Perception America

Review Date
July 20, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 5 of 5

Reviewed by: John Di (Unregistered User) ,  Paddler , from Germantown, Md. USA

Price Paid:  $323.00 at Galyan's

Summary:
Last year we bought an Old Town Tandem 16' for my wife and I to learn in.
I wanted a single kayak so I could go alone when friends called. So at a demo day I found most touring kayaks unstable for me and my weight.
Then I tried the "America"
It was stable, tracked well and it was stable... Really important to me.
I went to Galyan's and they had one left on closeout for $323.00. I bought it.
I went back and bought another one for my wife two weeks later and then another for my daughter's father-in-law after he had done us a huge favor.
So I bought three "America s" in one month. Sure I like them

Customer Service:
Galyan's was great with the first two kayaks. Then they really extended themselves on the third. I'm in Maryland and I bought the third one from their Colorado store and had it shipped to New Mexico. They figured out how to get it done and then did it. The price was matched to the first kayak on closeout so I took all three kayaks @ $323.00 each.... Terrific.

Similar Products Used:
We own an Old Town 16' Tandem
We used some hellatious kayaks in Mexico and I swore I'd never try kayaks again.
Then I got in some with good seats and I was hooked once I was comfortable.

Review Date
August 9, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 3 of 5

Reviewed by: Karen(Unregistered User) ,  Paddler , from Westbury, NY

Price Paid:  $825.00 at Peconic Paddler

Summary:
Perception America Expedition with Rudder.

This is my first purchase and my first season as a solo paddler. I still consider myself a beginner in the sport.
The Roomy cockpit makes getting in and out easy. Rudder not needed for most recreational waters but come in handy at times. It has good initial and secondary stability and tracks well with or without the rudder.

On paper, I thought the Carolina would be the kayak for me, but at 5'6" and significantly overweight, I had too much trouble getting in and out. The Captiva is too much boat for me to handle due to back problems.

The America doesn't cut through the water as cleanly and quickly as a longer kayak but compared to the Swifty, it's a speedster.

The America is a little heavy with the rudder but manageable with a fold-a-way pull cart. The blanket-on-car method to slide the kayak onto the roof of my Honda CRV gets easier with practice.

So far I've taken it out on LI bays, harbors, inlets, and class 1 rivers for a total of 5 times. If I could have been comfortable in the Carolina I would have been happier with that. If I stick with the sport, I have a feeling I'll want to upgrade to a touring kayak that fits my body. Overall I am pleased with the America and would recommend it to beginners looking for a recreational ride.

Customer Service:
Before purchasing a solo kayak, I wanted to ask some questions to compare solo with tandum (specifically from Perseption). The customer service representative was very friendly, helpful, and most of all honest.

Similar Products Used:
A variety of tandums from Old Towne and Perception
Perception Swifty (hated it)
Percetion Carolina