Acadia 12.5

What a great all-around kayak !! I have had 2 of these for 24+ years.. They have been in the Ocean, the Bay, White Water (class 3), Rivers, Streams, Small lakes & ponds and Big lakes like Lake Mead, etc.. You name the water and these kayaks have been there. Never 1 issue ! They handle well, they track well, they haul well. Extremely versatile kayaks. For fit purposes I am 6'4 and 200 lbs. I was in my mid 20's when I purshased them, and 51 these kayaks are still going strong !!

This kayak is a gem! The tracking was perfect and the way it glided so easily and effortlessly makes it one amazing pick for me! I absolutely love it!

I've had this for over 10 years and enjoyed it every time I used it. It is responsive and easy to paddle on lakes and rivers. This has been on small creeks(~ 20' wide) and larger rivers like the tidal Delaware River south of Trenton. Used for fishing and wildlife viewing.

Great boat. Got one used for $100 with paddle and life vest. As a heavyweight paddler I've had no issue with this boat. Have had several first-time large framed paddlers use this boat and not one has tipped it over.

A stable boat boat that is great for taking beginners out. The outfitting is decent with the exception of the hatch, which never quite seals properly. A drybag is a must in heavier seas. Even if you don't roll, the hatch will take some water.

The boat is a bit sluggish, as most plastic boats are but is a decent paddle. With a pretty wide beam, speed is sacrificed for stability. I have never had a beginner capsize in the Acadia 12.5.

Let me first state that I've used this boat for a lot more that its designed for. I've taken it on several multi day self support kayaking camping trips, open ocean paddling, class 2 whitewater, kayak races in Big Bear and Havasu, and have even surfed it several times. I have put over 500 miles on this boat in just 13 months, and I live in the middle of the desert.

Cons: The boat paddles like a barge, has got a wide cockpit that will most likely dump you out if you capsize in it or try to roll it. This is a boat to learn in and grow out of it quickly. It weather cocks like crazy and forget about edging in it.

Pros: I may bash its performance because it is a recreational kayak, but at the same time this boat acts like trusted old war horse. Probably because of its 400 lb load capacity its stability is excellent. I've abused the heck out of it, rescued swimmers, rode 4 ft swells in a 40mph headwind, and even used it successfully in a game of battleship against a team of scuba divers.

If you're after a good performing touring yak, get a Necky. If you're a paddler on a budget, a lot of creativity, and just want to get out on the water for some light touring, this boat will work great.

I've had my Acadia 13Ft for 9 years now. I love this kayak and will never get rid of it. I've taken this kayak out on the sound and have also taken it on lakes. It has never let me down. I am the first person to admit that it is not a true touring kayak. This is a day triping kayak. If you're considering buying one of these, you can't go wrong picking it up.

I love these boats for what they are. They are good for a nice quiet float on a lake or river, with or without a cold beer! I carry a paddle float but I have just jumped back in after falling out(usually on purpose). They handle a ton of abuse. I highly recommend these boats to the once in a while kayaker or for someone who wants a fun boat that everyone can use. They track well without a rudder because of some channels on the bottom and are very stable.

Very new to kayaking, after canoeing the rivers of NYC. This kayak we bought 2 of them used, and they work great! In the East and Harlem and Bronx Rivers we have gone with and against the currents, though the East River is hard if not impossible in some spots to go against... I am 6'2" and 175 lbs and I have plenty of room... I can't compare really but these do us well for now!

A number of the comments about the Acadia indicated that the writers were, shall we say, BIG people. At 5'7" and 145 lbs, the Acadia is a boat I can handle into the pickup by myself, but its volume is such that I ride pretty high in it on the water. I have not been bothered much by wind or current (such as we experience), but those conditions can give you a workout.

We mostly paddle flat water -- local ponds, lakes, swamps, tidal marshes, occasional blackwater streams -- and the Acadia does fine in those areas. The boat stores easily and loads quickly, making it handy for those after-work "let's go paddle for a little while" trips. With a pond in the neighborhood, we can go from loading to launch in about 10 minutes.

The Acadia is very, very stable, enough so that anything that approaches a lean or what might be loosely termed edging, actually takes some substantial effort. I've never come close to capsizing it. The boat is wide enough that I find it a bit awkward to hook my knees under the gunnels for maneuvers like those. I'd also like to have something to put my heels against with my feet on the foot braces.

We added half-covers to keep drips out of the boat and to provide a little shade for our knees from the sun. Those work well and I'd recommend them to others using the boat for recreational paddling. They are, of course, no substitute for a full skirt where that is needed.

I've found the boat forgiving, stable, relatively easy to transport and to launch, comfortable enough for the day trips we take (max about 6-8 hrs), handy enough in slower-moving water, and sturdy. The rear hatch is big enough for day-trip supplies (lunch, water, extra clothes, etc.), but I don't think I'd try to cram camping gear into it.

This is my second boat, a move up from a Swifty, and I think it's been fine for learning some basic skills. As plastic boats, both have been an inexpensive way to get into kayaking. After about four years now, I'm feeling ready for a better performer, but I think the Acadia will stay in the stable for the gunk hole trips we have come to like.

Every boat is a collection of compromises, and the Acadia is no exception to that rule. If you're considering it, think through what kind of paddling you want to do and what the capabilities of the boat you'll get need to be. Prioritize all that. The Acadia meets our needs, but it isn't -- and can't be -- a perfect boat.

I bought my Acadia in July and have used it on lakes and class II rivers. I'm female, 5'8" and weigh 130 lbs. For my height and weight, it tracks very well, is easy to load by myself and transport, and has ample storage (enough for a weekend camping trip). The lumbar feature is nice too. I love it!

The Acadia is great for what it is - a 12 foot rec. boat. I bought mine in May as my first kayak and used it through mid July. In July I took an intro to sea kayaking class, and outgrew the Acadia the next weekend. The Acadia is stable, tracks well for its length, and gets around well in tight spaces. However, if you plan on taking trips longer than a few miles, or spending more than an hour or two on the water, you should probably get a more advanced boat. I bought it thinking it would last me through my first 2 or 3 seasons or kayaking. I was wrong - I sold it after 2 months and bought a longer and faster boat.

I've had my Acadia 12.5 for three months and find it is a great boat for it's intended purpose. It has become my favorite boat for paddling after work for a couple of hours.

I bought my Acadia 12.5 last spring after about a month of research. Probably should have tested out some other models, but I tend to be an impulse buyer, and this looked like a good boat.

I have been very happy with it, and got out several dozen times last year, mostly on flat, slow, rivers. It is light enough to put up on my minivan by myself, and is a lot of fun to paddle. My 7 year old son was able to paddle it around a lake without too much difficulty, and I would sometimes let my smaller daughters ride in the rear cargo hatch like a rumble seat (with PFD of course).

I am hoping to try it out in the ocean this summer, and if I don't die, I'll post an update on how it goes. I know it is not a sea kayak, but it handles motorboat wakes well enough.

The salesman described the Acadia 12.5 as "the Honda Accord of Kayaks", meaning that you really can't go wrong with this boat if you aren't quite sure what you plan to do with it. I would mostly agree, but I may change my mind after putting it in the Atlantic.

I got into kayaking primarily because I am a fisherman. However, being an Eagle Scout I had many years of experience canoeing on lakes and I figured the kayak would present a new opportunity for adventure. I was right! The kayak opened many doors to paddling solo on rivers and lakes. I tried various models for many months of the summer before coming to the Acadia. Some models I tried before deciding on the Acadia: Old Town Loon 111,120,138,Otter, and Perception Swifty 9.5, Pungo 120. I found that the Acadia 12.5 was more a "general" purpose yak than all those other models. It had ocean-going capability, it was stable, and it was fast! Some of the other boats were like a bulldozer going through the water. The Acadia seems to glide across the surface and when I want to turn it, it turns. I'm a BIG guy for kayaking (6' 280#), and I feel very comfortable climbing in and out of the Acadia. The seat gives me support that has kept me comfortable for four or more hours. I have had it in some pretty rough water and it was good to me (no tipping over). It also is easy for a smaller person to carry because of it's weight, not much more than the Otters and less than some Loons. The boat usually lists for $500 in stores but I was able to get mine on sale for under $400 at an EMS in North Attleboro, MA. Mike was the salesperson and we had discussed kayaking before. I'm originally from Texas and make trips there throughout the year -- you can bet I will be bringing my Acadia to explore areas I never visited as a child.

Me and a friend with no kayaking experience whatsoever recently decided this was for us and bought two aacadia 12.0's and paddles for a grand total of 1300$.. not a bad deal at all..however if you are planning on developing skills beyond the occasional weekend paddle this boat may not be for you.. now dont get me wrong, this is a great first boat, extremley stable, easy to paddle and decent deck rigging to hold a moderate amount of gear. However two weeks and 7-8 paddles later, i was beginning to feel that i was already outgrowing this hull.(all locations paddled are NE FL areas) we paddled the st johns river (home sweet home) with and against the current with conditions ranging from glass to 2-3 ft chop augmented by excessive 4th of july boat traffic and afternoon thunderheads....

The boat was stable (due to the flat hull) but seemed to catch alot of wind almost like a sail on a sailboat when paddling perpendicular to the wind, it also came over the swells and wake from all directions with ease..even when a jet ski thought it would be humorous to swamp me.. but in flat calm water, an easy relaxing paddle..anyone can paddle this boat. The next weekend we went to the santa fe river in central florida...this river has a moderate current as it is spring fed..we paddled 5 miles downstream, camped and paddled back upsteram the next day... a little tougher but determination (and natural ice) got us there.. i hung up on a hidden rock underwater however the water was maybe 1.5 inches ddep at that point and 3 good butt-slide/momentum shifts later i was unhung and back in action our third estination was st augestine beach fl... this was by far my personal favorite destination... paddling through the break just required a little timing and beach experience..or you could just hang on the stern to raise the bow and kick/paddle out then climb in and paddle the larger stuff. a skirt however would help tremendously as the large cockpt opening takes on water in quickly.. surfing in this boat is interesting... fun as hell but not much control.. an attempt to ride the line found myself upside down (and full of water) once and the next (after a 20 min delay consisting of dragging my now 400lb half sunk boat back to shore, bailing out enough water to flip it over solo.. then eventually standing it on end to drain the remaining water)the next attempt i leaned in towards the wave face and found myself planing straight toward shore but lengthwise.. all this said (beach-wise anyway) it was an absolute blast at the beach, we also paddled outside the break an 8 mile round trip in a thunderstorm with 4-5 foot swells no problem, untill i dumped it when caught off gaurd by a rouge wave... then it was back to the 400 lb boat but this time in much deeper water... all in all a great time ..until both boats were stolen :( same day.. 30 mins later and only 2 weeks old..if we see you.. whoever you are, you should call the police, because we refuse to be polite about this.. we WILL take our boats back by force if necessesary.. (see "hardcore" and "you took the only thing we cared about away from us")so all that aside.. pro-con time...
rivers: pros- easy paddling,very stable
cons- almost too-stable, dosent respond to lean at all...
ocean pros-fun fun fun
cons- no skirt=sinking fast if you spend anytime in the breakers..
and the whole theft thing....
all in all i think the acadia is an excellent enry-level boat for those on a budget and looking to paddle mostly flat waters with the ocassional chop..however if you really want to you can pretty much take it anywhere. just dont be expecting sports car performance from your "4-cyl pickup truck" it can go anywhere, but it might take some effort....

I've had my Acadia 12.5 since early May and have been out in it almost every weekend, taking flatwater and fastwater river trips from 6 - 14 miles or more! It's nicely rigged, the stern watertight bulkhead storage is great for overnight trips, it tracks better than comparably-priced boats, is stable, turns quickly, too. At 6'2" and 190 lbs, I wanted something with a cockpit larger than found on most touring kayaks, but smaller than the average recreational kayak cockpit. The Acadia cockpit is "just right," and I've got a good spray skirt for rainy or rough days. I also needed something small enough and light enough for one person to handle, eg loading on the car, and also something I could easily store in my basement. Limitations: I recently ordered a set of rotomolded thigh braces so I could have better contact with the boat. Also, I've now got the kayaking bug so bad I want to get out on the ocean, but will need to purchase bow floatation bags before I attempt this. Will probably also add a rudder for ocean paddling activities. I'll probably end up spending $300 on accessories to get the boat "perfect" for my needs. Or, I may just buy a touring boat for my ocean-going endeavors. Overall, a great boat, but I can already see that I'll be outgrowing it faster than I thought I would.

I really enjoy may Acadia. I am a first time kayaker and use my kayak frequently on Rangeley Lake in Maine. I looked at other brand but for the dollar I got a great deal on this boat, very happy. As a matter of fact I also bought 3 Sparky's from Perception for my kids and all four kayak frequently.

The Acadia is the first kayak my husband and I have ever owned. We purchase two of them because of the reviews on this site. We couldn't be happier. For middle-aged beginners, this is the kayak. It is extremely stable even in very choppy water, and it heads into the wind very well. It is faster than we expected, and very easy to turn. The foot clips come off very easy, so adjust them before you head out, as they are impossible to adjust once you are out on the water. Get the splash skirts, even if you just plan to use this kayak on a lake, you'll stay much drier. Be sure to get the right size paddles. The salesperson sold me paddles which were too short for me, and I had to return them for longer ones. Even though I am only 5'4", I needed #220 paddles with the long and narrow paddle end. It made paddling a joy instead of a fight. For beginners like us, don't skimp on paddles. Get the best ones you can afford. Get ajustable ones which let you off-set the paddles so they cut into the wind. The second time out, we felt like "pros". Just very sorry that we didn't do this sooner. Hope to be kayaking well into our eighties!! This site was a huge help in deciding between manufacturers and models. Thanks to all Acadia owners who wrote in.

The acadia dt I purchased a couple of weeks ago is everything I hoped it would be. I was looking for someting that would allow me to flyfish places on local rivers and lakes that would be hard or imposible to reach by wading. I also wanted something that I could take out three or four days at a time. With the acadia I can't take along heaping coolers of steaks and beer, but traveling light it holds more than enough gear without feeling slow and slugish. It also allows me to start my trips paddling up stream so I can drift back down later. No shuttles to mess with. It tracks well and is stable enough to fish from without a second thought, but it's not so wide and stubby that I can't get at least ok speed on flatwater. The front deck rigging allows me to carry my flyrod without having to add a rod holder and the cockpit is large enough to enter/exit quickly but is still small enough to feel like a KAYAK and not an open boat like some other rec boats do. I can still jam my knees under the edges of the cockpit when I need to. The only change I made was to the seat. I swapped the plastic slip buckle (or whatever it is called) that adjusts the seatback for a plastic squeeze clip (the kind with the three prongs). I replaced the single elastic cord that holds the seatback down with two I can quickly unclip. This allows me to unfasten the seat and move it well out of the way of the stern cargo opening, making it easier to shove things in or pull things out without the seat back getting in the way or fliping back up. Water filling the rim around the cockpit is sort of annoying because it just seems the could have thought it out better, but it's really no big deal.

Mine is a slightly older Aquaterra boat; guessing four or five years. I would say the overall quality was better then? For the intended purpose of this boat, it is great. It paddles and glides well for a sub 13' barque. Water buildup in the recessed area around the cockpit opening is a common complaint. One I share! I do have a simple fix for this problem. E mail me for details.

I purchased an Acadia last summer. This is the third kayak for our family. We transport these kayaks in the bed of a small standard pickup. I`m over fifty, weigh 215 lbs. I wish the Acadia was a little lighter, but all things considered, I cannot think of another kayak I would trade it for. I have been extremely pleased with this kayak. I bought the expedition model and I`m glad I did. The storage compartment and rigging are a real plus. We use our kayaks mainly on flatwater, lakes, scenic rivers, etc.

Last weekend I tested 3 Perception recreational boats against each other: the Swifty, Sierra, and Acadia. The Acadia was definitely the top performer in this category, as one might expect since it's also the top priced 'yak.

High Points: Great tracking & speed, decent maneuverability

Low points: A bit towards the heavy side, a little less of a starter boat.

The Acadia is, in my opinion, a decent boat for even experts who want to spend the day goofing off in the lake or mild river. It has the best tracking and speed of any of the Perception recreational yaks. The cockpit is the smallest of the three, but still large enough for anyone to get in and out of. The smaller cockpit contributes to much better control. General comfort is very good, although the back could use some padding.

This boat has, IMO, a little less initial stability than the Swifty or Sierra; not to say that it's tippy, but it is a little closer related to a touring boat than the Swifty/Sierra. Maneuvering is decent but a bit more work because of the added foot in length. It is somewhat heavy for a rec kayak, which may be something to keep in mind for smaller or single people.

Overall, though, this boat is a great boat for the money - at less than $600, you really can't go wrong here. Not only would I recommend it, I'm going to pick one up myself!

Great boat. I have had mine for about three years. I have had it out on calm waters or on 2 to 3 foot windy water and have felt safe due to its great handling.

I have had my Acadia for 3 years now, paddling it in Southern Georgia, Southern Ohio, and Lake Erie. I love it. I have taken it on overnights in Tennessee with the lash straps so laden, the boat looked like a gypsy wagon - but no detrimental effect on stability. On Lake Erie, it handled the swells nicely and with a skirt, I had no worry whatever the winds would throw at me. If I had to buy another kayak, I would buy this one. I anticipate keeping this one for a long time to come, however.

Just wanted to plaud the Acadia for its Swiss-army like abilities-it truly is the jack-of-all kayaks that is home in surf,whitewater, or placid coves....I have a collection of sea kayaks including two chinooks, a composite sea lion, an umiak, a viscaya, a nordkapp jubilee on order-the irony is that in the early morning I often find myself sneaking off in the Adadia for simple paddles in the mist.

My wife and I bought a couple of Acadias for use on the Norfolk Broads (Norfolk, U.K. that is) We paid £325 (just under$500) each from a local dealer. We haven't been in a kyak for a number of years (we're both the wrong side of 50) and we have found them to be excellent - tracking well and very stable. The only problem we found is that water tends to rest in the spray deck grove. Among other kyaks we considered was the Carolina. We thought the Acadia more suitable because of it's shorter length and being easy to transport on our car - We like to explore the many small rivers and canals in our county. In England the attitude to canoes is, I suspect, not the same as that in the States - ie. if you can't afford a proper boat buy a canoe and "what do you want to do that for at your age!" What the heck, you're only young (and old) once and we're having fun in our Acadias.

I chose the Acadia because I was looking for a boat to use primarily on lakes, wanted something short enough to maneuver in and out of tight spots, with adequate speed and tracking. The Acadia does everything I want it to, and does it well. It tracks quite well, is easy to bring up to a comfortable cruising speed and hold there, and responds easily to minor course corrections. Maneuverability is superb. I've spun it 180 degrees in spots where I didn't have much more than the length of the boat to work with. It is a good learner's boat as well. My wife and children were very comfortable with it almost immediately. The only thing I really disliked about the boat was the seat, particularly the back, but a little padding took care of the problem.

I have owned an Acadia for four years and have enjoyed it tremendously. Having paddled open canoes, decked canoes, and old-stlye whitewater kayaks in a variety of conditions, the Acadia is by far the best option. Last year we spent a week chasing dolphins at Hilton Head, then had the boats in class II whitewater in weastern North Carolina the following week. An excellent choice for all-around fun.

I purchased my Acadia about 3 years ago. This is my second kayak. This kayak is very stable and tracks quite well for it's length. The hatch opening is quite small so don't expect to store too much in this kayak. At first this kayak was hard to turn but after installing some thigh braces it became quite maneuverable. This kayak is great for a beginner, however, if you are an aspiring sea kayaker you will find that this kayak will not perform well in large bodies of water. This kayak is fun, and if you are just looking for a good recreational boat to float around on the weekends, you should be fine.

I have enjoyed the Acadia for about three years. It's a very stable craft which is important since I use it on small rivers and creeks during the winter months. The hatch has always provided dry storage. Tracks well and has been maintenace free. This is an excellent recreational kayak for the money.

Overall - The Acadia is an excellent boat for day trips in protected waters of bays, rivers and lakes. With the rear hatch and rudder, your assured of a decent combination of safety, tracking and speed (although will not match a touring boat). Its main advantage comes from its combination of use and size conveniences - At around 50lbs and 13 ft, it easily is put on top of the car, carried over rocks, and thrown over fences to access any water. And it won't take over the garage, apartment or basement.

I've had my Acadia for 2 seasons in Michigan and find that it's great river and inland lake boat. Easy to fish from and a quick, true tracker. It's a great first kayak that I'll be holding onto even if I get into a larger boat.

A great beginner boat. It is exceptionally forgiving and stable. What it lacks in speed it gains in versatility and stability. I have taken mine into the Hudson River on many occasions and it handles 2' to 3' choppy water without a problem. It is, however, prone to weathervane in strong winds. I also rigged a sail on it and took it on a lake. Even without a keel or rudder it handled well.

Someone else has already said it but this boat really is the Swiss Army Knife of Kayaks. I've had the Acadia in many lakes, the Deerfield River in MA (Class I & II) water, and on the Ocean around Hull, MA. In all cases the boat has handled itself well. If you'll be taking the kayak in anything but lakes or class I water I recommend a spray skirt... Great boat for the $$.

The Acadia is my first kayak, and as an introduction to kayaking I am very pleased. I use my kayak as a platform to photograph and appreciate the stability the Acadia offers. I have paddled by Acadia on Lake Erie, Abermarle Sound, Kittyhawk Bay and the Nuesse River in North Carolina. I always felt safe, this is a great boat.

The Acadia is a great all-around boat. I have paddled it in strong tidal currents, high winds, and one to two foot chop with no problems. Although it is a wet boat in chop, it is very stable, tracks well, has good speed for its short length, and turns easily. The only drawbacks are lack of bow floatation and the heavy weight.

An 8 for its purpose. We have 2 Caspias and 2 Acadias. The Acadias are particularly good for day trips on class I or mild class II rivers. I have tried many different boats of this class, sport touring, and have found the Acadia to be the best combination of stability, storage, speed, tracking and manuverability. Versitility would be enhanced with a bow dry storage area like the Carolina. I probably will pick up two Carolinas this year instead of the planned two Dagger Edistos

I love my Acadia. It handles well for me, a large paddler. Great for river, slow streams, lakes. Foam bulkhead leaked from day one, and have yet to find spray skirt that doesn't pop off when rolling, so only rates 7.

I recently purchased an Acadia. The boat is nimble, quick to accelerate, and easy to handle. I did have some problems negotiating tight turns on a low water summer creek...but that was because it tracks very well! A friend in a Swifty 3.1 handled them better but wore out on the straight stretches. I took the boat to Kentucky Lake and found that it handled the river channel with confidence. I don't agree that a rubber hatch cover and foam bulkhead cost so much on top of the base price of the boat. It paddles about as well as the Spectrum but is more stable. Compared to the Swifty and Keowee models, it is a speed demon. I will probably get the Carolina this year and give the Acadia to my wife. However, for someone wanting a good recreational boat that will comfortably handle an overnight trip or a ten mile paddle without wearing you out, the Acadia is a good boat at a reasonable price. As for longer boats overtaking the Acadia as one reviewer mentioned...in small creeks and tight turns in coves while exploring, a shorter boat is preferable. The Acadia is a lot of fun and still tracks pretty well.