Sea Eagle 285fpb Inflatable Fishing Boat Reviews

I LOVE MY SEA EAGLE BOAT!!! FUN BOAT!!!! LIGHT WEIGHT & MADE WELL!!!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND SEA EAGLE COMPANY!!!! STAFF IS. WONDERFUL!!!! I WILL ONLY BUY FROM THIS COMPANY!!!

It’s so fun. I bought this boat to float rivers and fly fish alone, which its great for. I have fished it with 2 people in the boat but pushing the seat up and filling the gap with plywood (one fly fishing up front, one steering sitting on the rear pontoon portion) and it works VERY WELL. I take it river camping by fitting my cooking grate in the front like a cargo rack and strapping my cooler to that to hold food and act as a dry storage. I’ve done everything you aren’t supposed to do with this raft and it has survived. The only complaint I have at all is that on a trip to Georgia in the heat ALL of the glued on attachments and clips peeled off, which really has sucked, but I’ve been able to work around it. This raft rules.

The Sea Eagle 285 FPB seems to be a well constructed boat. The materials used in its construction looks top notch and with a little care, should last for a long time. However, there are a couple of issues that I (personally) have with it. The boat is a bit narrow to me. With the optional pedestal mount and swivel seat, if the operator has to reach into the water, he can easily fall overboard. I think the vertical height of the mount is two or three inches to high. I recently ordered (on back order) the deluxe inflatable seat which I think will put my body in a safer position. Overall, it's a quality boat but everybody's body is different.

I finally had a chance to use my inflatable boat last week. It was easy to set up, especially since I purchased the electric pump. The foot pump worked, but it made my legs tired. I had set the boat up several times in the garage, and I found the leg fatigue to be a problem, thus the electric pump. I found the boat to be easy to operate once I got the hang of using the trolling motor. I found the swivel seat to be very comfortable and the bottom platform to be very stable. I had no problem standing to cast and retrieve. I purchased the recommended 30lbs thrust trolling motor to be lacking in some aspects. First, the 30in shaft is a bit short for my liking. When yo place it in reverse it throws water into the back of the boat unless you push up hard on the throttle. This would not happen with a 36in shaft. With 30lbs of thrust you move along slowly even when you are at top speed. With a strong head wind it is worst. I plan to get another trolling motor with more power and a 36in shaft, I like this boat,