any comments on a SeaEagle FastTrack inflatable kayak?

[Dusan Soudek]

I am thinking of getting a 2-person Sea eagle Fast Track inflatable kayak
http://seaeagle.com, I would get it from a source in B.C. - wcboats.com

'seems to have excellent reviews, and I think would fit my needs x
portability etc.

'Just wondered if you have had any experience with them, or have heard
of others' experience.


David Patriquin
6165 Murray Place
Halifax, N.S.
Canada B3H 1R9
e-mail: patr...@dal.ca
Phone: 902-4235716

Professor of Biology (retired)
Dalhousie University

Website: http://versicolor.ca

[Peter Bojanic]

I have no experience with Sea Eagle boats but I did recently research FeatherCraft kayaks (also from BC -- see attached slides), which are a high-end portable kayak product.

The "Klondike" is a convertible tandem: http://feathercraft.com/kayaks/klondike/.

Cheers,
Peter

[Dave404]

Many people on the web like their Sea Eagles. It should be a fine boat.

I see some limitations, depending upon your intended use. Portability always comes with downsides/limitations:

* Wet (your bottom half will get wet from paddle drip, and possibly steeper waves may come in over the sides?) So you may be Cold and Wet in cold water or cold weather.

* Inflation: Ok when near car battery. Is there a way (ie, hand pump, or mouth valve) to top-up the air if a slow leak, or if the air shrinks due to cold water? Or the unlikely even of a hole that needed to be patched in the field.

* Good for open water, but maneuvering the bends in a meadow would require lots of effort ('skeg' in front AND back)

* With their "Try a Sea Eagle Risk-Free... for 180 days!", there would *seem* to be no risk.

DaveY

  Folbot Greenland II [excellent 17' folding tandem kayak, but wasn't my style (would not turn; gigantic). Folbot - almost fun to assemble].

  Feathercraft K-Light [excellent little 13' folding kayak; sometimes requires bad language while assembling].

  Pakboats Puffin II [ok open folding kayak; often requires bad language while assembling; requires a pump (no inflation/top-off by mouth)].

  Feathercraft Baylee I [inflatable pack raft; a wet boat even with the built-on sprayskirt].