Perception Sound 9.5 Kayak
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All access fun for recreational paddlers and kayak anglers, the affordable Perception Sound 9.5 kayak is stable and easy to transport; great for lakes, ponds and slow-moving rivers.
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- Comfortable cockpit with Perception's Zone Seating System includes a padded adjustable backrest and padding for your legs
- Unique tri-keel hull tracks well and adds stability
- Dashboard with molded-in areas for gear, a place to park your paddle, and 2 RAM Solo Mount accessory locations (accessories not included)
- Self-bailing gear storage well has ample space for dry bag, small cooler or fishing gear crate
- 2 molded-in rod holders are within easy reach just behind the cockpit
- Comfortable, molded-in bow and stern carry handles
- Drain plug at the stern
Made in USA.
View all Perception Recreational Kayaks| Best Use | Flatwater Kayaking |
|---|---|
| Material(s) | Rotomolded polyethylene |
| Length | 9 ft. 6 in. |
| Width | 28 inches |
| Depth | 13.1 inches |
| Weight | 38 pounds |
| Cockpit Size | 40.6 x 21.75 inches |
| Seat Type | Padded / Foam |
| Number of Paddlers | 1-person |
| Paddle Included | No |
| Weight Capacity (lbs) | 300 pounds |
| Tracking System | None |
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Lightweight,,good size for beginner's
I have 2 tandem kayaks but my friend who's 5 2 and myself 5 4 struggle to get one of those up onto my Suburu. I bought 2 of these , and they are light weight enough to load alone, and with 2 very easy. They're a great length, and have plenty of space in seating area. The seat adjusts easily as do the foot peddles, and the slots to hold the paddle are simple and functional when you're on a rowing break. There is not a separate waterproof compartment but plenty of room to stash a bag with gear and snacks. Steering and maneuverability was excellent. Overall a great beginner kayak at a very reasonable price. No regrets.
Sound 9.5
Just recently began kayaking and purchased this as my beginning kayak. I wanted a small kayak and I don’t have a lot of upper body strength, so a big concern was weight. This is my ideal kayak, it’s light enough for me to carry and it fits inside my SUV making it easy to transport. I’ve seen many reports that smaller kayaks don’t tack well but I’ve had no issues. I would recommend this for anyone who is looking for a small, light kayak.
Great small fishing /rec kayak!
I bought two of these and they both work wonderfully. There is enough space for a good sized backpack that I use for tackle/food. The molded in rod holders are very easy to access, and the paddle holder is simple and effective. I use the front area to hold waterbottles and a leatherman on the smaller side slots. The seat is really comfortable on longer days too, which is a huge plus. They are great kayaks and are decently easy to transport given their weight. This kayak tracks about as good as it can for one of its size.
Great Kayak Except for one Problem
I bought this kayak at REI with high hopes. The construction is good, the seat is comfortable, looks great. The problem, as another review states is that it is slow. I described it as like paddling a barge. The problem may stem from the stern keel arrangement. Instead of a single small skeg, it has three and I think the channels in between are angled inward, adding unnecessary drag. The multiple skegs do one thing well, the kayak tracks very well when you stop paddling. I was so displeased that I returned the kayak. A big thank you goes out to REI for their return policy. I ended up buying different Perception 9.5 kayak model and it is great.
Sluggish in the water
There is a lot to like about this well built Perception kayak including the molded handles, convenient ample storage, paddle holder and comfortable adjustable seat. However I found it to be quite sluggish. I used it all last season and it seems to drag in the water. When padding at an equal pace along side our comparably priced 10 foot sit on top kayak you would quickly fall behind. In other words, for the effort put into paddling, there was not an equal payoff in speed. If you are looking for that great first kayak, my recommendation is to purchase the nicest sit on top kayak that your budget will allow. Happy paddling!
The Ice-Breaker
A great name for this kayak--and color--would be the icebreaker, because in my opinion it's the perfect beginner's kayak! Still, Sound is a fitting name because it's exceptionally stable, we even tried to flip it on purpose and it was difficult to pull off. Even though it's a measly 9'6" long, it tracked fairly well thanks to the stern's design; however, it's exactly as fast as you'd expect a sub-10 foot kayak to be. The best part about this kayak, besides its stability, is its spaciousness. It has incredible leg room, it's easy to get in and out, and the rear cargo area is convenient to reach even while on water. Overall, it's hard to ask for much more from such an inexpensive and small craft. A built-in dry-storage unit would be nice, but one can be added to the stern. The seats feel very comfortable at first, but the fabric is a little bit abrasive, which is only a problem if you're going shirtless. Besides, I'd rather the fabric last, and it certainly feels durable. Overall, it's a great and stable beginner's kayak.
Pretty nice, a little too wide for my preference
This kayak is great for the most part. I'm a 5'2" tall woman and it is light enough for me to carry and put on the car. My only complaint is that I sit very low in the kayak making it hard to paddle sometimes
Still love after two years
I bought this at REI in 2017 as my first kayak. I love it. I wanted something stable and light enough for me to carry to and from the car myself. This fits the bill. I use it mainly on calm river water, but I'd feel confident taking on some rapids, too. I like the "dashboard" features as well to secure my phone/drybag and my water bottle. The paddle rest is handy. Before I bought it, I was debating about sit-on-top vs. sit in. I like this sit-in because it doesn't feel at all confining, and having the rim to brace my knees and legs against helps stability and steering.
Great kayak!
I bought this kayak due to it's lighter weight and shorter length (and it's cute). I love it! Both my husband and I have used it and it does not drag in the water. It is spacious - we can have our 60lb pit bull sit in it with us. Great quality!
Great little recreational kayak
Sturdy, stable, tracks adequately. One person can carry it around for short distances and slide it singlehanded onto foam blocks atop a Toyota Echo. At 9.5 feet long it’s also short enough to fit inside a Prius with its front and back passenger seats folded down. Seat back gives nice support, folds flat, and secures using elastic straps with plastic hooks. Elastic webbing front and back secures items on deck. Foot braces are easy enough to adjust. Molded handles front and back for ease of lifting, places to attach bow and stern lines, and for securing cable locks. There are mounts for fishing poles but I’ve never used them so can’t rate them. I only wish there was a convenient place in easy reach for holding a vertical water bottle.