I'm about 6' 200lbs. A smooth comfortable ride… Perception XCT Universal Kayak Rudder Kit A rudder will enhance your ability to paddle straight, especially in strong winds or currents. I may change my mind after a few more outings but I can't see that happening in the near future. MBN 6" Replacement Skeg for Intex Explorer K2 & Challenger K1 & K2 Kayak - Skeg White Buoyant High-Density PVH – Improved Kayak Keel 3.9 out of 5 stars 38 $29.99 $ 29 . I had only tried the 17 foot version of this kayak and one from Boreal Designs. Water conditions were not conducive to lots of use last year but hope to get more use this year. The perception expression is a fairly good boat. I purchased this kayak this previous fall, and have used it as much as I could before it started getting cold. Six steps to build your own kayak skeg. So for a 16.5' kayak this can hold quite a lot, in fact people are amazed when I show them pictures of my gear once unpacked from the kayak. Read reviews for the Essence 16.5 by Perception as submitted by your fellow paddlers. Even a skeg is just a retractable blade that falls from th… A skeg helps to battle against powerful The storage compartments in the boat carry my tent (2-man), my sleeping bag, a self-inflating bedroll, a couple of bottles of water, four or five cans of soup, a backpacking stove, my camera tripod, folding saw, etc. I'm happy with this purchase, and recommend the Essence 16.5 to any intermediate paddler. Packed with charisma and boasting exceptional traits for kayaks of their size, they'll fuel your passion for paddling with fast acceleration and an impressive top speed. Now I had no lessons to begin with and my first time out was the try out which lasted about 5 minutes max on 2 kayaks. What a difference it makes going from a rec boat to a true sea kayak. My only gripe is that the top end speed could be be a little better given it's length, width, and hull design. Much more comfortable to boot! The Perception Expression is a great choice for those after a comfortable, sleek and stylish day touring kayak. Seems like this is going to be a very cool boat. Our South Carolina factory is humming with activity, but we are mindful that we need to produce and deliver boats safely. Best 5 Kayak Rudder Affiliate Disclaimer: This site is reader-supported and we earn commissions (at no additional cost to you) if you purchase products from retailers after clicking on a link from our site. I would recommend this boat if you're looking for a plastic kayak as it's very tough and I feel safe in any conditions my area can throw at me. We nevertheless have a wait time for new orders, and our phone lines have seen an influx of calls. It’s a very surf inspired shape with a ton of nose rocker, a pulled in front section and very flat bottom displaying only minimal chines cut into the underside. If you have the opportunity to try one you won't be disappointed. Recreational is designed to enhance the tracking ability of your sit-inside kayak. Unlike the Venture / P&H kayaks I've used which have skeg boxes with open back ends at the rear of the boat, the Perception box is incorporated more into the hull, effectively being closed in from all sides. Prices and availability may vary between country and Read and submit reviews for the Essence 16.5. A kayak trimmed in this way will weathercock more strongly when the rudder is out of the water than a kayak that is trimmed more neutrally and is intended to be used with a skeg. Allowing expert and novice sea kayakers alike to push their abilities to new levels , the Essence 16.5 offers solid tracking, yet is maneuverable due to its unique design. If left loose, I got sore fairly quick, but if you cinch up the back to fit and adjust the thigh braces properly, I could paddle much more efficiently as well as the boat responded much better. This boat was garage kept and the hatch lids seal well for the time being. Tracking and maneuverability (ability to go straight and turn) is ok if no wind, but I found mine weather cocks in any significant wind, this is resolved by deploying the built-in skeg which I love because the lever is recessed on the left side of the boat and can be adjusted according to your needs. The kayak as a deployable skeg which makes a big difference in how the boat tracks. 1. Rudder included. New Black Back again for another review of this boat. 99 But hey, I'm out to have fun and not to break any world speed records. The cockpit is big and the seating system is very decent but the foot pegs are a little small, which means that I’m constantly re-adjusting my feet or the foot braces to compensate at times. Skegs are stored in a skeg box that is embedded in the stern of the kayak. Wet exits are a snap and re-entry is very easy as this boat's stern sits very low in the water, which makes it a good rolling boat as well I’m told, although I still don't have the technique to do so I will be working on that soon enough ;). I got mine new for $1260, and it is worth every cent. M… In the stowed position, the boat is maneuverable and turns well, but does not track all that great. I purposely went into wakes of big boats to get a feel of it and I'm happy. I'm keeping my score at a 9 due to the somewhat sluggish top end speed, other than that, this baby's a keeper! Perfect for small paddlers, the Perception Expression 14.5 kayak with skeg effectively bridges the gap between a fun, maneuverable day-tripping kayak and a predictable touring model. The more your kayak wants … Put another way, ruddered kayaks perform best with the rudder in the water. If you are searching for a particular model, size, or color, you may not find it immediately. 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