When Sea Eagle released the FS1210 inflatable paddleboard, social media influencers announced the death of the rotomolded plastic kayak. For decades, inflatable kayaks and plastic kayaks competed for respect. Inflatables win for easy storage and transport but lose with performance and fishability. So, what makes the FS1210 inflatable better than a plastic fishing kayak? The motor.
Electric motors have become the great equalizer for kayaks and paddleboards. The motor revolution allows kayak designers to build mini-skiffs with the fishability of a motorboat in a smaller, easier to own package. Light and compact electric and gas motors bring the same high performance to an inflatable fishing platform that packs into a bag and stores in a closet.
Fishing Kayak Review: Sea Eagle FS1210
Sea Eagle FS1210 (Elite Pro Angler Package) Specs
Length: 12’10”
Width: 40”
Weight: 47 lbs
Capacity: 500 lbs
MSRP: $2,799
seaeagle.com
Fishy Features
Rigging is one of the biggest limitations for inflatable kayaks and paddleboards. I can’t drill holes to install fish finder mounts and rod holders. The FS1210 has four pre-mounted Scotty bases for a variety of accessory attachments. Bases near the seat are convenient for elevated rod holders. Sea Eagle accessory bases in the bow and stern host an anchor trolley, power anchor or a motor mount.
To improve stability for standup fishing, the FS1210 has an adjustable casting bar. I can also use the bar to mount more accessories like a rod holder or cup holder. The casting bar provides a solid support to grab or lean on when I’m making a long cast or fighting a big fish.
The EVA foam deck provides traction and padding for standup fishing and paddling. It also offers an extra layer of puncture protection in high-wear areas. I like the 36-inch fish ruler conveniently printed on the deck.
To move the FS1210 on land, an integrated kayak cart folds behind the seat. Using the cart to launch and recover the boat prevents the vinyl from touching the ground.
Seat
For the ultimate in comfort and fishability, the FS1210 has a padded bucket seat on a 360-degree base. The seat is elevated off the deck on inflated pontoons, providing a higher angle for fishing and a more comfortable seating position. The swivel seat allows me to face any direction for fishing and turn sideways to operate the tiller drive outboard motor.
Motor
Adding a motor takes the FS1210 from inflatable SUP to full-feature fishing kayak. The boat is rated for up to a three-horsepower gas outboard, but our test boat is outfitted with an ePropulsion eLite 1.5-horsepower electric outboard.
The ePropulsion outboard includes the battery and motor in a 14.7-pound body. I simply mount the motor to the FS1210 transom bracket, push a button to power up and use the tiller throttle to zoom in forward and reverse. Back at the launch, the motor pops off the transom mount and fits in a carry case just larger than a gym bag.
The ePropulsion range is limited to 90 minutes at half power—enough time to get to and from the fishing grounds. For longer trips, I can charge the battery with a 12-volt battery or solar panels.
Rigging
With the motor propelling the kayak, I’m free to add full electronics, including forward-facing sonar. The fish finder display is attached to the Scotty mount on one side of the seat and the transducer is attached to an arm hanging over the side.
Storage space is limited, so I would attach vertical rod holders behind the seat.
For the ultimate motorized kayak, the FS1210 has a mounting plate for a trolling motor in the bow. Combining the bow-mount trolling motor for fishing and the stern-mount outboard for traveling between fishing spots creates a true mini-skiff.
Performance
The FS1210 is Sea Eagle’s flagship fishing platform. The base SUP consists of two drop-stitch chambers. Double chambers increase rigidity and safety; if one chamber suffers a puncture, the other chamber will carry the board back to the launch.
Not that I worry about a puncture. The heavy vinyl is puncture-, tear- and abrasion-resistant. Extra layers of material cover high-wear areas. Great effort is required to drive a hook point into the material.
To ride over waves and improve turning performance, the FS1210 has an upturned bow and slight rocker through the keel. The design makes the board more seaworthy and reduces drag to move efficiently across the water.
I was most impressed with the ePropulsion motor. The little power plant pushed the boat as fast as I wanted to go on an inflatable kayak. Turning and direction were intuitive and nimble. The little motor is light and compact to fit unobtrusively on the FS1210. The long, wide paddleboard skips over the water surface. The keel, skegs and motor improve tracking so the board responds to the motor.
Who is the FS1210 owner?
So, the question remains: will the FS1210 make plastic kayaks obsolete? Likely, the answer is no. A plastic kayak’s extensive rigging options and increased storage space make it a more capable fishing platform.
But, does the FS1210 give an angler with limited storage and transportation options the ability to fish out of a motorized kayak? The answer is a resounding yes. Adding a motor to the FS1210 gives it greater range than any other inflatable kayak. The motor also allows me to rig the boat with full electronics for the same experience as a full-feature plastic kayak. The FS1210’s 500-pound capacity means the boat can handle two motors, batteries and tons of gear. And, the paddleboard weighs less than 50 pounds making it one of the lightest options for a full-feature fishing kayak.
If you live in an apartment and drive a hatchback, the FS1210 offers a serious fishing platform that fits in your life. Or, if you are traveling in an RV and looking for a full-feature kayak to take fishing on the road, the FS1210 stuffs into a luggage compartment. There is a long list of situations where the FS1210 offers a serious fishing solution that is easy to own.
Full-feature fishing kayak fits in a hatchback. | Feature photo: Patrick Hayes
