Sound 9.5

I had gotten this 9.5 kayak as I knew it would fit Inside my van (& back of my Element., w. back window open). I already own a Perception Conduit 9.5 & Loved it's ltweight , & stable , comfy seat & good glide to it. I swore the Conduit was really all anyone ever needed-(as I also own "higher end-larger kayaks). I purchased the Sound 9.5 as originally , I preferred the more open cockpit, & also that "original, somewht-Hybrid design" -the open stern piece w. scupper holes., that maybe could hold my dog as well, or other gear. I love Everything abt. paddling this kayak -it's so steady, and paddles nicely-though the Conduit still has the better Glide to it., and feels a little lighter to haul around. What really sells me by now though, after using the Sound-is in contrast to my daughter or friend using my Conduit -I always remain dry as a bone , even after paddling thru whitecaps & heavy winds ! It hardly gains a drop of water , with the deep gunwale that surrounds the cockpit to catch any water even TRYING to enter the kayak! That's especially a nice feature-by Fall -being able to still go kayaking & remain so dry and warm with the bow being the Sit Inside design. This kayak has passed many a test-when on a return paddle -dealing w. increasing winds, waves and water splashing over the deck , but having never yet capsized, or even taking on water! BTW_about the dog-I could carry the dog over a short paddle round the lake-but it's not really adequate for the size dog my dog ended up being.-a little taller than med. sz. . The kayak just drags at that point & is harder to paddle. (He weighs 45 pds.). It would be ideal for a smaller dog-or lighter added weight -is also very roomy w. the right balance of weight or gear! I had also grown heavier & not as agile as before-& the Sound fits me perfectly! Launching is very easy -the cockpit is so open & larger -I can just aim my butt for the seat without even a near miss! About the dashboard-I love it for holding my camera & waterbottle , etc, as things can so often roll off inside the smaller kayaks , and it also keeps those items so handy for quick use. The Kayak also qualifies for an additional prop to order to hold fishing rods, cell phs, or cameras, etc., which I may want to order-but meanwhile it already offers such nice storage AS IS, including rod holders behind the seat ! That this is a Fishing Kayak has opened up a whole new world of kayaking to me . It's so practical-I found I also enjoy purchasing Fishing Gear too-like Fishing PFD's, & I got small dry bags -and overall-I was able to purchase the Kayak -at less than $500.00, and all my gear at our local Academy Store! I have found-it's really all I ever needed & am able to get on the water more often & more easily than ever before-particularly as I am unable to lift too much weight anymore -but am always able to still haul this kayak around and get it In my car! (Never a bad time with the Sound 9.5, and the Perception Conduit 9.5 has also served as a good Companion kayak-they BOTH fit inside Both my vehicles ! ) Would highly recommend the Sound 9.5!

For a short boat the Perception tracks well. I have used it on both a calm lake and the Susquehanna River. It does well on both. Light enough at 38lbs that as a small female I can lift it over my head unassisted to get it on the rack on top of my car. I also like the built in rod holders and the knee pads for resting my knees on while I am paddling.

I don't have extensive experience with different kayaks, but I have had my Perception Sound 9.5 for a year now. I love it. I was looking for a quality, beginner recreational kayak. My husband and I stick to pretty calm waters, usually out a couple of hours at a time. This fits the bill. I like the size of the cockpit--not too big, not too small. The adjustable-height seat back is great. I can nestle it just below the bottom of my life jacket (I'm 5'5"). The Sound tracks well and is stable. The bungees and little storage features up front are convenient. And I love how it's light enough for me to carry to and from the truck myself (my husband isn't sad about that, either--ha ha!). I'd buy this kayak again in a heartbeat.

I just got this kayak and did a few laps in the pool and I found it to be a great kayak! It didn't easily tip and was very stable.

I bought a pair of Sound 9.5 with Harmony Drifter 225 cm paddles through REI when they were on sale for under $399 on Memorial day weekend. Both products made in the USA.

I was looking for small stable boats for beginning paddlers as well as something to use on rivers in N WI where one might meet a few unavoidable rocks. These track fairly well on flat water. (I had a Wilderness Systems [a.k.a. Trinity Bay] Critter that tracked better than any short kayak I have tried since, but I sold that one because I was not comfortable in the hard seat.) The Perception Sport Sound doesn't swing wide or "washout" in the tail end like some other short kayaks do when making a sharp turn. This must have something to do with the blunt end design in the stern, which I think essentially takes 6" off of what is pretty much a 10' boat. This slightly squared off end also makes this boat fit in the back of a smaller pick-up truck nicely. I am a 5'5" 145 lb female with strong paddling skills, and find I can get this kayak up to a decent speed but it is a bit of work to maintain the speed. I have not had these in fast water yet. In moderate river current the Sound requires a bit more corrective steering. The 225 cm paddle seems a bit short for working over the height of the cockpit, however the coaming is shaped nicely downward for accommodating the paddle stroke as you pull toward your body. Others who have paddled this boat like the stability.

At this price point, the seat is better than most, although the seat back is not attached to the seat base (it is tethered by a strap). The seat back can pop completely out of the slot that holds it. I have not had this happen at all while paddling, but it can happen if you straddle the boat to enter the cockpit from the stern and bump into the top of the seat back. I have had the flotation foam blocks come loose from inside the stern; it was not easy to wedge back in. The 'free' paddles are pretty nice - oval shafts, 2-position, lightweight. These are good sturdy little boats and have so far proven great on short lake outings or shallow river water, are easy to carry, and fun to share.

I own two of these kayaks because they're very stable and reliable. Tracks like a dream and plenty of room. My 10 year old son can maneuver it around the water with ease. Perfect for day trips on lakes and slow rivers.

At 38 pounds and 9'6", this kayak is easy to carry from truckbed to waterside wherever I go. I named it "Stubby" because it so short and therefore doesn't track all that well--but for the river paddling I do it's a great extra boat (I already have a Jackson Daytripper 10, roomier but heavier) for friends or for me solo when I can't park close to the put-in site.

Since Mainstream was acquired by Confluence, which also acquired Perception, the Sound is now manufactured by Perception Sport and is known as a Perception Sound. It is not shown on Perception's website, but is now shown on Perception Sport's website. It appears that Perception & Perception Sport are different companies...very confusing.

Large cockpit is easy to enter & leave; high deck leaves room for feet & knees. There is no closed storage & has foam flotation under the stern deck. Plenty of open storage under the decks for day trips. Tracks well and turns easily. The Sound has a tri-hull, but looks almost flat; can be transported on a rack right-side up. The Sound is roto-molded high-density linear polyethylene, but is sure a lot lighter (38 lbs) then any others I've seen. It's not a fast boat, but is very stable. When paddling hard, you can hear the water coming off the squarish stern.

Only weak point is the folding seat back, it is not attached to the bottom & is held in place with straps but it can easily pop out from bottom. I've added shock cords to keep to pulled down tightly.

Have had this kayak for 4 years & find it the best for slow moving rivers.

Have reviewed these before. The good: handles nicely, tracks well for the size, easy to load.
Now the not so good: seat becomes uncomfortable after more than 20 minutes, one of mine the back brace pulled out of where it was attached, not easily accessible and have to work on this.
Overall: still a good boat for the price. Looking to upgrade the seats and setbacks.

I rented one of these and another brand 12' kayak Memorial Day for me and my daughter, 10 years old. She started out in this boat. It was very stable for her and she was able to stay with me in the 12 ft boat. It rode over boat wakes very well and stayed dry. We switched and I paddled this boat for a while. Was able to get it up to a respectable speed that I was surprised by. It also tracked very straight for this short of a boat and did not feel like I was paddling a bath tub like others I have used before in this size range.

Now the only reason I did not give it a 10 were for the molded in seat that collects water (from where I was splashed a few times by my daughter) and remained wet. I guess a quick fix with a drill bit. The other was no place to hold your paddle, again a quick fix with a kit. The company that rented these had them on sale and am going to pick up 2 soon

This is my first kayak and first time ever paddling one so I don't have anything to compare it to. It seems every bit as stable as my canoe. Tracks well and is fast enough for my purposes. Seat is really comfy. I can't wait to add a rod holder! I think this will make a great fishing yak.

Just got this yak about a week ago for $300 at Gander Mountain been out on it 3 times now and the only draw back I see is the leg room, but that was expected at 6'5" 215lbs. Otherwise it is very stable and has plenty of storage for camping needed to put on a rod holder and leg pads very light for easy transportation it works great on lakes and small rivers. Can't wait to go camping with it this week.