America 13.5

I bought this kayak used as my first sit-in, single-paddler kayak. I really enjoy it, although it's not as stable as I expected considering it's width. The seat looks flimsy but is actually quite comfortable as a result. It's decent with handling small waves, but definitely better suited for calmer water. Storage is nice although there are no hatches in front, just behind the cockpit.

A good extra boat to have for your larger pals. Easy entry /exit. Very roomy. It could use a front storage section for extended kayak/camping. But all in all it is a good boat for a large paddler to learn basic skills in.

My first kayak and after two years of paddling lakes and streams, I feel it was an excellent choice. Extremely durable, fast... even with an old guy paddling. The large cockpit has been great for taking grandkids along. Have used this boat more than I could have ever imagined... a great relaxing getaway.

We bought two of these for family outings. We've kayaked a bit before, always renting. We had a wonderful time. Cara (15) cruised very quickly and Cindy (mom) found hers comfortable for a larger frame. We were in a large river with motor boats and also spent time up small rivers where we needed to navigate through obstacles quite a bit. We found it easy to navigate and faster than expected - the wake from the boats was quite manageable. The bald eagles weren't even scared of us! The only problem at this point is for us to decide who gets which color! A great experience - looking forward to next weekend!

I've been paddling the America 13.5 for about a month now. I can't add much new information since just about everything about this kayak has been covered at least twice. I'm a big fella, I'm 6'5" 300#'s.

There's not a huge selection of boats for people my size but I found a few and paddled them. I tried the Pungo 120 but didn't really care for it on choppy water. The Pungo 140 handled the chop and tracked better then the 120 but I didn’t care much for the seat and the hull design since I'd be using this kayak in shallow rivers. I only sat in the Sundance 12 and it was nice but once I sat in the America 13.5 and paddled it I knew this was the boat for me.

The America 13.5 has plenty of leg room for me and the cockpit is big enough to stretch when I have to. The seat back adjusts and since I have a bad back I usually adjust it once or twice during a trip. I'm not able to sit still for long because of my back but I can stay on the water for three to four hours easily in the America 13.5 and that's saying something.

This boat tracks real well and is very stable. I've had it in class 1+ so far and it didn’t have me worried at all. I've had the America out in one foot chop and I never felt like I was going for a swim. One thing you do want to get is a spray skirt if you plan on doing any white water since the cockpit is fairly large. Bottom line is that I love this kayak and for me it was the best choice out of the boats made for big boys. I'll post an update once I take the America through some class II.

Update on my America 13.5...just added a rudder kit and what a blast!! Wanna turn right? Just push the right footbrace...what a concept! Don`t let anyone tell you this isn’t a fantastic combination…a Cadillac that steers like a BMW!!

I chose this boat so I could have enough room to take my grandaughter with me. For those of you who want to share your experience with a little one...it`s perfect!!

A nice kayak for a big person. I'm 270 lbs, 6ft2in, and my America is just fine for me. It's easy to get in and out, tracks very well, and glides through the water easily. I quess I'm not really saying anything new... A good, stable boat that can haul a lot of gear if needed. We plan on getting another one for my wife, we would have bought it already if I was not between jobs. Then we will be kayaking all the time! We want to go out on the water all winter. Sumertime kayaking is fun, but it gets over 100F here and that gets old. In the winter we will have the lake almost to ourselves!

This is a nice kayak for the money. It compares reasonably in handling qualities to a Carolina or a Monterey, which run about $100 more unless you find a good sale. Maybe not perceptibly as fast, but they have a lot of the same feel to an inexperienced person like me. (Just because you're not Mario Andretti doesn't mean you don't appreciate a fine car, does it?) Speaking of cars....

In my limited experience in a demo of the America, it reminds me of a Cadillac--quite smooth, comfortable, not jackrabbit quick, but fast enough once you get going. You don't have to spend a great amount of effort to go straight, either, even with a wind. The hull turns fine--not as quick as a Swedish hull or a much shorter boat, but I preferred the tracking of the America to the amount of work needed to make a shorter kayak go straight. No, it is not paddling technique in this case. In calm water, a double stroke or two will straighten you out in just about anything. In wind, and a poor boat, you could stroke on one side forever. I didn't find this necessary in the America.

I am neutral on the value of the large cockpit. While it is easy to enter and exit, it also leaves you with nothing on which to brace your knees--unless you want to brace them on the hard cockpit edge. To be fair, you could probably pad this, but it doesn't look like the design will be too forgiving of this modification.

The America also offers a hatch--nice if you need to store gear. However, if I don't do overnight jaunts or trips requiring a lot of gear, I don't plan on accessing that hatch in the water, either!

Thanks to its cost, the America just made my "short" list for next year. I've also seen reviews which comment on the America's weight range (advertised as 57 pounds). For me, it would get lifted six times per trip--out of the garage rafters, onto the car, off the car to the water, then repeat in reverse. The majority of the time it is in the water holding ME up, weighing just about nothing. If 7 pounds makes that much difference, maybe I should just carry 7 pounds less gear! Another note--this is an honest 8. I don't give out "modern Olympics" 10's. I haven't paddled a 10 yet.

This boat is a great choice for most recreational kayakers. The large cockpit allows for easy access to stuff like cameras, fishing stuff, etc. Dog likes it also. I own two other touring kayaks that may be slightly better for long trips. If your tours are just a few hours, save money and go with the America. You will have money left for beer and space to put it where you can get it!

As a newby, i have been very happy with mine on approximately 30 paddles. Primary use is fishing/photography/camping in Everglades and fishing in urban canals. Plenty of room for 1-2 nights of camping. Easy to outfit for fishing. Easy on the $$. Dont have anything to compare it with as far as handling.

Being a long time(30+ year) canoer I wanted something that I could solo paddle in. I looked at/tried out many small/medium sized yak's and knew I had found what I wanted when I sat in a America Basic at Galyans. They really made up my mind when they put it on clearance. I am a little larger than average, 6'4-230#, and find the overall fit to be excellent-with the exception of the seatback. But that is a common thing for me at my height. I have since made a new one from marine plywood, bending it with steam. I also made my own rudder for it as it does windvane if given the chance. A small price to pay for the excellent tracking due to length. My yellow Basic is so stable I would rather be in it than one of my canoes! I bought it early May 02' and have been out with it about a dozen times on everything from flat water to mild rapids to Lake Michigan. My spray skirt gets used only when there are waves. The large cockpit and my 240 cm paddle keep the water out just fine. I thought that having a Basic would it would be hard to stow gear but I dry bag everything so I just put them up forward or aft of the seat and all done. So manueverable and a breeze to paddle all day long. I just came back from an up/down river trip of over 30 miles that still has me smiling. It goes on and off the top of my Saturn wagon so easily I can't believe it. Overall I have to give my America Basic a 9 out of 10. A 9 due to the seatback and I don't believe that anything is perfect. Well done Perception!

For decades to come people will pose the question "where were you on the morning of Sept.11th.. I was on the Erie Barge Canal in my firecracker red Perception America with its green shamrocks. When the patrol boat pulled next to me and answered my 'what's up' greeting, with the terrible news I thought for a moment and realized there was no place I'd rather have been than on this tranquil and beautifull piece of water in my America. For an entire summer that kayak allowed me to put on 100 plus miles in complete security which I guess best describes Perceptions America,

I am as green as you get, only canoe exp. so when I got tired of waiting on my buddies to go canoe, I started to think of a kayak. Now I am a big guy, 6'3" 335lbs. Needless to say there were'nt too many choices. I started in the Cabelas catalog drooling over the Old Town Loon 138. I then wiped my face off and went to Galyans to begin a hands on research. It came down to the America, Palmico, and Loon 138. The america blew them all away in value, comfort, and features. After sitting in the showroom, looking like a kid in a candy store, my wife did something that I'll never forget. I finally decided on the America, w/ a skeg, dry hatch in back, and in green, as I'm sitting in the showroom in an America, she comes up and says "is that the one you want?" I replied "yes, but it is a bit more than what I was planning on spending." She looks at me and says "well it's your's." You could've kicked me in the jimmy and I would've been less surprised. She said I had the same expresion when she told me she was pregnant w/ our daughter. So now that you have been so gracious to read my story here is the real deal. I like to get out any time any where with my yak as long as it wet. Right now I have practiced on a small lake in western New york, and a smooth running creek. I have to admit I was nervous as hell the first entry. But I'm happy to report no rolls, yet. The handling and forgiveness of the America is saint like. It is an exceptional daytripper. I haven't had the oppurtunity to use the skeg yet, but it's time is coming soon. This is the best time legally I have ever had. I highly suggest that everybody get one of these. I told my wife that I would quit hunting and fishing. Well I lied, this kayak is perfect for both. Plenty of room for all equipment. More updates to come in the future. I have to run for now, my students are pestering me about an education or something. The nerve! Happy yakking!

I bought my America last summer. This is my first kayak so I'm pretty much a newbe. I bought it for the huge cockpit and stability. I'll be 60 in a few weeks and am not as limber as I once was. My one complaint seems to be fairly common and that is the seatback but I think I can remedy that next spring. I really like being able to pull my legs up and out of the cockpit and stretch out once in awhile. Stabilitywise, I think a person could almost dance in this boat. I sold a Dagger Sojourn solo canoe when I bought the kayak and one had to be constantly on guard in that boat or you could be in the river instantly. I use the boat on the more quiet sections of the Peshtigo river including a flowage behind a hydro dam and haved no complaints about it's handling. I'd recommend this boat to any first time buyer.

After a summer of open top kayaks my friend and I decided to try "a real one". We contacted a dealer in Tulsa and for a nominal fee arranged a 9:00 to 4:00 sunday of instruction and an opportunity to try out 7 different kayaks by 3 different mfgs. If I could give any one advice it would be to try as many as you can. In the end we chose the America over a Dagger. I really wanted the optional (100.00) paint job Dagger offered. I found however that the most important feature for this "newby" was the large America cockpit that offers the safety of an "easy out".

The stability is comforting to a new person. We chose the Expidition with the hatch and opted for the rudder. There is a lot of wind in Oklahoma and in open water the rudder really helps. I have a yellow one on order and my friend bought a blue one in stock. It seems that people both like and dislike this boat for the same reason. If the young man who gave it a 2 would have tried it out the way we did he would not have made the mistake. ALL BOATS CANNOT BE ALL THINGS TO ALL PEOPLE. If you are new and want something stable and fun to get started, this is the boat. Now how about next year when I am ready for a 17 ft. cigar boat

I just got my America last Saturday and tried it twice now. I really like it. I'll be using it in the canals and bay areas in South Bethany/Fenwick Island Delaware. It seems to go pretty fast when you push it and it hold a line pretty well. I'm not used to it yet. Still feels like a bit of work, but I like the quiet and solitude of being out there in this tiny boat. I'll put out another review after I become a more 'seasoned' paddler. Anyway, for now I like it. I think I'm going to love it as I gain experience.

I purchased my America Basic Model about a month ago, and found it to be a great boat. I am 6'6" tall and weigh 265lbs, and the only adjustment was to move the keeper foot brace track forward by 6" and I only had to drill one new hole on each side. I chose the Basic instead of the Expedition model so it can hold more camping gear. It is almost impossible to turn the boat over, and in fact it begins to take on water long before it gets anywhere near flipping. I don't even use the spray skirt that I bought, and have been in water with a lot of boat traffic and wake/waves (Although I would in cold conditions to repel paddle drips mostly) I found that it tracks perfectly straight with no skeg or rudder, and turning it is a breeze after a kayak lesson. I would suggest the boat to any taller boaters looking for a less expensive boat.

I have an evergreen Perception America Expedition, and it is my first kayak. After the first time out on the lake, I know that I'm going to be quite happy with this boat for a long, long time. I plan on using the boat for paddling around the lake and occasionally going down class I-I.5 rivers. It was a tough choice between this boat and Dagger’s Blackwater Expedition. The Dagger accelerates a bit quicker and is more maneuverable, but this boat won out because it was better suited to my plans for (almost daily) lake workouts and the comfort factor. Even though I don't consider myself a large paddler, at 6'1" and 175 lbs., I really appreciate the large cockpit and the fact that I can move my legs through a few positions in the boat. I can even kick my feet up on the sides and relax for a few moments. These features really help when out on the water for at least a couple of hours at a time. It's a convenient boat to own and operate.

This boat has very good initial stability, great tracking, and plenty of space. At first, I had trouble turning the boat as quickly as I wanted to, but found after a little over an hour that I could move the boat 90-plus degrees to either side with just one stroke of the 230 cm. paddle. I think that as I get more used to the boat I will be able to perform almost any maneuver I want (within reason!). I agree with what Bob had to say about the tracking, stability, speed/acceleration, etc. One clarification about what another reviewer wrote: The (2001 model) America is 13'4", not 12'4". I would advise you to get the Expedition model, but don’t bother with the skeg. I rate it a "9." There is no "perfect boat," but this one is a great compromise between what is wanted and what is possible in a recreational kayak. Happy paddling!

I am not a rank beginner as a kayaker, but I must admit that even after having kayaked casually over a number of years, I am still rather a novice by most definitions. I tell you this because I think it's worth considering when you read my evaluation. I very recently moved up from a Perception Caspia to the Perception America Expedition. I wanted a boat which was faster, a bit more buoyant and which gave me the space for overnight camping trips. However, I didn't want too big of a kayak because hauling and storing it becomes a big problem. I echo here what others have said, "this boat is a very intelligent set of compromises". I offer my thoughts:

TRACKING - excellent. The kayak holds a straight line and coasts nicely after you stop paddling.
STABILITY - excellent. The boat feels very stable at all times. In fact I think you'd have to really work hard at it to capsize it in calm water. It's even relatively stable when you are getting in and out of it.
SPEED AND ACCELERATION - very good. The boat whispers along quickly and nicely, and if you really dig in with the paddles, she'll respond for your efforts.
MANEUVERABILITY - good. My Caspia is more maneuverable, but then it is a much smaller boat. I think it's a lot to ask a 13+ foot boat to turn on a dime. Can you really have both excellent tracking and excellent maneuverability?
SPACE - very good. The hatch space behind cockpit is more than adequate and easily accessed. There is also quite a bit of space up front beyond the foot braces. I made a solo overnighter already and with no problems I carried a tent, sleeping bag + pad, backpacker stove and fuel, food, tent, drinking water and extra clothes. You really do have to think like a backpacker when using this kayak (and most other kayaks) for camping, however. The cooler full of beer, the porta-potty and the golf clubs will need to be left behind!
STURDINESS - If my Caspia (made of the same material) is any indication, the America should give me many years of rugged kayaking, even on some mild whitewater (class I and II). Caution: I'm told, these plastic boats should be stored only on a flat surface because an improperly stored boat may sag over time. This may also be true for all kayaks. I really don't know.
COMFORT - The oversize cockpit is absolutely superb! It was probably the number one selling point for me. I am well into middle age and while I'm probably more fit than the average for my age, I don't just pop in and out of the boat like a spry teenager (Oh, to be young again!). I also like the big cockpit because you can easily pull your legs outside the boat and rest them on the front, or dip them over the side and into the water. The seat leaves something to be desired, but seat comfort can be greatly improved with some padding.
CONVENIENCE - As I said above, the America is an excellent set of compromises. The boat is large enough for overnighters, but is small enough to store and haul. I can toss the America into the back of my full size pickup and by placing it caddy-corned with the gate up, only about 3-feet sticks out the back. A single bungee cord to keep it from sliding around (my truck has a cap on the back) and a flag tied on the end of the boat for visibility/safety, and off I go! At 13' 4" in length, the America also fits nicely into my utility shed for storage.
ESTHETICS - The America certainly has nothing to apologize for. The lines are clean and simple and the decals are tasteful. The elastic hold-down bands placed just ahead of and just behind the cockpit are not only useful, but also make the boat a bit more interesting to the eye. I bought the yellow boat because I thought it would be more visible on the water than other colors (watch out for those power boaters!).
OVER-ALL - I would have no hesitation in recommending this boat to any recreational kayaker. It is a very good buy for a relatively inexpensive kayak.

I am a first time buyer and purchased the America Expedition from a local outfitter. My paddling friend purchased the basic model and as far as I can tell, for flatwater the basic model is all that is needed. I live near a river and have found the America to handle well in class I rapids, although not designed nor intended for real whitewater. It is durable, plenty of storage for my purposes- day paddles- and has a nice look. I purchased it mainly for the size of the cockpit so I could take my dog along on short paddles.Make sure you know your dog will handle the difference between a canoe and Kayak as mine hasn't adjusted to the difference. Guess I'll use the extra room for fishing equipment! If you are looking for a roomy craft in the recreational class, I highly recommend the America.

I spent a few months researching recreational and light touring plastic kayaks. I enjoyed doing the research because I find it to be fun, and I didn't want to end up buying a kayak that I'd be unhappy with. I've been kayaking on and off for over ten years. I certainly don't consider myself an expert, but I love to kayak quiet waters, bays, inlets, etc. and always have a great time paddling.

To begin with, I'm 68 years old, and weigh "over" 225 lbs. I'm physically sound, but the only exercise I do is paddling a kayak. I can paddle for two, three hours, perhaps more with no problem. This is not non-stop paddling I'm talking about. I paddle ten minutes of so, stop, and the kayak continues to glide, I take in the beauty in between strokes, and have a ball. I mention all this because my physical condition had to be taken into consideration before I purchased a new kayak. So, I now began researching for a new kayak. I read all the paddle magazine kayak reviews that I could. And, of course I read every review on this very website, paddling.com/Reviews. Of course, the only way a serious paddler should buy a kayak is to "try before you buy". Simple as that. And of course, that's what I ended up doing.

Most paddlers have different needs, and I was no different. I've paddled some beautiful boats, that you couldn't give to me for free. I saw a beautiful Old Towne Loon 120 that could handle my weight, and the finish coat was a beauty to see. But, I like to "drag" a boat in the sand for a bit when "beaching a kayak", and knew I'd have a "fit" when I saw all the bottom scratches that would occur eventually. I almost bought the Perception Acadia because she paddled, and tracked great, which is on the top of my requirements. I then went to Eastern Mountain Sports, and saw the Perception America with its huge cockpit, and began to "salivate", since I've gotten so tired of getting in and out of "small" cockpits, and the America seems too good to fit my requirements. First: she was 27 1/2 inches wide. I immediately assumed she'd be too "slow". Second: She was 50 lbs.. My last kayak was 38 lbs, so I knew the America would be a bit too heavy for me. I made up a list of kayaks that would accommodate my 225 lbs. Old Towne Loon 138, with a 18x55 cockpit was just too wide and long.

Dagger: Edisto, Cypress, and the Savannah, all great kayaks, but all had cockpits of 19x34. Necky: Zoar, and the Zoar Sport, cockpit, 17x32, too small.(Great quality)Perception:Vizcaya,Captiva,Carolina, and Acadia, all great ones. I found myself putting the America back on the list, then taking it off, for about three or four times., until I decided to test paddle it in Long Island Sound, N.Y. I use the Yakima Roof rack system, with four cradles, but at 50 lbs. I had to have my wife pick up the other end, and put it on top of the car. The water at Long Island Sound was not the smoothest on that day. What I was looking for in this kayak was straight tracking, and a good amount of speed, and of course a comfortable cockpit. And that's exactly what this boat did. I took the boat back to EMS. I didn't buy it. I liked everything about the kayak, but I still wanted to think about it. I'm retired, so, I've got plenty of time to have fun researching. A week later, I walking into EMS, and saw that the America was on sale of $475, and bought it.I really didn't care for any of Perceptions hull colors, but I decided on "Firecracker", (red). Its the Basic model, not the expedition. I purchased flotation bags, for the bow and stern, and I was on my way up to Cape Cod for two weeks of paddling, and swimming. I crossed one beach, to another, all sandy of course, with the greatest peace, and tranquility ever. I found the America to be fast in quiet waters, even in a bit of a chop. I paddled at times, with my legs "over" the cockpit with no problem. The bottom of the America is "flat", so its got great "primary stability". As for secondary stability, I can only guess, that its not good. My last boat had great secondary stability, but for the kind of paddling that I do, the America, with its super primary stability leads me to think that Perception had someone like me in mind when it first went on the drawing board. Another reason I bought the America, is that since the cockpit is so large, I could sit my 6 year old grandson in front of me and have him paddle for a while, and then, I would. There's an option child's seat that I could have bought for $25 extra, but my grandson had plenty of room in the cockpit without it, so I didn't buy it.

He now talks to me about going "kayaking" up at Cape Cod again. While at the Cape, I tried to re-enter the boat, from about four feet of water, and could not. I even tried it with a paddle float, with no luck. The reason: I have so few muscles left, that I can't even get into my son's 14 foot runabout. But I do believe the America's probably one of the easiest kayaks to re-enter due to its large beam, and flat bottom. If I were in better shape, I know I could have hopped onto the stern, keep my head low, and just slide into the cockpit, without even using a paddle float.

One last point: My daughter kayaked the America a few times, and I noticed that she could not go as fast as I could. I cannot emphasize buying the "Proper paddle". I do believe that my daughter couldn't go as fast as me was because my paddle is a "fixed left hand control" paddle. Meaning that, if you're a right hand control paddler, as most people are, you'll have a bit of a hard time adjusting to MY paddle. I now intend to buy an "adjustable" paddle so ANY paddler can adjust it to left, or right when using my kayak. You'll not only go faster, but you'll feel no pain or strain on your arms, and upper body. So, for me, I've found a kayak to love for a long time. It may even be my last kayak. The America is made of Roto-molded superlinear polyethylene. Some of those boats I mentioned above were simply great, Dagger, Necky, and Old Towne, but with my "girth", I had not much of a choice, and luckily, I'm as happy as a "pig in mud".......One last point: Canoe & Kayak magazines August edition, did a review on 6 recreational kayaks. The Perception America was one of them reviewed. The last part of the review said, "We found it much more pleasant to relax and enjoy the kayak, rather than push it through maneuvers it was not intended to make". That's what originally helped to "turn me off" on the America. The "push it through maneuvers, etc," had me thinking negatives against the kayak. Well, I certainly can go as fast as I wish, and am elated over the great tracking, while I "relax", and paddle with ease, the "maneuvers, that this happy paddler always "intends to make"... "Have fun paddling".

I recently purchased an America to use for mangrove and swamp paddling in Fl. Found it to be very good for twisty mangrove creeks and streams and extrememly roomy which is important for a big guy. I gave it a nine rather than ten due to dissatisfaction with the dealer, not the boat.

The snow's barely off the ground, and I couldn't wait to see how the America fared - high winds and almost freezing temperatures greeting me in my maiden voyage, and I couldn't be happier. Others were being blown around, but the America tracked beautifully! Bought it for the extra large cockpit as I hope to take my dog during the warmer months. Spent the extra $ for the expedition, and love the really large oval cockpit cover - very easy to get things in and out. Light enough to carry by myself - love the built in skeg. A great all around multi-purpose kayak. Thanks, Perception.