Perception Acadia?

[Member]

G'day everyone,

Recently I have found myself fishing more freshwater waterways rather than impoundments and have concidered selling my double sit on kayak for a sit in. I have had my eye on a Perception Acadia and was wondering if anyone who has one or who has previously had one and would like to share the kayaks good and bad points before I depart with my $$$. If I do go ahead and purchase the Perception my Viking will be on the market to be sold if anyone is interested.

Cheers

Dave

[Member]

Which model Acadia are you looking at Dave ?

[Member]

I'm not too sure Steve, Neither does the owner. looking at the pictures it looks to be around the 11 foot mark.

[Member]

Just checked Perceptions website. It's the 11.5 model.

[Member]

Bracey

What features are you looking  for in a Sit in?

Cheers

[Member]

I have a perception minnow this is the second one, bought the first one when they came out would have been 1990 maybe, got this one in 2001.
It is 10 foot love it great tight water yak. Looking at getting either an 11.5 Acadia or a Dirigo myself.

[Member]

Bracey

What features are you looking  for in a Sit in?

Cheers

Not a great deal Sel, one that I can comfortably sit in as I'm about 6'2, one that can track straight, light for portage, staying dry in winter. I would prefer one that is a blank canvas so that I can put accessories where best suites me.

[Member]

I have a perception minnow this is the second one, bought the first one when they came out would have been 1990 maybe, got this one in 2001.
It is 10 foot love it great tight water yak. Looking at getting either an 11.5 Acadia or a Dirigo myself.

Thanks Steve,

This is another reason why I wanted something a bit smaller, so that I can really get into thos close, tight areas.

[Member]

I like the way you're thinking Dave.... I've gone the same way for skinny shallow sweetwater. Got my new sit in this week (Camden 120) & will christen it on the Severn / Dumaresq in a couple of weeks. I got a recreation version over the angler version so I can do the fishing fitout myself.

For your size Dave I recon a 12 footer would be best for you. Also a 12 footer can fit rods better up the inside compared to a 10'6 or 11 footer, handy when going under those overhanging branches.

From my experience, for best bass / cod water performance, under 10 foot few kayaks track well & once you hit 13 foot they start losing manuaverability (track too well). 10'6 - 12' seem to cover most seen around the traps. Obviously design plays a hand as well.

Cheers,

fitz..

[Member]

I like the way you're thinking Dave.... I've gone the same way for skinny shallow sweetwater. Got my new sit in this week (Camden 120) & will christen it on the Severn / Dumaresq in a couple of weeks. I got a recreation version over the angler version so I can do the fishing fitout myself.

Thanks Fitzy, I saw your post on your new Camden yak, they do look good. I hope you Christen it well in the Severn and the Dumaresq when you head out there. Something I've been wanting to do for some time now. We were only talking about it over the weekend again. Last weekend I hit a waterway you know that I have been fishing of late and with the rise of the water level with all that rain we have had, the rapids have been extraordinary. We paddled about 3 km's upstream through about 7 or 8 sets and deemed them too dangerous to 'Fully Loaded Can' them on the way down and carted the yak through grass for about 500m. This what really sent me over the edge, I was pretty stuffed after that paddle.

For your size Dave I recon a 12 footer would be best for you. Also a 12 footer can fit rods better up the inside compared to a 10'6 or 11 footer, handy when going under those overhanging branches.

This has been one issue that had me concerned but thinking of where my rod lies now on the Viking when I'm paddling in tight water, I don't think I'll be any worse off. At 11.5' feet the Acadia is closish to 12' however 6 inches could make a difference. It's rated to carry 166kg.

From my experience, for best bass / cod water performance, under 10 foot few kayaks track well & once you hit 13 foot they start losing manuaverability (track too well). 10'6 - 12' seem to cover most seen around the traps. Obviously design plays a hand as well.

Thanks heaps Fitzy, Dave

Cheers,

fitz..

[Member]

sounds like your on the right track with your present line of thinking Dave.
my only 2 cents would be ........ longer cockpit equals, better access (for gear storage etc.).
for a fishing sit-in, you don't want a small cockpit such as in an ocean/touring style of yak.
the perception or perhaps a loon would be great.
remember .... last years world record barra was taken from a minnow II.
Go the sit-in yakers. 

[Member]

Thanks for contributing Doug. This is something I have also thought of as I'm not the shortest fella. Could I ask you how long your cockpit is please to compare to the Perception.

Cheers Dave

[Member]

Could I ask you how long your cockpit is please

Dave, mine is just plain "XOS" at 7'5" long in a 14'5" hull length. More then what you or anyone else needs in a skinny water yak.
The cockpit on mine is designed to accommodate 2 paddlers if so desired. (my seat/s can be placed and locked into position with one near central for solo and-or move it aft. and add the other seat up-forward for the second paddler.) Native Watercraft also make a 10' plus a 12' Marvel strictly as solo yaks. Mind-you I'm not saying this brand is the bee's knee's, nor do I mean to be seen as promoting the craft, I'm a couple of inches shorter then you but I just love the "open feeling" and the ability to easy access any gear that I lay on the floor of this particular boat, "short" cockpit sit-ins can "feel" cramped even though the room is sufficient, this slight claustrophobic feel, is I believe why some people shy-away from a sit-in yak. 
Bottom line is, if you feel cramped in a sit-in yak, your not going to enjoy the experience.

[Member]

  Thanks mate!

[Member]

Dave,
Decided to get a  Dirigo 106 Angler myself, picking it up tomorrow.
Off on the search for the unicorn in the arvo 

cheers
Steve.