The Sea Eagle FoldCat, a fishing watercraft that’s exceptionally stable and quick to set up (continued)
 

Field Tests: Though there are three available packages to choose from we opted for the Pro Angler package that has most of the accessories anglers would want to have such as a pedestal to raise the seat, four rod holders, and a step bench for the front angler to stand up on. We tested the inflatable on various lakes using both manual and mechanical power, and fished with it around structure and in open water that allowed us to test the watercraft’s abilities.

Part of the motor mount, the 90 degree angle bracket is built very sturdy

The motor mount is quick to assemble with bolts and knurled nuts

These are the best! The package comes with two seat mounts that's quick to slide the chairs in and out

Just position the seat into the rails and slide

After the base slides all the way in, the mount self-locks via the tab that's shown here

Maneuverability: When you take the FoldCat on your fishing adventures you can power it via three different methods. Get moving with an electric trolling motor, a small gas outboard up to 3 HP (45 pounds max in weight), or simply row it with the included oar+paddle combo set. We like the ability to have the combination of a motor plus the oars, especially in calm waters where stealth is paramount.

We positioned the marine battery underneath the rear seat. The FoldCat does not come with battery straps but we used the ones from the PaddleSki

Completely rigged, JIP and Zander lifts the entire unit to check its weight before launching

Powering the FoldCat with either a trolling motor or gas kicker moves it nicely along the water and is the preferred method of propulsion in most cases. We did take the Sea Eagle to smaller reservoirs where we only rowed around, and it delivered exceptional marks thanks to the huge hydrodynamic pontoons that lift the majority of the hull off the surface even while burdened with two people and a lot of fishing gear. We also tested the FoldCat with the following motors, a Honda 2HP and a Minn Kota Endura 40. The trolling motor at full speed produced enough thrust to get the inflatable going at good speeds. The gas kicker at 3/4 throttle took us to unbelievable speeds that topped out at about 7 mph read from our handheld Garmin GPS. This allowed us to easily move around in the lake and fish larger bodies of water.

Cruising in the open water with the help of a Minn Kota Endura 40

Speaking about large bodies of water, the Sea Eagle was able to traverse it with ease, but the person upfront, if going at high speeds, will get a wet ride. In terms of handling the chop on windy days the inflatable has an advantage where it flexes as it goes over wind waves instead of slapping the water hard like a rigid watercraft would.