Sea Eagle 380X Inflatable Kayak Review (Will You Love It or Hate It?)

If you are in the market for a durable, inflatable kayak, the Sea Eagle 380X inflatable kayak is worth a look. It is compact, easy to set up, and can be used in various waterways. Read on to learn more about this workhorse inflatable kayak from Sea Eagle.

Sea Eagle is a brand that specializes in inflatable boats and kayaks. The Sea Eagle 380X inflatable kayak is designed for leisure paddling, fishing, and whitewater adventures.  

Sea Eagle has been manufacturing these types of products since 1968. As a result, the company has extensive experience in the industry. With so many years of design experience, it’s no surprise that Sea Eagle created such an innovative product with the 380X.

Sea Eagle 380x Inflatable Kayak on the waterPin
Sea Eagle 380x Inflatable Kayak set up for two paddlers

The most impressive feature of the Sea Eagle 380X is its lightweight frame construction combined with heavy-duty PVC fabric material offers unbeatable performance at a low price point for recreational paddlers looking to buy a new kayak without breaking the bank! 

The Sea Eagle 380X inflatable kayak doesn’t require a lot of maintenance. You can store it in your garage or house when you are not using it.  It is a durable, compact, lightweight boat that is of great value for the money.  So read on to learn more.

Sea Eagle 380X Summary

Number of Paddlers:Up to 3
Weight Capacity:750 pounds
Kayak Weight:40 pounds
Length:12’6″
Width:39 inches
Material:1000 Denier Reinforced
What’s in the box?Paddle (s), Seat (s), foot pump, repair kit, carry bag

If space is what you are after, the 380X has you covered. The kayak is 12’6″ long and 39 inches wide, making this inflatable very stable. So stable I can stand up in the boat. 

The SE 380X has a ton of space; it is designed to hold up to three people or 750 pounds. So there is plenty of legroom for two paddlers and plenty of gear. I have mine set up to paddle solo, and it’s amazing how much gear I can pack and still have plenty of legroom to stretch out. 

There are various options/packages on the Sea Eagle website, and the kayak comes with an inflatable seat (s), paddle (s), a foot pump, a carry bag, and a repair kit.

The kayak weighs just 40 pounds and is easy to set up and transport to the water. One great feature is the compact size, which makes this inflatable kayak easy to take with you in a car, SUV, or RV while traveling.

Sea Eagle 380X Features

Lightweight

The SE 380X weighs 40 pounds, so it’s easy to transport. In addition, the kayak folds down small enough to easily fit in your car, truck, SUV, or RV. I can easily fit the kayak in the back of my SUV, along with our other paddling gear, life jackets, fishing gear, etc.

Sea Eagle 380x folds down for easy transportPin
Unfolding the Sea Eagle 380x

Weighing just 40 pounds, it doesn’t get much lighter than this for a kayak, hardshell or inflatable. Some entry-level hard kayaks weigh around 40 pounds, but you don’t get the space you get with the Sea Eagle 380x.

Don’t let the lightweight nature of the kayak fool you. It can carry up to 750 pounds or three paddlers. For being such a lightweight kayak, it’s incredibly stable, durable, and rated for class IV whitewater.

If you are looking for a kayak that won’t weigh you down and doesn’t sacrifice quality or performance, the 380x is one of the best options.

Easy Setup

Setting up the Sea Eagle 380x is so simple. The kayak comes with a high-pressure foot pump and can be inflated in less than 10 minutes. But, if you don’t care for the leg workout, you can add an electric pump which is super easy to use and will have your kayak inflated and ready to go in just a few minutes.

I bought the electric Sea Eagle pump, which makes inflating this beast a snap. However, if you plan on using an electric pump, Sea Eagle recommends only using their electric pumps, which are designed to stop inflating once the desired psi is reached. Sea Eagle clearly marks on the valves that you should only use a Sea Eagle electric pump.

Sea Eagle 380x unfolded in a parking lotPin
Unfolding the Sea Eagle 380x inflatable kayak

Using the electric pump is very easy, and I recommend buying the battery pack, too, so you don’t have to use a car battery to operate the pump. I set the pump right next to the kayak and hold the hose connector to the valve on the kayak. Holding the hose snug is the best way to keep air from escaping, and you get an excellent tight seal.

Also, one person can inflate the kayak with either a foot pump or an electric pump, so if you paddle solo, no worries. There are three inflation valves, one for each side and one for the drop stitch floor.

Make sure the drop stitch floor is in place. The scupper plugs should be accessible when the drop stitch floor is in the right spot. The floor is nearly impossible to move once the entire kayak is inflated.

Inflation valves on the Sea Eagle 380xPin
Three valves for easy inflation
Inflating the Sea Eagle 380x kayak with an electric pumpPin
Inflating the Sea Eagle 380x with an electric pump from Sea Eagle

The seats are easy to install with hooks that attach to D rings on the kayak. We will talk more about the seats below.

The lightweight design makes the 380x effortless to unpack, assemble and deflate afterward, which is great for paddlers of all experience levels.

Portable

One of the top reasons people buy inflatable kayaks is that they are easy to transport and take. Portability is the name of the game with the Sea Eagle 380X. The kayak folds down to about the size of a suitcase, not a carry-on, but a larger suitcase.

Sea Eagle 380x packs down nicelyPin
Sea Eagle 380x packs down to fit in a truck or SUV

The kayak is easy to store in a closet or the garage and toss in your vehicle when you want to hit the water. Since the boat is lightweight, it is easy to set up once you get to the water.

The kayak is portable enough to take with you in a car, truck, SUV, or RV. This is an excellent kayak for families because you can haul a lot of gear (or up to 3 people). It’s also portable and easy for parents and grandparents to take kids on the water.

Stability

Stability is important for beginners and experienced paddlers alike.  I mentioned earlier I can stand up in the 380X.  This kayak is extremely stable, with three air chambers (including the drop stitch floor) and a wide hull. The hull is flat as a pancake, making the kayak extremely stable.

In addition, getting back in is also easier if you end up overboard. Or if you go for a swim and need to get back in the kayak, it’s stable enough to re-enter from the water. 

When you are looking to buy a kayak, stability must be considered. The more stable your kayak is, the less likely you are to tip over.

Keep in mind that maintaining good balance and practicing safety skills before getting on the water can help ensure that you are well-prepared for any situation while on your kayak trip.

Spacious

Let’s talk about space.  The Sea Eagle 380X can accommodate up to 750 pounds or three paddlers. This kayak is perfect for families, kids, parents, grandparents, or taking your dog kayaking with you.

Carry handles on the Sea Eagle 380xPin
Carry handles, bungee cord storage, and a covered storage area on the Sea Eagle 380x

As a solo paddler, I love the space behind the seat.  I can store a crate with fishing gear, a kayak cart (that I use to get from the parking lot to the water), and lots of other gear. Even with all this gear, there is plenty of legroom to stretch out.

Here is the kayak cart I use.

Soon I will take my dog with me, but I need to get her acclimated first. Because the kayak is so spacious, it’s also ideal for kayak camping.  You can find remote places to camp on lakes and rivers and take a lot of gear.

Because of the high weight limit and spacious interior, you can pack the kayak heavy, which can help in windy conditions.

The kayak has covered storage on the bow and stern, which is an excellent spot to put a small kayak cooler or other gear that needs to stay out of the sun. These are also good places to put dry bags and other gear.

D rings on the Sea Eagle 380xPin
D rings on the 380x for seats and extra storage tie-downs

Along with the spacious interior, the SE 380X also has bungee storage on the bow and stern. And the Pro Package comes with two deck bags that fit underneath the bungee storage. These deck bags are handy for smaller items that you need access to.

In addition, there are extra D rings so that you can tie down even more gear. The extra D rings depend on how many people paddling because they are the same D rings that are used to attach the seats to.

Seats

The Sea Eagle 380x has different seats depending on which package you buy. The Deluxe Solo and Deluxe packages come with inflatable seats. I highly recommend upgrading to the Pro Package, which has two adjustable tall, padded seatbacks.

The tall seatback is excellent for upper back support, and you can be more upright when you need to paddle more aggressively and loosen the seatback if you want to relax. You will pay extra for the upgraded seats, but it’s worth it.

Carry Handles

If you carry the kayak to and from the water with another person, the front and rear handles make the job easier. The durable handles are a welcome addition. The handles are durable and allow you to load the kayak with gear at your car and easily carry everything to the water.

Durable

Some people are concerned about the durability of inflatable kayaks. I have run into rocks, trees, you name it, and have never had a problem. But this is an inflatable kayak, and you must remember that.

This video is an oldie but goodies and gives an idea of what the kayak can stand up to.

The 380x is durable and rated for Class IV rapids, so you know it can take a pounding. These days quality inflatable kayaks are very durable and safe.

Tracking

The Sea Eagle 380X comes with a removable skeg. To be honest, I feel like this kayak tracks as well, if not better, than many recreational hardshell kayaks. I find it easy to paddle straight.

If you paddle on flat water, definitely use the skeg, so you don’t paddle in circles. But remove the skeg if you take the kayak on whitewater. The only issue with the skeg is that it sticks down pretty far, making it more challenging to get the kayak to the water if you use a kayak cart. And it’s hard to put the skeg on the kayak when it is already on the water.

Tracking is essential when paddling because you don’t want to waste your energy constantly paddling on one side of the boat to keep it straight.  The SE 380X does very well in this department.

White Water

Speaking of white water, the Sea Eagle 380x is rated up to class IV rapids, and you get 16 self-bailing scupper holes to drain water that enters the kayak. The plugs screw onto the holes and can be sticky at first, but with more use, they will loosen up over time.

Paddles

Each kayak package comes with a paddle or two paddles. The standard solo package comes with a four-piece aluminum shaft paddle. But when you upgrade to the Pro Package, you get a four-piece paddle with a reinforced fiberglass blade.

Then if you upgrade to the Pro Carbon package, the kayak comes with a two-piece carbon fiberglass shaft, which is an excellent paddle upgrade.

Who Is the Sea Eagle 380X For?

The SE 380X is great for anyone looking for a durable, spacious inflatable kayak that is easy to paddle and handles well. Although it’s not set up for fishing, you can easily add a crate for fishing gear out of the box.

Sea Eagle 380x Pro packagePin
The upgraded Sea Eagle 380x Pro package

This kayak is ideal for folks who want to camp, hit some whitewater, or cruise around the lake. The 380X is extremely versatile, easy to inflate, and can be on the water in minutes.

>Check the Price at Sea Eagle<

If you have kids, you can load them up and have a great day on the water. I will not say it’s easy to get back in if you go for a swim, but a water entry is very doable with proper technique. 

The Sea Eagle 380X is a comfortable, roomy inflatable kayak that is perfect for various waterways.

Who Is the SE 380X Not For?

If speed is your top priority, you must look for a different kayak. The flat-as-a-pancake hull on the 380x is not designed for speed. And you might need to look elsewhere if you want a hard-core fishing or whitewater kayak. 

You can certainly use this kayak for fishing, I do, but it’s not built for fishing right out of the box. it doesn’t have any rod holders, but you can add rod holders to a kayak crate. There is plenty of room for accessories, but it doesn’t come ready to go for fishing.

The 380x can absolutely handle whitewater, but if you need to turn on a dime, you are better off with a whitewater kayak. This kayak is great for its intended use, but other models out there certainly cater to specific needs.

Other Things to Consider

Storage

Because the 380X folds nicely into its carry bag, you can store the kayak in a closet or your garage. This is an excellent kayak for folks living in small homes or apartments. 

Inflatable kayaks are generally appealing because you don’t need much space to store them. On the other hand, hardshell kayaks require hardware and room to store them.

Maintenance

Inflatable kayaks require a bit more maintenance than a hardshell kayaks. This is one potential downside if you are going to purchase an inflatable.

The kayak must be completely dry before storing it for long periods. Depending on the conditions and the weather, getting an inflatable dry can be challenging. 

Thankfully the Sea Eagle 380X has a removable drop-stitch floor. So you can remove the floor and let it dry on its own while having access to towel dry the inside of the kayak.

You can read my complete guide to cleaning and drying an inflatable kayak. I take the floor out, and pump up the sides of the kayak, wipe down the inside and outside, then usually leave the kayak partially inflated upside down overnight, so it can dry more.

Sea Eagle recommends using 303 Protectant every 30-45 days to improve UV resistance and protect your inflatable kayak from exposure. 

Footrest

I was concerned that the kayak doesn’t have a footrest because I like some leverage when paddling. But if I need extra leverage, I can wedge my heels between the floor and the sides of the kayak. I rarely have to do that, though, because I don’t really miss the footrest. And I like to stretch my legs, so it’s not a problem.

Motor Mount Package

If you really want to rig the kayak out with an electric motor, you can. The SE 380x has an optional motor mount accessory and you can buy a lightweight electric motor.

Warranty

Sea Eagle offers a 3-year warranty. They also have a 120-day return policy. Of course, you pay for return shipping, but it’s still an excellent policy.

PROS

Lightweight, easy to transport
Easy to inflate, especially with the electric pump
Durable
Works well with a kayak cart
Ample storage space
Heavy-duty weight capacity
Easy to paddle, and it tracks well
Rigid drop-stitch floor
Different package options are available

CONS

The electric pump is an added expense
Drying the kayak requires some effort
More expensive than other recreational inflatables

Available Packages

Sea Eagle offers the following packages.

  • Deluxe Solo Package – Designed for one paddler, inflatable seat, and paddle
  • Deluxe Package – Designed for two or more paddlers, two inflatable seats, two paddles
  • Pro Kayak Package – Comes with two upgraded high back, adjustable seats
  • Pro Carbon Package – Comes with two upgraded high backs and upgraded paddles
  • QuikSail Package – Yes, they have an inflatable kayak with a sail for those windy days
  • Pro Motor Package – Yep, you can add an electric trolling motor if you want
  • QuikRow™ Package – Turn the inflatable kayak into a rowing machine

Conclusion

The Sea Eagle 380x is a perfect kayak for anyone who wants to get outside and explore the water. With its durability, portability, stability in waves or flat water, and affordability, it’s hard not to recommend this inflatable kayak over other models.

The Sea Eagle 380x inflatable kayak is a lightweight and compact boat that will make fishing trips or recreational paddling more enjoyable.

>Check the Price at Sea Eagle<

It is an excellent boat for beginners or experienced paddlers.  If you want to get into the sport, this model will give you excellent stability, and it is lightweight and compact when deflated.

This boat was how well it handles waves and currents very well. In addition, its design makes it less likely to capsize than most other models today.

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About the author
Steve Morrow
Steve Morrow owns Paddle About, an outdoor recreation and travel blog. Steve loves to travel, kayak, paddle board, camp, hike, and spend time outdoors with his wife and two kids. When he's not exploring the great outdoors, Steve enjoys writing about his adventures and sharing tips for getting the most out of your outdoor experiences. He has a lot of interesting stories to share, and he's always happy to help others get more out of life.

2 thoughts on “Sea Eagle 380X Inflatable Kayak Review (Will You Love It or Hate It?)”

  1. Steve, I really fell in love with the Sea Eagles, especially the 380x and the 385ft. I got scared away, however, after reading 5 or 6 reviews of the boats coming apart at the seams after 3 or 4 years due to UV, heat and humidity. I live in Florida. How confident are you now in the Sea Eagles, and to your knowledge, have they done anything meaningful to correct the situation?
    Also, could you point me to inflatable kayaks that utilize Pennel Orca material or any other that resists UV better?

    • Thanks for reaching out. I can speak to my experience with the Sea Eagle 380x. I have had mine for about a year now so I can’t speak to the longevity of my specific boat. I use 303 Protectant often to help prolong the life, but not of the glued seams.

      As for specific questions about the manufacturing process, I would encourage you to contact Sea Eagle directly on that one (800-748-8066). The boat should be kept out of the sun and out of the heat as much as reasonably possible. But, there is only so much you can do about heat and sun exposure. It is after all a boat, and boats are designed to be used outside on hot days, and you live where you live.

      Just like the seats and dashboard in a classic car, PVC and PVC glue will continue to age whether the boat is used or not, so I recommend wearing it out!

      Also, Sea Eagle has a 3-year warranty and you can upgrade that to 6 years for $99.

      If you are specifically looking for Hypalon inflatables as an alternative to PVC, NRS is a great source along with Hyside.

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