Perception Tribe 9.5

Perception Tribe 9.5 is the do-it-all kayak for calm flat water, slow-moving rivers, and coastal bays. This 9.5 footer is safe and efficient up to class II rapids.

Easy to get in and out of the Tribe 9.5, it remains fan-favorite for beginner and intermediate paddlers. Perception Kayaks built it with high quality, integrated buoyancy, quick responsiveness, and smooth tracking.

Size and Weight

The Tribe is 9’5″ (287 cm) long with a beamwidth of 31.5″ (80 cm), and 12.8″ (37 cm) deck height. It is a compact, lightweight boat of 48.5 lbs (22 kg), that you can load and unload singlehandedly.

It has a maximum capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg) and features multiple compartments for stowing your gear and accessories. Unlike some of the other similar-sized kayaks such as the Perception Rambler 9.5, the Tribe 9.5 has 50 lbs (22.7 kg) more load limit to fit gear for longer trips.

Materials

Perception makes their kayaks from a proprietary High-Density Polyethylene material using the company-specific, one-piece rotational molding technology. The process involves pouring beads of polyethylene into the mold, which gets heated up and slowly rotated so that the material fills up every nook and cranny. After the mold cools down, you get a one-piece, leak-proof construction that is extremely rugged and durable.

Features

The Perception Tribe series are recreational boats that are renowned for their high value at a reasonable price. Therefore, they do not include any of the gear or features the more expensive kayaks have. What they offer is quality, enormous potential for customization, and excellent performance, especially with the latest redesign of the seating.

In the front and rear, the Tribe 9.5 comes with toggle handles and two sturdy, one-piece carry handles on the cockpit sides where you can strap the kayak for safe transportation.

In terms of storage, this boat comes with large bow and stern tankwells that can carry your cooler, sports gear, and supplies, all secured with bungees. A small center storage hatch in front of the seat includes a cargo bag and is sealed with a neoprene lid. It is handy for stowing your personal valuables while paddling or swimming. Although the hatch is considered a dry storage unit, Perception advises packing valuable and water-sensitive items into sealed dry bags before launching the boat. There’s a molded recess in the front tankwell where you can easily install another dry hatch, but that’s, of course, optional.

Perception didn’t change the four-position molded footwells. The good news is that the cockpit is spacious enough to stand up and move around to alleviate the stiffness.

The molded center console features a molded-in cup holder and recess designed for a 1.5″ Solo Mount Base.

The most significant change with the new Tribe 9.5 model is the seat.

It now comes with a framed seatback that you can recline for more personalized comfort, or adjust the straps for the best back support angle for paddling.

The thick, ventilated seat base redesign provides decent comfort on long journeys.
Since there aren’t any user reviews on this year’s model, we cannot yet confirm if you need to consider bringing an extra pad.

Another feature of the Perception Tribe 9.5 is the four scuppers in the cockpit and two in the rear tankwell that help you stay dry throughout the day.

No scuppers are positioned directly under the seat, so unless you’re taking the boat out on a cold day, you don’t necessarily need plugs.

Lastly, the kayak includes the replaceable sacrificial keel, which offers high protection while portaging.

Performance

The Perception Tribe 9.5 has remarkable stability that allows on-deck standability and maneuverability.

Its broad hull makes full contact with the water enabling the kayak to perform well even on fast-moving rivers and rapids.

Its relatively short length allows the boat to turn quickly and effectively, thus, providing a confident and adventurous experience on the water.

The Tribe’s versatility comes from the straight tracking keel at the bottom, which smoothly splits the water surface allowing decent speed regardless of the width-to-length ratio.

Another contributing factor is the significantly lower deck height. The new model has a 12.8″ (32 cm) deck height. This is the reason why the Tribe isn’t as susceptible to wind, light waves, or moderate ocean surf.

That said, Perception Tribe 9.5 may not include adjustable footrests or paddle parks. Still, for the price point, it offers excellent efficiency in various waters while being fun and playful as not many recreational kayaks can. Kayakers may experience some struggle to control the boat on choppy, open lakes.

If you need to cover long distances or enjoy race paddling with friends, perhaps Perception Tribe 11.5 is a more suitable kayak for you.

Warranty

Perception kayaks are warranted against material or manufacturing defects in the hull and deck for 5 years from the date of the original purchase of the kayak. Parts, accessories, and outfitting are warranted for one year.

To learn more about Perception Kayaks’ warranty terms and conditions, click here.