Inflatable: Anyone use a Sea Eagle 285? Opinion?

sumcatone Loc: Salem VA

Anyone use a Sea Eagle 285? Opinion?

FixorFish Loc: SW Oregon

I love mine. Have had it about 2 yrs. Purchased the "pro PKG" w/ pedestal and 34lb trolling motor. Funny that I just logged in while eating lunch... just came in from inflating mine, to give a once over, repack, before I go to a mountain lake with it tomorrow, when we're supposed to hit 93°...uugh!!
I have and have owned, several one-man boats over the decades. Absolutely no other boat has been this close to "my ideal, me and gear only boat". It transports and stores excellently, built quite tough, 3air Chambers, so.... safe. Have had it on lakes many times, have yet to take it down the river, but confident (oar lock stress in class lll water, my only concern) it will be fine. I retro-fitted the motor mount with a wider transom that has a 10", 45 °return on each end (about 24" straight plus angled ends,making the entire transom about 40" long). I did this to accommodate a fish finder (Fishin'Buddy) on one side, two rod holders on the other and an anchor pulley system and the motor on the 24" part, across the back. Not a necessity, but works for me.
I use a Duracell AGM Deep-cycle AGM "scooter" battery ( basically 6"x6"x8" and 23lbs) in an Igloo Playmate for a carrying case, works quite well with a notch cut in the lid for the wires. Sits behind the seat, no prob. I would suggest a Trolling motor with an extendable tiller, or add one....or just sit sideways when moving .. that works, as well.
Easy to register, as they give it a Hull # and provide you a title (bought new, that is).
My one addition that you DEFINITELY NEED is a mat or scrap carpet for the floorboard. Nice thought to paint so well, Sea Eagle...but awful slippery when wet or mud on shoes. I used a doormat of the heavy-duty plastic grass type, called the "Clean Machine".
While I am sharing... I store every thing but the motor, battery and folding seat in a wheeled storage container I got at Lowe's... literally takes two minutes to add a boat to my fishing excursion. With an electric 12v air pump, about 6-8 set-up time, once everything is out of the box.
I ALWAYS TAKE A TARP to assemble and inflate on, just me liking my gear to last as long as possible. It will also be necessary to use while doing the reverse process.
NOTE ----While I have enough "pros" to be a spokesperson (I'm not), My one and only "con" with inflatable boats is that it is BEST to "dry and THEN deflate"... not always feasible at the end of the day, or on the boat ramp, or packing up time, period. Care needs to be taken to complete the drying and repack process in the next couple or three days, or you risk mold.
I have a 440 Foldcat and a 330 kayak from Sea Eagle and can vouch for the value good customer service.

Here's a tidbit that I bet most people don't know....................
Same family that started and owns Sea Eagle..... also started and owns PANTHER MARTIN !!!!
My kind of businesses.

sumcatone Loc: Salem VA

Thanks FixorFish. I just ordered mine this AM. Been using a kayak but just turning 85 I need a little more stability. Been fishing most of my life and just hate to give it up. It's good to hear from an owner. I've been caught between the gloss from Sea Eagle and the gripey reviews from people who probably don't take care of their equipment. I like the layout and there is plenty of casting room. About half of my fishing is with flyrod and I've learned to cast pretty good from a sitting position. Thanks again for your comments. Tight lines!

Ronniejw Loc: West Point MS

FixorFish wrote:

I love mine. Have had it about 2 yrs. Purchased the "pro PKG" w/ pedestal and 34lb trolling motor. Funny that I just logged in while eating lunch... just came in from inflating mine, to give a once over, repack, before I go to a mountain lake with it tomorrow, when we're supposed to hit 93°...uugh!!
I have and have owned, several one-man boats over the decades. Absolutely no other boat has been this close to "my ideal, me and gear only boat". It transports and stores excellently, built quite tough, 3air Chambers, so.... safe. Have had it on lakes many times, have yet to take it down the river, but confident (oar lock stress in class lll water, my only concern) it will be fine. I retro-fitted the motor mount with a wider transom that has a 10", 45 °return on each end (about 24" straight plus angled ends,making the entire transom about 40" long). I did this to accommodate a fish finder (Fishin'Buddy) on one side, two rod holders on the other and an anchor pulley system and the motor on the 24" part, across the back. Not a necessity, but works for me.
I use a Duracell AGM Deep-cycle AGM "scooter" battery ( basically 6"x6"x8" and 23lbs) in an Igloo Playmate for a carrying case, works quite well with a notch cut in the lid for the wires. Sits behind the seat, no prob. I would suggest a Trolling motor with an extendable tiller, or add one....or just sit sideways when moving .. that works, as well.
Easy to register, as they give it a Hull # and provide you a title (bought new, that is).
My one addition that you DEFINITELY NEED is a mat or scrap carpet for the floorboard. Nice thought to paint so well, Sea Eagle...but awful slippery when wet or mud on shoes. I used a doormat of the heavy-duty plastic grass type, called the "Clean Machine".
While I am sharing... I store every thing but the motor, battery and folding seat in a wheeled storage container I got at Lowe's... literally takes two minutes to add a boat to my fishing excursion. With an electric 12v air pump, about 6-8 set-up time, once everything is out of the box.
I ALWAYS TAKE A TARP to assemble and inflate on, just me liking my gear to last as long as possible. It will also be necessary to use while doing the reverse process.
NOTE ----While I have enough "pros" to be a spokesperson (I'm not), My one and only "con" with inflatable boats is that it is BEST to "dry and THEN deflate"... not always feasible at the end of the day, or on the boat ramp, or packing up time, period. Care needs to be taken to complete the drying and repack process in the next couple or three days, or you risk mold.
I have a 440 Foldcat and a 330 kayak from Sea Eagle and can vouch for the value good customer service.

Here's a tidbit that I bet most people don't know....................
Same family that started and owns Sea Eagle..... also started and owns PANTHER MARTIN !!!!
My kind of businesses.

I love mine. Have had it about 2 yrs. Purchased th... (show quote)

I have an Intex excursion inflatable, love it but wish the seat was a little higher. Have been out a few times and for me is nice size, 12 ft long. I have an electric pump and an inverter so makes pumping up easy. My motor is a Watersnake 30 lb thrust and bought 2 batteries for it, has plenty of power for a full days fishing. Same thing, I bought a tarp to inflate it on and deflate when back. Always watching where the hooks are, don't fancy swimming back. Being low in sitting I can still cast 30 or 40 yards and caught bass each time I've been out.