Fishermen are tinkerers. They are always pushing the envelope of what is there, hoping to reform what is in front of them into a more personalized or customized thing. This engineering is also pragmatic-based. It is revising tools, lures and especially boats to customize them into a machine that fits their fishing style. While the 375 FoldCat is a well-designed fishing platform, there is room for improvement. As a tinkerer, I gaze on the Sea Eagle with a critical eye for personalizing!
The hard-sided boats I was used to before the Sea Eagle FoldCat were equipped with both bow and rear transom power packages. The transom motor is usually gasoline and designed to move the boat forward with more speed. It is designed to travel to locations on the lakes or reservoirs. The bow mount was generally an electric motor that could guide the boat into more shallow depths and do it with precision. This electric motor receives its power from an on-board battery. From the factory, Sea Eagle provides a Minn Kota electric trolling motor. I open the Sea Eagle manual to the FoldCat’s specifications.
There I discover that the 375FC would support a three-horse power outboard motor. Great! I could move the transom-mounted Minn Kota electric trolling motor to the front of the boat. All I need is a new transom on the front of the Sea Eagle. The new wooden front transom would easily attach to the front floor aluminum cross slat. The front transom would provide support for the electric motor leaving room on the rear transom for a small outboard motor. I begin the search for that motor.
The Sea Eagle 375fc FoldCat has these aluminum slats that provide structure for tying the two inflatable pontoons together. Underneath the slats is a thick vinyl fabric running the full length of the boat that resembles a floor but has a warning on, “DO NOT STEP UPON!” I need to step wherever I want. I need to supplement the slats with a floor that will allow me and my passenger to step wherever without concern of a misstep.
Measuring the distance between the slats, I easily conclude that the distances between the slats are easily filled with custom-cut plywood sections. Since all plywood sheets are 4 feet wide and 8 feet long, they are perfect to construct a permanent floor in the Sea Eagle 375FC that would support me and my feet! Wow!!! What a transformation. The Sea Eagle now has a floor that allows me to place my weight anywhere.
After constructing the floor, I turn my thoughts back to the transoms and their motors. When I moved the electric motor to the front of the FoldCat, I realize that when mounted on that front transom, the directions the motor would go was reversed. On the rear transom, turning on the power forward would move the boat forward. On the front transom, turning on the forward power would move the boat in reverse.
The solution to this issue was very simple. I discovered that if I disconnected the head of the electric motor and turned it 180 degrees, that would resolve the reversal direction. If I applied forward power on the electric, it would move forward. Yeah!! Now the selection for the rear motor.
After a thorough search, I located a 2-½ hp Yamaha outboard. I was blessed as a Marina in Florida had a new Yamaha that was last year’s model. They were very willing to turn over their unsold inventory. As a result, the price was well below many other listings I had seen. I quickly purchase and arrange shipping.
My new Yamaha is a perfect fit
Soon after arriving, I attach the Yamaha to the Sea Eagle 375fc FoldCat. It is a perfect fit. The motor starts easily and is capable of moving the FoldCat at a whopping 5mph – while providing 67 miles per gallon! The FoldCat has a great stance on the water and is totally stable. With ease, I can transfer myself from the rear pedestal seat to the forward seat. I can stand or sit in the rotating pedestal seats and cast in any direction. When you start with a well-designed inflatable pontoon, personalization from there is easy and produces a wonderful fishing boat.
I am blessed that Sea Eagle manufacturing has engineered such a quality boat that partners easily with my nomadic life style. It is a totally comfortable platform for fishing. The FoldCat 375 is easily stowed away on the mothership. The FoldCat is so well constructed, extremely tough and can easily handle the conditions lakes and reservoirs can dish out. It is so easily transformed into a complete fishing package machine. I recommend this Sea Eagle FoldCat 375 for not only full-time RVers, but anyone who desires a fishing boat that is versatile, lightweight, transportable, and tough as nails!