Perception Sound 9.5

If you think about buying a budget kayak for recreation but you also like to occasionally cast a few lines on the nearby lake, then Perception Sound 9.5 may be the boat you are looking for. It includes some essential features and the kind of performance you wouldn’t normally expect from an entry-level sit-inside kayak. The positives, in this case, definitely outweigh the few negatives.

Size and Weight

The Perception Sound 9.5 is not a large boat. With its 9’6″ (290cm) length, 28″ (71 cm) width and 13.1″ (33 cm) height, it is rather compact. You don’t need to have a large vehicle for transportation, nor a big garage to store the boat properly.

The kayak’s weight is just 38 lbs (17 kg), so almost anybody can cartop or portage this boat. The load capacity of 300 lbs (136 kg) is great for a boat of this size.

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 Sound 9.5 comes with two molded handles at the bow and stern. The sturdy handles are not only comfortable when carrying the boat but also provide secure attachment points for transportation.

The front deck does not have any bungees to put your gear or paddle, but there’s not much space there anyway. A handy cockpit dashboard lets you can stow your drink or small items and secure them with a small bungee cord. Additionally, the cockpit table includes two recesses for Scotty Mount Bases and two molded inserts for 1.5″ Solo Mount Bases. This allows for the installation of a GoPro, swivel rod holders, a fish finder, a GPS etc.

The spacious cockpit of (LxW) 40.6″x21.75″ (103×55 cm) makes getting in and out of the kayak easy. It features adjustable footrests, knee pads, a drink holder, and molded under-seat trays for small items.
The ergonomic Zone Seat has thick, cushy padding and is very comfortable for paddling. The backrest is adjustable in height and angle offering solid lumbar support. The padding is covered with quick-dry material, which adds to the overall seating quality of the Sound 9.5.

The cockpit rim is spray skirt ready (fits Perception TrueFit spray skirt size P13).

Behind the seat, the boat comes with two molded-in rod holders that aren’t very useful (too shallow and wide) but can be improved with some rod holder inserts.

In the rear, the kayak includes a large, bungee-secured tank well suitable for your crate or cooler and some gear. The manufacturer also added two scuppers in this compartment for draining the water.

Performance

Perception designed the Sound 9.5 to be an outstanding performer in flat waters such as calm lakes, slow-moving rivers, streams, and sheltered bays.

The kayak’s remarkable stability comes from the tri-keel hull design, enabling the paddler to enjoy the trip without the fear of tipping over. The low center of gravity not only helps with the balance but also improves the performance and handling of the boat.

The 28-inch beam isn’t too much for a boat of this length. The tracking is not perfect, the kayak slightly veers off course during long stretches. Steering is not a problem though.

When it comes to speed, you can’t expect a 9.5-foot kayak to be fast. However, the Sound picks up speed pretty well as long as you keep paddling.

Warranty

Perception kayaks are warranted against material or manufacturing defects in the hull and deck for five 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.