Sea Eagle SE370 Review

For a boat this wide — the SE370 is notably beamy to accommodate three riders — it tracks better than we expected on flat water. You’ll still notice more side-to-side drift than a dedicated touring kayak, but casual paddlers won’t find it frustrating. On a calm lake or slow river, you can establish a comfortable cruising pace without constantly correcting course.

The included AB30 paddles are a step above the plastic throwaways you find with cheaper inflatables. They’re aluminum-shaft fiberglass-blade paddles that are perfectly serviceable for casual outings, though intermediate paddlers will quickly want an upgrade. Paddle cadence felt natural and the boat responds predictably to sweep strokes.

Stability is a standout quality. With the two inflatable side chambers and the floor tube, the SE370 feels planted and forgiving. We intentionally shifted weight side to side in a tandem configuration and couldn’t flip it without serious effort. For beginners, that confidence matters more than the speed number. See our full list of the best inflatable kayaks if you want to see how it stacks up against the competition.

The SE370’s Class III rating is real — Sea Eagle backs it with decades of reputation in the inflatable whitewater space, and the PolyKrylar hull earns that rating honestly. Self-bailing drain valves let water clear the cockpit area quickly on punchy drops, and the inflatable floor provides a cushioned base that takes rock strikes without damage.

We ran it through a Class II section with a few Class III lines and the boat handled confidently. It surfs waves well, responds to high braces, and the wide tube diameter gives you a stable platform for maneuvering in current. On continuous Class III with significant hydraulics, we’d want experienced paddlers in the boat and properly inflated tubes — this isn’t a boat to push to its limits with beginners aboard.

For ocean and bay use, the SE370 is solid in protected conditions. It handles light chop and coastal breezes fine, but in open-water swell or strong tidal current you’ll feel the limits of an inflatable hull — slower through the water and more susceptible to wind than a hard-sided touring kayak. The best touring kayaks list covers purpose-built options if that’s your primary use case. For most paddlers, though, lakes, slow rivers, and coastal bays are exactly where this boat shines.

One reassurance for new paddlers: the U.S. Coast Guard’s boating safety guidance recommends a properly fitted PFD regardless of boat type or water class — that applies here too, and Sea Eagle always includes that reminder.

Inflation takes about 10 minutes with the included foot pump, which is compact and works reasonably well. If you paddle frequently, a quality hand pump or a 12V electric pump will make setup noticeably faster and easier on your legs. The three chambers — two side tubes and the floor — each have a Boston valve that holds pressure reliably. We inflated to the recommended PSI and checked after a full day of paddling; pressure was unchanged.

Packed down, the SE370 rolls into the included carry bag at a size comparable to a large hiking backpack. At ~32 lb it’s not ultralight — you’ll feel it over a long portage — but it fits in a car trunk, an overhead luggage compartment on some airlines, or a storage closet with room to spare. That packability is the entire value proposition over a hardshell.

Durability is where Sea Eagle’s 38-mil PolyKrylar hull earns its stripes. We deliberately scraped it over gravel bars, dragged it across rocky riverbanks, and left it in the sun for a full summer’s worth of outings. No punctures, no visible delamination. PolyKrylar is welded, not glued — the seams are fused, not adhesive-bonded — which matters for long-term reliability. Sea Eagle provides a repair kit and the patches work, but in real-world use you’re unlikely to need them on normal water. The included seats are inflatable and functional but fairly basic; Sea Eagle’s optional deluxe seats are worth the upgrade if you’re logging longer days on the water.

The SE370 makes the most sense for paddlers who want maximum flexibility without a hardshell. If you live in an apartment, travel frequently, or want one boat that covers lake days, river trips, and occasional coastal paddling — this is your boat. It’s excellent as a first inflatable for beginners, especially couples or families who want to paddle together without buying multiple boats. The 650 lb capacity is generous enough for two adults plus a cooler, a dog, or a kid.

If you’re primarily a flatwater fitness paddler chasing speed and mileage, the SE370 will feel slow. Hardshells and purpose-built touring inflatables are faster and track better on open water. Likewise, if you’re an experienced whitewater paddler running technical Class IV or V, this isn’t the right tool — it’s a Class III boat for experienced paddlers, a Class II boat for casual ones.

Budget-conscious buyers should know that the base package is a solid starter kit, but you’ll likely want to budget another $50–$100 for a better paddle and possibly the upgraded seat. Even with those additions, the total comes in well under what you’d pay for a comparable hardshell inflatable from a specialty brand. If you’re comparing your options before committing, our beginner kayak guide covers the full landscape of entry-level picks across hardshell and inflatable categories.