Sea Eagle has designed a faster and sleeker inflatable kayak called the 393 RazorLite.
This new kayak model is totally unique to any other inflatable kayak on the market.
The popular Sea Eagle FastTrack has been my personal choice for paddling for a number of years.
I now have both the FastTrack and the RazorLite and really love them both.
However they have some obvious differences and because I have been receiving numerous questions regarding the comparison of these two kayaks I decided to write an article detailing those differences.
I’ve included a number of pictures as I think you can get the best idea of how these kayaks differ by looking at them side by side.
FastTrack and RazorLite Differences
At the time of this writing I have had the new RazorLite for a little over a month and I have been out paddling in it several times.
I won’t get into the pros and cons as you can read all about it in our 393 RazorLite review.
However I will say that when I first took it out I was quite surprised at how the design differed from all the other IK’s I had previously tried.
Narrow Sidewalls
The 393RL is the only all drop stitch kayak and the sidewalls are much narrower than I’ve seen before. You can see from the photos the difference in the size of the side walls.
Air Pressure
The Razorlite is able to hold far more air pressure and consequently the walls and floor feel rock hard.
I think that the FastTrack also feels super rigid but the RazorLite can hold about twice the air pressure. The more rigid the kayak, the better it will perform.
Design
The RL also has rigid bow and stern molds and a very straight hull design. These features create an inflatable kayak that is able to paddle at much higher speeds and track very straight.
The straight hull means that the entire length of the kayak is in the water. This is one of the reasons the performance is more comparable to a hard-shell kayak.
The FastTrack has more of an upturned bow and stern and although for a tandem kayak it paddles quite fast and very smoothly, I found that there was less drag paddling the RazorLite making it move faster with less effort.
Stability
No question the RazorLite is not as stable as the FastTrack.
The leaner design makes the 393RL feel more ‘tippy’, more like a sleek hard shell kayak.
The FT is ultra stable. The wider pontoon-like sides make it stable enough to stand and I think it is far more ideal for fishing, kids, or anyone who needs a kayak that paddles well but still offers good stability.
Maneuverability
I found the RL super easy to turn and maneuver even though it is almost 13 feet long.
It is very responsive and I think easier to turn quickly. I also notice it takes less effort to get moving at a good speed.
Setup Time
Having the two kayaks out on the same day allowed me to really notice all the differences as I set them both up and took them both out paddling.
The 393RL set up in half the time. It has the fastest setup time of any inflatable kayak I have inflated, which is impressive considering the length.
Although it takes more air pressure, there is less to this kayak so it inflates very fast.
Normally I’m a stickler for using my electric pump these days as it is just so much easier and quicker to use.
However with the Razorlite, I had no problem using the hand pump. It has a very quick setup time.
The setup time of the FastTrack isn’t long but it definitely takes more effort and you will be pumping slightly longer and probably breaking a bit of a sweat.
Comfort
I find them both to be super comfortable especially with the tall back seats.
You might find the stability of the FastTrack to feel a little more secure but overall the comfort level of both is good.
Versatility
I think the FastTrack is more versatile. It is able to paddle well in most types of water (although it is best suited for flat water) and the stability makes it ideal for a lot of different activities and a variety of people.
The RL paddles best on flat water or on water with a little chop. The sleeker design is going to suit those who want to paddle efficiently for exercise, racing or touring.
Dogs or Kids
The FT will be far more stable for dogs and children. I had my dog with me in my RL and it was great but he is quite little.
A larger dog will certainly affect the stability of the RL. Overall with kids or more dogs I would prefer to be in the FastTrack.
For smaller dogs or dogs that are good at sitting still in one spot, the RazorLite will be fine.
Overall Look
The day I had both kayaks out was quite interesting. There was a man who was taking out his inflatable pontoon boat to go fishing.
He was interested in the kayaks as he mentioned his pontoon boat is super heavy and takes forever to inflate.
He could tell the FastTrack was inflatable but he was surprised to learn the RazorLite was inflatable as well.
I think this says a lot about the overall look. The RL performs more like a hard-shell kayak and from a distance it is much harder to tell that it is actually an inflatable.
More Pics
Final Thoughts
The truth is I love both these kayaks. They are both strong, durable and perform well… but they are quite different in look and feel.
I felt that the RazorLite can outperform the FastTrack. However the FT still offers some pretty great advantages that make it ideal for so many people.
When I head out solo, I will definitely be paddling the 393RL. However when I want to paddle tandem or want more stability for any reason, I will be more than happy to take out my 365FT.
My boyfriend tried out the RazorLite and then went paddling in the FastTrack after to take pictures out on the water. In his words while in the FastTrack … “this thing is a tank!”.
I had to laugh as the truth is the FastTrack is actually one of the more streamlined IK’s on the market and paddles quite efficiently.
However after spending some time paddling the RazorLite I think any other inflatable kayak is going to feel more like a tank… and I think that really sums up the difference in the RL both on and off the water.
Hope the pictures help with those who want to see a side-by-side comparison!
More Info
For more information on these popular inflatable kayaks please check out our detailed reveiws.
Click here for the Sea Eagle Razorlite Review.
Click here for the Sea Eagle FastTrack Review.
Hello,
Regarding 2 largish dogs, do you have insight regarding the difference between the 385 Fast Track and the larger 473 Razorlite?
Studying multiple videos, I notice that the Fast Track tends to push water in front of it and creates larger wakes. Not good if the intent is to cover distances with camping gear. 473 Razorlite slices through and should be performing like a 15 foot solo canoe?
Yes you are totally right. The 473 cuts through the water more smoothly than the 385 FastTrack. The sides on the FastTrack are far thicker and consequently more stable. However I actually find the 473 Razorlite to be more stable than one would expect. I’ve had one large German Shepherd and two small dogs in the 473 RL and didn’t have an issue but my German Shepherd stayed laying down most of the trip, which was helpful. My two little dogs ride in the 393 RL with me all the time with no issue. However the FastTrack is more stable for sure.
Hi, I’m in the market for an inflatable kayak and have landed on either the 385 FastTrack or the 393 RazorLite. My usage will be mostly day trips on flatwater, and the occasional overnight camping trip.
I used to own a 16ft hard shell touring kayak that I loved, so I am leaning towards the RazorLite. However, I have questions about it’s interior space. I have a 55lb border collie dog who I would like to bring and I’m wondering if she would fit in front of me. I read in your other article that your German Shepherd was able to fit, so I’m hoping that my dog will too. Also, do you know the approximate length of interior space behind the seat? Thanks!
Hey Patrick, I found the FT more stable with my German Shepard on board but totally doable with the Razorlite. He did take up some of my leg room but it wasn’t too bad. If you are used to a 16 foot touring kayak then you will likely prefer the performance of the Razorlite. That being said I used the FastTrack for years and was always happy with it – especially for paddling with dogs and camping trips. Nice stability and glide even though it’s not as fast as the Razorlite. I’m not sure offhand the measurements behind the seat on the RL but I’ll get mine out today and measure for you. I’ll get back to you on that pronto!
Patrick and Allison,
First of all, my thanks to Allison for a welcome and well written article.
My wife and I acquired some old canvas, skin on frame kayaks several years ago. These have been our adventure crafts, including a camping trip down black canyon betwwen Arizona and Nevada. However, mine is becoming well patched (including one good punch from my wife’s boat) and they are quite heavy to lift to the top of our van, especially when waterlogged. We are getting to the point we are using them less and less due to the pain of loading/unloading. We are both in our sixties.
So since last fall, I have been scouring the internet looking at lightweight solo canoes (way expensive) and inflatables, i.e. Sea Eagle, NRS and Aquaglide. However, as I love to paddle fast when not loaded with gear, I keep drifting back toward the razorlites (a 393 and a 473). We live in an area that doesn not have have showrooms where we can see boats first hand.
Our problem is we have two 60 pound Aussies. Patch who is convinced that someday he will catch a fish by himself (moves around alot), and Nick who is a retired working dog who likes to be sedate until something interests him.
My thought, Allison, to you and your readers is figuring out how to attach a daggerboard to a razorlite (think sailing rig). This would be more convenient and lighter than outriggers and can be readily deployed while fishing. Maybe effective for standing up, also. I am scouring the internet, now, regarding this. Any thoughts or leads will be appreciated. I am being budget minded. Acquiring two razorlites (my wife wants to paddle her own) is budget blowing for us, as it is.
Hi Allan, I love your idea to attach a daggerboard to the razorlite but I’m afraid I don’t have any brilliant words to help you out. I’m not sure how you would go about that. However I’ll do a little research myself too and see if I can figure anything out. The Razorlite is a great kayak, still my favorite to this day. Although the 393 Razorlite does feel wobbly with a big dog moving around the 473 is far more stable. I really hope it works out for you. If you figure it out, I’d love to hear how you did it! I’ll get back to you if I find more info as well! 🙂
Hi Allison,
This is another of those FT or RL queries. I’ve been pondering this question for weeks and keep flip-flopping on my answer. Let me layout the scenario:
I live full-time in my motorhome and am constantly moving to new parts of the country. I am looking at inflatables because of their obvious storage advantage. I am a novice kayaker. Right now I have the use of a hardshell Perception kayak that has been loaned to me while I’m here in Louisiana for the winter. It is super stable but feels quite wide to me, though I really don’t know what I’m talking about as this is the only kayak I’ve ever paddled. I’m rather tall at 6’3″, and my guess is that the 220cm paddle is a bit too short for this wide kayak combined with my height. So that’s a lot of conjecture that probably doesn’t have much to do with my question.
I’ve been out on the water 4 times for a total of about 15 miles. All of these trips have been on a smooth lake, with a bit of wind and swells on one outing. So I am definitely not an experienced paddler. I expect to do all of my paddling solo. Everything I’ve read says 385ft for novices and 393rl for more experienced paddlers. It also seems like the ft would be a bit more versatile in differing paddling conditions, which might be good as I’m always going to different places. Yet the apparent performance advantage of the 393rl, as well as the sleek appearance, really appeal to me. These things are just too expensive for me to make the wrong choice!
Don’t buy into that “experienced” thing, Allen. My wife and I had been in kayaks exactly once before we bought our Razorlites. Granted, we are significantly different size than you (I’m 5’6″, she’s 5’2″), but these things are incredible. The first thing I did when we got ours was to put it into our swimming pool and capsize it so I could practice re-entries. You cannot believe how hard I had to work to capsize it!!! It was darn near impossible. Once I experienced that, I knew that these were going to be no problem at all on the lakes and rivers we would be using them in/on. We have taken them everywhere from Michigan to Florida and ironically enough, we are purchasing our first motorhome this week and the RL’s will be part of the furniture, so to speak.
Good luck with your decision. Feel free to ask any questions you might have.
Hi!
Thank, you! Your review is incredibly helpful. I am trying to decide between the RL and the FT and now I’m quite sure that the FT is the better choice. I usually go paddling with my dog (labrador) and she moves around from time to time to get a cuddle or so… sounds like that might cause problems in the RL if it’s a little choppy.
Two things I am wondering about: 1. How is the paddling comfort of the FT? I am asking because I currently have a classic IK without drop stitch floor… so I sink in a little at the seating position, sit quite low and have to lift the paddle quite high in order to not touch the ‘pontoons’. And because of the width of the pontoons, I also have to paddle quite ‘wide’. That causes me shoulder pain after a while. The FT actually looks like you sit quite high… does it make it easier on she shoulders compared to ‘oldschool’ IKs?
2. Would you recommend the 385FT for day or weekend trips with tall person, 30kg dog and some baggage or do you think, that’s too tight? The 465FT looks kinda huge, though.
One thing to mention about the FT: it’s kinda nice that you have the option to use a sail or a trolling motor. Not going to do that… but still nice to have that option. I don’t think that works with the RL?
Hey Stefan, I am SO sorry I missed responding to your comment, it somehow got lost in my comment box and I’ve just noticed it! Have you already bought your kayak? I think the FT is a great choice for you. If your lab likes to move around a lot you will definitely appreciate the added stability of the FT. The RL moves faster but the FT is still an awesome ride. I find it super comfortable. I would say that you do sit a little higher up and although my paddles do brush against the pontoon sides every once in awhile it’s definitely not a major thing and I have never felt uncomfortable paddling it.
The 465Ft is pretty big. You will definitely get more cargo room with it but I’d personally stick with the 385FT for day trips. I think it’s a little more manageable.
The sail and trolling motor are cool options. There’s no motor option for the RL but you could technically use a sail if you wanted to. Still I think the FT is an excellent choice. Happy paddling!
Looking at ft and razorlite. I have a small dog so would like something more stable. However I also want to keep up with friends who are in hardshell kayaks, 10 foot ones. Would I be able to do that in the ft?
I dont like the feeling of a tippy kayak but think I could get used to it. My friends are not speed demons we go out for a few hours and paddle around.
Other option would be get the razorlite ro keep up with friends, and an inexpensive intex explorer for taking out the dog. Appreciate your advice.
I don’t think you’ll have any trouble keeping up to recreational 10′ kayaks with the FastTrack. The Razorlite definitely glides faster but I have used the FastTrack often when out paddling with my kayak group (who are mainly in hardshell kayaks) and had no trouble. The FT wouldn’t keep up to a sleeker ocean kayak but for easy paddling on lakes, rivers or ocean bays no problem. If you want more stability the FastTrack is a great option. It still moves well and is very comfortable to paddle with a dog.
I’ve had my 393rl for three weeks. I’ve been on flat water and the river and I just love this boat. It’s fast, nimble and so easy to deal with! Inflation is a great 7 minute warm up for a paddle and I have yet to struggle getting it back in the bag.
Made a couple of modifications – velcroed a 16 inch length of pool noodle (which I trimmed by flattening one side a bit) under the front lip of the seat to give thigh support and to position my back more comfortably into the Pro seat. Mine didn’t come with a footrest, so I made one out of 36″ of web strap, two short sections of the same pool noodle and a pair of swivel d-clips; it’s light, comfortable and stores easily.
I can’t get over how with a single quick backstroke, you can then practically pivot the kayak around. Also how effortless it is to paddle at speed. Got up from supper tonight, packed it up, went to a beautiful pond system in Red Deer (Thee Mile Bend) had a relaxing paddle, took some photos and was home, with everything put away, by 9 pm.
Thanks again for your excellent reviews, Alison. It really helped me make my decision and I’m absolutely sold it was the best one.
Thanks so much Rob, what a great comment. I’m really glad you are happy with your purchase. I love the pool noodle idea for thigh support, I might try that. I totally agree with you the 393rl is so easy to take out and nice to paddle. I have gotten so much use out of mine and still love it. Wishing you many more wonderful paddling trips!!
Thank you both! You’ve set my mind at ease. Hope to have the kayak here (and in the water) about a week from now. I’ll come back and share my thoughts on it.
Hi Allison,
What a great collection of advice you’re collecting here! I ordered my 393rl today. It replaces a Wilderness Systems Ride115, a boat I love and had for 5 seasons. We’re downsizing to a single-car family, so the IK route seems like the right solution. I mostly flat water paddle – lakes and a slow river.
My question is: what advice two you have for getting in the Razrlight? I’ll get an opportunity soon enough to practice re-entry ;).
Thanks!
Hi Rob,
The 393rl is awesome, I hope you love it!! Even though this kayak is leaner than many other IK’s, it is super hard to tip. So unless you purposely jump in the water, it is unlikely you will tip and have to do a water re-entry. However if you do have to get back into the Razorlite from the water the steps are very similar to re-entry with a hard-shell kayak. I need to do a video on this one day… Adding it to my to-do list for this summer! I’ll post back once I have done the video. In the meantime happy paddling!!
Rob, I’ll vouch for the “hard to tip” part of it. When we first got ours, I wanted to practice reentries, so I put it into my swimming pool. I had to try REALLY hard just to get it to put me into the water. Even though I was a novice kayaker, it proved no big issue to get back in safely. I’ve only once needed to do it for real and that was because our skegs were collecting too much junk from an overgrown lake we were on. I hopped in, removed our skegs, and got back in with little difficulty. Probably made a hair easier by my wife keeping my RL a bit more stable from her kayak, but I’m sure it would have been fine even doing it solo.
Hi Allison, At 260lbs I want an all-round use IK. I’m asking lots perhaps, but am also including air travel to Caribbean to reach certain beaches. There are so many choices and I have zero kayak experience. I’m willing to give up the idea of whitewater for now, but interested in local river/lake camping with a big Lab, Duke too. I’m considering the SE RazorLite and Fast Track, leaning towards the FT as a more versatile compromise for my first Yak. Mostly interested in solo, but having the option of tandem is good- or ability to carry camp gear. In the Caribbean I would be crossing calm open water with perhaps some chop. Do not mind getting wet there and have no intentions of paddling much beyond 1/4 mile to reach beaches not accessible by land. Clearly you prefer the RL performance. Still I’m leaning towards the FT. There is another tub which you have not reviewed. Tub with a grain of salt/smile because most likely you might call it that? The SE Paddle Ski Cat. It just might fill my needs too and is an interesting craft. Any thoughts appreciated, so I make a correct choice from the start. Lastly, I just saw a less expensive IK, Swimline Solstice Durango. Normally some $550 on sale for $290 or less! Tempting, but could end up being a waste of $? Thanks, Chris
Hi Chris,
I do like the performance of the Razorlite but for everything you are describing I would say the FastTrack is your better option. It is definitely more versatile and will be more stable in ocean chop and when paddling with Duke. I have had my big German Shepard in my Razorlite and it can be tricky. Not so bad if he sits still but as soon as he moves around, it’s tough to keep stable. Much easier with a big dog in the FastTrack. Plus the FT is still a great kayak, I have always been happy with it and you have the option of solo or tandem paddling.
The SE Paddleski is pretty awesome, especially when you start looking at the motor or rowing options. However if you plan to do more basic kayaking I would stick with the FastTrack. The Paddleski is much bulkier and heavier for traveling.
I’m not a huge fan of Soltice personally. The Durango design isn’t bad but the quality isn’t as high. It would be fine for easy paddles on the lake but it won’t be able to withstand the same amount of abuse and wear and tear that the Sea Eagle kayaks will.
Hope that helps! 🙂
Hi, Allison – great article! I have recently bought RL 395 in addition to my old Explorer 380. My initial plan was to use this kayak for longer journeys in the bay – leaving the Explorer for fishing etc. Then I thought, why not fish off it. What I noticed during test ride was that even with bigger boats passing by and causing waves, it was relatively easy to keep the water out of RL, and the only time I had gotten the water inside the hull was when it sat partially on the shore line, partially in water. I then went on another fishing run with the Explorer, and as it was on Sunday, there were A LOT more boats and ships out – so I’ve seen much higher waves. That is making me worried about using RL there.
My plan is to try tipping it and re-entry on Friday, then we shall see… Has anyone successfully fished in a bay on RL?
Hi Vlad, I have had my RL out in some pretty heavy waves and I didn’t have any issues although for sure the stability is not quite the same as the Explorer. Let us know how it goes with your re-entry test. I haven’t tried it yet myself with the RL but have had others tell me it is very doable. Hopefully someone else can comment on the fishing..
Hi Allison! Thank you for this article. I have been reading reviews on several inflatable kayaks. Your article covers two of my favorite inflatable kayaks. The main purpose will be for fishing the Gulf Coast in SW Florida. Three questions:
1. Is the RazorLite stable enough for fishing standing up for long periods of time? And stable enough to paddle it like a regular paddleboard?
2. At the end of the day, how do you let both kayaks dry, before unfolding and storing them away?
3. I have read a few complaints about drying time (at the end of the day), in particular about the RazorLite. Is it difficult to completely dry the area between the bottom and the sides of the RazorLite?
Thank you, and kind regards!
Hi Javier, I have paddled the Razorlite standing like a stand-up paddle board before and it is stable enough but I wouldn’t personally want to do it for a long period of time. The floor is very rigid so easy enough to stand on but the inside space for your feet is fairly narrow so you can’t take that wide of a stance. I haven’t actually tried fishing while standing in it. I would say it’s doable but might be a little shaky. The FastTrack of course is a lot more stable with the wider sides.
I don’t have any issues with drying these kayaks. Just make sure you have some old towels with you and dry under the floor and especially along the edges underneath the floor. It’s just a matter of towel drying it well. If you will have it out often, it doesn’t have to be perfect but make sure it gets well dried before storing it away for a length of time. If I am in a rush to leave after use I will sometimes give it a very quick dry then roll it out on my deck at home and let it air dry for a bit before putting it away.
Great website Allison. I am in the research stage of finding a solo IK primarily for day use. Since I live in your neighbor province of Alberta, I will mostly use the kayak for lakes and rivers. I saw in one of your comments that the FT would be better for photography vs the Razorlite and was wondering if you could elaborate why? The obvious reason would be stability but is the Razorlite that shaky? I am an amateur photographer and would be using the kayak to transport my photo equipment to distant shores to take pictures on land but for taking snapshots from the kayak itself I would have thought the Razorlite would adequate.
Hey Barry, Yes it is really just the added stability of the FT that helps for photography. The RL feels very different to me than most other inflatable kayaks I have tried. It is leaner and less stable but performs way better. That being said I would not say it is shaky. You get used to it fast and even in high winds and choppy water I have had no trouble with it. I think you would be just fine transporting photography equipment in the RL and I personally think it is a much more fun kayak to paddle. Hope that helps!
I come from a background of traditional hard shell sea kayaks and am considering the RazorLite. I am curious about what it might take to do a solo re-entry. Have you tried re-entering the boat by yourself? Due to higher sides, a paddle float re-entry seems like it might be tough. Perhaps re-entering from the stern cowboy style might work?
Hi Amber, It’s a good question, I have been asked that a couple times this past week. The truth is I am not sure how easy it is to re-enter the RL from the water, I haven’t tried yet. I am waiting for the water to warm up a bit here then I will definitely test it out so I can answer this question better. I think the paddle float re-entry is probably going to work best. The sides are a little higher but I think it would still be doable. By next month I should be able to try it out so hopefully I’ll be able to provide more insight.
Amber, I am completely a novice at this kayaking thing. When we bought ours last year, one of the first things I did was to put it into my swimming pool, so I could practice this. The first thing I found was I had to really (REALLY) work to even get it to capsize! It was insanely stable. Once I did flip it, I made sure it was upside down, just so it wouldn’t be too easy at the beginning. As I said, being a complete rookie, I know little about different techniques of re-entry, other than what I have read/seen online. I had zero problems getting back in. I really had no difficulty, but it was a year ago, so I can’t even tell you which way I did it. I am confident that an experienced paddler such as yourself will find this to be a piece of cake.
The very best part about Sea Eagle is, if you find you don’t like the boat, you get 180 days to return it. Hard to lose, with that. Good luck with your decision!
Thank you for your review. I am a new owner of a FastTrack. It was great until I headed out to go whale watching. The term “john boat” applies. (Aluminium boat with a square bow used on lakes for fishing). All I heard was the slapping of waves under the bow as the boat butted the chop like a billy goat. I was a half mile behind the hardshells. Coming back I fought a confused current (tide going in; rip current going out). It took 30 minutes get out of that spot. The boat had a nasty fight with the current and barely won. I still like how comfortable it is on my dicey spine (I can sit cross legged and get off my tail bone and SI joint). Stable as hell. A high speed boat went charging past us close and I was the only one not badly affected by the huge wake. I like that I can take friends with me who don’t have the privilege (yet) of owning a kayak.
Now, here’s the thing. I want a faster boat for whale watching. Getting out there and back without wearing myself out, and maybe keeping up with the slower paddlers. I have a sneaking suspicion that I am going to end up with two boats. (Just means I can take two friends). Do you know anything about the RazorLite’s stablity in adverse conditions? Do you know of anyone who has taken it into the sea? Just as stable as a hardshell? (I typed that hardhell, and they are hell on my spine.) Good idea to own both? Sort of like owning a sports car and an SUV?
I love your comparison… a sport car and a SUV. That is so appropriate 🙂
I own both and I have to say I like having the option to use either or in different conditions. I definitely do find the RazorLite to be a much faster kayak. It is far more streamlined and it cuts through the water better. I have taken it ocean kayaking several times now and overall it has gone well. I do not find it as stable as the FT for sure so with big wake it is important to take the waves head on. I have never come close to tipping and even though it feels more ‘tippy’, I think it would still take a lot for it to actually go over. However it is an adjustment after paddling the FT for so long. It feels more like a streamlined hardshell kayak to me and when paddling in wind and wake, you do need to be more focused and conscious of what you are doing.
I have found the 393rl to be much easier to paddle in heavy wind and chop than the longer 473rl. The tandem 473rl gets hard to turn in adverse conditions. I belong to a kayaking club and paddle the 393rl all the time and it keeps up to the hardshell kayaks with no problem at all. I think it would do well for whale watching, as long as you are aware that it is not as stable as the FT and it may take a bit of getting used to.
thank you all for the intresting & honest ,helpful reviews .I am a new owner of the 300 x and after the 6th lake trip went out for 7 hours of paddleing. I was surpised it wasnt as tiring as I thought for being new at this sport. I did notice the front of boat made a wierd drag sound in front as I paddled..Mad me think it maybe was slowing the boat down . I kept up with 2 younger teens on their hard shell .short/light kayaks. surprised again . I did wish I had someone that could do the lovely comparason between my 300x and the fast track & theRazor lite ….I need a cushy seat due to steel in back from surgerys& only can single kayak due to carrying weight. I wish someone else that is handicapped with carrying weigh can let me know what is the lightest & most comfortable seat & also fast to track in the water. My 300X still swerves side to side ..but much better than the first one I owned that was only a kids version . I am intrested mostly in lake touring . with friends and maybe a small doggie if we can ..all input is appreciated . one last thing is I need more d rings to try out the quick sail..But due to ordering the white deluxe ” style seat ….noticed it has a few in front on the side I can try ,,,,,hope it works . the paddles are very nice and light …thank you ,hope to hear more soon , andi
Hi Andi, Glad to hear you are enjoying the 300X. It’s a great kayak but it is not going to track as well or go as fast as the FastTrack or the RazorLite. I would say the RazorLite tracks the best and definitely goes the fastest, then the FastTrack, then the 300X. The 300X however is very versatile but I think the other two are better suited for lake touring. You’re right it would be great to do a comparison between all three… one day I will do that. I’m not a huge fan of the white inflatable seat that I believe you are using. I find Sea Eagle’s padded high-back seat to be more comfortable personally. However with your back issues, I’m not sure I’m the right person to recommend a seat for you. I don’t find the high-back seat to be any lighter to carry than the inflatable seat, but I do find it more comfortable. If you need more D-rings you can always buy extra from Sea Eagle, they don’t cost much and you just glue them on, works well.
Thank you so much for the comparison review, It really shows the difference!
The one thing I really liked about FT kayak is that you can use it solo or tandem. The are the same length, so I was wondering – is there any way to use RazorLight as a tandem kayak (sometimes) if I want to take my boyfriend with?
And one more thing, RazorLight is built a little like a canoe, I was wondering how easy it would be to get of the boat in the water (to swim or snorkel) and get back in? And is there a way to drain water if I “flip” it?
I live in Miami now and would love to get RL to explore the keys – it is probably will be a little dangerous with waives and choppy water.. I know the FT is probably suits better for ocean, but the speed makes a huge difference.
Thank you!
Hi Lidia, The RazorLite is only rated for one person but there is apparently a tandem version that will be available soon. I haven’t tried getting back into it from the water but I’m guessing it would be a little harder than entering the FT from the water as the FT is so much more stable… not impossible, just a little harder. It does have a couple drain valves so you can drain water out if needed. A bilge pump is handy to keep with you as well. It makes it easy to get water out of the kayak if it should flip, I usually carry one with me. I’ve had my RazorLite out in some heavy ocean chop. I actually found it easier to maneuver through the wind and big waves just because it handles so well. The only issue I had was some water spraying over the deck because the waves were so big… but it was minimal, nothing that concerned me. Hope that helps. The FT is awesome as well so you can’t go wrong!
Allison,
I am considering a few options and would like your advice. Have you tried the Airis inflatables (single or tandem)? They inflate to 6.5 psi. I saw one at a beach and it seemed more rigid than other inflatables. I was going to order a tandem Airis until I heard that there will be a 15′ RL tandem by May, 2015. The Airis seemed suitable, but I am inclined to hold off for the longer & more rigid RL at 10 psi (does it = better performance?) Thanks
Hi Tom, Yes I have tried both the single and the tandem Airis. I like the tandem Airis a lot but it is a totally different feel to the RazorLite. With the Airis you sit up a little higher so it feels more like a sit-on-top kayak as opposed to sitting lower down at the water line. I would agree that the Airis is more rigid than many other inflatable kayaks. However the new RazorLite can hold more air pressure making it slightly more rigid and yes I would definitely say the RL performs better. The RL tracks straighter and is able to go faster. It feels like it glides smoother to me (less drag)… although it is not quite as stable as the Airis Tandem. Performance wise I much prefer the RL.
First off thank you very much for this comparison review. When I first saw the RL I knew I wanted one but I was kind of bummed out because I bought a FB like 2 years ago, It seemed kind of silly to buy the “latest version” so soon, but this has helped to realize that’s not what the RL is. The RL is a completely different deal and probably more of what I wanted convenience but still decent performance. I like how these pictures comparing the RL to the FB. You could almost fit the RL inside the FB! lol Yeah performance isn’t everything but it is kind of a bummer that you could spend half the money and buy a hardshell with equal or better performance. But then again a hardshell won’t fit in a backpack in the trunk of a car. lol I’m also really pleased to hear they changed the seat and gave it some padding, I’m sure that will be a lot more comfortable. So I’m going to go and order a RL and see how it compares. I’m pretty sure I won’t be disappointed. I was considering trading in my FB but I think I will keep it since there might be times I’d rather use it. Besides I’d doubt get a decent amount especially taking into account shipping etc. In the end it probably wouldn’t be worth it. Anyway thank you very much for these reviews they have helped me a lot.
BlueStar
Hi BlueStar, thanks for your comment. I have to admit it’s kind of nice to have both the RazorLite and the FastTrack. They are quite different but both nice kayaks. The RazorLite is awesome however and so unique, I hope you enjoy!
i just got my today and so far it looks pretty cool! It’s still kind of chilly here so it might be a while before I get to try it out. I really liked how rigid the RL feels and the seat is definitely a improvement. I also generally liked how Sea Eagle designed and constructed their pump, simple but effective and the Skeg fit on perfectly. On my FT I had to sand it down to make it fit but this time it slide on and off perfectly. My only two negatives so far is that I had a terrible time trying to get it back into the bag. Even after watching Sea Eagles video I still can’t get the hang of it, hopefully after a few more times I’ll figure it out. The second is that when you release the valve it makes a heck of a noise! That 10 psi is a double edged sword. lol Anyway I think I’m going to really like the RL a lot if I ever figure out how to fold it back into its bag. lol I think I’m probably going to make my own review / Comparison video once I have a chance to try it out.
Finally.
Now I know the RL just came out but I have been waiting somewhat impatiently for a review. As a bonus to the review you did of the RL you added this nice comparison article which was perfect as I am buying a fast rack for myself and the RL for my wife. Thanks for all the info and the pictures. I can’t get over hoe different and sleeker the RL looks. I can’t wait to get them and get out on the water. Cheers
Thanks for the nice comment Dave, I’m glad the pics were helpful. I was a little shocked by the side by side comparison myself. Happy paddling to you!
Nice comparison, Allison. It was not nearly as obvious, until you put the two side by side. One of them simply looks like a tank, as described! I think it’s pretty cool that a guy who is already used to inflatables was fooled into thinking the RL was a hard-shell.
I’m wondering if SeaEagle will be running any “Spring Specials” on the RL?
Thanks Tim! Not sure about spring specials at SE but very possible.