Sea Eagle 12.6sr Sport Runabout Review

The Sea Eagle 12.6sr Sport Runabout is a medium-sized inflatable boat that is lightweight, tough, and extremely versatile. Measuring 150″ x 65″ and capable of hauling 1600 pounds and up to 6 passengers, the 12.6sr is a popular choice and well-known for its durability and excellent performance.

When it comes to designing inflatable boats, Sea Eagle has a long and impressive history. A family-owned business that was established in 1968, they continue to create industry-leading inflatable boats, kayaks, and paddle boards.

Sea Eagle has been marketing the Sport Runabout series since 1997, and these boats have been used in some extremely demanding environments. Known for their rugged dependability, the Sea Eagle Sport Runabout line has been used by Fire and Rescue services in various places around the world.

In this Sea Eagle 12.6sr review, we’ll take a look at the standout features of this popular inflatable boat, as well as the specs, pros and cons, optional configurations, warranty, and more.

In a Hurry? Here’s a Quick Summary…

Pros	Comfortable Extremely versatile Lightweight Super durable Very portable Easy to set up Handles well Nice bundle of included accessories Solid 3 year warranty 180 day risk-free trial Outstanding customer support
Cons	Included oars are a bit short
Price & Where to Buy it

Sea Eagle 12.6sr Review: Boat Overview

The exterior of the Sea Eagle 12.6sr measures 150″ x 65″ when fully inflated, and the interior measures 102″ x 32″. The 12’6sr’s tube diameter is 18″. This is a stable, spacious boat that can carry up to six adults and a maximum load capacity of 1600 pounds.

The best motor for the 12.6sr is dependent on the floor. When equipped with the inflatable drop stitch floor, the 12.6sr works best with a 20 HP gas motor. With the plastic floorboard configuration, a 30 HP gas motor works best. The motor shouldn’t weigh more than 150 pounds nor have a shaft longer than 15″. With a 25 HP motor, the 12.6SR can reach a top speed of 23 mph if it has two adult passengers (18 mph with four adults).

The inflatable external keel and long, rounded rear tubes make it easy for the 12.6sr to plane, and the keel really makes this boat easy to steer.

When it comes to resilience, the 12.6sr excels in this department as well. Counting the inflatable drop stitch floor, the 12.6sr has five air chambers. The other four can be found at the port, starboard, bow and keel. This multi-chambered design means that a single puncture won’t sink the boat, further adding to the boat’s great overall safety rating.

The 12.6sr’s reinforced 1100 Decitex means that a puncture is extremely unlikely. Additionally, there is also an extra layer of material bonded to the double seam. Rubbing strakes along the hull and external keel further protect the 12.6sr against damage.

The Sea Eagle 12’6″ Sport Runabout packs down 46″ x 26″ x 12″, with an extra 40″ x 31″ x 4″ for the hard plastic flooring. It takes about 20 minutes to inflate and set up the 12.6sr with the inflatable drop stitch floor. Setting up the plastic floorboards takes an extra 10 minutes.

Inflated, the hull plus inflatable drop stitch floor weighs in at only 108 pounds. The hull and plastic floorboards weigh a total of 151 pounds, which is still light for a boat of this size.

The 12.6 sr is NMMA and CE certified, and the boat comes with a 5/8″ lifeline for safety. The 12.6sr also features rubbing strakes, splash guards on the transom, built in oarlocks that pop up for immediate use when required, two stainless steel D-rings for easy towing, four carry handles and a front lifting handle, and a self-bailing drainage valve.

Who is the Sea Eagle 12’6″ Sport Runabout Best For?

The Sea Eagle 12.6sr Sport Runabout is a fast, durable and versatile boat, with options made to suit a wide variety of users.

With the plastic floorboards in, the boat is perfect for anyone who needs additional rigidity, such as fishermen who like to stand while fishing. The 12.6sr’s wide beam gives it excellent stability.

Using the inflatable floor makes the 12.6sr a perfect yacht tender, as it can be set up easily and takes up very little space below deck when stored. The small storage footprint also makes it perfect for RV owners who enjoy fishing or just want a fun boat for running about.

The Sea Eagle 12.6sr’s durability also means it is adept at handling rough sea conditions, which makes this a useful boat for those wanting to go into deeper waters such as skin divers and deep-sea fishermen.

Those interested in higher top speeds should check out the 12.6sr’s big brother, the Sea Eagle 14′ Sport Runabout. If the 12.6sr is a bit larger than what you need, the smaller Sea Eagle 10.6sr is probably a better choice.

Specs

What’s Included

There are several different configurations of the 12.6 available. The entry-level version is the Sea Eagle 12.6 Drop Stitch Deluxe package.

Included in this package is the following:

• Set of collapsible oars
• 6″ inflatable drop stitch floor
• Auto dual action pump
• A41 foot pump
• Aluminum bench seat
• Bow storage bag
• Large carrying bag
• Inflatable boat repair kit

As with the rest of Sea Eagle’s inflatable boat lineup, the 12.6 is backed by a rock-solid 3 year warranty which covers all manufacturer defects. Sea Eagle also goes a step further, offering a full 180 day risk-free trial period.

Additional Packages

In addition to the Drop Stitch Deluxe configuration, Sea Eagle offers 5 more optional configurations of this boat…

Sea Eagle 12.6 Drop Stitch Swivel SeatThe Sea Eagle 12.6 Drop Stitch Swivel Seat package includes a swivel seat kit, a set of collapsible oars, a 6″ inflatable drop stitch floor, an aluminum bench seat, a bow storage bag, a large inflatable boat carrying bag, an A41 foot pump, an auto dual action pump, and an inflatable boat repair kit.

Sea Eagle 12.6 Swivel SeatThe Sea Eagle 12.6 Swivel Seat configuration comes with a plastic floorboard kit, a floorboard reinforcement kit, a set of collapsible oars, a swivel seat kit, an aluminum bench seat, a bow storage bag, a large boat carrying bag, an A41 foot pump, and a repair kit.

Sea Eagle 12.6 Drop Stitch
Swivel Seat & CanopyThe Sea Eagle 12.6 Drop Stitch Swivel Seat & Canopy package features a 6″ inflatable drop stitch floor, a canopy, a swivel seat kit, an aluminum bench seat, a collapsible oar set, a large carrying bag, a bow storage bag, an A41 foot pump, an auto dual action pump, and a repair kit.

Sea Eagle 12.6 Swivel Seat & CanopyThe Sea Eagle 12.6 Swivel Seat & Canopy includes a swivel seat kit, a collapsible oar set, plastic floorboard and floorboard reinforcement kits, an aluminum bench seat, a bow storage bag, a boat carrying bag, an A41 foot pump, and a repair kit.

Sea Eagle 12.6 DeluxeThe Sea Eagle 12.6 Deluxe package comes with plastic floorboard and floorboard reinforcement kits, an aluminum bench seat, a set of collapsible oars, a large carrying bag, and bow storage bag, an A41 foot pump, and a repair kit.

FAQ

Can the plastic floor really hold up as well as traditional marine plywood or aluminum flooring?
Sea Eagle’s plastic floorboards are made of molded polyethylene and are virtually unbreakable. They can withstand sunlight, seawater, and chemicals while adding incredible strength and stability to the boat’s structure. This added stability makes the Sea Eagle 12.6sr inflatable boat stable enough to suit the needs of yacht enthusiasts and fishermen alike.

Will Sea Eagle be able to provide me with the documents I need to register my 12.6sr?
Absolutely. Sea Eagle will issue you with a Manufacturer’s Statement of Origin and Bill of Sale. Also, all Sea Eagle boats come with a Hull Identification Number.

Can I use an air compressor to inflate the 12.6 sr?
No. This can lead to overinflation and damage the boat.

Final Thoughts

The Sea Eagle 12’6″ Sport Runabout is a durable, stable, and super versatile boat that can suit nearly every boating need. It’s capable of hauling a lot of passengers and gear, and the boat is built to perform in the most extreme of conditions.

It’s nice to have the choice of a molded plastic flooring or an inflatable drop stitch floor. This gives the Sea Eagle 12.6sr additional versatility, as customers can choose between extra stability and additional lightness/better portability.

The 12.6sr is an ideal inflatable boat for fishermen, skin-divers, yachtsmen, RV owners, and anyone else who is looking for a serious boat that doesn’t require trailers or large storage areas.

We really like the inflatable keel on this boat, as it makes the 12.6sr a cinch to steer. This really comes in handy when navigating in highly congested harbors and tight spaces.

Overall, a lot of thought went into the design and manufacture of the Sea Eagle 12.6sr. The boat is extremely durable, easy to use, and can pretty much do it all. If you’re in the market for a tough inflatable boat of this size, the 12.6 sr is a great choice.

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