Striker 11.5

I really enjoy this kayak. I have taken it on maybe two dozen trips down canals, on the open ocean, and in Rookery Bay over this past summer, and I loved every minute of it. A few positives about the kayak include the stand-on ability (extremely stable), endless accessories possibilities, and its option in seat height. A few negatives include the weight (it weighs just as much as my perception tandem which is another foot and a half or more in length), the speed it can achieve is very slow, and its dry storage capacities (if I were the manufacturer, I would put another dry storage in the seat giving access to the entire hull for more storage). All together this is a great kayak for fishing or hanging out in the lake or water that is not moving very fast. It does not do well in the wind, but if you're looking to float and just relax and maybe do some fishing I would highly reccomend this kayak.

I've had my yak for nearly a year now with fishing trips about every weekend, and sometimes during the week. I fish in inland salt and brackish waters, in sometimes choppy water (but not too bad chops).
Bought mine at West Marine, so it's called the Cayman instead of Striker. Same boat, but with West Marine's name on it.
The yak has 4 molded-in SHALLOW rod holders that, unless you doctor them up a little, are useless, as your rods will wobble around and might fall out. I have an oversized milk crate in my tank well that has PVC piping for rod holders and my net. The crate also has all my fishing tackle, etc.
The standard anchor trolley is nice, but a little snug...loosened mine up a little, and seems to be better.
I bought a yak gear seat, and put it on the lower level seat. Real comfortable, and makes a huge difference for my 52 year old back and contributes to my (perceived) feeling of more security. I put plugs in the lower level seat bottom. When not anchored, I use the upper level seat to stow my anchor...just reach back and lay it there.
This yak's hide is real tough...I accidentally ran over an oyster bed, and just knew I had thrashed the bottom. Got home, checked it out, but only a few minor scratches.
I love the small compartment right in front of the seat because of how deep it is, compared to other kayaks I've had....fits my cell phone, wallet, granola/power bars, keys.
Some people don't like the molded foot rests, but I like them because there's nothing to adjust. They do at times push in on my legs, but I've gotten used to sitting accordingly to avoid it.
I initially mounted a Scotty rod holder on the right side towards the front where there's a molded in flat spot for accessories...unless your arms are real long, DON'T DO IT. I struggled to reach my fishing rod, so ended up moving the rod holder to the center of the boat where there's another place for accessories. Much better.
The bow storage is good size, but the actual hatch (hole) isn't that big. All I keep in mine is a change of clothes and emergency items anyway. So, works for me.
I have this yak at 4.5 because of its ride. Depending on current and wind, or both combined, or maybe acting against one another, the yak will act strangely, wanting to go its own way. I've learned to deal with it, because most times when I'm fishing, I'm off work and am in no hurry. For me, the positives of this yak outweigh this small con.
If you're looking for a stable yak that will hold a lot of weight, isn't too awfully heavy to lug around, will get you from point A to point B safely, and is a good price, then the Striker is worth a look!

This kayak was also priced quite a few hundred dollars less than other companies with comparable features. I got it from Dicks for $499 and it came with a 3 lb grapple anchor, seat that can clip into both low and high position, and a Scotty rod holder mounted up front making 5 total rod holders. I am not saying that the more expensive kayaks aren't better, but with the money I saved I can outfit it with the things I want now instead of later.

The two cons I have are the tracking, and that front hatch. The hatch seems to swell in the heat making it almost impossible to open. I fixed the hatch by mounting a $5 cleat so that not only do I have a handle to help open it (never gets stuck anymore) but now I have a place to toss a bow line. The tracking is not unmanageable, but worth mentioning (this thing needs to have some cons right?) It is also faster than my last vessel, but my experience is limited to only 2 kayaks so take that with a grain of salt.

In conclusion, I've been having the time of my life, and that kayaking is a hobby that I will have for a long time. I would definitely recommend this product, plus is nice when I'm fishing with friends and whenever my back starts to hurt I can stand up and move around a bit without hitting the shore. While they are headed in for a break.

First, the good. It has an incredibly high payload. 500 pounds for an 11'5" SOT 'yak is pretty good. Since my intention is to use it both for fishing and as a river camping boat, I like this lift capability. I am also not a thin guy and weigh in around 280 myself. I am comfortable with the load bearing ability of the Striker. I have found it to be a fairly stable boat when I am in the lower "paddling seat." On the James River the Striker is able to ride over speed boat wakes that I would have to turn "bow into" with my canoe. Only the most severe wakes and waves, on the river, cause me to have to turn, "bow on toward danger." For the most part, she slips right over them without even noticing.

The Striker is also pretty stable for getting in and out of. Much more so than my old Pelican 15.5 canoe or other SOT 'yaks I have paddled. This is probably due to the fact that it is supposed to be a "stand up" design. The four built in, flush mount, rod holders are nice too and there is a a LOT of room in the hull for gear storage.

Now for the bad. You really cannot access that hull room. There are two hatches. One 8 inch located forward and one 6 inch "day hatch" located IMMEDIATELY under the paddling seat. The "day hatch" is, in fact, so close to the seat that my seat covers it when I snap it in place! I am then partially sitting on top of the day hatch when paddling. This makes it, for practical purposes, inaccessible. Do not put anything down there which you will actually need.
The day hatch is also located next to the largest section of interior storage space, under the seats. Yet, it is only 6 inches across making it impossible to get most gear bags into the your best space. This is also the center-most point of the hull and should be where you load most of your gear but it is just not possible. the main hatch is located forward and is, frankly, next to impossible to get open. I should have realized this in the store when it took two salesmen to pry this hatch loose. I chalked it up to it "being new." I have tried a light coating of vegetable oil on the threads of this hatch. No joy. The thing seals so tight it is next to impossible to get open and it is made worse on a a sunny day. It is my belief that the hatch, being made of black plastic, absorbs sunlight and swells. Whatever the case, the last time I had it on the river and tried to open it I found the hatch to be stuck so hard that I simply could NOT get it open. I could not get to any of the gear in the bow until I had the bright idea of pouring cold water on the hatch for several minutes. It is early spring here, I have scupper plugs in to keep water out and I really did not like pouring water into my boat! Perception REALLY needs to do something about this hatch.

As bad as the hatch is the most glaring problem with the Perception Pro Striker is its tracking or should I say its "lack of tracking?" I have named my Striker the "Elsie May," after my beloved old dog, recently deceased. I used to say that Elsie May behave herself or she may not, she was a had headed critter. Well, the Striker is a hard headed b*tch too and likes to "wander off on her own path." Paddling the Striker is a constant challenge.

I have also found the high seat, or the "fishing seat" to be next to worthless. It was one of the main selling points when I purchased this 'yak and I was looking forward to using it. In practice I have found it to cause the 'yak to become overbalanced and unstable, even at anchor. I simply cannot say that I am thrilled with it. However, I do like clipping my tackle bag and a bottle of water there. It is easy to get to.

Perception could make some serious improvements, to the day hatch, to the forward hatch and including a hatch on the rear cargo well and, maybe a skeg, to help with the tracking problem. It also did not thrill me that, two months after I purchased it, they dropped the MSRP by $100! This tells me that they know there are issues and, somehow, I doubt that Perception intends to try to fix them.

Over all? hmmm I am ranking it 5 out of 10 because it simply does not perform as advertised yet it does have tremendous potential for the money. If someone were looking at one I would say this, do not pay full price. If you can get it at a bargain, or on sale, go for it. You can probably make something of it. I am thinking of trying to make a skeg for mine.