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I've been kayaking for close to 5 years and recently decided to upgrade to a larger 12' boat so I could haul more gear for longer trips. I came across the Perception Sundance 12' and have paddled it in lakes and rivers, flat water and swift water and the boat did surprisingly well. The tracking, stability, and gear storage is perfect. It has a huge rear hatch for storage which really comes in handy when packing a tent and sleeping bags. The boat doesn't have a front hatch, however, it is completely open in the bow and can hold quite a bit of gear. So far I only have one complaint and that is the size of the cockpit. (This was also the main reason I purchased the boat too) The large cockpit makes getting in and out a breeze which I really wanted. Downside with a large cockpit is you end up with a good bit of water in your boat from paddling unless you constantly use a skirt. Paddling rivers or any kind of swift water, this isn't a problem. BUT when paddling flat water or fishing, this becomes real pain lol. Other than that, I would highly recommend this boat as it is an awesome rec boat that has the size and features of a touring boat.

My partner and I are beginners to kayaking. I searched the internet reading tons of reviews on different kayaks to find the right fit. Being beginners I didn't want to invest a ton of $ to be sure this was not a passing interest. All roads pointed to the 10ft Sun dolphin Aruba. When comparing ease of use and money this is the perfect kayak for any beginner. Walmart had these for $249, Tractor Supply had these for $229 (seasonal only), but Sears had them on sale for $189 + free site to store. SO I ordered 2. This was probably one of the best investments I have made.

We've had these for about a month now and head to the river every Friday. These yaks are VERY easy to control and are able to float in pretty shallow water due to their width. The width also gives you confidence and stability. They are not the fastest but do glide thru the water with ease. The foot pegs are great for bracing yourself and easily adjustable. The handles on the front and back make carrying, loading, and unloading very easy.

The only downside I've found so far is the cup holder on the front. The sun tends to heat the drink up pretty quick making it more beneficial to just throw it in the bottom and go so the drink stays cooler longer. Is this a big thing, of course not. Still an awesome buy and I strongly recommend this kayak to anyone who would like to try out kayaking without spending an arm and leg.
A+++++