Hello boaters,

I put some pictures of my sea eagle 12.6 on my website,
http://www.stauffercom.com/boat

If anybody is considering a similar setup, feel free to drop me an e-mail. I
have been out to the lake 10 times with this boat and I am basically happy
with the boat. I under estimated the amount of setup time needed to launch,
but for my needs and limited storage space at my apartment (no boat trailers
allowed) this allows me to enjoy the pleasures of boating without lots of
other hassles like having a trailer etc... This is also my first boat, so
was an interesting introduction to the sport.

I chose sea eagle because their website takes the time to explain their
product and they allow direct orders, and free shipping. Pricing was at the
low end for similar products from zodiac and other manufacturs. Since I have
no experience with any other type of inflatable I cannot comment on the
relative quality of this boat. But my Dad used to have a Metzler (spelling?)
and the quality seems to be as good.

I underestimated the size of the boat and the weight of all the components
(boat 100lbs, floor boards 50 lbs, motor 80 lbs). The back of my SUV is not
sufficient for the boat and all the gear. I had to lower the back seats in
order to fit all my gear.

Originally I planned to carry my boat up and down 3 flights of stairs to my
apartment (making several trips). Well, I realized that carrying 100 lbs of
raft up and down stairs is virtually impossible for one person to do, so I
now rent a storage room on the ground floor of my apartment complex and I
have a dolly that makes moving the boat/floor boards/motor back and forth
easier.

I would forget about ordering sea eagle's "bow bag", as it ripped and fell
apart right away. Also the foot pump only worked for about 5 boat trips
before breaking. I ordered the high pressure electric pump and it inflates
the boat very quickly and easily. I replaced my original foot pump with a
similar model I found at academy sporting goods store, and I keep it around
for backup (and bilge).

The transom wheels from sea eagle are very durable and strong and attatch to
the transome in a very secure manner. I am able to launch/unlaunch this boat
without the need for a trailer, and it works very well.

I love the plastic floor boards, as it provides a durable stable platform
for walking around. Setup time for the boat is about 40 minutes. (not
including launching)

Since I don't have a trailer, the park rangers are always hassling me
because the launch parking lot is only for vehicles with trailers, so I
always have to explain what the hell I am doing, and then they leave me
alone.

The boat doesn't fold up as compactly as it did when it was first delivered
to my apartment. And the boat bag, is very weakly constructed. The seams
have ripped because they cannot handle the weight of the boat.

With the 15HP mercury I can get this boat cruising at 22 mph (I used a GPS
to verify my speed). This is with a single person with scuba gear.

Because of the inflatable keel on the SR 12.6, the boat planes and turns
without slipping.

If you want to swim/scuba, then getting into this boat is a bitch,
especially if you just finished at 45 minute dive. It takes tremendous upper
body strength to pull yourself up. I am looking at some kind of ladder
device to make this easier. This is probably not unique to sea eagle boats,
but ALL inflatable type boats. But the boat is very stable and does not tilt
when entering/exiting the
water.

I was impressed with the solidness of the transom and how it was bonded to
the inflatable. It seems like a very durable design.

Because of the floorboards, all your gear is going to slide around when you
plane and ride through waves. This one time (at band camp ha ha ha....) my
scuba tank shifted and the valve rubbed against something and became opened
and I had 3000 psi of air pressure hissing out of my tank. So you will need
a way to secure your gear.

I wouldn't consider scuba diving with more than 2 people. 3 divers might be
possible with the SR 12.6, but you will have to optimize the gear you will
be taking with you. For 1 person and scuba gear it is comfortably roomy.

Sea eagle has several sport boat sizes, and I agonized over the proper size
for my needs. Choosing their 8ft or 10ft model doesn't seem like it will
offer any advantages in storage or setup times. Heck, perhaps the best
choice would have been the 14ft model.

Cheers,
Ken Stauffer

___________
Stauffer Computer Consulting

http://www.stauffercom.com

Looks like a decent boat. I would lose the bellows and get a 12v compressor to inflate it - not the tire inflation type - they make some that are high volume and low pressure. You might also want to look around for a cheap, used, trailer so you can set it up at home and not have to inflate/deflate at the ramp.

Dan


Ken Stauffer wrote:
Hello boaters,

I put some pictures of my sea eagle 12.6 on my website,
http://www.stauffercom.com/boat

If anybody is considering a similar setup, feel free to drop me an e-mail. I
have been out to the lake 10 times with this boat and I am basically happy
with the boat. I under estimated the amount of setup time needed to launch,
but for my needs and limited storage space at my apartment (no boat trailers
allowed) this allows me to enjoy the pleasures of boating without lots of
other hassles like having a trailer etc... This is also my first boat, so
was an interesting introduction to the sport.

I chose sea eagle because their website takes the time to explain their
product and they allow direct orders, and free shipping. Pricing was at the
low end for similar products from zodiac and other manufacturs. Since I have
no experience with any other type of inflatable I cannot comment on the
relative quality of this boat. But my Dad used to have a Metzler (spelling?)
and the quality seems to be as good.

I underestimated the size of the boat and the weight of all the components
(boat 100lbs, floor boards 50 lbs, motor 80 lbs). The back of my SUV is not
sufficient for the boat and all the gear. I had to lower the back seats in
order to fit all my gear.

Originally I planned to carry my boat up and down 3 flights of stairs to my
apartment (making several trips). Well, I realized that carrying 100 lbs of
raft up and down stairs is virtually impossible for one person to do, so I
now rent a storage room on the ground floor of my apartment complex and I
have a dolly that makes moving the boat/floor boards/motor back and forth
easier.

I would forget about ordering sea eagle's "bow bag", as it ripped and fell
apart right away. Also the foot pump only worked for about 5 boat trips
before breaking. I ordered the high pressure electric pump and it inflates
the boat very quickly and easily. I replaced my original foot pump with a
similar model I found at academy sporting goods store, and I keep it around
for backup (and bilge).

The transom wheels from sea eagle are very durable and strong and attatch to
the transome in a very secure manner. I am able to launch/unlaunch this boat
without the need for a trailer, and it works very well.

I love the plastic floor boards, as it provides a durable stable platform
for walking around. Setup time for the boat is about 40 minutes. (not
including launching)

Since I don't have a trailer, the park rangers are always hassling me
because the launch parking lot is only for vehicles with trailers, so I
always have to explain what the hell I am doing, and then they leave me
alone.

The boat doesn't fold up as compactly as it did when it was first delivered
to my apartment. And the boat bag, is very weakly constructed. The seams
have ripped because they cannot handle the weight of the boat.

With the 15HP mercury I can get this boat cruising at 22 mph (I used a GPS
to verify my speed). This is with a single person with scuba gear.

Because of the inflatable keel on the SR 12.6, the boat planes and turns
without slipping.

If you want to swim/scuba, then getting into this boat is a bitch,
especially if you just finished at 45 minute dive. It takes tremendous upper
body strength to pull yourself up. I am looking at some kind of ladder
device to make this easier. This is probably not unique to sea eagle boats,
but ALL inflatable type boats. But the boat is very stable and does not tilt
when entering/exiting the
water.

I was impressed with the solidness of the transom and how it was bonded to
the inflatable. It seems like a very durable design.

Because of the floorboards, all your gear is going to slide around when you
plane and ride through waves. This one time (at band camp ha ha ha....) my
scuba tank shifted and the valve rubbed against something and became opened
and I had 3000 psi of air pressure hissing out of my tank. So you will need
a way to secure your gear.

I wouldn't consider scuba diving with more than 2 people. 3 divers might be
possible with the SR 12.6, but you will have to optimize the gear you will
be taking with you. For 1 person and scuba gear it is comfortably roomy.

Sea eagle has several sport boat sizes, and I agonized over the proper size
for my needs. Choosing their 8ft or 10ft model doesn't seem like it will
offer any advantages in storage or setup times. Heck, perhaps the best
choice would have been the 14ft model.

Cheers,
Ken Stauffer

___________
Stauffer Computer Consulting

http://www.stauffercom.com

Looks like a decent boat. I would lose the bellows and get a 12v compressor
to inflate it - not the tire inflation type - they make some that are high
volume and low pressure. You might also want to look around for a cheap,
used, trailer so you can set it up at home and not have to inflate/deflate at
the ramp.

We have a manual pump that works really well. Plumbed to expell air on both the
up and down strokes. Fills a 9-foot Zodiac in about 100-125 strokes per tube,
and sucks all the air out quickly when stowing the boat away. Puts little Zelda
what's her name from 9th grade completely to shame.