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Sea Eagle 380X Explorer Review

Mark Armstrong
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The Sea Eagle 380X is a high capacity inflatable kayak that can be ideal for either one or two paddlers.

There is space for up to three people or you can bring along your dog.

It comes in various packages designed to offer you a vessel that’s tailored to your activities and requirements, with options including paddles and seats.

Sea Eagle 380X ExplorerPin
  • Length: 12 foot 6 inches
  • Width: 39 inches
  • Weight: 40 pounds
  • Weight Capacity: 750 pounds

It’s a 12 foot 6 inch boat that’s built for versatility and convenience, making it a great choice if you want to head out onto different types of water. Its compact size can also make it a good choice if you’re looking for easier storage and transportation.

Who The 380X Is Made For

The 380X Explorer is a 12 foot 6 inch inflatable sit-on-top kayak that is designed to perform well in a range of environments. This can make it appeal to a wide variety of paddlers. It also comes in a selection of packages so that you can choose the one most suitable to your specific activity.

It is a durable, stable boat that can be great for exploring ocean bays, lakes and rivers, including rapids. It also has a generous capacity, so could be a good option for larger solo paddlers.

With it being able to hold up to three adults, it could be a good choice for family trips. It can also be a great choice if you want to go camping or fishing, with space to bring your dog with you.

It’s an inflatable boat so it can be much easier to store and transport than a similar sized traditional kayak. This means you can fit it in the trunk of your car or on the back seats without having to worry about a roof rack or trailer.

Deflating to 31 x 20 x 9 inches means it can also be more convenient to store at home, even if you live in an apartment.

This kayak is built more for versatility and convenience rather than speed. If you’re looking for a fast touring kayak, this is probably not it. It also has no watertight storage so you’ll likely need dry bags (sold separately) to keep your gear safe. But it can be a great boat for summer camping trips and family adventures.

Top Features Of The Sea Eagle 380X Explorer

Durable Materials

The Sea Eagle 380X Explorer is crafted using durable materials that can improve the strength and longevity of the kayak. It features a separate drop stitch floor which can increase the rigidity of the boat and help to improve speed and performance.

The boat features three air chambers for safety, with glued quadruple overlapped seams for added strength. The separate high pressure drop stitch floor is tough and inflates to a rigid surface that can handle rocks, logs and dogs’ claws. This can make it ideal for running boulder-dotted rivers.

Stable Hull

At 39 inches wide, the 380X is built to be stable. It has a flat bottom hull for increased stability on flatwater and rocker in the bow and stern for increased performance on whitewater.

This could be a good boat for beginners or if you’re looking for a stable craft for fishing or photography.

It can be equally at home on whitewater, with a hull designed to handle up to Class IV rapids and ocean waves.

Cargo Space

The 380X has a very high weight capacity of up to 750 pounds. This means you can bring along quite a lot of gear, especially if you’re a solo paddler. With capacity for up to three people, it can be ideal for family camping trips or fun days out.

If you don’t load it with three people, you should find there’s room for you and your dogs, plus some camping gear.

The boat has bow and stern spray skirts that can provide some protection for your gear. There are also bungee cords on the covers that can provide additional storage and tie-down points for securing your equipment. For tying down other accessories, there are plenty of D-rings throughout the deck so you can secure gear at convenient points.

Best kayaks for big guys

Versatile Water Conditions

A great feature of the Sea Eagle 380X Explorer is that you can paddle it in a wide range of conditions. It’s rated for up to Class IV rapids but can also be ideal for flatwater excursions, with the removable skeg helping to keep you paddling straight on slow moving rivers, large lakes or ocean bays.

Video: Sea Eagle Explorer Inflatable Kayak Instructions

This versatility can be great if you see yourself paddling in a variety of locations, as it means you go on different types of paddling trips without needing a different style of boat.

There are 16 self bailing drain valves on the yak, which can be left open for draining water while running rapids or closed to stay dry for flatwater touring.

> See more Sea Eagle boats

What Are The Sea Eagle Package Options?

Deluxe Solo

  • AB30 paddle
  • Deluxe inflatable kayak seat
  • Kayak carry bag
  • A41 foot pump
  • Slide-in skeg
  • Repair kit

The Deluxe Solo package can be an ideal option if you think you’ll mostly be paddling on your own. It comes with a 4 piece 7 foot 10 inch aluminum shaft paddle and an inflatable seat that can be great for recreational paddling trips.

Deluxe

  • 2 AB30 paddles
  • 2 Deluxe inflatable kayak seats
  • Kayak carry bag
  • A41 foot pump
  • Slide-in skeg
  • Repair kit

This Deluxe option can be ideal for recreational trips with a second paddler. It features two inflatable seats and two 4 piece aluminum shaft paddles. The seats can be easily removed so it can also be set up for a solo paddler.

Pro Kayak

  • 2 Tall Back seats
  • 2 AB40 paddles
  • Kayak carry bag
  • 2 kayak stow bags
  • A41 foot pump
  • Slide-in skeg
  • Repair kit

The Pro Kayak option comes with improved seats with higher seat backs for increased support. The package comes with two 4 piece spoon blade paddles for increased paddling efficiency and two stow packs that can be great for storing some of your gear. This could be a more comfortable option for longer trips with one or two paddlers.

Pro Carbon

  • 2 Tall Back seats
  • 2 AB50 paddles
  • Kayak carry bag
  • 2 kayak stow bags
  • A41 foot pump
  • Slide-in skeg
  • Repair kit

The Pro Carbon package benefits from having two 2 piece 8 foot carbon-fiberglass paddles. It also comes with two high-back seats for increased comfort on long journeys. The package has the same features as the Pro Kayak package but with the added benefit of improved carbon paddles.

QuikSail

  • 2 Tall Back seats
  • 2 AB40 paddles
  • Kayak carry bag
  • 2 kayak stow bags
  • A41 foot pump
  • Slide-in skeg
  • Repair kit
  • QuikSail

The QuickSail package can be ideal if you’re looking to increase your power over the water. It features a sail that can be mounted onto your kayak to transform your vessel into a sailing boat. It also comes with two high-back seats for added support and two high-performance 4 piece paddles.

Pro Motor

  • 2 Tall Back seats
  • 2 AB40 paddles
  • Kayak carry bag
  • A41 foot pump
  • Slide-in skeg
  • Repair kit
  • Watersnake Asp T24 for kayaks
  • Kayak motor mount

The Pro Motor package comes with a 24 pound thrust electric motor and a motor mount to attach it to your kayak. This can be a great option if you’re looking to increase your speed across the water. The motor is suitable for both freshwater and saltwater and could be ideal for fishing trips.

QuikRow

  • 2 Tall Back seats
  • 2 AB40 paddles
  • QuickRow kit
  • 2 Scotty rod holders
  • Kayak carry bag
  • A41 foot pump
  • Slide-in skeg
  • Repair kit

The QuikRow option can turn your kayak into a rowing boat. As well as featuring two paddles and two seats, it has a rowing frame that can be fixed onto your kayak. This QuickRow kit comes with a swivel seat and a set of oars. This package also features two rod holders, so it can be a great choice for a fishing trip.

As well as being ideal for river trips, the 380X can be a great boat for relaxing paddling adventures at the beach, like these guys are enjoying.


380X Alternatives

Sea Eagle 465 FastTrack

Sea Eagle 465 FastTrackPin

The Sea Eagle 465FT is a 15 foot inflatable kayak that’s a little narrower than the 380X, being just under 36 inches wide. This can be a quicker boat with improved performance on open water with the help of the NeedleKnife Keel. It’s a 3 person kayak with a 793 pound capacity that can also be paddled solo.

Star Paragon Tandem

Star Paragon TandemPin

The Star Paragon Tandem is a 15 foot inflatable kayak that’s built for two paddlers. It can also be paddled solo. This could be a good alternative if you’re looking for a little extra speed and improved tracking on flatwater. It comes with two seats, two sets of foot braces and covered storage at the bow and stern.

Wilderness Systems Tarpon 135T

The Wilderness Systems Tarpon 135T can be a good alternative if you’re after a hard shell yak. This 13 foot 6 inch tandem craft is stable on flatwater. It has a capacity of 600 pounds, so there should be room for you, your buddy and your camping or fishing gear. There is bungee storage at the bow and stern and hatches for smaller items. However, it weighs a lot more at 88 pounds.


Frequently Asked Questions

How Long Does The 380X Take To Inflate And Deflate?

It takes around 8-10 minutes to inflate and deflate. However, when you’re packing it up, you may want to wait till it’s dry before you deflate it, to prevent mold and mildew.

Is It Good For Kayak Camping?

Yes, this can be a great boat for kayak camping because of its high weight capacity to accommodate your overnight gear. There are storage areas at the front and rear of the kayak where you can keep gear secured.

Is It Easy To Clean?

Yes, you can clean the 380X with mild soap and water. It can be beneficial to rinse it off with clean water after each use and remember to let it dry before you pack it away.

How Safe Is The 380X Explorer?

The 380X is a durable, buoyant kayak that has three air chambers for added safety. This means that if one chamber happens to suffer a puncture, the remaining chambers will not be affected, so the boat can stay afloat. The yak can also withstand bumps with rocks and logs.


Final Words

Sea Eagle 380X ExplorerPin

Pros

  • Compact to store at home
  • Easy to transport in your car
  • High weight capacity
  • Room for 3 people
  • Ideal for flatwater and whitewater

Cons

  • Heavier than some inflatable yaks
  • No dry storage

The Sea Eagle 380X Explorer has plenty of uses and can be suitable for a range of paddlers, including beginners. Its versatility is probably one of its stand-out features. You can run rapids, take it fishing and camping or even just head out for a relaxing paddle out on the lake.

Check it out for yourself here and remember to tell us what you think. Maybe you know someone who’s looking for an easy way to get out on the water? Share this with them.

> The best tandem inflatable kayaks

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