glad I did it. I put a towel down in the front for my dog because I didn't want him slipping around and he was completely comfortable. For some bizarre reason, I decided that Seafair Sunday was the best day for a maiden voyage. For those of you not from Seattle, that won't mean anything, but trust me, I could not have picked a busier day. I left from the north side of Lake Union. I've never been in an inflatable kayak and at first it was a little disconcerting. It moves with the water instead of cutting through it so it felt oddly "tippy" at first. After all of two minutes I got used to it, you simply relax and roll with the waves. I paddled through the Montlake Cut (stupid, stupid, stupid) where I passed, or was passed by, probably two hundred boats. The Cut connects Lake Union to Lake Washington and is where the UW rowers race. It's narrow, so lots of boats means lots of churning water. The kayak isn't super fast, not like a sea kayak anyway, but it's not slouchy either. It feels very stable. It's unlikely that you'd get swamped in this boat. We did take a turn through the arboretum (see picture above) where the water was smooth as glass and it handled beautifully although on smooth water, the wind will push you around a bit. We finally made it back to the landing area. Deflation was quick and simple, just unscrew the ring caps. I drained the water through the drain plug, dried it off and rolled it up. First time out was 3 1/2 hours with some hard paddling for much of it and I was tired but not worn out. If I were going to do that often, I would likely pick up a better paddle but for calm waters this one is fine. The boat was the perfect size for me and my dog. I'm not tall (5'4") and Caleb weighs about 55 pounds so we fit easily with a dry bag tucked in the back. I honestly wouldn't want to use this as a double kayak. Maybe two very small (and short) adults or teenagers but the way the bow and stern narrow down, you really wouldn't have much leg room. If you want a double, go for the Sea Eagle 370 which gives you an extra foot of room. This is a great entry level kayak and so far I recommend it. Will update as I use it more often.

Although I haven’t had the opportunity to experience this Kayak in the water as it’s been very cold here. I like everything about this Kayak. It’s super sturdy.Sitting in the Kayak was very comfortable with the inflatable adjustable Pro Seats feeling snug & keeping me secured. I’m not a good swimmer but I enjoy challenging myself in the beautiful Rivers boasting Cat 1 to 5 White Water near bye. This Kayak is rated Cat 1 - 3, 500 lbs capacity.Securing the caps after heating with blow dryer was much easier, it did take 2 of us to fasten them.Once I get used to it, I’m pretty sure it’ll be much easier to fill. The foot pump was a bit of a challenge until I got the hang of it.I’m hoping the Drain Valve will be accessible as it’s way back under to top support in tip of nose.My Collie WhisperingWinds Bad to the Bone “Georgie” seemed happy to get in.We both have USCG Approved Life Vest as well as waterproof Case & Bags ready to go when weather permits! Woohoo!

The short version is this is a sturdy, stable kayak that works well for the conditions it was designed for, and I don't regret the purchase - especially if you are on the heavy side, as the kayak is rated for 500 lbs.The longer version - this is my third inflatable - own a Sevlyor Quickpak, an Intex K1, and now the Sea Eagle. Am too new to really know, but assume all of these "lower priced" inflatables won't match a hard shell for tracking and speed. I don't care as I like to putter along, communing with nature. Had 3 hard shell kayakers in rentals just blow by me in the Sea Eagle the past weekend - but, I wouldn't say I am a strong paddler.For me the Intex was kind of a bust, as it has a lower max weight rating and to me, just felt kind of flimsy - especially after the beefier Sevylor. So invested in the Sea Eagle this year.Pros: The Sea Eagle 330 is sturdy, and for a shorter person, roomy. Feels pretty stable. Included paddle seems of fairly good quality tho possibly a bit short. Inflation a bit tedious but not too bad. For a shorter person, the 330 is pretty roomy. Thanks to quick release dual valve, deflation a breeze. For me, quick to dry out or clean, if inflated.Cons: This is where I nitpick - all of these kayak pictures seem to show happy people people paddling along with hardly any gear. Er. As a newbie, I dutifully carry extra paddles, a bilge pump, extra air pump (the one from the Intex), a small med kit, a various dry bags. Unlike the Sevylor that has multiple d-ring attachments all along the kayak, or the Intex that has a cargo net, the only attachment points are front and back.You can't add more D-rings to the 330 according the instructions, because of the stretchy PVC. So I end up using orange lanyards (Amazon) to clip everything in, sort of like being festooned for Halloween.The Pro seat hurt my tailbone after about an hour, so using the 19 inch inflatable SUNSHINEMALL inflatable cushion (Amazon) under the Pro seat seemed to solve the problem, as well as deflating the seat slightly (not the back). (You can also try using a cheap back rest with the seat).Also, the rings to attach the valves to the kayak are too small; and I broke one getting them on the kayak - horrible stiff plastic - so now I carry the valves in a separate bag and hope I don't lose any. No extra included. The valves seem OK but not as nice as those of the Intex, which has the same valves they used on their rafts.IMO the worst thing is the weight. Maybe I'm just weak. The sturdy included duffle has a single strap - IMO are they kidding. Another reviewer commented if you add the kayak weight and more gear, it's 40lbs or more. If you are new, or aging, etc, it's a lot of weight to drag uphill to a parking lot at the end of day, or across a beach to a parking lot. This should have been a backpack. It's not that easy to stuff the kayak into the bag, either.Instead I am trying out using a C-tug kayak cart, so end of day can just drag all to the car and then deflate. A family member commented if you put the Intex (great valves and a cargo net) and the Sevylor Quikpak (clever design with included backpack that converts to a seat and skirt; sturdy and comfortable with lots of D-ring attachments) with the Sea Eagle, you would have the perfect inflatable.But with some tweaks as well as ordering extra parts, I'm pretty happy with this kayak - has the stability and max carry weight I wanted, sturdy, and comfortable. The shorter skegs don't have issues in shallow water like longer skegs. As a shorter person, I have plenty of room. Just bounces along over small wavelets. So far so good; might even pick up an additional seat. If you are an older person getting into kayaking, the 330 is certainly worth considering among the lower cost kayaks. I'm comfortable taking it out on sheltered sea bays, slow rivers, and lakes, which is what it is designed for. Plus there is room for all my stuff, including (now) a kayak cart and extra paddles. Not sure how much the wind affects this kayak - probably some, as it is buoyant tho stable.