Sea Eagle 8 Inflatable Boat with Fisherman's Dream Package
reviewed by Jeremy Henricks

Whether you're into fishing, river running, camping, or yacht tending, Sea Eagle makes it easy to get out on the water at a decent price with their Sea Eagle Motor Mount Boats. These inflatable boats are lightweight, compact, durable, and multi-purpose, with three different models to choose from. I tested the Sea Eagle 8 Fisherman's Dream Package, which is the mid-size model at 9' 7", and includes features you'll find on higher priced boats.

Specifications

Packaging
The boat comes in three packages of varying sizes, as follows:

• Package One — Middle seat
• Package Two — Oars, floorboards, foot pump, motor mount, motor mount support bench, repair kit, pressure gauge, instructions, rope, and a Sea Eagle hat.
• Package Three — Boat

Impressions

Upon opening the boxes and unfolding the boat, I immediately noticed how durable the material felt. One of the biggest threats to any angler while in a boat of this type is a hole, large or small. The ability to resist holes and punctures is greatly impacted by the thickness of material. Similar boats you'll find at most sporting goods stores are made with a slightly thinner material, so more caution is required to ensure that you don't puncture them.

Features
The Sea Eagle boat with the Fisherman's Dream Package includes many features that you'll find on other fishing boats that cost much more, such as a motor mount, bench seating, and open storage areas. With a few easy modifications, you can also attach rod holders, GPS devices, and depth finders. These features make it easy to get out on the water almost immediately.

The features of the Fisherman's Dream Package that differ from the Standard package include the following:

Set Up
Setting up the Sea Eagle is simple, requiring one person and about 15 - 20 minutes total time. I highly recommend reading the instructions prior to setting up the boat for the first time. Once you do this once, setting up the boat again gets easier.

Inflating the boat takes about 10 minutes using the included foot pump, while using an electric pump (available separately) shortens this time. The 5 air chambers need to be inflated in order, so be careful not to miss this section of the manual. If you plan to use the floorboards and motor mount system, the chambers should be inflated to 75% capacity first, and then those components must be installed as specified. Next, the chambers are fully inflated using the included pressure gauge to ensure that the boat is not over inflated.

While I easily set the boat up in the time given earlier, two people does make it easier and faster. This is especially true in regards to the motor mount and floorboard system.

Getting On The Water
The Sea Eagle has four carry handles, two on each side. This makes it easy for two people to carry the boat with all their gear inside. There's no need to worry about the handles falling off, as they feel solid enough to handle plenty of weight.

Carry handles and plenty of seating help make the Sea Eagle a great value

The good thing about having such a lightweight boat is that even one person can easily carry the boat without feeling exhausted. However, if you're fishing by yourself, you'll have to make several trips to the water to carry the boat and your fishing tackle. A carry case that holds the folded boat and pump is also available for purchase separately, although it would be nice to see this included as part of the package.

Maneuverability
The Sea Eagle is easy to handle on the water. Whether you're fishing by yourself or with others, the hull design of the Sea Eagle allows the front-end to ride slightly above the water, no matter how much weight is in the boat. This means that the boat glides easily over the water, and requires less effort to row the bow and make turns.

Of course, I recommend using a motor with the Sea Eagle. While the boat includes oars, I often found it hard to row because the oars would hit my knees when they were attached through the oar clasps. With two people, it was much easier to use the oars outside of the clasps, and then place the oars in the oarlocks when not in use.

Stability
Between the 5 air chambers and the floorboard system, the Sea Eagle is the most stable boat of this type that I've ever used. While fishing, I'm constantly standing up to cast and reel in my catch. The floorboard system is thick enough that it didn't flex under my weight (around 190 lbs). In my opinion, this feature alone makes the boat worth it's value to anglers.

Standing up while fishing is no problem with floorboard system in place

I also noticed that the sides of the boat didn't buckle under my weight as I leaned against the side to reach into the water. Considering the fact that I'm always leaning over the side to release a fish when practicing catch and release, this is a huge plus.

Durability
One of the first things anglers, myself included, are concerned with in a boat of this type is durability. Fishing hooks are known to catch on trees, snags, bushes, and if you're not careful, boats. However, with its 33 Mil K80 PolyKrylar material and welded seems, the Sea Eagle is resistant not only to UV exposure, oil, gas, and other chemicals, but also resists punctures from even the sharpest hooks, sticks, and rocks. In fact, I found it hard to hook the boat after a couple days of fishing. My tests included pulling in lures and hooks across the boat from all directions. Not once did the hooks snag on the boat itself. However, there were times when a hooks would snag against the rope lacing as I was pulling in the line. This was not a major problem as I just made a note to avoid the rope in the future. Better yet, you can always remove the rope if you don't plan to install the middle seat. Just don't forget to add a rope to tie up at the dock or on shore.

The gravel at this boat landing had no effect on the Sea Eagle boat

As for the bottom of the boat, I was worried that the ¾" minus gravel leading up to the water at the boat landing would have a negative effect. However, after pulling in and out of the landing several times, the effect was minimal, with barely noticeable scratches, and no punctures or cuts.

Sea Eagle includes a waterproof repair kit as part of the standard package, so even if you do happen to get a hole in the boat, you'll be back on the water in no time.

Motor Mount
The motor mount kit provides a stable and secure method of attaching a motor to the Sea Eagle. The mount itself attaches to both the upper and underside of the boat using two lightweight, but strong metal poles, and a double grommet system.

Easily attach a small motor with the included motor mount.

Capable of holding up to 35 lbs, the mount will handle small gas engines up to 3 HP or electric engines. This is perfect for cruising small lakes and ponds where gas motors are prohibited. Unfortunately I did not have a motor to test at the time this review was written, but I look forward to updating this review if a motor becomes available.

The Bottom Line

• Thick, durable material is resistant not only to UV exposure, oil, gas, and other chemicals, but also to punctures, dents, and scratches.
• Seats three people comfortably, including gear (up to 950 lbs).
• Easy to set up and take down. Inflation time with foot pump is 10 minutes. Deflation is as easy as unscrewing the valve covers.
• Includes motor mount for motors up to 3 HP or 35 lbs.
• Floorboard provides a stable fishing platform.
• All wood pieces are painted with several layers of paint. This makes them very durable and easy to clean.
• Lightweight and compact.
• Four carry handles, two on each side.
• 30-day on water trial allows you to return the boat for a full refund within 30 days.
• 3-year warranty against manufacturer's defects.

• Doesn't include carrying case. Must purchase separately.
• Oars are not best-of-quality.
• Boat is hard to row with oars in the oar clasps because they hit your knees.
• Lures and hooks can snag in the rope lacing.
• Pictures in the manual need to be updated to reflect changes in design, and the manual should include steps on installing the middle bench seat.

While casual boaters who just want to row around the lake or float down the river could get by with just the boat itself, I recommend the Fisherman's Dream Package for anglers who are looking for features that make it easy to get out on the water and start fishing immediately. Combine the standard features with a stable fishing platform and motor mount, and you have a truly great fishing boat that's also lightweight, compact, and puncture resistant.

Another big advantage of the Sea Eagle is the cost and value. For anglers on a limited budget, this boat offers features and functionality you'll find on boats that cost much more. With the Sea Eagle, not only will you be able to buy a new fishing boat, but you'll also have money left over for plenty of fishing tackle, gear, and hopefully a new motor.

Overall, the Sea Eagle boat with Fisherman's Dream Package is the best value we've seen on a boat of this type. Even if used as a second boat, you can't match the price and value. Sea Eagle also offers a two-for-one warranty, with a 30-day on water trial, and a 3-year warranty against manufacturer's defects. With additional accessories such as carrying cases, canopies, seats, floorboards, windshields, and motor mounts, you can also customize the Sea Eagle to suite your needs.

Throughout the review I failed to find any major issues with the Sea Eagle boat. The minor issues I noted in this review can easily be rectified. If you're looking for a new boat this season, you can't afford not to give this boat a look.

More Information

For more information about the entire line of Sea Eagle watercraft, check out the Sea Eagle Web site.