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The first Sea Eagle Sport Runabout came out in 1997. Over the last 24 years, Sea Eagle has never stopped testing and making improvements to these remarkable inflatable boats. The Sport Runabout has been tested in all sorts of conditions from 300-mile ocean trips with extreme conditions from 10 to 12-foot ocean waves in violent thunderstorms to fire and flood rescue work.
The Sea Eagle Sport Runabouts are lightweight and fold down into a size that is easily stowed in an RV, camper, SUV, or below deck in your sailboat or yacht. The portability and ease of stowing of these boats are their greatest advantage.
From year to year, these inflatable boats have weathered all sorts of conditions proving they are safe and seaworthy. They are truly the best, time-tested, boats of their kind in the world!
Sea Eagle has been making high-quality inflatable boats since 1968. They make some of the best inflatable boats in the world and the Sport Runabout is greatly loved as witnessed in their 5 Star Reviews.
Other Sea Eagle inflatable boats that might interest you are the SE9 Motormount Inflatable Boats, PaddleSki Inflatable Catamaran Boats, and FastCat 12 Catamaran Inflatable Boat.
Sea Eagle Sport Runabouts Are Performance Enhanced
Sea Eagle Sport Runabouts are not only safe and seaworthy they are performance enhanced. Twelve years ago, Sea Eagle introduced their patented, outside, drop-stitch, inflatable keel. Unlike the internal, inflatable keel that is in use in all other inflatable sports boats, Sea Eagle’s outside, high-pressure keel turns sharper and more precisely, provides faster planing, and increases stability in all water conditions.
Floor Choices for the Sea Eagle Sport Runabouts
There are two different floor choices when selecting a Sport Runabout the rigid, drop-stitch, high-pressure, inflatable floor with EVA footpads or the molded plastic floorboards.
If you want a Sport Runabout that is lighter, more portable, and easier to stow, set up, and takedown, then you’ll want the inflatable floors. If you want a more rigid boat that handles larger motors better, then the plastic floorboard system is your best choice. Both floors offer excellent performance, but the plastic floorboards are better for outboard motors over 20 hp.
Sport Runabouts are great all-around boats for fishing, diving, recreational use, sailboat or yacht tender, rescue, and more. They can go almost anywhere there’s water… lakes, bays, and open oceans… These boats do it all!
All you have to do is make the choice between the 10.6sr, 12.6sr, 14sr, and Rescue14 and your desired discount package.
Key Features of Sea Eagle Sport Runabout Inflatable Boats
Molded Plastic Floorboards or Rigid, High-Pressure, Drop-Stitch, Inflatable Floor
Sea Eagle offers two different types of floorboards for the Sport Runabout inflatable boats. Each floor provides unique performance benefits. Which best fits your boating needs?
Sport Runabout Molded Plastic Floorboards
The Sea Eagle Sport Runabout’s molded, polyethylene plastic floorboards offer greater rigidity and ruggedness over that of the drop-stitch inflatable floor which provides the boat superior structural strength as well.
The plastic floorboards offer a stable platform for standing and they are maintenance-free and heat resistant, extremely durable, virtually unbreakable, and impervious to the sun, saltwater, and chemicals like that extra gas you might want for long voyages.
Sea Eagle is the only company out there offering these superiorly designed, plastic floorboards. I don’t know why other boat companies haven’t adopted plastic floorboards too. They won’t deteriorate and delaminate like plywood boat floors and the plastic floorboards don’t get dented up or get overly hot like aluminum floors.
Having sold over 20,000 boats with these floorboards, Sea Eagle has perfected the quality found in these amazing floors.
Sport Runabout Rigid, High-Pressure, Drop-Stitch, Inflatable Floor
The Sea Eagle high-pressure, drop-stitch, inflatable floor offers excellent rigidity for structural strength and comfort when standing while non-slip EVA foam footpads secure footing and improve durability.
The Sport Runabout’s inflatable floor is lighter, super portable, and has a faster setup time making it a superior floor choice for many recreational boaters, fishermen, campers, motorhome owners, and anyone needing a sailboat or yacht tender with faster setup times.
The inflatable floor inflates to 7psi creating an extremely rigid floor that adds to the structural strength of the boat and provides a sturdy floor on which to stand while non-slip EVA foam footpads secure footing and improve durability.
Benefits of the Sea Eagle Sport Runabout Inflatable Floor:
- 10-minute faster setup over the plastic floorboards
- Inflates to 7psi for an extremely rigid floor
- The boat is considerably lighter with the inflatable floor
- When you are done, the inflatable floor rolls up with the boat for improved storage. This also makes the boat easy to unroll, inflate, and quickly get on the water!
- The inflatable floor is self-bailing, just leave the boat’s drain open. The shape of the inflated drop-stitch floor directs water out as soon as it enters.
- Motor performance is excellent when using a lightweight 9.9 hp to 25 hp short raft motor. The maximum motor size differs between models.
Patented Outside Drop Stitch Inflatable Keel
Sea Eagle Sport Runabouts have a unique outside drop-stitch, inflatable keel as opposed to an internal keel like those of other transom boats. The outside keel benefits overall performance by making the boat more precise, responsive, and stable in all water conditions.
- An outside keel gives these boats the ability to turn sharply and precisely. A much-desired feature when motoring in crowded areas, coming to dock, and water rescues.
- The outside drop-stitch, inflatable keel improves buoyancy in the boat’s bow to provide a smooth ride over waves instead of crashing through waves.
- The bow’s improved buoyancy in combination with large, rounded side tubes in the rear gets these boats into a plane position much faster.
For a greater understanding of the materials that go into Sea Eagle boats and the materials and specifications of inflatable boats check my articles:
- What Hull Materials Are Used In Sea Eagle Boats?
- Understanding Heavy-Duty Inflatable Boat Air Chamber Materials And Specs
Sea Eagle Sport Runabout Inflatable Boat Specifications
(compare all Sea Eagle inflatable boats)
| Model | 10.6sr | 12.6sr | 14sr | Rescue14 |
| Person Capacity | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
| Exterior | 10’6″ x 5’5″ | 12′ 6″ x 5′ 5″ | 14′ x 6′ | 14′ x 6′ |
| Interior | 7′ 3″ x 2′ 9″ | 8′ 6″ x 2′ 8″ | 9′ 9″ x 2′ 8″ | 9′ 9″ x 2′ 8″ |
| Hull Weight | 78 lbs hull (93 lbs with inflatable floor, 124 lbs with plastic floorboards) | 94 lbs hull (117 lbs with inflatable floor, 151 lbs with plastic floorboards) | 104 lbs hull (129 lbs with inflatable floor, 170 lbs with plastic floorboards) | 120 lbs hull (158 lbs with inflatable floor, 186 lbs with plastic floorboards) |
| Load Capacity | 5 adults or 1200 lbs | 6 Adults or 1600 lbs | 7 Adults or 2000 lbs | 7 Adults or 2000 lbs |
| Deflated | 46″ x 24″ x 10″ (hull), 40″ x 32″ x 4″ (floorboards) | 46″ x 26″ x 12″ (hull), 40″ x 32″ x 4″ (floorboards) | 46″ x 26″ x 14″ (hull), 40″ x 32″ x 5″ (floorboards) | 46″ x 26″ x 14″ (hull), 40″ x 32″ x 5″ (floorboards) |
| Chambers | 5 (port, starboard, bow, keel, & drop-stitch floor) | 5 (port, starboard, bow, keel, & drop-stitch floor) | 5 (port, starboard, bow, keel, & drop-stitch floor) | 5 (port, starboard, bow, keel, & drop-stitch floor) |
| Tube Diameter | 16.75″ | 18″ | 19″ | 19″ |
| Air Valves | 5 Recessed, One-Way Air Valves | 5 Recessed, One-Way Air Valves | 5 Recessed, One-Way Air Valves | 5 Recessed, One-Way Air Valves |
| Inflation time | 15 min with the inflatable floor or 25 min with plastic floorboards | 20 min with the inflatable floor or 30 min with plastic floorboards | 25 min with the inflatable floor or 35 min with plastic floorboards | 25 min with the inflatable floor or 35 min with plastic floorboards |
| Seam | Glued, Quadruple Overlap | Glued, Quadruple Overlap | Glued, Quadruple Overlap | Glued, Quadruple Overlap |
| Material | 1000 Denier Reinforced | 1000 Denier Reinforced | 1000 Denier Reinforced | 1000 Denier Reinforced |
| Floor | Inflatable Floor (15 lbs), Plastic Floorboards (45.5 lbs) | Inflatable Floor (23 lbs), Plastic Floorboards (57 lbs) | Inflatable Floor (25 lbs), Plastic Floorboards (66 lbs) | Inflatable Floor (30 lbs), Plastic Floorboards (66 lbs) |
| Engine Capacity | 15 hp (125 lbs max weight, 15″ shaft, gas engine) | 20 hp (w/ inflatable floor), 30 hp (w/ floorboards), 150 lbs max weight, 15″ shaft, gas engine | 25 hp (w/ inflatable floor), 40 hp (w/ floorboards), 175 lbs max weight, 15″ shaft, gas engine | 25 hp (w/ inflatable floor), 40 hp (w/ floorboards), 175 lbs max weight, 15″ shaft, gas engine |
| Speed Estimates | 9.9 hp (18 mph with 2 adults, 12 mph with 4 adults) | 20 hp (20 mph w/ 2 adults, 15 mph w/ 4 adults), 25 hp (23 mph w/ 2 adults, 18 mph w/ 4 adults) | 25 hp (20 mph w/ 2 adults, 15 mph w/ 4 adults), 40 hp (30 mph w/ 2 adults, 25 mph w/ 4 adults) | 25 hp (20 mph w/ 2 adults, 15 mph w/ 4 adults), 40 hp (30 mph w/ 2 adults, 25 mph w/ 4 adults) |
| Inflation Pressure | Tubes 3.2 psi, Inflatable Floor 7psi | Tubes 3.2 psi, Inflatable Floor 7psi | Tubes 3.2 psi, Inflatable Floor 7psi | Tubes 3.2 psi, Inflatable Floor 7psi |
Sea Eagle 10’6″ Sport Runabout Inflatable Boat
The 10’6″ Sport Runabout is Sea Eagle’s smallest in the Sport Runabout lineup and a perfect boat for fishing, diving, recreational use, or as a tender for larger boats. This agile boat seats 5 people and can carry heavy loads up to 1200 lbs. all while motoring with extreme proficiency in almost any sea and weather condition.
It weighs only 93 lbs and packs down to 46″ x 24″ x 10″ when deflated making it super portable and easy to stow.
If you’re looking for a lightweight ship-to-shore tender for your larger boat and need to stow it below deck, the Sea Eagle 10.6sr with the high-pressure, drop-stitch, inflatable floor option is the boat for you.
Sea Eagle 12’6″ Sport Runabout Inflatable Boat
The 12’6″ Sport Runabout is Sea Eagle’s medium-sized inflatable runabout. Its inflation chambers are slightly larger than those in the 10.6sr Sport Runabout giving it the ability to seat 6 people and an overall load capacity of 1600 lbs.
This is Sea Eagle’s most popular size transom boat. It’s well suited for those who desire a little more room in an inflatable boat that still packs down relatively small to stow away in the trunk of a car, under the deck of a boat, or in a camper.
The Sea Eagle 12.6sr is large enough to accommodate a 30hp engine and pull a skier or a towable and It’s capable of motoring long distances without a fillup, economical to run, and easy to stow, trailer, or cartop.
Whether you’re looking to fish, runabout, dive, pull a skier or need a tender, you can’t go wrong with the Sea Eagle 12’6″ Sport Runabout. This is a great all-around boat for almost all water types.
Sea Eagle 14′ Sport Runabout Inflatable Boat
The 14′ Sport Runabout is Sea Eagle’s largest in the Sport Runabout lineup and can carry up to 7 adults or 2000 lbs. and has the ability to take up to a 40hp motor. This boat can reach enviable speeds!
Want a boat that can handle 8 to 10-mile currents? Want to motor out 15 miles offshore? Want to carry passengers, gas, gear, and supplies for 100 miles? Want a boat capable of handling rough seas and almost any weather condition?
The 14′ Sea Eagle Sport Runabout can do it all and it packs down to fit in the trunk of a car, under a boat’s deck, or in a camper or RV.
Sea Eagle Rescue14 Sport Runabout Inflatable Boat
The Sea Eagle Rescue14 Sport Runabout is a more rugged version of the 14ft Sport Runabout in a bright, safety orange for high visibility during rescue operations. The Rescue14 is specifically designed for emergency rescue personnel and holds up to 7 adults and has a maximum load capacity of 2000lbs.
Emergency management teams all over the world depend on the Rescue14 Sport Runabout and you can too!
Certifications
Sea Eagle Sport Runabout Inflatable Boats have met the manufacturing standards of the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) for design, construction, and safety and have been certified by the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA).
Sea Eagle Guarantee and Warranties
Sea Eagle 4-Month Trial Guarantee: Try a Sea Eagle Risk-Free for 120 days! “If you’re not totally happy with your boat, just return it in good condition for a full refund of your purchase price.”
Sea Eagle 3-Year Limited Warranty: 3-year limited warranty against any manufacturing defects.
Sea Eagle 3-Year Extended Hull Warranty: In addition to the limited 3-year warranty, Sea Eagle offers a 3-Year Extended Hull Warranty to give you 6 years of total warranty against any manufacturing defects.
Sea Eagle Sport Runabout Inflatable Boat Instructions
Instructions and Owners Manuals
Instructions and Owners Manual for the Sea Eagle Sport Runabout Inflatable Boat Series. (Download PDF: 0.5MB)
Sea Eagle Sport Runabouts Instructions Video
Learn more about the Sea Eagle Sport Runabout Inflatable Boat through this instructional video. Find out how simple it is to inflate, set up, operate, deflate, and stow away.
Who Are Sea Eagle Boats?
Sea Eagle Boats is a family-owned and run company located in New York. They have had a stellar reputation for making high-quality inflatable boats since 1968 and each of the boats in their lineup is a testimony to their excellence in the inflatable boat industry.
Sea Eagle Boats are lightweight, extremely durable, compact, easy to carry and transport, and above all fun! These inflatable boats pack down into a carry bag and can be stowed as luggage when traveling or stored in a car, SUV, van, truck, RV, or yacht. You can get Sea Eagles to almost any body of water for leisure, recreation, fishing, tending, rescue, and more.
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Just got the 12’6” Sea Eagle for our family trips on the lake. It’s been amazing! The high-pressure floor is a game-changer, makes it feel super sturdy. Thanks for the detailed breakdown, Steve Hood.
How’s the setup time on that 12’6”? Been thinking of getting one but I hate spending too much time on setup.
I’ve read this article through, and while it provides a good overview, I think it glosses over some of the potential downsides. For example, how do these boats hold up over time with regular use? Are the materials really that resistant to punctures and abrasions? Would love to see a more critical examination, Steve Hood.
So everyone seems to be raving about these boats, but aren’t they just overly expensive air mattresses at the end of the day? I’m having trouble understanding the hullabaloo.
Man, those drop-stitch floors are solid. Used a friend’s Sea Eagle last weekend, seriously considering getting my own now.
Well, if my dog’s claws can’t pop it, neither can I, right? Guess I’ll be taking the pup on the high seas, arrr matey!
It’s fascinating to see how inflatable boats have evolved. From the simple rafts used in ancient times to these advanced models with high-tech floors and keels. The Sea Eagle Sport Runabouts are a testament to human ingenuity and our continued connection to the world’s waterways.
These boats seem cool and all, but dang, that price tag. Can get a decent hardshell for less. Are the inflatable benefits really worth it?
Does anyone know if the Sea Eagle boats incorporate any smart technology for safety or navigation? Considering one for coastal expeditions and tech features would be a major plus.
I love that these boats are inflatable and presumably have a smaller carbon footprint when it comes to manufacturing and shipping. Would be great if the article touched more on the environmental aspects. Sustainability should be key in outdoor gear nowadays.
got a sea eagle for chillin on the lake. Easy to pack & setup. good times only.