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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
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PERCEPTION SPORT Sound 9.5 Kayak
- Thread starter trailbum
- Start date
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- Mar 15, 2000
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Looks like a good entry model that you will enjoy. Perception, a sister company to Wilderness Systems, makes a good kayak.
As part of my plastic fleet, I paddle two Perceptions, a 9.5' Swifty similar to the model you're considering.
I use the Swifty for river floats and fishing. It's a great little recreational 'yak that is stable and that will turn on a dime.
The other Perception is a 16.5' Essence sea kayak that I use for flatwater (lake) paddling and over-nighters.
I've been pleased with both of them.
Swifty:
Essence:
As part of my plastic fleet, I paddle two Perceptions, a 9.5' Swifty similar to the model you're considering.
I use the Swifty for river floats and fishing. It's a great little recreational 'yak that is stable and that will turn on a dime.
The other Perception is a 16.5' Essence sea kayak that I use for flatwater (lake) paddling and over-nighters.
I've been pleased with both of them.
Swifty:
Essence:
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2000
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Based on what I see...
This is not going to be a kayak you want to use for long lake paddles. But for short trips and river floats, you'll love it.
It will be stable, and you shouldn't have any concerns about flipping. It also seems to have a nice, roomy cockpit.
Other good points are the comfortable looking seat and the behind-seat storage.
Also, that front shelf will make installing a fishing rod holder a piece of cake. (I recommend a nice piece of aluminum backing for strength.)
How do the foot rests adjust? The only beef I have against the Swifty is that they have to be adjusted in advance.
(You have to reach down into the cockpit and move the foot rests around by hand if you want to adjust.)
My Essence, on the other hand, has a separate lever within reach that makes adjustment on-the-fly very easy.
Not a huge issue, but I do have to make sure my Swifty foot rests are right before I embark.
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2000
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That's a good price. I spent about the same thing on the little 9.5 Swifty (clearanced at Dick's).
I'm assuming you'll be able to pick up in-store. Shipping on kayaks can be atrocious.
ETA...
Get a decent paddle. You'll thank yourself later. You also need to figure in for a PFD.
If you're going to be doing cool-weather paddling, a spray skirt and a paddling jacket of some sort are in order.
Cold-weather paddling, on the other hand, is a whole different ball game involving expensive clothing.
This was me in the little Swifty last month. Weather was actually unseasonably warm.
But the water was cold, and a couple of times, the spray skirt saved me from having to stop and change clothes.
In cold weather, I always make sure I have a second dry bag with some extra clothing.
The first dry bag always goes with me, no matter what time of year, and has some survival and repair essentials.
I'm assuming you'll be able to pick up in-store. Shipping on kayaks can be atrocious.
ETA...
Get a decent paddle. You'll thank yourself later. You also need to figure in for a PFD.
If you're going to be doing cool-weather paddling, a spray skirt and a paddling jacket of some sort are in order.
Cold-weather paddling, on the other hand, is a whole different ball game involving expensive clothing.
This was me in the little Swifty last month. Weather was actually unseasonably warm.
But the water was cold, and a couple of times, the spray skirt saved me from having to stop and change clothes.
In cold weather, I always make sure I have a second dry bag with some extra clothing.
The first dry bag always goes with me, no matter what time of year, and has some survival and repair essentials.
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- Joined
- Mar 15, 2000
- Messages
- 45,835
It should serve you well. Perception makes kayaks with a nice thick poly.
Some of the cheapies can be really thin and lack durability. Not so with any of the Perceptions I've seen or paddled.
The reviews at EMS confirm this. Out of ten reviews, not a single person gives it less than a 4 out of 5.
Some of the cheapies can be really thin and lack durability. Not so with any of the Perceptions I've seen or paddled.
The reviews at EMS confirm this. Out of ten reviews, not a single person gives it less than a 4 out of 5.
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2000
- Messages
- 45,835
Hope you enjoy it. If you want any advice or tips about mods or installations, give a shout.
I've finagled with my yaks in all sorts of ways, from installing paddle holders...
...to recessed rod holders...
...to above-board dashboards and rod holders...
...to anchor trolley systems...
...to front decks for rods and gear...
...to under-deck shelves and battery cells for a fish finder.
I've finagled with my yaks in all sorts of ways, from installing paddle holders...
...to recessed rod holders...
...to above-board dashboards and rod holders...
...to anchor trolley systems...
...to front decks for rods and gear...
...to under-deck shelves and battery cells for a fish finder.
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2000
- Messages
- 45,835
The two cheapest paddles there have aluminum shafts. Nothing wrong with aluminum, but I'm not a fan. It's just cold in the hand and doesn't have as much give.
The next one up, the BENDING BRANCHES Slice Glass Plus Adjustable Paddle, has a fiberglass shaft, feathers left or right, and looks pretty good.
From there, prices go up, and you shave weight and get better materials.
You'll need to think about length, and that depends on two main factors: width of the kayak and your style of paddling (flat or upright). Your height (torso) can also be a factor.
If you're picking up the 'yak, you can sit in it in-store and feel out some different lengths.
I see where they are offering 15% off your paddle & PFD with kayak purchase. Be cool if you could combine that with the $20/hundred deal.
The next one up, the BENDING BRANCHES Slice Glass Plus Adjustable Paddle, has a fiberglass shaft, feathers left or right, and looks pretty good.
From there, prices go up, and you shave weight and get better materials.
You'll need to think about length, and that depends on two main factors: width of the kayak and your style of paddling (flat or upright). Your height (torso) can also be a factor.
If you're picking up the 'yak, you can sit in it in-store and feel out some different lengths.
I see where they are offering 15% off your paddle & PFD with kayak purchase. Be cool if you could combine that with the $20/hundred deal.
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2009
- Messages
- 6,234
Perception was one of the industry leaders during the mid 90's, I've got an old WhipIt from the glory days. They do good composite work, pay attention to detail on design and execution. The WhipIt's a squirrely little guy but I've had lots of fun in mine. Many river miles of abuse and beating the learning curve the hard way. I picked up a really nice straight shaft perception carbon fiber paddle for 20 bucks on Craigslist. Maybe you can get lucky...
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2000
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It would probably be best if you could borrow a paddle or three and see what works best for you as far as length.
The local paddle meet-up group here sometimes has paddle days where new folks can come and try lots of different 'yaks and paddles.
As I mentioned above, paddling style can make a big difference. I tend toward a very upright stroke, maybe from canoeing.
Thus, for a similar boat, my paddles aren't as long as my buddy's. He has a much flatter stroke and needs more length to get to the water.
Boat width makes a big difference too. On that Essence above, I'm only using a 215 cm paddle. On the much wider sit-on-top, I use a 230 cm or a 240 cm paddle.
ETA: As you can see above, I own three Carlisle Magic paddles, a 220, 230, and 240 cm.
They used to be a great paddle for the money, running around a $100 at most outfitters.
The price has actually gone down, but so has the quality of this entry paddle.
I'm in total agreement with the review blurb I quote, having seen and paddled with one of the newer versions.
The older ones, like those shown above, are stiffer and better made.
The local paddle meet-up group here sometimes has paddle days where new folks can come and try lots of different 'yaks and paddles.
As I mentioned above, paddling style can make a big difference. I tend toward a very upright stroke, maybe from canoeing.
Thus, for a similar boat, my paddles aren't as long as my buddy's. He has a much flatter stroke and needs more length to get to the water.
Boat width makes a big difference too. On that Essence above, I'm only using a 215 cm paddle. On the much wider sit-on-top, I use a 230 cm or a 240 cm paddle.
ETA: As you can see above, I own three Carlisle Magic paddles, a 220, 230, and 240 cm.
They used to be a great paddle for the money, running around a $100 at most outfitters.
The price has actually gone down, but so has the quality of this entry paddle.
I'm in total agreement with the review blurb I quote, having seen and paddled with one of the newer versions.
The older ones, like those shown above, are stiffer and better made.
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