Best Uses: Fishing, flat water, ponds, wilderness rivers, ocean bays
Brand: Sea Eagle
Seats: 1
Specs:
- Length 9′
- Width 4′
- Weight 42 lbs.
- Load Capacity 450 lbs.
- Engine Capacity: 3hp (20kg. max) or 55 lb. thruster
- Speed 5-7 mph w/gas
- 3-4 mph w/elec
- Inflation Time: 5 minutes
Accessories Included: Inflatable seat, foot pump, aluminum step bench/footrest, 4 carry handles, 2 built in rod holders, carry bag, clip-on bow stow pouch, 5’ 2 “ oar set, repair kit
Optional Accessories: Swivel seat kit + 7” pedestal for seat as well as the quick release seat mount, floorboard, durable mesh stripping apron, side/stern stow bag, motormount, Minn Kota Endura 30 electric motor, Torqeedo electric motor
Boat Material: 1000 denier hull, 1000 denier reinforced floor
Pros: Lightweight, rugged, functional, comfortable, easily portable, specifically designed for fishing, frameless (easily pacts up and sets up), very stable, two integrated rod holders, excellent seating and accessories, can be rowed forwards or backwards
Cons: There are very few cons to this boat. The only major one to bring up is that it can only seat one person. If you want to bring a buddy you will need a larger boat.
Available At: Click here for the best deal on the 285 Frameless Pontoon Boat from SeaEagle.com.
More Detailed Info
The Sea Eagle Frameless Pontoon Boat is a fantastic inflatable boat that is uniquely designed specifically for those who love to fish.
Inflatable pontoon boats have long been popular but what makes this one special is that it is frameless.
The frameless design makes this boat quick and easy to set up and deflate as there are no parts to assemble. It is very compact for storage, transportation and traveling.
It can easily be transported in the trunk of your vehicle, in an RV, on a larger watercraft or even on an airplane.
It is the ultimate in convenience and is highly portable weighing only 42 lbs.
It was designed to be used on lakes, ocean bays, remote ponds, wilderness rivers and any remote fishing spot that is hard to get to by large boat.
The 285 Frameless Pontoon Boat can be paddled with the included oar set or powered by an electric or gas motor.
Important Features
1. There are several features that make this boat really stand out from the majority of other options on the market.
It is highly stable. Even without a metal frame, the unique design of this boat allows for a very stable ride.
You will have no problem standing to cast your line. There is a wooden floorboard to stand-up on so there is absolutely no concerns with stability.
2. It has two optional genuine Scotty® mounts for rod holders. The baitcasters are fully adjustable and include a cushioned cradle, a soft-latching strap and a side/deck mount.
This is an excellent and well thought out feature that is sure to please any angler.
3. It has the option of either a comfortable inflatable seat or a swivel seat that allows you to turn 360 degrees as well as sit up higher.
The pedestal swivel seat has a convenient release-a-mount for easy setup and takedown. This seat offers great versatility and movement when fishing.
4. There is an optional motormount can hold an electric motor or a gas engine (up to 3hp).
5. Includes a step bench/footrest, 4 carry handles and raised oarlocks for better rowing.
6. Comes with a rugged carry bag as well as a bow stow bag.
Quality of Construction
Sea Eagle has been around for more than 46 years. They are the leaders in manufacturing quality inflatable boats.
I personally think the popularity of their boats is for two main reasons…
1.. For one they always give you a lot for your money.
Unlike other companies they almost always include the paddles/oars, pump, carry bag, seat and repair kit in even just their basic packages. They also always offer an upgraded package if desired.
2. Second the quality of their products are excellent. They are not only tough but they are functional and perform well. With a little care their inflatable boats will last a lifetime.
They always back up all of their boats with a great 3-year warranty and 180-day risk free trial… Which means if you are not satisfied with your purchase within 180 days you can always return it for a refund as long as it’s in good condition.
Material Strength
This frameless pontoon boat is very strong. The material is 1000 Denier, the seams are quadruple overlap and the floor is 100 Denier reinforced.
Sea Eagle has tested the strength of the material by hitting it with the sharp end of a claw hammer over and over to no effect.
Do not worry about bouncing off rocks or hitting a dock, this boat will hold up very well. It can withstand a fair amount of abuse.
Setup and Portability
The 285 Frameless Pontoon Boat is 9’ long and weighs 42 lbs. It deflates and rolls up into the included carry bag.
It takes roughly 5 minutes to setup. Simply inflate and attach the seat and stow bag.
It deflates to a fairly small package and can easily fit in the trunk of your car. This is on one of the most compact and portable pontoon boats I have seen.
The fact that there is no metal frame to spend time assembling makes this boat super easy and quick to get out on the water.
My Pics
Package Options
Currently there are four package options to choose from depending on your needs.
Deluxe Package
Includes the hull, the inflatable seat, the carry bag, the foot pump, a 5’2” oar set, a bow stow bag and a repair kit.
Pro Package
The Pro package includes everything in the Deluxe package except for the inflatable seat and includes a swivel seat kit, motormount, two Scotty® baitcasters, a floorboard, 7” pedestal for the seat, quick release seatmount, stripping apron, and a side/stern stow bag.
Motor Package
Includes all of the above as well as a MinnKota Endura 30 electric motor.
This motor is great for freshwater and has a 30” corrosion proof shaft, 5 forward speeds and 3 reverse speeds. It comes with a 2-year warranty from Minn Kota.
Ultimate Package
Includes everything in the Deluxe Package (except the inflatable seat) and the Pro Pacakge and includes a Torqeedo 1003S gas motor.
This motor has 4-5 times the power of a traditional electric motor, delivers the power of a 3 hp gas motor and offers 30% more battery capacity.
It is fully waterproof, has an integrated GPS and information system, has an auto-kickup feature in case of grounding and comes with battery and plugin charger.
It is great for saltwater, weighs 29.5 pounds and has a 23” shaft.
Final Thoughts
If you love to fish and you want an inflatable boat that is convenient, lightweight and easy to use than the Sea Eagle frameless pontoon boat is a great choice.
It has been extremely popular since it arrived on the market and I feel the only drawback is that it is really only for solo use.
It features a new hunter green color for 2014, which is really ideal for fishing or hunting.
It is light enough to still easily be handled by one person and the right size for transporting anywhere.
This is a very well thought out and affordable one-person fishing inflatable boat. It is a lot of fun to use and when not in use can easily be stored away in a closet.
Where To Buy
The 285 Frameless Pontoon Boat can be purchased directly from the manufacturer.
This usually means you will get a better deal and they often have great sales… Not to mention their 3-year warranty and 180-day risk free trial.
My sea eagle was delivered without the screws for the rod holders…Would you at least tell me what size they are so I can buy some…..Thanks, Jim
Hi Jim, Give Sea Eagle a call, they will likely send them right out to you. Also they can tell you the exact size.
Is the SeaEagle 285 Frameless Pontoon Boat a single or multiple chamber inflatable craft? I the event of a puncture, does it sink?
There are two main air chambers, one on each pontoon side. If you should happen to get a puncture in one air chamber, the other side will stay afloat and get you safely back to shore. However to be honest, this boat is super durable and punctures are rare. In the even of a tear, it is typically a very slow leak that can be easily patched with the included repair kit. Nothing that would sink you. Hope that helps.
How is it
For fly fishing out of? I’ve always used a float tube that’s put me right in the water. I wonder how this will work for my fly fishing needs? Than you
Works great for Flyfishing, keeps you out of the Water. Great little Boat!
hello
I was wondering if it ok to drill holes and attach various mounts to the hard plastic piece that straddles the boat the opposite end from the motor
thank you
Should be fine. You might end up with a little more water in the boat depending on how it is done but I believe it is doable.
How would this boat do on wild river? Mostry recreational class 2 and an occasional class 3?
Definitely better suited to class 2 but if you have the skill it will handle occasional class 3 fine.