Profile

Name: Gardensbob

Most Recent Reviews

I bought the 350fx Explorer back in March of 2023 to replace a 2nd generation NRS Pike (STAR Pike). So far, I like it fine. It is very stable in a chop and the extra layer of material around the tubes helps make it very durable as well. For not having hard keels like my STAR Pike, it tracks reasonable well even with the shallower (4.5") of two skegs I switch back and forth using depending on where I am fishing. I'm more than satisfied with the 350fx.

That said, there are a few improvements I think Sea Eagle could make to improve this model. I think they should add a slide-in skeg slot protector like NRS does with their kayaks. It would keep grit, etc. out of the slot which makes the skeg more difficult to fit in the slot. Additionally, the 350fx is convertible back and forth from self-bailing to closed floor using a series of screw in caps that open holes in the floor. These holes are probably twice as big as they should be and with all of them open, the 350fx quickly fills with water up to the top of the drop stitch floor. Far better to only open a couple of the holes, maybe two on each side. Finally, I bought the package that includes the swivel seat, but I seldom use it. I think the design puts the seat and hence the center of balance just a little bit too high and the craft feels a little bit goosey. I prefer the high back seat that comes with the less expensive packages, and I use Sea Eagle's 5" cushion to sit a little higher. It is a very nice cushion that works well.

All in all though, I'm glad I bought the 350fx and would recommend it to anyone looking for a solo inflatable fishing yak. It's a good product, IMO.


This is a pretty good, functional seat that puts you (IIRC) about seven inches above the kayak floor. I got mine, as part of the package, when I bought the NRS Star Pike inflatable in June of 2020. Attachment of the seat to the D-rings in the floor is relatively quick and simple and I find the seat comfortable for a full day's floating and fishing. It isn't a perfect system, though, but the downsides are minimal and easily remedied. 1) The tension adjustment straps on each side of the seat back aren't of very high quality and tend to fail. Mine failed after about 30 hours of use. So, you can probably plan on either replacing them or doing without. I do without and it seems OK. 2) Although the NRS writeup on their site states that no straps for attaching the seat to the D-rings in the floor are provided, mine came with four short buckle-type nylon straps for this purpose. They work OK, but require some fussing to attach and reattach each time you install the seat. I simply replaced them all with nylon straps with trigger clasps which I attach to the D-rings. It gets me on the water quicker. All in all though, a good seat..