Sea Eagle 420x

Size, weight, capacity

The 420x is an enormous 14 ft. (427 cm) long and 39 in. (100 cm) wide, when inflated. There is loads of space inside this kayak for either three people, or two and all of their overnight gear, secured for a white water adventure.

The load capacity of the 420x is 855 lbs. (388 kg), so overloading this boat and riding low isn’t likely.

Deflated, the 420x packs down small and can fit in the trunk of a car. Although it still weighs 44 lbs. (20 kg), this isn’t difficult to move around, especially with the help of your other paddler.

Features

The explorer series from Sea Eagle is a versatile set of kayaks which are at home on rivers, in the sea or on open water. A large removable skeg at the rear of the 420x lets you choose whether you want a kayak which turns or tracks through the water.

The three seats are supportive and adjustable, and can easily be moved and removed, depending on how many paddlers you need. These are attached on the D-rings which line the 420x. Extra D-rings are situated around the kayak, to secure your equipment.

At the front and the rear of the 420x, Sea Eagle have fitted spray skirts. These stop waves and spray from filling up the inside of your boat. Bungee fitted to the top of these gives you even more storage space.

Any water which does get in your boat can be drained through the 16 high capacity, self bailing valves. These can be opened on the river to let the boat drain, but closed on open water, where you want a high and dry ride.

A separate drop-stitch floor gives the 420x a more rigid and responsive ride, as well as extra strength, so you don’t have to worry as you bounce over rocks or land on the beach.

Performance

The high sides of the 420x give the paddler a really dry ride and the skirts on the front and rear stop the water splashing into the kayak when you’re on the river.

For such a small pack size, the Sea Eagle 420x inflates into a large and really rigid platform. This not only makes the boat feel really stable and secure, but means it can be paddled efficiently and pick up a good amount of speed, too.

Perhaps the only negative to be found is the tracking capabilities. The single skeg at the rear of this boat does help a lot, but there’s only so much it will do for a boat of this length. If you’re serious about open water journeys and nothing else, perhaps this isn’t the boat for you, but if you want a boat that does everything, the 420x is hard to overlook.