Conduit 13.0

I have owned the conduit 13 for 7+ years and it has seen a lot of water of all types. This boat has a lot of pros and just a few cons. Pros: The width and size of the cockpit make entry and exit easy and stable. The length and sealed bulkheads front and rear provide floatation and storage not usually found in a boat at this price. The hull design allows for enough speed to keep up with groups on moderate paddles with little fatigue and little wind cocking. A good overall design that can safely take you into bigger water and moderate waves. The seat is adjustable and comfortable. Overall a great boat for the price. Cons: The width adds weight which is on the high side for a 13’ boat and makes the boat a little slower. The large cockpit size can make finding and fitting a skirt difficult and the seat back height can interfere with a tight fitting rolling skirt. The biggest flaw in this boat is the seat. Ours was mounted crooked from the factory and it has broken and the seat back has been replaced twice since we had it. The seat material and quality is just not adequate for heavy use. But for the price this boat has taken me and my wife far beyond the beginner price.

Wow, I just got caught out in a sudden storm that went from calm to 4 foot seas in about 2 minutes, and this little boat performed like a trooper. I do not recommend trying this at home! This boat was not made to do this. But, when I went out this afternoon expecting calm weather, I chose this boat over my 16 footer, and in the end I was glad I did.

I was out with 4 other people, all of us in similar length boats, there may have been a 12, but the rest of them were 14s, and all more expensive boats, and this boat performed as well as, or better than, any of the others. It tracked and drove through 3-4 waves and 20+ mph winds, that I would have never expected it to handle. I was the only one of us who chose not to wear their spray skirt. I got lucky, but diving into these waves, I unbelievably took on almost no water.

This is the beginning of my third year paddling this boat (along with others). It is still my favorite. I have used it on creeks, and in bays, and close to shore on Lake Michigan. My wife has one too, and we have used them multiple times for short-distance kayak camping. I have paddled it through ice, and in 70 degree waters. And now this! I’m impressed.

This boat is not built like a tank, but if it keeps being this dependable, who needs one.

The only time I wished I was paddling a different boat was once when I was paddling in about 15 mph winds. We were coming back from a camping trip, and it was overloaded with gear. I experienced severe weathercocking. But I suspect all that gear had put the boat completely out of trim, and while I have experienced mild weathercocking before, it’s been rare, and less than expected for a boat this short, and this stable. Maybe I just got lucky, but in today’s heavy seas it tracked surprisingly well.

The Conduit 13 was my 8th kayak purchase. It was my second 13ft Kayak, my 1st was a WS Manteo (Buy if you can find). I have owned one 17ft kayak, an OT Millennium. Everything else has been assorted 11ft, 10ft, 9ft boats. The Conduit 13 doesn’t paddle like the big ol boat that it is. It’s a front and rear sealed bulkhead storage compartment party barge. It’ll haul the goods, and you feel good about the idea that your stuff will stay dry despite what happens in the cockpit. I bought mine used with some oil can (waves in the bottom) and it still paddles beautifully. Mine has no rudder. I don’t really see the need for the rudder thus far. I paddle the Holston, French broad, Tennessee (Lake London) and all creeks, lakes associated with the East TN/Knoxville area. It handles all of it. Fast, glides forever, tracks beautifully and turns very fast with a sweep stroke. You dig a bit to get it going but once it gets up it cruises. It has topside rigging located between cockpit and hatch openings to strap on whatever gear you could need handy. It has a generous space behind the seat for medium/small sized water bag if you don’t want the weight topside in front or between your legs. The seating situation on my boat was hammered, the bottom Cushion was gone and knee bolsters pretty raggedy. I have a Klymet blow up seat bottom anyways. Blow up seat cushion...best thing ever. On a 6 hour paddle I adjusted the Lower back rest a few times. The adjustable back rest is very nice, I think paddlers set their boat rigging once for a trip and never realize...you can change it as you go. Foot pegs/lower back rest....change it up if you need to. You can also set the tension on the lower back rest, a ratcheting mechanism on the right. Use it. It’s a beautiful thing. This boat was already massively successful as the Dagger Catalyst 13. My only complaint is that such a wonderful Kayak should have been produced in 4 or 5 different color combos. As it is..mine is orange and yellow. The brightest color boat I have owned yet. The only other option I have seen is Salsa. Those don’t turn up used where I live. This boat does it all well and that’s pretty amazing. I bought this boat after I had a life changing event in a smaller boat. Had that event happened to me in the conduit 13 that day would have gone completely different. This Boat is Home on The Water and will be for years to come. I intend to add threaded drain plugs to all three compartments. All paddlers should add drain plugs if they don’t have them. Imagine needing to get your boat drained as quickly as possible and get back on the water to assist other paddlers in an emergency situation. I also intend to add paddle Storage rigging on both sides. Modify your boats to fit your needs folks. I can’t suggest that enough.

This is the first kayak that I have owned. I have had it on sounds, lakes, slow-moving rivers, and a river with class 1 rapids, and it has handled them all. I do plan to add a rudder to help with open water. Seems like a great first kayak and you get a lot for your money.

I upgraded from a Future Beach Trophy 126. I was looking to get more out of my yak. The water tight compartments are spacious and work well. The adjustable seat is very comfortable. The higher cockpit keeps you dry protected. For its length it is surprisingly agile and easily builds speed. I only have 2 cons. First the tracking needs correction more than I thought it would. However, it is not a nuisance. Second I would prefer to have locking hatch covers instead of the rubber press on covers. Overall I am very satisfied with my new float.

I purchased my conduit 13, in 2017. By far it’s the best all water type kayak I’ve used. I load it with gear in the bow and stern hatch, having the water tight hatches and bulkheads add the sense of security you feel in this strong durable boat. Not to mention the exceptional seat back. With its amount of adjustable positions ideal for long days into nights on the water! I highly recommend this for beginners to intermediate paddlers! I do recommend purchasing a rudder kit for bays or deep water current.

Got this as my first kayak because I wanted something I could take in everything from lakes to some slightly bumpy waters or even some sheltered coves on the coast. So far this boat has yet to meet its match in all kinds of conditions. I've taken it out in 3-5' swells during a storm and felt completely comfortable, as well as down some class 2 rapids where it happily splashed through all the rollers. I've even stood up in this kayak on flat waters and didn't tip. This sucker has ample room for gear/legs (if you're 6'4 like me) and it's lightning quick. None of my friend's boats can keep up with me when we go for a paddle, and isn't exhausting even after paddling 6-8 miles.

Only two downsides I can see are that it's REALLY hard to roll (but also nearly impossible to tip in the first place), and it's a bit heavy (definitely advise parking close to the water). But as a very cheap touring kayak, this boat will handle just about anything you can throw at it.

Highly recommend this boat for anyone wanting a one-size-fits-all kayak, or for anyone wanting to get into kayaking that wants an intermediate level kayak to grow into rather than an intro-level bathtub from Costco.

I am a heavy cargo (5'10" 230lbs), and needed a longer kayak than the 10-11 ft rec boats. I like the symmetrical hull design of this conduit, and other specs looked good so I bought one. Have paddled it on lakes, backwaters, marshes, and a couple small streams, and the boat has been remarkably responsive and stable, even in the wind and chop. It tracks well, but with a slight built-in rocker it turns easily. It's a couple of inches skinnier than boats I was used to, which makes paddling easier, and the secondary stability is excellent. Five ribs in the hull add tracking and stiffness without compromising handling. My favorite feature is the nice high fore-deck, giving plenty of room for legs and knees to move around and many options for positioning lower body. The foot pegs are smallish but comfortable, and seat is comfortable but seems flimsy where the back connects to the seat (I have not had the problems mentioned by others). I did make a skeg out of plywood as the boat comes with a bracket and holes for connecting a rudder kit, and this makes it track even better. One of the foam bulkheads was dislodged when I got the boat, so I repositioned and resealed it with silicone. Many advanced features in an affordable, stable, rec/touring crossover boat.

I've owned my Perception Conduit 13.0 for 2 years now, purchased from Dicks here in Pennsylvania. The kayak suits me almost perfectly as I am 73 years young, 6 ft in height, between 165 and 185 lbs and in reasonably good health. It seems perfectly stable to me and I've never had it flip over other than deliberately just a few days ago. The purpose was to see if it was possible for me to reenter it in deep water and unaided.

Sadly this was impossible, but the blame is mostly due to my lack of flexibility. I was able to swim up onto the rear deck and proceed to the cockpit area, but not able to get my legs inside without tipping over. Trying the other method of swimming perpendicular to the cockpit area resulted in much the same result.

With the assistance of my daughters, I was able to re-enter, but the experience leads me to believe that I had best be very cautious in deep water and in this I find the kayak to be great! I've been in high swells generated by passing power boats and by high winds on large lakes without any problems other than becoming wet due to splashing water.

I would have preferred to have drain plugs in both ends of the kayak as I seem to get small amounts of water in both. Not sure if it is entering thru the hatch covers or the built in bulkheads, but it is annoying nonetheless.

I would cheerfully recommend this kayak to anyone in my general age - condition range and am looking forward to many more years of use!

I just purchased this kayak from Dick's and took it to the lake for a trial. Was not sure what to expect, but the reviews were favorable. I was pleased with the boat. It is not top of the line, but the fit and finish are good and overall it is an attractive kayak. I have paddled many kayaks over the years and was trying to find one kayak that I could use for all my different types of paddling. I wanted something not too heavy or expensive that paddled in a straight line yet was manueverable, that had room and was comfortable, but not too big so that it was slow and bulky feeling. The Conduit 13 met all those requirements for me.

I took it out to a local lake and launched it for a little afternoon paddle. It is not too heavy for one man loading which is important to me at age 69! I had recently gone to a kayak demo and paddled numerous other boats so I had some recent experience to compare this one to. It went relatively quickly on the water and was not hard to keep on a straight course. Yet when I tried to turn it was quite easy to manage. The seat is OK and has enough adjustment for me. Cockpit is spacious and easy to get in and out of. Plus the padding on cockpit makes it easy to brace and the footpegs fit me well. I did not even have to adjust them when I got on the water.

Overall I feel that this is a decent boat for an inexpensive price. Less than half of the cost of some of its competitors. I am looking forward to more time on the water and setting it up with extras to make it perfect for my paddling fun.

We just bought a Conduit 13.0 to carry on our sailboat. We also have two ~~17 foot Fibreglass kayaks, A Necky Kesla & Current Design. We have kayaked in Alaska, BC & the Queen Charlottes and in Argentina.

The Perception Conduit blew me away with what a great kayak this is, especially 1/4 to a 1/5 the price of our glass kayaks. It's great in calm water, small consistent waves, and moderately okay in 1 to 3 (stretching it) foot choppy confused seas. In open water and larger seas and rollers I would stick with our 17 + foot glass kayaks. However, if you're a recreational kayaker and staying close to shore I don't think there is better value kayak on the market.

It tracks straight as an arrow and no rudder is required. I'm 170 pounds and 5'11" while my wife is 5'4" and slim yet we both love to paddle this kayak. The other nice feature - it is very light.

After several months of looking at classifieds, internet searches, I purchased a new Conduit 13. Made of rotomolded plastic, it weighs 48 lbs on our scale. Our old Loon is 61 lbs on the same scale.

The Conduit has two bulkheads, with bow and stern hatches. It does not have a rudder, but is designed where one could be added. The cockpit is plenty large for me, 5'9", but my husband could not straighten his legs when wearing sneakers, even with the pegs all the way forward. He is 6'1".

As a beginner/intermediate paddler looking to advance my skills, I was surprised at the secondary stability compared to our old kayak. The Conduit has hard chines, and an edge went to a certain point and just "locked" there. Two people have told me it looks "sleek". And for a 13 foot kayak, it is fast. I have had no issues with the seat so far. Comfortable, adjustable. I think it is an excellent value for the price.

Bought this kayak back in April 2015 looking forward to the exploring the lakes and rivers here in Wisconsin. The first trip out was all that I'd hoped for, stable, easy to maneuver... the second trip however paddling around a local small lake, the seat back broke where the seat itself attaches to the post that comes up from the floor of the kayak. I'm very disappointed, as this happened just a week before a major outing. I have gone to directly to Harmony to get this problem resolved... but the resolution didn't come in time for my being able to enjoy my kayak on our trip. Still hopeful to have it operational before the season ends

This is my first kayak. I purchased it from Dick's this Spring, on sale for around $530. This kayak is not too heavy at around 50 lbs, fast in the water, cockpit isn't too tight so I don't feel claustrophobic - even with the mini skirt that I purchased from Harmony to keep my legs dry.

This boat is easy to paddle. I'm female, 5'4. This boat is easy to get in & out of and is not "tippy." I've paddled at least once a week since purchase 2 months ago on flat rivers, creeks, and lakes. I love it.

My only complaint is that when I try to drift/coast it drifts/tracks to the right. Part of that may be me being new to paddling.
All in all, though, love this boat!

I purchased this boat in early January and have found that it is the best all around boat I've ever had. I have paddled it on a 3 day 68 mile camping trip down a river. This boat gave me plenty of room and actually held a Yeti 35 quart cooler on the back above the dry hatch. During the trip I was able to fish out of the boat comfortably while drifting down the river. I have also accidentally taken this boat through class III white water rapids with no problem although I probably won't be doing it again if I can help it. I plan to one day purchase a rudder for the boat in hopes that it will track better in the lakes I use it in. This boat is perfect size in as it is big enough to comfortably cover a lot of water in but it isn't so big that it is difficult to get around downed trees and other obstacles in the river. I would highly recommend purchasing this boat.

I bought my Conduit 13 as my 2nd kayak. We started with 10 ft rec boats that were as cheap as the price suggested (but they were still wonderful, and got me hooked on kayaking)

I LOVE this boat. Have had it 2 seasons so far (still plan a few more trips this fall, weather permitting) and have never had a problem. I paddle mostly small lakes, streams and rivers here in Upstate NY, and have taken this boat all over the southern half of the Adirondack Park. liked it so much I went back to Dick's and bought another exactly like it for my wife.

I found that it took me a few miles to get the feel for the boat, because it didn't track as well as my cheapy 10 footer (that boat has a discernible keel to it from bow to stern) and wind was an issue.

I paddled over 100 miles in the boat last year, in every condition from calm to a brisk wind and 6-8 inch chop with no problems. Over last winter i decided to add a rudder kit and WOW, what a difference. Unhappy with the idea of losing the 'locked in' feeling of fixed foot braces I opted to also purchase 'smart trac' foot pedals, which remain in position (you steer with small peddles fixed to the top of the traditional foot braces, so you can lock in, focus on your stroke, and steer around obstacles or correct course with a push of the toes). The boat is SO much more civilized with the rudder. Loved the rudder and steering controls so much I upgraded my wife's boat with the same setup (about $250 with the rudder & peddle kit together) and she loves it.

I am a big guy, 5'10" and close to 275, and I can get in & out of this boat with no problem. The seat is excellent, and with the roominess of the cockpit I can even sit cross-legged if I want to take a break. I've loaded it up and taken it camping with no problems. The initial and secondary stability are terrific, I've never tipped despite some hairy moments with large boat wakes on a wind swept lake. The boat has a lot of glide and is a joy to paddle. Typical trips range from spending a few hours poking around a small lake to day-long, 18 mile paddles up the Kunjamuk River, and the more time I spend in the boat the more I love it. It does what a rec boat should, with performance more like a light touring boat.

If you are looking for a step up from smaller, wider (slower) boats, but don't want to give up a big cockpit with legroom and the stability of a wide rec boat, this is one you should paddle.

I love my Conduit 13. It is very fast for a recreation kayak and tracks well. I have used it in various lakes, inlets, rivers, and the Chesapeake Bay. It's well built and stable. It also hauls quite a bit of gear. I'm 6'3" and 230lbs and it's comfortable for all day excursions.

I got the Conduit 13.0 at Christmas from Dicks. I haven't been able to take it down the river yet but I have paddled around the pond and this thing can fly. It's pretty stable and as long as you don't act goofy you will not flip it on flat water. I am 5'10" and about 200lbs and the cockpit is a decent size for me. I hope to go on a 1-2 night trip down the Current River in Missouri and I will give an updated review then.
This is a great kayak overall and with the price you can't beat it.

Just purchased this kayak last month and have had it out three times. On the Trough section of Potomac it handled Class II and III rapids and ledges with ease. On lakes it tracked and turned well.

At 13 feet this boat is a great size and has versatility to handle a variety of conditions for a larger paddler. I'm 6'1" and 155 lbs. It is a bit heavy. Seat feels flimsy but is comfortable.

I've owned the Perception Sport Conduit 13.0 for 2 years. I purchased it at Dick's Sporting Goods for 500.00 on sale ($100.00 off). I use it on the St. Lawrence River which is a large river and we can have some rough waves.

This kayak is made of a durable material and withstands being pulled up on shore sometimes rocky pebbles resulting in only minor scratches. It tracks fairly well for an inexpensive kayak. The cockpit has a medium size opening so I don't have any trouble entering it. It also has footrest, however, they aren't padded so requires some footwear so your feet don't hurt pushing against them. The color is orange and yellow which is easily visible on the water. This one also has 2 storage areas to contain your gear and also straps across the top to stash a jacket.

The cons are there is no drain plug so if you get water in you must either sponge it out or tip it over ( it weighs 50 lbs.). The seat isn't very well padded and can cause some hip pain on long treks. I add a 1" cushion which helps immensely. Also, the seat back doesn't stay in its' track. This is very flimsy.

All in all, I'm satisfied and would recommend it for the price. If Perception corrected the few cons I mentioned, I would be willing to pay a little more.

The Conduit 13 is potentially the absolute best boat out there for its price. It may be considered a hybrid of a recreational and a touring kayak, being longer and narrower than a rec kayak, but shorter and wider than a touring kayak. This gives the single layer polyethylene hull speed and tracking not found in rec kayaks but also more stability than a touring kayak. It does not possess many accessories, but its two watertight bulkheads and wonderfully adjustable seat are all one really needs, and extras for fishing or photography are easily and cost-effectively added to personalize one's own boat.

The lack of accessories is also completely outweighed by this boat's wonderful handling properties. Having only used such smaller rec boats as a Swifty, Otter, and Future Beach Fusion, this kayak is a complete dream. While the others plow through the water, this slices. Of course, this boat does not compare to much more expensive boats, but it is amazing for its class. The extra $200 - $300 worth of length and design that gives this boat such performance over the rec boats is completely justified.

Turning radius and ease is also superior to boats of similar price, the 13 foot length is just long enough to provide good tracking and yet short enough to facilitate sharp turns, especially when the boat is on edge.

These handling descriptions apply to my personal experience on flat water, and I have not used the kayak on chop over 6 inches. According to other reviews, though, it will handle substantial waves satisfactorily.

From my experience, however, this is fast boat, and I am sure that an adept paddler will be able to keep up with a touring group quite well, especially in less windy conditions. If wind proves to be troublesome, however, one may add a Perception rudder kit to the rudder-ready fittings on the stern for $175 on Amazon.

I am exceptionally pleased with this boat, as I am sure any beginner, intermediate, and a few advanced paddlers would think.

I purchased the Conduit 13 after trying a couple kayaks and found for the money it was the best buy. The seat is very comfortable and the roomy cockpit allows me to move around when needed. The two dry hatches are dry for now. I limit my kayaking to back bays and creeks. I will have to say tracking is good, but with winds higher than 15 knots the boat begins to wander a bit. I do plan to add a rudder for the windy days.

First off I'd like to point out that there are further reviews available by looking under Perception and under Dagger Catalyst. This boat has changed names but is still a very nice design.

I'm 5'9" and 200 lbs and I've been paddling for a few years, mainly in 9' 6" rec boats and also in a canoe. My main reason for wanting this particular boat is for flat water rivers, reservoirs, and inland lakes (not the Great Lakes). I wanted to be able to more easily travel longer distances on flat rivers especially all while hauling the things my kids bring when we go paddling.

It weighs about 51 lbs, which isn't bad to get onto the roof rack of the car, and being about the same thickness as the rec boats it rides nicely on it's side along with the rec boats. The Kayak Karrier handles are shaped nicely to give a comfortable grip when carrying it too.

When getting into the boat I appreciate the texturing they've added to the top of the decks because I sit on the back deck and then put my feet in, then slide into the cockpit so as to not drag my keel on the rocks. The bottom of the hull is more rounded than the rec boats which makes it less stable but easier to edge which is really nice. When I got it up to speed I decided to see just how far I could edge it and I was able to shift my weight far enough onto each cheek alternately to bring the edge of the cockpit right down to the water and maintain that position while moving. I like to edge while turning but it turns well while sitting straight up but of course it takes a greater radius to do it in. Something else I really like is that the attachment points for the deck bungies are molded above the deck instead of simply having holes drilled into it, thus preventing water from getting through and dripping onto your legs. The footpegs are the same style as I was used to in my rec boats (slide-lock style), and I'm quite happy with them. The seat hasn't gotten the best of reviews but it is height adjustable, and has a strap to adjust the angle. I paddled for 3 1/2 hours and didn't feel any better or worse than any other time I've paddled for that long.

The day I was out was pretty windy for the first half of the trip so I decided to try getting hit from all directions by paddling in large circles out in the middle of the reservoir. The waves were about 6" tall and coming with great frequency. When going straight into or away from the waves the ride was really smooth and of course with them coming perpendicularly I'd bobble back and forth but I never felt as though I'd turn over. Quartering just required corrective strokes to keep on track. The boat has all the points molded into it to add a rudder if you want but so far I don't feel like I'll be needing it.

I didn't have waves washing over the storage hatches so I can't vouch for their water-tightness or not but there is ample storage if I felt like camping out of it.

If I could have anything different for this boat I'd add thigh braces and a small day hatch on the rear deck that I could reach while sitting in the cockpit. Maybe have the cockpit molded in a way that thigh braces could be added by the user if they wanted them similar to how you can add a rudder if you feel the need. I used a splash deck with mesh pockets and my pfd has pockets so I don't HAVE to have a day hatch, but I'd like to have one.

Overall I feel this boat is perfect for someone wanting to paddle flat water trips on inland waterways. As soon as time permits I'll be taking it to a river to see how it does on some moving water.

I got this kayak in replacement for another that did not track as well as I wished. Have only been out once, in very rough water with high winds, and as long as the kayak is pointed into the wind or even cross wind, it tracks very well. With 20mph winds at your back, it takes a bit to keep it straight, but there is the ability to add a rudder. This is not, by any means at all, a whitewater boat. More suited to open water and slow moving, deep creeks. Great boat for touring smaller lakes!

Stability was very good, and with the hard chine, it edges very nicely, making the boat maneuver more like a shorter boat. Paddling hard resulted in very little yaw, which helps with tracking and glide.

I think there is plenty of dry storage space, and yes a little water got in, I think most from hosing the kayak off when I got home. The seat is comfortable, and offers a lot of adjustment. I wish it had thigh braces, but I think I can work with the foot braces and back rest to get a good hold of the kayak.

Overall, for the money, I think this kayak earns a 9. Tracking in tailwind could be better, but I don't paddle much in wind, so not an issue really. Also, thigh braces would have earned it a 10, but would have also increased the cost. I recommend this to anyone looking to tour some small lakes or deep slower moving creeks/rivers. If you have a problem with tracking, a rudder kit can help take care of that!

I bought this the first week in April and as of today (May 25) have been out almost a dozen times.

Pros:
+ handles well for a boat its size, is fairly maneuverable and quite stable.
+ its hardy. I pulled in one day after a sudden rainstorm struck. As I was loading the yak onto my car a gust of wind struck and slammed it onto the pavement. There was barely a scratch on it. This is very comforting to know.
+ it tracks pretty well on flat water and on waves.
+ it's pretty light for its size. I have like zero upper body strength and can still carry this 51 lb boat for short distances.
+ roomy cockpit. I am able to take my 10 lb dog out with me and we are both comfortable. I wouldn't try it with a large breed dog though.
+ storage. This model has both stern and bow hatches, which is good because I like to go stay out all day and even enjoy kayak camping
+ glides easily through water. I can stay out on it with little effort on my part.

Cons:
- the seat is ridiculously uncomfortable. When I'm out I like to be out all day and usually by the end of the day my lower back is sore and bruised from the uncomfortable seat. This is the first yak I've ever had where this has been an issue. Most (Old Town, Pelican, to name a couple) have been so comfortable I could sleep in it if I wanted.
- The hatch covers are rubber. In the heat of the day they are very easy to slip on and off, but in cold weather, they are a bear to get back on. They are such a pain in the ass to put back on that I leave them off in cold weather.

Overall this is an excellent kayak, one I would recommend to friends and family. However, the uncomfortable seat is bad enough that it prohibits me from giving it the full 10 rating.