When I pulled up to the launch without my kayak on the roof, my friends started to joke. “Forget something?” “Walking on water, now?” “You’re not riding with me!” Haha. Without cracking a smile, I pulled a big bag out of the truck, unloaded Sea Eagle’s HB96 hybrid SUP, seat and pump and, in about five minutes, my friends were silenced and I was on the water.
Sea Eagle Hybrid HB96 Specs
Length: 9’6″
Width: 32″
Weight: 23 lbs
Optimal Capacity: 175 lbs
Price: $999.99
.seaeagle.com
Sea Eagle’s HB96 Swivel Seat Fishing Rig is a hybrid SUP/kayak that goes wherever and does whatever. Built on a sturdy nine-foot, six-inch inflatable SUP, Sea Eagle added an aluminum base and swivel seat. Sit down and paddle to the fishing grounds, then stand up and fish. Remove the seat, and the HB96 turns into a capable surfing SUP.
On the water, the system takes some getting used to. The elevated, spinning seat puts the center of gravity high off the deck to make stability feel a little sketchy. The 32-inch beam keeps the angler upright and with some practice I was paddling and fishing with confidence. I used my kayak paddle while seated, then switched to a SUP paddle to fish on my feet.
The padded, hard-plastic seat offers good support for paddling and casting. I could spin to the side or stern to fish in any direction. The aluminum seat base extends beyond the seat to offer a convenient place to mount rod holders and accessories.
FISH FRIENDLY FEATURES:
• Paddle pocket to stash paddle
• EVA foam cushioned deck
• Three skegs track straight
• D-rings for securing gear
• Swivel seat with aluminum base
• Balanced grab handles
The HB96 is a solid base for the swivel seat. Drop-stich construction and 14 psi maximum inflation make the board solid and stiff. EVA foam padding from stern to bow provides comfortable all-day standup paddling. Four inches of nose rocker and two inches in the stern make this short board easy to maneuver. Three skegs in the tail keep the board paddling straight. Bungees on the bow and stern hold tackle and gear, and on-deck paddle storage is available via integrated paddle pouch on the bow.
I’ve found the HB96 Swivel Seat Fishing Rig perfect for quick trips after work. The Swivel Seat package comes with pump, bag, repair kit, SUP and kayak paddle. It travels well, so I can hump the board into hidden honey holes. The stable platform is perfect for stand-up fishing and the swivel seat makes paddling more comfortable and efficient. On warm summer days, I’ll take it to the beach for a surf session. On cold winter days, I can still fish with confidence. The HB96 is a hybrid that fits perfectly between my kayak and my hard SUP. BEN DUCHESNEY
This article was first published in the Early Summer 2016 issue of Kayak Angler Magazine. 
