Sea Eagle 285fpb Review (Frameless Pontoon Boat)

The latest version of the Sea Eagle 285fpb Frameless Pontoon Boat continues to build on the company’s reputation for producing some of the best inflatable boats on the market. Designed specially to meet the needs of solo fishermen, the 285fpb exhibits all the qualities that have made Sea Eagle famous: convenience, top-shelf quality, and a product that delivers on every promise that the manufacturer makes.

The Sea Eagle 285fpb is perfect for anyone who wants to get away from it all and enjoy some quality alone-time doing what’s important. Light enough to carry yet tough enough to handle whatever you may run into on (or under) the water, the 285fpb Frameless Pontoon Boat inflates in just five minutes to give you the perfect fishing platform for all flat-water conditions. With enough space and capacity for you and all your gear (the 285fpb has a hull length of 9′ and a capacity of 450 lbs.), this inflatable fishing boat is the ideal craft for beginners, intermediate-level, and experienced fishermen who want to avoid the stress and inconvenience of rigid hulls, but still demand a quality product that will meet their needs.

The 285fpb can be paddled, rowed or even powered by a small gas or electric motor, which means you can take it anywhere you need quickly and easily. With a floor that’s stable enough to stand on and a complementary range of fishing products available from Sea Eagle, this is truly a great inflatable boat for anglers.

Sea Eagle 285fpb Review: Boat Overview

Inflatable pontoon boats are nothing new to anglers, but the trouble-free frameless design of the 285fpb now makes it more convenient than ever to set up and start fishing. Deflated, the Sea Eagle 285 fpb hull weighs only 32 lbs. and packs away into a protective Sea Eagle carry bag (24″x14″x12″). The 285 Frameless Pontoon Boat fits easily into the trunk of your car for easy transportation, or into your closet for convenient storage. And because it’s frameless, it inflates within minutes so that you can begin fishing in the least possible amount of time with the least possible amount of effort.

The hull of the 285fpb consists of two chambers constructed in Sea Eagle’s efficient U-frame design. The symmetrical hull supports the cockpit high in the water, meaning less drag and more speed. At the end of the day, this is a seriously fun solo inflatable fishing boat. For those who need more room and would prefer a two man boat, we’d recommend checking out the popular Sea Eagle STS10 and 375fc FoldCat models.

The hull material is Denier 1000 36 mil, which might not be Sea Eagle’s best or strongest material, but it makes perfect sense to use on a solo inflatable fishing pontoon. If we can believe Sea Eagle’s claims – and given the company’s history, there’s no reason why we shouldn’t – they’ve had at it with the wrong end of a claw-hammer without piercing the hull. That should be more than what you’ll ever need the 285fpb for, no matter what tales you want to tell at a later time about the one that got away! The hull is UV resistant, so it won’t break down anytime soon, and it’s just as suitable for saltwater as for fresh.

The dual chambers, which are fitted with Sea Eagle’s handy and efficient recessed one-way valves, inflate to a comfortable 3.2 psi with a diameter of just over 16 inches. The floor between the chambers is crafted from the same material as the hull, with quadruple overlapping superior glued seams. The solid construction and firm but flexible hull result in a smooth and comfortable ride that will take you quickly and effortlessly to that great little inflatable fishing paradise that’s just the place you want to be right now.

Everything about the Sea Eagle 285fpb is built for convenience. For one thing, the oarlocks are ergonomically raised to make the 285fpb as efficient a rower as possible – nice if you’re going to be out for a while. This solo inflatable features four convenient carry handles, and is supplied with a couple of Scotty rod holders. Another nice touch is the step bench-cum-footrest. It’s probably not necessary, but it doesn’t do any harm and it’s actually quite useful.

And in another popular improvement, Sea Eagle has released the 285fpb in a handsome Hunter Green color that not only looks great, but also makes it much more unobtrusive – helpful for both hunting and fishing.

285fpb Packages

The 285fpb is superbly engineered to do what it does. The various packages offered by Sea Eagle upgrade the basic concept of an ultra-convenient, thoroughly enjoyable private fishing boat. Each package contains a set of AB285 oars (5′, 2.5 lbs.), two Scotty rod holders, an A41 foot pump, a repair kit, and Sea Eagle’s carrybag.

• The Sea Eagle 285fpb Deluxe Package contains everything you’ll need if this is your first inflatable fishing pontoon. With a Deluxe Fishing High Seat (17″ high), you’ll be as comfortable on the water as you would be at home. This package is ideal for beginners: easy to assemble, easy to use, and easy to enjoy — with the 285fpb Deluxe kit, you’ll be out on the water and fishing within minutes.
• For serious anglers, there’s the Sea Eagle 285fpb Pro Package. The green swivel seat allows you to experience convenient 360° fishing, and the seat folds up conveniently for easy storage, a 7″ pedestal, a quick-release seat mount, and a floorboard to support it all. For extra storage, this kit has both a useful removable bow stow bag, as well as another side- or stern-mounted storage bag that will hold your gear and tackle. The Pro Package contains an easily-removable stripping apron that even has a built-in ruler. The 285fpb Pro Package is fitted with an FPFB Motormount, which allows you to mount an engine if you ever want to speed things up a little.
• The first of Sea Eagle’s powered options for the 285fpb is the Sea Eagle 285fpb Motor Package, which is an upgrade of the Pro Package and comes complete with a Minn Kota Endura 30 electric motor. The Endura is a specialized motor intended for freshwater use only, and it features five forward speeds and three reverse speeds. The 30 pounds of thrust that the Endura provides is more than enough for the 285fpb, and the engine is covered by a two-year manufacturer’s warranty.
• The Sea Eagle 285fpb Watersnake Motor Package replaces the Endura with a Watersnake Venom 34 electric motor. The Venom is suitable for saltwater use, so you can now take your powered 285fpb into the ocean. The Venom weighs only 15 lbs., features a weedless propeller design, and is covered by a one-year manufacturer’s warranty.

Final Thoughts

The 285fpb is proving to be a popular model in Sea Eagle’s impressive range of inflatables, as it has become a favorite with all kinds of solos anglers.

Because the 285fpb is so buoyant thanks to its twin pontoons (it draws only 4″ when unloaded), it’s perfect for fishing in places where most fishing boats would never dare to go. The 285fpb is ideal for any kind of water, from the ocean to the smallest creek, giving anglers the freedom to fish wherever they like, whenever they like. And the 285fpb can be rigged in a variety of ways with a number of fishing accessories, so you can really customize it based on your needs.

The only real concern that’s been raised by some users is the 285fpb’s waywardness in stronger winds. There are no skegs to keep the 285fpb tracking properly, and it can get blown about a bit when the wind picks up. Apart from this, reviews and feedback are enthusiastically positive for this convenient and effective one-man inflatable fishing pontoon.

As with any Sea Eagle product, the 285fpb offers you the benefit of their 180-day return policy, as well as their three-year warranty on workmanship. And if you’re still wondering about the quality of the 285fpb, consider this: not only is it NMMA certified, but it has also been awarded CE certification, having passed the strict standards of quality and safety required by the EEC.

So, if you’re looking for a solo inflatable fishing platform that will meet all your needs, the 285fpb should be at the top of your list. Convenient, durable and affordable, the 285fpb is a perfect way to get you where you want to be – out on the water.

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