Inflatable Tandem Kayak
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 Zoik AlterEgo Tandem Inflatable Kayak You save $200  US $549.99
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 Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame2 Convertible Inflatable Tandem Kayak AE1007 US $629.00
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 New Bic Sport 11 ft Kalyma Tandem Inflatable Kayak for 1 or 2 Paddlers US $499.00
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 New tandem two 2 person inflatable kayak canoe Paddle US $129.95
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 GUMOTEX Swing 2 Tandem Inflatable Kayak Spray Skirts Stiffer Lighter NEW US $869.31
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 Innova Sunny Tandem Inflatable Kayak w FREE Foot Pump US $999.00
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 Bic Sport Kalyma 2 Person Tandem Inflatable Kayak System w Paddles and Pump US $619.00
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 Innova Helios II Tandem Inflatable Kayak US $899.00
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 Sea Eagle 380x Inflatable Tandem Kayak Package 2 Pumps US $600.00
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Intex Challenger K2 Kayak $65.99 Challenger Kayak Kit - K2 2 Person Gear NetManufacture ID: 68306EThe Intex Challenger Kayaks two person unit is designed for twice as much fun. They come with 84" aluminum oars and a high-output hand pump. Hard plastic skegs on the underside of the kayak (similar to the underside of a surfboard) provide directional control so you can be sure you'll get where you want to go. The kayaks feature infl... |
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Sevylor Inflatable Sit-On-Top Kayak, 2-Person $130.38 Sevylor Sit - On - Top Kayak. There's more freedom on this style of Kayak... you'll appreciate the leg room! This Kayak is easy to maneuver, too... has dual tracking fins to help make sharper, quicker turns. You can keep carry-alongs (water bottles, etc.) safely in the recessed compartments, as they have a cargo net covering. And with durable PVC construction (25-gauge on 2-person model), this bab... |
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Intex Challenger K1 Kayak $58.96 Challenger K1 Kayak is made of rugged SUPER-TOUGH vinyl made stronger for durability. High visibility graphics allow others to see you easily. The cockpit is designed for comfort and space and has an inflatable seat and backrest. US Coat Guard ID. Includes repair kit.Need a Boat Certificate of Origin? Write down the HIN (Hull Identification Number) and go to www.intexcorp.com. On the first scree... |
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Sevylor Tahiti Fishing/Hunting Inflatable Kayak $138.99 Sevylor Tahiti Fishing / Hunting Kayak. Cast a few lines with a friend from this durable PVC boat! Built to handle tough days on the water! First, we'll talk safety... the Kayak has 2 air chambers with a tubular I-beam floor for stability. Has an optional direction skeg too... keeps you centered while you paddle. And with durable 26-gauge PVC construction, you'll have no trouble traveling through ... |
Sea Eagle 385 FastTrack Inflatable Kayak Review
Sea Eagle has been very popular in the inflatable kayak market for a very long time. Their Explorer inflatable kayaks and Sport inflatable kayaks are well known all over the world. Just this year (2010) they have come out with a brand new sleeker model that will likely appeal to a wide range of paddling enthusiasts.
The Sea Eagle FastTrack is a faster and lighter weight inflatable kayak that can handle most types of water including lakes, ocean and river kayaking (up to class III). Below I will compare it to Sea Eagle's Explorer kayaks as well as point out the pros and cons of this new popular model.
My Inflatable Kayak Story
I have personally been a fan of Sea Eagle inflatable boats ever since I first began searching for an inflatable kayak a few years ago. I have kayaked for most of my life and in the past had always used a rigid hard-shell kayak. I chose to purchase an inflatable kayak for the sheer convenience of them. I wanted a kayak that I could easily store away in a closet, transport in the trunk of my car as well as on an airplane and be able to carry by myself.
After a whole lot of research I ended up purchasing the Sea Eagle 380X Explorer Kayak. I have been absolutely satisfied and happy with it and have used it for many, many hours of paddling fun… including for some travel as well.
What Makes the FastTrack so Great
I love my Explorer kayak but there are two things about it that I wished were different. For one thing I wish it was lighter. It weighs 47 lbs. which isn't bad for a tandem kayak but it would be far easier for travel if it were lighter.
The second thing I wish were different is the speed. Again it isn't bad but it is known for not being the fastest kayak in the water.
Knowing these two downsides of my own inflatable kayak I couldn't help but love the new Sea Eagle FastTrack. With this inflatable kayak they have taken all of the positive features of their Explorer kayaks and added:
- a new design for better speed and tracking
- as well as a new super rugged but lighter weight material
The Sea Eagle FastTrack compared to the Sea Eagle Explorer Kayaks
The FastTrack is very comparable to the Sea Eagle 380X as far as size is concerned. It is identical in length and about an inch smaller in width. It also has the identical weight capacity (750 lbs.).
However the major plus with the FastTrack is the fact that it weighs twelve pounds less than the 380X. That is quite a big difference and will make transporting the kayak to and from the water as well as much easier for airplane travel.
The fact that this tandem inflatable kayak weighs so little is awesome and it also means that if a person wanted to use the kayak solo they would have no problem carrying it themselves.
As far as design is concerned you can tell just by looking at the FastTrack that it has a slightly different shape than the Explorer kayaks. This new shape allows for better speeds for three reasons:
- It has a drop stitch outside keel at the bow which provides buoyancy and helps to stop the natural yaw of an inflatable kayak.
- There is a removable rear skeg that helps to keep the kayak tracking straight.
- It comes with a separate very rigid drop stitch floor which increases the overall rigidity of the kayak and creates side chines under the pontoons which enhances the overall paddling performance.
Sea Eagle actually states that the floor of the new FastTrack is so rigid that it could even be used as a stand-up paddle board. That is quite impressive.
Pros & Cons of the Sea Eagle FastTrack
Pro Sea Eagle FastTrack:
- able to reach higher speeds than any other Sea Eagle inflatable kayak
- very high load capacity
- lots of room for two people to be very comfortable – can also be paddled solo
- very lightweight for a tandem inflatable kayak
- self-bailing
- versatile – can handle most types of water including lakes, ocean and rivers (up to class III)
- good tracking
- rigid floor
- good storage space including below spray skirts and rope lacing for storage above
Against Sea Eagle FastTrack:
- At this time there is only the one size option – whereas the Explorer kayaks come in three different size options.
Conclusion on the Sea Eagle FastTrack
I think there is little doubt why the Sea Eagle 385 FastTrack is quickly becoming a favorite inflatable kayak with many. Even though I love my 380X Explorer kayak, if I had the choice today I would have chosen the FastTrack over my currant model.
The fact that this kayak has lighter weight and gets higher speeds as well as has the same rugged and solid construction makes this inflatable kayak in my opinion the very best one on the Sea Eagle website as well as likely one of the best ones on the market.
I think if you do the comparisons yourself you will likely agree that the FastTrack offers far more positive points and features than many other inflatable kayaks on the market.
One thing that is for sure is that there are lots of inflatable kayak brands to choose from. I would suggest doing the comparisons yourself so you can decide which features are most important in a kayak for you.
About the Author
To learn much more about Sea Eagle inflatable kayaks visit www.InflatableKayakWorld.com where you'll find comprehensive reviews and information on all of the different types of inflatable kayaks.
