Supersonic 8.5

Folks I’ve paddled a lot of boats (14) on a lot of water, the Supersonic, is an all around good performer. It has great speed, not quite as fast as an old T–CANYON, but fast. I’ve paddled the bottom moose at 3 ft and it was a ball, & fish creek at 7 feet with total reliability. Plays (spins, blast) if you want a river runner, this is the toy, it is forgiving - comfortable (I didn’t want to go into the lack of a back band --but Perception should be giving us all a discount for having to regress to a block of foam.). To me, its performance and characteristics are like a cross between a MATRIX and a WAVE SPORT Y ----- buy a Supersonic you won’t be sorry.

Let's see, does one measure a boat against the manufacturer's claims or simply the perception of intended use? Perception's web site states, among other things, that "...we've nudged the design and outfitting into the new millenium." Skimpy cloth grab loops, block-o-foam backrest, and a slice of foam seat with stick'um too weak to even hold onto the backing paper is new millenium? It's a wonder their tongues don't jump out of their mouths and run screaming down the street when they talk crap like this. So, having determined that the credibility of the manufacturer's information is zilch, let's compare to the assumption of usage. This kayak is a welcome throwback to when whitewater boats were fast steeds capapble of galloping down a frothy river carrying a paddler larger than an organ grinder's monkey and even some gear to support a multiday canyon trip. It predates the concept of boat-as-tupperware tutu for frustrated ballerinas. The accommodations are commodious. No need to scrunch up into the lotus position just to paddle. It moves out pretty good (not in a class with the old 11' boats), and will readily punch through eddy lines and holes. It surfs and rolls with ease. And, it's quite stable and forgiving by whitewater standards. It'll competently spin, draw, lean and otherwise cavort to enable you to place the kayak exactly where you want it. But, it does actually float, so don't expect to slice the ends through molten tar. Getting back to the outfitting, which is an improvement over Noah's gopherwood, it's not that big a deal. Even with boats that are better equipped, a lot of us wind up ripping out the mediocre orginal stuff and refit with the real good stuff. I recommmend this kayak if you think a kayak is for paddling.