Perception Pescador Pilot 12 Review

The Perception Pescador kayak got adapted from the Wilderness Systems Tarpon 2008 model. Both the boat makers share a similar parent company, and this is one of their best models yet. This kayak is designed for both beginners and experts. It also comes equipped with some fishing features that you will find very useful as a fisherman. Just like most new kayak models, it has a Scotty mount and a single rod holder, though you can easily make additions. It has the space to accommodate up to three mounts if you want to use trackballs and another rod holder. This sit-on-top-kayak is 12 feet long, 38 inches wide and a height of 13.75 inches. It can only accommodate one person with a maximum weight of 350lbs, and it weighs 60lbs. This means that it can carry a person who is slightly above average in weight.

When it comes to kayaks, quality is one of the most important things to put into consideration. With this model, you don’t have to worry as it comes with a sturdy hull that is durable and able to withstand any knocks from rocks or any other obstacle it might encounter underwater. This double hull’s shell is made of polyethene plastic.

The kayak is designed for recreation purposes, as well as fishing and the design has anglers in mind. This can be seen in its high stability, enough storage space and the comfort it offers to anglers. Since this model might appear a bit on the pricey side, it might not be a good choice for those who are short-handed money-wise. It is, however, pocket-friendly when compared to other kayaks in its class. You will find enough space to keep your bait, line and tackle behind the cockpit.

Features of the Perception Pescador Kayak

Space

Although this sit-on-top-kayak is one of the smallest on the market today, it has a lot of room to accommodate any paddler together with his or her gear and accessories. It has a big cockpit that has enough room to enable you to use your tackle effectively. As mentioned earlier, at the back of the boat, there is a tank that can be used for keeping fishing accessories. Its tank’s top comes with elastic cords that can be used for extra storage. The paddler’s main storage includes three hatches that can be found in the stern, center and bow. Its bow hatch can be used for storing anything that needs to be kept dry like GPS and snacks. The cockpit is concave to cushion your backside and offer a stable standing pad for the angler.

Comfort

Its Comfortable Seating System (CSS) gives a molded-in comfortable seat that has cushioned backrests for added comfort. The manufacturer has used the light Eva form for the seat pads to offer magnificent comfort and grip to help you push the kayak to its maximum performance limits. At the heart of the CSS comes the contoured height backrest that is adjustable. This is great for those who suffer from low back pain as it keeps their backs supported. The kayak also has Keepers Foot Brace system that features molded-in foot braces. This allows you to easily change positions while paddling.

Capacity

With a 144 inches length and 38 inches width, it is 4 inches and 2 inches smaller in length and width respectively when compared to other kayaks in its class. However, the smaller space has no effect on this boat’s great speed, although a narrower space can compromise on stability. Due to its CSS cockpit, it can comfortably hold a big load despite its small size. Do not worry about your fishing gear as it can carry it comfortably.

Performance

When compared to its peers, this kayak outsmarts most in performance terms. It comes in a V-shaped hull design that is great in tracking while on the lake. This kayak is great for beginners who might be worried about paddling fast and straight without draining all their energy. It offers a great lateral stability, though you might fall off if you lean too far. Another feature related to its performance is its high speed. It is also less costly.

Ultimate Construction

This is one feature that you don’t have to be worried about. Perception Pescador has an astounding reputation when it comes to maintaining quality. This kayak is made of polyethylene that is lightweight. Its hull is quite durable and rigid, and that is why it can easily withstand any obstacles it bumps into while on the water. The shell is also sturdy. Its slimline and very stylish design complete the package.

With all the above great and not so great features, this kayak comes with its own strengths and weaknesses. Although buyers might be lured by the many upsides, there are some downsides that they would rather not have to encounter when it comes to this kayak. The advantages and shortcomings are highlighted next:

Pros & Cons

Final Words

Our rating: 4.4 / 5

The Perception Pescador Kayak is designed for both beginners, as well as experienced kayakers and comes with exceptional quality construction, efficient speed, ample storage space, and great tracking for all your fishing needs. With a pocket-friendly price, this kayak is definitely one of the most preferred models when it comes to kayaking, and its features put it at the top when it comes to other kayaks of its class. If you are an angler working on a tight budget, this might be your best choice.

The quality of this kayak speaks for itself, and it seems to meet every angler’s needs. If you are also looking for a slimline and stylish kayak, this is your best pick. It offers a lot in terms of aesthetics. With its fair price, it could be one of the best choices for kayaking beginners, as well as anglers. If you are looking to upgrade the kayak you already possess, this one is the halfway point between plastic and fibreglass, but if you already have a high standard kayak, it could not be a necessary addition.

After everything that has been laid out, there have been some concerns from customers that have to be addressed. Some have complained of stability difficulties while using the boat for the first time. However, they found they could gain the ability to handle it with ease as time passes.

Other issues include durability in some of its areas like the fin, which should be handled with a lot of care. They complained that dragging that Perception Pescador could lead to the fin developing holes that could compromise the kayak’s buoyancy. You can, however, avoid this by carrying the kayak up, though this is not an easy task. It would be good if the manufacturers improved the durability of the fin as this kayak could prove to be heavy to carry off the ground. With these improvements, anglers will continue to enjoy their fishing expeditions with more confidence. This is a worthy buy for anglers or people looking to have fun and working on a tight budget.