SeaEagle Packfish 7 inflatable fishing raft owner review, tips, pros and cons. (Original model) 

Thanks man. Like your vids for the PF7 too. They have some pics of the new model on their website, but I still think I like our version a bit better

Hey I REALLY like what I’m hearing. You put the motor up front? I saw somebody post pics of a rear mounted motor on some Amazon reviews and that looked ok but how they secured it sounded like it weighed more than it had to. Plus the steering posture would’ve been awkward. Is your motor pushing or pulling you forward?

@@mojobudgiekayakfishing Yeah, I put the motor at the same end as the rod holders, and incorporating the rod holders in the setup. Esp the ring parts on the walls. Yes, you're facing backwards if you use the forward thrust on your motor. Great for back-trolling. Just a glance over your shoulder from time to time. Obviously reverse makes you go "forward" - the way you're facing when seated. Here's a vid I shot of it mounted. Others on my channel if you were wondering about the build. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-gaeZHpMwtuI.html

@@mojobudgiekayakfishing This is the (kinda) build video. Didn't have the boat at the shop with me. I store it flat under my bed. Prolongs the life storing it flat I've been told. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-39SUgkHC42Y.html

Intex qc is brutal though, so many people who have to patch them out of the box. They also aren't nearly as good to stand up in, thats more the feature of this, being able to stand comfortably and fish. Two reasons why it costs less.

Yea. Rowing when distance and speed was more important. For standing and fishing brought the paddle

Welcome

Thanks and congrats on the raft! When I know it's going to be windy I would only take it out in small water or focus on a particular section of larger water - closer to my launch point. Then I would use a 2-3lb anchor and drop it frequently so I didn't get blown way off point.

@@mojobudgiekayakfishing Thanks for the comment! It helps a lot.

I don’t have the PF7 anymore but I do remember having that problem. It got better when I took more circular, exaggerated strokes. But yes, definitely awkward for kayakers

I experimented with both, rowing was more efficient for sure, but I found the paddle easier to maneuver in tight spaces while fishing

Yes I always bring an anchor. Works great if you tie it to a 4-5” carabiner. jump off? No. I avoid the water and my typical gameplan includes staying on my kayaks and fishing. It’s stable but relatively tall, sides compared to hard shell kayaks. not sure how easy it is to .

I haven’t seen a newer model in person and from their photos online I thought the fabric covering was an integrated one piece with the hull but, looks like it isn’t. That sucks. My first generation had the issue of the cover getting misaligned with the valves too but I was able to keep it mostly aligned via unzipping and recentering about once a month. I actually sold mine last year when I switched to doing 70% inshore saltwater, but remember seeing a bunch on eBay or FB marketplace for about 200 then

Hey there. It’s one I made myself. Sea eagle sells one (commercial) in their pro kit model but as mentioned in the video I made the extended one- basically by sitting the sea eagle one on top of a sheet of 3/4” plywood and using it as the basic template.

@@mojobudgiekayakfishing thank you! much appreciated

Hey there. I never had it in more than 1mph currents but I do remember throwing a fish finder with gps on it for a test - my max was 2.5mph rowing, with good form. Hope this helps

No I haven’t. I actually have a shark phobia and have a lot of white sightings up where I am so I only go inshore on my hobie revo. I do remember seeing videos of Hawaiian Dan from sea eagle take it out in Long Island estuaries, but the shores always close by. Personally I think it would be a battle versus tides and any wind, my max mph was 2.5 rowing and you get into some current that’s about that strong itself.

Comes with oars not paddle. That kayak paddle is a fiberglass and carbon one, around $100

Some water getting in sit inside kayaks is normal but it shouldn’t be enough to fill the entire length of the hull even at 1/8” deep if that’s what you mean The most typical cause is via paddling technique and either not having splash ring guards, or improperly placed splash guards, on your paddle After that you probably want to inspect the hull of kayak completely to see if there are and fractures or holes!

another thing - if there are punctures in the floorboard it may be a relatively easy fix with the repair kit they provide - depending where it is, but you can contact SeaEagle support too - they're fantastic and sent me a replacement hull after a year when some seams started separating.

@@mojobudgiekayakfishing honestly that comment sold me, can’t beat that customer service. I’ve seen some people saying the oars that come with it are terrible, is that true? I’ll probably end up paddling too

So the paddles aren’t terrible, there’s just a learning curve if you haven’t rowed a rowboat before. When I was a kid I did ok on rowboats but that was 35 years ago. Everything since then I was paddling canoes or kayaks and I have decent paddling form. Fwiw, it took me a good 2-3 trips to reacclimate to rowing again, and it will never really be fast, maybe 2-2.5 mph. And you really should be rowing facing backwards, otherwise it’s just ridiculously awkward. I think they market this boat as a dry, portable alternative to float tubes.. which I don’t think I’ll ever do. A good lightweight kayak (37lbs) is the perception sound (I posted some vids on those) or a hurricane skimmer 106 ($$$)

@@mojobudgiekayakfishing Thanks for the response! I'll keep in mind rowing backwards and I plan on taking it out on some ponds before I get into any back bays to get it down.

I remember seeing someone on RU-vid who did at a small one to it. I think it was one of the watersnake models

@@mojobudgiekayakfishing fyi..I spoke to the company yesterday after I asked the question and they said this is supposed to not have any kind of motor and it would void any warranty. Thanks for your reply.

@@getore100 good to know esp about warranty

Ah sorry. I don’t have the PF7 anymore (I spend 80% of my fishing timeon the ocean these days), maybe if you reply to others comments that purchased one they can help

Oh definitely get pulled around but could be a blast!

Weight isn’t a problem, it’s buoyant. I imagine with your legs straight they may be touching up against the tube. If you’re wearing boots then pretty sure

It’s a good question and I’m not really sure it could handle bouncing off rocks in a class 2… the waves I’m pretty sure it could though. Best to ask sea eagle customer service about that Small rivers should be fine as long as you aren’t trying to go against strong current. I maxed out rowing at 2.2 mph

Yea at least they did a few years ago, it was a bit cheaper I think by 50-60$

I would when speed was more important. When I wanted to stand, fish and use it more like a SUP I brought the paddle instead

5’8” 170 lbs. PF7 should be good up to 6’2”ish? Weight limit 300lb

Are you able to fully extend your legs when sitting down and do you use an anchor to keep it still if so what size

Yea can fully extend with a few inches to spare. Anchors about 2-3 pounds folding grapple style. Tie it to a 5” carabiner and you can clip it to the par lock rings or the carry handles