285fpb Frameless Pontoon Boat Inflatable Boat Reviews

Unfortunately I injured my elbow shortly after getting the boat and was only able to use it once. I should have returned it after that show more... first disappointing use. I thought I would give it another chance but the season ended before I did. The problem with the craft is the oar setup. It is virtually impossible to propel the craft by oars alone in any sort of current or wind. The boat would only be safe on the smallest ponds. The problem is the length of the oar from the oarlock to the paddle is too short and the length from the oarlock to the handle is too long. After struggling with this issue I looked a some reviews and found several people who did modifications to the oar setup. Not interested in doing this. I did invest in an electric motor and battery and will try the boat again next spring. if not more satisfied I hope I could still return. The quality of construction is fine. It simply is not usable on anything but small ponds on a calm day.

Sea Eagle Reply:
Thank you for the review. Please contact us and we will gladly assist you in the use of your 285 FPB in many various bodies of water.

On the plus side: The 285fpb seems to be durable so far, and set up is reasonably quick. It's easy to launch and get in show more... and out. On the other hand: Carrying in the pack is cumbersome, I tried to get the straps over my shoulders to pack on my back and tore one off. Then it's another three trips back and forth to get everything to the water - floorboard, seat, oars, motor mount, etc. It's nearly impossible to get the floorboard installed under the rails that hold it in place. Inflating with the foot pump, how are you supposed to check for 3.2 PSI? Standing up on the floorboard with felt sole boots is like trying to stand on glare ice with teflon soles. The handle ends of the oars hit when parallel to the water.. It doesn't track when rowing. Skitters around on the water like a balloon, slight wind sends it off in another direction. Fishing at anchor, it spins every time the wind changes. Can't finish - post gets cut off - limited to a certai

Sea Eagle Reply:
Please contact us directly at 1-800-748-8066 (REF#2286056) to see about getting a replacement carry bag. We also have other storage bags to store additional accessories in or even our small EZ Cart (https://www.seaeagle.com/Accessories/ez-cart/ez-cart-small-) so that you can have the boat fully assembled and transported to your launching point. To install the floorboard, make sure the boat is only partially inflated and install the floorboard as shown at the 2:54 mark in our instructional video, seen here https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=181&v=5YmT9eNmWCE. The foot pump provided for your boat from Sea Eagle cannot overinflate the 285FPB and once you feel resistance on the pump you are at the recommended working pressure. To keep your oars from hitting, have your hands crossover as they come through the middle of the drive. Again please feel free to contact us by phone or e-mail ([email protected]) and we will do our best to resolve these issues for you.

The boat is not easily rowed. It is also very sensitive to wind.

The boat could be a little wider and the trolling motor should be sit off center be make it easier to steer

I pretty much like the product except the plywood deck is extremely hard to install and already popped out of the left and right slots show more... when I first used it. Have only used it that once due to cold weather here that started in October.

Sea Eagle Reply:
Please see our instructional video for tips on installing the floorboard, and please feel free to call us should you need any further assistance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YmT9eNmWCE&t=171s

Difficult to enter and exit the boat. Most of the time it has to be entered from the water when no dock is available. Boat show more... is used mainly on salt water. Sand sticks to it like glue, making maintenance and transporting difficult. I keep it fully inflated to transport in bed of my truck. Seat to motor mount uncomfortable and difficult to operate motor, even with swivel seat turned. Caught a small catfish last time out, while trying to bring it into the boat it fell off the hook and easily punctured the pontoon. Barely made it back to shore. I would not recommend this product for tall individuals as it is not stable enough to stand inside the limited space between the pontoons especially in choppy conditions. If possible, for future design, make some type of mount to tie an anchor rope to. The boat is like a balloon on water and even with mild breezes moves alot.

Ask me again in April or May: Purchased my boat early so I could get it set-up the way I want before the Fishing season show more... starts down here. The purchase experience from Sea-Eagle was OUTSTANDING! people, Quality and service are all 12's out of a possible 10:) I was amazed at the overnight shipping. A little expansive but your not waiting around for days. I have yet to unroll my boat. but have checked out all the various parts. it's sitting in my shed waiting for warmer weather to actually get it pumped up, final asssembled and extra Scotty rigs and add-on mounted. As of this date I'm happy with my purchase but can not rate it until I actually get her in the water.

I initially really liked the boat. Its easy to transport and deploy and extremely stable on the water and goes well ender power from a show more... electric motor. the only downfall I experienced was that it doesn't track well using the oars and spins and blows around a lot in the wind. I am currently looking to sell the boat but only because I need something to accommodate another person

Sea Eagle Reply:
Thank you for your review John, we believe with a little practice controlling your boat will come easier. We also see that you are looking for a two person boat. Have you considered the STS10? Here's a link: https://www.seaeagle.com/FramelessFishingBoats/STS10. Please keep in mind that it does have a similar oar set up as your 285fpb.

Great Little boat ! Easy to transport and quickly inflates. I'm 75 years young and have no problem. Goes into areas other boats can't. Very show more... stable on the water. Comfortable to fish from. Only drawback is on very windy days it takes a bit more effort to maneuver. Other than that, not 1 problem. Much recommended !

Heading to Alaska halibut fishing. Bought the 285FPB. Needed a bag for transportation. Bought the L.L.Bean adventure duffel XL. The Boat, oars and seat fit show more... perfectly. Had room to add a 12x12 tarp, crab trap, raincoat, snorkeling stringer and 18 " Boat buoy to land the big ones! All at 48.5#. Can't wait to bring in a 100 pounder on this baby!

Shipped fast , high quality hull, I got the complete kit with seat. The foot pump works but the hose is a stiff cheap plastic, show more... it works but takes fiddling around. Ever time I use it I tell myself I need to upgrade the hose. It takes me about a hour to set everything up. But if a person was in a hurry probably could be done quicker. Putting it away is about the same, I like to make sure it’s nice a dry and clean. Overall rating is a 4. One point off for the cheap pump hose.

Sea Eagle Reply:
Thank you for your review and feedback. This setup video may help you https://youtu.be/5YmT9eNmWCE For any assistance feel free email or give us a call.

Love the 285. Only things I suggest are a bigger rear area for a standard battery box that won’t interfere with the seat swiveling. Also show more... needs skegs to track better. Vessel doesn’t track well at all. I go slow but when I need to move a lil quicker the boat is all over the place.

Sea Eagle Reply:
Thank you for the review Dennis. We may be able to assist you in the use and configuration of your 285FPB. Feel free to call or email anytime.

Love the 285. Only things I suggest are a bigger rear area for a standard battery box that won’t interfere with the seat swiveling. Also show more... needs skegs to track better. Vessel doesn’t track well at all. I go slow but when I need to move a lil quicker the boat is all over the place.

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 show more... 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 show more... 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 really like my 285fpb . It’s much more comfortable then my fishing yak, I added a trolling motor, if you don’t need to move show more... around quick it’s a nice little set up. And at 65 I don’t.

Overall I like the boat. The performance has worked. Easy to carry to the marsh, maneuvers in the saltwater marsh with trolling motor to get show more... to the flounder, reds, and trout. Only problem that has developed is a slow leak that I have not found. Also I was disappointed that one of the oar post was too short to mount the oar. Eventually I was able to get a replacement oar post under warranty.

I have to say overall I love the boat. It’s comfortable sturdy stable I just wished you guys made a Keel for it so that show more... it could track straight. Great boat

Sea Eagle Reply:
Thank you for the review and feedback. We'd love to assist you in getting the most out of your 285FPB. Feel free to reach out to us anytime.

I really like this boat use it fairly often for fishing local lakes. I do not use a motor, I use the oars only. It show more... is very stable and comfortable and the swivel seat make fishing easier. Due to the shape of boat, it takes some effort to get around with just oars, but I only fish lakes where I don't need to go far distances. My only complaint is that I have some difficulty inserting the floor board/deck when inflating, and my fingers get pretty sore by time I get the board under the rubber grips. One other minor thing is that it could really use a cleat to tie a dock line or anchor line. Otherwise the boat is great.

Sea Eagle Reply:
Thank you for the review. You may be interested in our Scotty Anchor Lock here: https://www.seaeagle.com/Accessories/fishing-gear/scotty-anchor-lock For any assistance in set up or use please refer to the instructions or contact us anytime https://www.seaeagle.com/img/InstructionalPDF/FramelessPontoonBoat.pdf

Overall, I am very pleased with the boat. My only negative comment is in regard to the handling in windy conditions. It is an effort show more... to row the boat. It might be easier to handle the boat if, somehow, the oarlocks could be anchored better for more stability.

Sea Eagle Reply:
Thank you for the review. Feel free to call or email anytime and we can discuss a solution for you.

Love my boat! Simple to haul, fun to fish out of! The only caveat - I'm 65, and it's a lot of work to put show more... it together and take it apart. I'm sure that wouldn't be an issue for a younger person.

I like how the 285 has amazing balance with it's nice size pontoons. Pro's How you can stand and fish is a great feature. I show more... like the seat and how you can spin it around to fish in every direction seated. It's a good looking boat. Has good accessories. The floor of the boat doesn't touch the water in calm water. Built very tough. Does come with a small motor mount. Handles rough currents, especially with a motor. I find it rows fine with it's sturdy oak lock system. Con's I do have to lower my legs to row without the oaks hitting my legs. I would of liked the seat to be 9 inchs or so as a option so I can store my battery in it's case under part of the seat. it's just crowded. The whole floor of the boat should have the marine wood. Not just part of it. The tracking on the boat is rough. I don't know if this is a big deal for people but it would be nice if the boat didn't scuff up so easily. I might be being too critical though. Max 4 mph??

Sea Eagle Reply:
Thank you for your review and feedback. We appreciate and take into account all feedback we receive. For assistance or to discuss customization on your 285FPB feel free to reach out at anytime.

This is my 3rd 285. My previous 2 285s died prematurely from big air leaks at bonded joints. However, once I figured out how to show more... control spinning all 3 boats have been outstanding for shallow water redfish fly fishing. It stows deflated nicely in my flats skiff and is readily available for action. Have thoroughly enjoyed my red hunts and subsequent Cajun Sleigh Rides.

My only regret was buying the 285FPB instead of the STS10. Do you take trade-ins?

I thoroughly enjoy my Sea Eagle fishing boat! After a brief learning curve on set up I am now able to be on the water show more... in approximately 20 minutes after I arrive at the lake. The boat is very stable and comfortable. My only dissatisfaction is with the price of supporting products you offer on your site. Many of them are available for significantly less online and through other suppliers. But I am totally happy with the boat, motor, etc.