Blast

This is a great beginner kayak. It is inexpensive, light weight and very versatile. I would suggest getting some padding for the seat, since it is just plastic seat without any padding. I bought mine at Dicks Sporting Goods a few years ago, so not sure if these are still being made or sold new, but if not, you may be able to get one used. Bottomline, it does the job and for a low price.

My wife and I bought two Perception Sport Blast kayaks from Dunham Sports the end of July and have had a hard time staying out of them! They were $299 and we had a "Hot deal" online coupon for $100 off of each and also bought Harmony Drifter paddles that were $60 and had the coupon for $25 off.

These are our first kayaks and was not sure my wife would like "yaking" turns out that when I get home from work she is in he swimsuit and has her gear read to go! We have an app that tracks our outing and have nearly 70 mile on flat water lakes around our home. I was afraid she wouldn't be able to keep up with me (not that I am in great shape) but she has no problems at all! We are having a BLAST with them. We are into nature and birds and love that we can sneak up on them. We looked at boats that were a lot more money but jumped at these for the price and have been very happy with them.

I give it a 9 out of 10 because there is always room for improvement but I don't know what except for a cockpit cover to come with it!

I own 4 Victory Blast kayaks. I have read in many reviews that they are made of plastic. Polyethylene to be exact just like Perception, Wilderness Systems, Emotion and many other kayak manufacturers. If you want Kevlar kayaks go mortgage your house.

The Victory Blasts are a great basic model that tracks very well and my 280 lbs. son had no problem dragging. If you are dragging the bottom then you are in too shallow waters. They have bungee cords on front and back and adjustable foot braces. Very stable with lots of room for storage or just to move around in. Do not stand on seat for any reason. Try to straddle the kayak and set you butt down on the seat. You can get a rectangle shaped pad at Dicks for $5.00 and it comes in different colors. Go to Kmart and get the kayak oar for $29.00. I have stored my first 2 kayaks outside with no protection for 5 year now and the other 2 for 2 year and I live where we get all 4 seasons of heavy weather and there is nothing wrong with them other than lots of scratches on the bottom. I'm thinking about getting them sprayed with Rhino Tough just to see if it's worth it. But like I said before, many kayaks are made from polyethylene and they get scratched up just the same. I love my kayaks and so do my friends and family.

I bought a Blast last summer for $170 with the intent of fishin small rivers streams and farm ponds. I've also had it out on small to medium size lakes as well, and must say that I'm extremely impressed. Not only is the Blast a blast but its very versatile. easy to maneuver (even while fighting a 17ilb catfish) I would definitely recommend this kayak. also with a lil ingenuity your possibilities are endless. I've equipped mine with an anchor, lights, and hummingbird fish finder that operates on 12 volt system, rod holders, and paddle rack and it still weighs less than 50 lbs.

This is my second review on this fun boat (5/06).
Bought a Kestrel 120 HV to replace the Blast but I kept it for my daughter and friends who don't have a kayak. The Blast gets used a lot. It's easy to load and fun to navigate. The backrest sucks! Somebody said it's heavy, but I don't agree. 32-35 lbs empty. I've loaded it on roof racks 100's of times and thrown it over log/debris jams more that I care to admit. It's sturdy, stable and I spent a 1/3 less on it compared to the Kestrel. Take the money that you save and buy a better paddle, goes along way in tracking straight. When you get used to the sport and want to invest in nicer boat you will have something your friends can mooch off of.

I love my VICTORY BLAST! I bought mine from a friend for only $130. For sure I thought that there had to be something wrong with it because of its low price. There wasn't. He said he only paid about $180 for it because they stopped making them.

Due to the weather, I've only taken it out once (it was about 40F). That didn't bother me because I had a Blast on my Blast!!!

I bought this boat this summer as part of the economy stimulus plan (Uncle Sam-LOL). I had used an inflatable Coleman that I got on Clearance at Wal-mart. The price was agreeable and I liked the stable looking bottom. My third trip out I did an 8 mile run on a river (Chattahoochee in GA below the West Point Dam) that flowed into a Lake Harding. The seat was uncomfortable with no padding but I have since used an inflatable pillow that can be purchased in the camping section for $5-$6 to use as a backrest.

Good price for a beginner.

I bought a Wilderness Systems Critter in 2004; my first kayak to buy although not the first to paddle. It is identical to the Victory Blast except maybe in minor details. It is tough, laugh off abuse and is easy to get in and out (I am 69 and a bit stiffer than I used to be). Everyone who has paddled this kayak has enjoyed it, even my boat-phobic wife. For such a short boat it is surprisingly quick and tracks well, it turns on a dime when stopped although it wants to run straight when it is under way. it is dry. I have had it out in fairly choppy conditions with power boats zipping by on all sides and it has never given me a moments worry. I even fitted it with a sail! A sea kayak is longer and faster, a whitewater kayak is more maneuverable, but this is the best all round starter kayak out there.

My wife bought me one for my birthday, and I enjoy it a lot. I've paddled for 20 years on lakes, surf, and rapids.
It's important to keep in mind what the Blast is NOT. It's NOT a whitewater kayak, it's NOT a sea kayak, and it NOT an expedition boat and doesn't pretend to be.

I have a lot of kids, and it's perfect for them, because it's light, stable, and tracks pretty well. If it tracked any better it wouldn't be good to run on smaller rivers and rapids. If you want it to track better, go get a sea kayak, if you want to go on class IV rapids, get a WW boat, but in either case you'll be spending a lot more money and you'll be locked into just one type of boating.

The Blast is a multi-purpose boat, which is what it's meant to be, and it's priced in a way that will get more people on the water. It drives me batty that outdoor equipment tends to price the not-so-affluent right out of the picture.

I've taken it down easy class III rapids with no problem at all, but I used a spray skirt. I've also gone a long ways on flat water. It's not real fast but it's not bad, and I'm into nature not racing.

I bought the Blast at Dicks for $250 and I picked up a Seasense paddle from Kmart for $20. I highly recommend both. I also have a Old Town Dirigo 106 and a Quest paddle but I prefer the Blast and the Kmart paddle. The Blast tracks better and is lighter to carry. The speeds are equivalent, the stability in the Blast is better, the sitting position in the Blast is more comfortable to me. The only down side is that the blast hull is thinner. Have fun! Kayaking can be cheap.

When I walked in to Dick’s sporting goods looking for a kayak I was stunned by the prices. However prices aside I was looking for the most stable looking kayak I could find because I was going to use it for fishing.

The Blast by Victory immediately stood out from the pack. It’s clearly wider than the others, but shallower as well. I thought it would sit too low in the water and therefore brushed it off. After seeing all of these reviews I gave the Blast a second look and after the store clerk told me it was on sale for $199 I bought it on the spot and threw her in the back of my truck.

For a total cost of about $300 bucks I got a kayak, life vest, paddle, paddle anchor for side of kayak and a fishing rod holder, that’s still a hundred cheaper than the next cheapest kayak. I haven’t caught many fish yet, but the one I did catch came in easily. I was worried about tipping my kayak once I get the big one on, but I can assure you this kayak feels steady. It is a bit cramped, but goes real straight and smoothly in the water. Dollar for dollar this is the best deal out there!

I bought a Victory Blast from Dick's because of price (around $200). I also wanted a spare paddle holder but Dicks had few accessories for this boat. Later I found out this boat is no longer made.

This boat tracks better than I expected. I had another same size kayak that would turn right or left as soon as you quit paddling. This one holds a straight line better. It is fast enough for its size. But I can't give it a 10 because of its seat - the seat back slips and the seat bottom could use some padding. I don't mind the seat back not being padded because I always wear a PFD. nice yak for the price.

We ran across these on sale at a local sporting goods store... We bought 3 of the blast and already had one Perception Swifty. I must say the Blast tracked better and felt faster in the water. This is my first kayak so I don't have much to compare it to but with the tie downs front and rear, and the foot supports this was a perfect choice for me.

Good:
= Tracks well, for as short as it is
= Very stable for beginners
= Inexpensive in price

Bad:
= The back rest seems to move on its own; simple fix
= On one of the three Blasts we purchased the screw holding in the front flotation did not secure the foam correctly and it fell out the first trip. It was an easy fix but should have to be fixed on the first trip.

I have owned several different kayaks but needed to buy a few to keep at my place on the river for when I have guests. I ended up driving over and picking up two Victory Blasts. Of course I had to take them down the river for a few test runs.

The backrest did loosen on me but found it was a easy fix with some zipties. After that I had no problem with the kayak at all. This thing is super stable and tracks much better than I was expecting. The river I took them on also has frequent Class I rapids and this Blast handled them at ease, although I did get some water in the pit, that would be expected with any kayak without a spray skirt.

I slammed this thing into several rocks and logs and it didn't even phase it, just left a few scratches. This kayak is overall a great kayak and will last you years. Couldn't be happier with this kayak and with such a cheap price it's a total steal.

Got mine at Dick's for the sale price of $199. when I got there there I explained that I was interested because of the price . I asked if they were selling many of these, he looked at his inventory computer and said he had sold 8 the day before and the one hanging up was the last one and that it was going to be a discontinued item. I decided to get that one and tried it out on the local river the "Big Muddy River" this was my first kayak experience although I have been canoeing many times. I kayaked up and down the river and must say I am still getting the feel for it. I am 5'10" and I had the foot pegs maxed out and still my feet felt wedged in a duck step position.

Thanks very much to all the other reviewers -- the positive comments convinced me to get one at the local Dick's Sporting Goods at the sale price. I've been out once and am quite pleased with the value for money. Yes, the nose does wobble a bit, but it isn't a huge problem over shorter distances, and I plan to use it for fishing, not touring. One caution though -- plan on spending about $50 for some better flotation! When I was practicing self-rescue I intentionally swamped the kayak and was disconcerted to see the foam block from the front emerge from the interior and float away in the wind, and the kayak nose sink :-( Not good! Also, bear in mind that a good PFD with a high back, decent paddle, safety kit, etc. will run you another $250 easy, so you are really looking at around $500 (true for any other kayak as well, of course).

I was very disappointed in the performance of this kayak. The kayak is quite heavy, does not track at all (is like paddling an inner tube) and does not coast at all. This would work great for fishing and that is about it. Sold mine to someone who needed a kayak for fishing - they are happy with it. I have been paddling a Walden Paddlers Natuarlist for 11 years.

We bought 2 Blasts 3 years ago.
Great for flat water and Class 2 rapids. You need a spray skirt to keep from getting swamped in rapids. Have had it in Class IV rapids...big mistake...these are not whitewater boats. The seat will separate from the bottom of the kayak, welds at contact point break. An epoxy for plastic held on 1 and did not on the other.

We have pushed these kayaks way past their limits and had a blast doing it. For the price this is the best beginner boat out there.

Good beginner 'yak, great 'yak for a kid or an old person. Also great for someone who doesn't want a lot of hassle with transportation.

Primary stability almost unmatched, but that also means it's difficult to test the secondary stability. The fact that I can't really carve a turn in it is balanced by the fact that a boat this small turns well anyway. At 300 lbs, I have a full 1/8" of freeboard, too! Good thing I got a good skirt.

My only argument is that I got very poor after-sales support from Dick's Sporting Goods. I'd be happy to buy another Blast, but won't buy anything from that chain again.

Me, my dad, and my bro got three of these... AWESOME! They track great and are incredibly stable. I can ride mine into about 5 inches of water and I'm 140 pounds! We put some distance on them on Lake Allatoona and it didn't take much to get these things and keep these things going! As far as stability, I can stand up on the seat, jump out, and get back in without tipping it! My grandpa who is close to 70, kayaked for his first time in it and loved it so it isn't hard to do. Also on a budget(like us) 3 of these cost as much as half the ones at the store and are just as good.

I just recently purchased two Victory Blast kayaks from Dicks Sporting on sale for $199.00. I gotta say it was one of the best purchases I have ever made. I have always rented kayaks, all of them being SOT's, and took a leap of faith and purchased this sit in. I have used it for the last two days and will probably never settle for an SOT again after riding in the Blast.

I have found that it has great stability, tracks great, and is very fast. My first trip on it was a lake trip just to get the feel of it. While on the lake, a small thunderstorm sprouted up causing waves to form. I gotta tell you the Blast stayed steady and cut through the waves like butter. This kayak is also great for beginners. My girlfriend had never been on a canoe or a kayak and she was able to get in just fine and was paddling just as good as me within 30 min of being on the lake.

Hands down, for the money and the value, this is the kayak to have.

I got my Victory Blast last Friday at Dick's Sporting Goods on sale for $199.98 for the Memorial Day Holiday. What a great deal. I took it out to Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge in my home of Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Blast handle very well. It's a fine kayak for a beginner like me. All the great reviews here convinced me to get a Blast and I'm so happy I did.

I bought my Blast over the summer and I love it.Just use it for day trips would like to try a little kayak camping this season.My Blast should work out great.

I bought this kayak for my daughter for her birthday (she's 13) and it was a HUGE hit. Of course I had to "test" it and I was really happy with it's stability, tracking and overall ease of use. For the price, $199, it's got a lot of bang for the buck and I would definitly recommend it.

I bought my Victory 'Blast'in Spring '04, after much research into buying my first kayak. I have canoed for 16yrs, mostly interior camping and lakes, but needed more of a challenge. It is a great beginner kayak due to it's stability, lightweight and ease of handling. I am 5'3, and 115lbs, and have no difficulty in carrying or transporting this little wonder. I have even doubled with my daughter in the boat, who is also my size and had no difficulty paddling upstream, except for the C1 rapids. And call me CRAZY but I have even ventured out 4 times this year already to go interior camping in my Blast, portaging and all. It was a tight squeeze but I was able to get enough gear for two nights out. I have ridden up to C3 rapids with my Blast but wouldn't recommend it, unless you have the experience and know the waters! I even survived a C5(should have CBR), but spent 45min pinned in the middle of the sluice up against a rock, before getting myself free. I don't recommend camping in this boat is for everyone, but it can be done. I am now buying a couple of R5 River Runners, to try something different but will continue using my Blast as much as possible, especially on those camping trips . This kayak "takes a licking and keeps on clicking" (the kms that is). A strong sturdy kayak that tracks well in all weather and I find even loaded has great 'freeboard'. The only dislike is the seat which digs in my pelvis at the back and the straps do loosen. I would recommend this kayak for anyone interested in kayaking but not sure where to start without spending a fortune. This was a great little beginner for me, to experience different waters to find out what kind of kayaking I was interested in pursuing. Keep your Paddle in the H2O!:)

For over a year, I have been trying to decide between a canoe and a kayak. I finally decided on the kayak so i could transport it by myself. I got an inflatable for my son, so we can both go out. My new Victory Blast Kayak is awesome! It meets all my expectations and then some. The standard foot pegs and rigging really add to it. It glides through the water like an expensive yak. It was easy to transport by myself and easier to get in and out of than i thought. The molded seat works great for me, but may not for a larger person. I am about 135 pounds. The molded cup holder and pole holders are a neat extra feature. All in all, i would say if you are in the market for a first kayak, you can't beat a Victory Blast. My deal was just ok at $229, but they can be had for $199 sometimes and sell regulary for $279. A very cool toy! I hope to get many hours of pleasure out of it.

This is my first kayak. I never really thought of kayaking until recently. I've been bank fishing the White River in Fishers, IN (slow moving) for months, and it's getting old. This guy pulls up in a kayak with his poles attached, and he said if I wanted to find the good places to fish, I need to get a yak.

Anyway, the guy that said it's a small yak for someone over 6'. Well, he's right, but not unmanageably so. I'm 6'3", 215 lbs. I've been out 3 times this week, and I'm getting used to the size and getting comfortable. The only real problem is room for my size 10 feet. They get a bit cramped. I find that if I'm not paddling really hard, and don't need the leverage, I can straighten my feet out past the foot pegs and feel pretty comfortable.

For the performance, it tracks pretty easily for a beginner like me, and glides well, even upstream. I've been fishing out of it, and it definitely needs some rod holders (on order) but the built in bungees bow and stern hold plenty of stuff. It's very stable, and turns on a dime. I know everyone says that a sit-on-top yak is much better for fishing, and I'd have to agree wholeheartedly. But for $200, compared to the cheapest SIT for at least $350, this was a great start. By the time I can justify the money for a bigger, more equipped SIT, my son will be big enough for the Blast, and I'll feel 100% secure putting him in it.

It's also light enough to throw on top of my car easily (of course, I am 6'3"), and durable (I've run it aground in the shallows, slammed into a log in fast moving water when not paying attention, and flew over a few big rocks, no problem). I highly suggest someone interested in kayaking for the first time try this one out for size before spending double on a yak when you may end up hating the sport. I love it, and don't regret it at all.

I just want to throw a caution out there if you were thinking of buying one of these without sitting in it and trying it out (i.e. online purchase). My wife got me one for FD, and when I went to get into it, I found I couldn't. Literally. I'm 6-1, 240. I was bummed out because it's a cool little Yak, and looked like it would be perfect for my purposes. The price was right, too - $199. I took it back to Dick's and ended up getting a WS Pamlico 100, and although only 6" longer, fits with plenty of room to spare. Large cockpit! There's a yak for everyone out there, somewhere.

I recently bought this kayak to use on Lake Havasu (Colorado river) and it is FUN!! I sold our runabout and don't miss it at all. I know I'll get a lot more use from this than the boat. We actually bought two from Dick's in Henderson Nv.Good buy $229 each.

This is a fine kayak for the price. The boat tracks well at speed, has plenty of room, and is easy to carry. It is not the most comfortable and is made cheaply. But, it was only $199! I imagine the plastic will warp or split at some point, but I am sure I will get my money's worth out of it. I use it on a small lake and hope to take it down a slow-moving river soon.

I have owned a Blast for about a year and found it to be a good inexpensive kayak. Seems to be very stable and have used it on both lakes and small rivers. I am fairly large so really appreciatte the large cockpit. My only complaint is the seat back. The strap does not hold the seat back upright.

i have had my blast for 3 years now and absolutely love it . i have used it to cross elliot bay in seattle in some really bad wind . now i go out on the windy days and play in the waves on puget sound . the reason i bought this kayak was cost and it looked like my perception that i had when i lived in australia . i have caught a wide variety of fish out of it , including an 8 lb. steelhead , 17lb. coho salmon and 21lb. chinook salmon . i have even had a seal jump up on the back and it was stable enough to handle the fish and seal and not to tip over . i have made rod holders and i have a spray skirt ( which is a must in bad weather because of the large cockpit ) . it is highly manouverable , it is light and very stable in the water . i liked it so much i went and got another one for my wife

I just returned from my first outing with the Blast. I paddled it on Farrington Lake in NJ. It was a little windy and cool but the kayak was great. It cuts through the water pretty sharply and is very manuverable. This boat is excellent for it's intended usage. Having fun at a great price! I also sat in the OT Otter but felt cramped at 5'9" and approx.185 lbs. If you are thinking about getting a Blast, what are you waiting for? I plan on taking it to the Poxono launch at the Delaware this spring.It came with footpegs and deck rigging standard.Looking forward to a whole lot of fun with the family this summer. If you are too, get a Blast and have a BLAST!

I just got this on Black Friday for $229 at Dick's--not as good a price as some, but still around half the price of a Pungo or Pamlico. I have paddled a Pungo 100 and I don't see $170 difference!

The day I paddled, the water was very smooth, and I felt the Blast was plenty quick, though without the glide of a longer kayak. The comfort for one hour was fine. The bow had some movement with each stroke, but not bad--certainly not more than 5%.

I purchased the Blast because I wanted a small, easily cartopped kayak, that could do everything from flat water to class 2--and I am sure it can.

One last item I liked. When paddling some other rec kayaks, the bow wave can be frustrating and an obvious speed controlling factor--but the Blast is designed with a fine entry and stern. It rapidly spreads to a wide, stable mid section, but there isn't a big bow wave like I had in the Blackwater 11.5 for instance.

After I have tried it one a windy lake and on the river, I will report again. If it is as good an all round kayak as I hope, I will upgrade it to a 10.

BTW, I have paddled and owned several rec kayaks and sea kayaks, both solo and tandem. You buy a Blast, not because it is a thoroughbred, but because it is a prospector's donkey--a go anywhere, do anything, very low care kayak.

Just bought the Victory Blast at Dick's on Black Friday........a steal of a deal at $179.00 and they gave me a $20.00 gift card to boot! With all of these great reviews, I can't wait to try it and am glad I decided on this one as opposed to a more expensive model.

I too recently went to the local Dicks sports store, with no intention to BUY anything...I spotted a Victory Blast hanging on the banister with a price of $199.00. This was an old sale price as all the rest of the same models were listed at $279.00. Dicks Sports honored their error and I walked out with a Great Kayak. I drive a Miata and I have had NO problem just strapping the boat to my roof and driving off. The light weight and compact size are perfect. In the water I am comfortable and secure. I have customized the cockpit with some foam padding so that I am snug and really in control. I am still a novice but I have joined some friends with missile like Ocean Kayaks and kept up just Fine, although I prefer just Gliding with the Gators in the back streams. Thanks Victory for a "Ready to Go" Kayak. And, thanks to Dicks sporting goods for being honorable. Victory is a “blast".

I bought the Victory Blast at a local Dick’s Sporting Goods for $199. Being a brand new paddler, I wasn’t sure what to expect. In my excitement to get out on the water I launched into the Great Miami River (Ohio) on a slightly overcast day. I no sooner hit the water and a storm blew in. I quickly found myself in a driving rainstorm on a river that swells quickly and can be dangerous. The kayak was fantastic though. It was extremely stable and tracked straight through the water even with my poor paddling technique. Not once did I feel any danger.

I’m fairly large 6’0” 245 lbs but this kayak performed great. The foot pegs and back rest help tremendously.

The very next morning I took it out on the same river. The skies were clear blue but the wind was howling. This kayak cut right through the waves though with no problem. I got a little wet, but it is a water sport, right? Its speed, stability and maneuverability easily warrant a 9 out of 10 rating. The only drawback to this kayak is that it lacks a drain plug. You can easily buy one and make your own though.

If you are looking to give kayaking a try at a low cost, the Victory Blast is a GREAT choice…very stable and easy to steer but yet still has adequate speed.

Recently purchased a Victory Blast for just $190 and I'm very happy with it....it's more stable than any canoe I've been in, paddles easy, and tracks straight.....with me @ 195 it drafts about 5".....I haven't fished from it yet but think it will do just fine for fishing and I now have added rod holders, anchor, and paddle strap so it's ready to go.