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This is actually the second crack we’ve had at putting Perception Kayaks Europe 5-0 through its paces – the first time we took it for a spin was back in 2013 (see first review here – www.sitons.com/articles/perception-surfing-kayak-five%E2%80%930-review/). Back then, however, we were only equipped with the basic hull and paddle. This time round we properly tricked out the 5-0 with performance Perception G-10 surf fin, thigh straps – for even greater responsiveness, control and manoeuvrability – and Adventure Technology’s Hercules surf paddle.

First look

Upon inspection the Perception 5-0 does buck the sit on kayak trend somewhat. It’s a very surf inspired shape with a ton of nose rocker, a pulled in front section and very flat bottom displaying only minimal chines cut into the underside. Most sit on tops have very defined grooves carved into the plastic – to help with tracking and stability mainly – whereas the 5-0 doesn’t sport these.

The adjustable foot plate is another slightly different feature. Most other boats offer moulded sections to rest tootsies, or the odd few boast side sliders. A little bit of faffing to nail down the correct settings is needed but it’s certainly up to the job and robust to boot. The incremental adjustment system means ‘best fit’ can always be found, no matter how long limbed the paddler.

Another unusual feature – for sit ons at least – is the absence of seat fixture points. The idea with the 5-0 is that you’re going to be proactively paddling and constantly on the move. Therefore a seat isn’t necessary. For those looking to cover a bit of distance, and stow belongings aboard, you’ll be a little disappointed as storage is minimal. But, after all, this is a wave specific sled and designed as such.

Flip the hull over and the Perception surf fin looks the business – more surfboard esque skeg. Paddlers will need to be a little careful with the protruding fin. Chucking the 5-0 about on hard surfaces, with fin still in its box, will end up with broken equipment. While replacing the fin shouldn’t be an issue, you don’t want to be going through them like hot cakes.

The observant among you will also notice the absence of carry handles. It’s actually recommended to you use the 5-0 with thigh straps – even if just for the sake of carrying. Simply attach the straps, hoik over your shoulder and away to the put in you go. (We’ll actually be covering thigh straps and the uses in a subsequent article).

Fortunately Perception have incorporated fore and aft carry handles than can be used to guide the 5-0 in and out of the surf during launching. These handles also help when transporting as well – especially when wrestling on and off roof bars.

Into the surf

Having tested a few surf orientated kayak shapes of late the Perception 5-0 feel the same but different – if that makes sense? Many surf sit ons are almost stubby in shape and feel rotund, a bit like floating eggs, when sat in the water. This isn’t a negative thing but the 5-0 feels a bit more directional. One trait it does share with its surf riding brethren is the low riding nature. It takes on a bit of water at rest and paddling through the line-up is an extremely damp affair – a wetsuit is therefore a must.

If you’ve purchased a Perception 5-0, or are considering getting hold of one, then you’ll be thinking: ‘waves’. It’s important to drive this fact home as there are no two ways about it, the 5-0 is a pure surfing thoroughbred.

The ample nose rocker helps when climbing white water and getting out beyond breaking waves. Paddlers will need to be aware the front section’s rails are pulled in and therefore don’t offer quite as much stability as other more stubby orientated hulls. Tripping is therefore likely, especially if you’re caught side on to swell and/or learning the ropes. With the thigh straps attached, however, and a bit of technique, you can heel the 5-0 right onto its edge – skulling the paddle as you do so – and not tip over.

Paddlers with experience, however, won’t find piloting the 5-0 too much trouble. A number of fundamental paddle skills will need to have been nailed down, if you’re going to get the most out of the 5-0, but by and large it’s an easy enough boat to propel forwards. Much easier than hardcore surfskis – the high performance cousin of the 5-0.

Up and riding

Even though tracking isn’t bad, the 5-0’s speed is pretty limited – that high kick nose not being the most efficient shape to slice through the brine. There is method in the madness, however, and all is revealed once you drop into a wave.

The 5-0 is efficient at picking up swells and accelerates rapidly down the face once you’ve boosted yourself onto a moving wall – the flat bottom hull helping to reduce drag, improve acceleration and the boat’s nose rocker halting any pearling (nose diving).

As soon as paddlers reach terminal velocity it’s time to bank the boat onto an edge and power off down the line. Engaging the rail is easy and you can feel the fin bite, providing further projection out of the trough. Speed is easily maintained and where other boats tend to meander off the back of waves the 5-0 keeps locked in and just begs you to throw it at a lip.

At this point it’s all about confidence: those with it will have no trouble heading for a breaking section while slightly more anxious paddlers may choose to straighten out and ride the white water. If you belong in the former camp then it’s a great tutor for anyone learning to throw an ‘off the top’ – the 5-0 goes some way helping paddlers learn more advanced surf kayaking moves.

Re-directs down the line are super efficient and easy to achieve – simply shift your bodyweight and hey presto! Carving up and down liquid walls is a joy and partnered with thigh straps the 5-0 feels incredibly secure and the paddler connected to the boat. We appreciate not everyone wants to feel like they’re attached to their sled and we get the hesitancy to attach thigh straps – after all, if you do capsize (a likelihood in surf) then you’ll need to be confident enough to slip out of the straps without panicking. It’s therefore comforting to know you can ride the 5-0 without using thigh straps. The sensation won’t be as efficient, feedback from the boat won’t be as much and performance won’t be quite as high but you’ll get the feeling and enjoyment of riding waves none the less.

Additional info

Having your whole kit tuned to the job in hand is key to getting maximum fun (and performance if you’re looking for it) out of each kayaking session – whether on the flat or when tackling bumps. As the 5-0 is a wave specific machine we partnered our sled with Adventure Technology’s Hercules straight shaft surf paddle. Cut very short to maximise stroke cadence it copes with sudden bursts of power and is robust enough to take knocks in wave environments. We’ve already mentioned the thigh straps but your paddle needs to be on point as well. If you really want to make the most of your sit on to kayak surfing then it’s best to use a set of blades designed for such activities. Your trusted carbon touring paddle will certainly do the job but something more specific will yield better results and ultimately more fun. Stay tuned for Hercules review coming soon…

Conclusion

As we mentioned at the start our first pass at the Perception was fun enough but not quite there in terms of out and out wave performance. Tricked out with thigh straps, surf fin and wave specific paddle the 5-0’s personality really shines through. Quick to accelerate as you drop in, drivey out of the bottom turn and manoeuvrable once on a wall it really is half way house between accessible sit on top surf kayak performance and full on waveski rippability.

Price: £499

Info: www.perception.co.uk/product/index/products/sit_on_top/five_o/

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Give it to me two times!

Perception Kayaks Europe Gemini is the brand’s go to tandem model for those looking at paddling fun with friends and/or family. Those who kayak together stay together – it’s double bubble fun and always twice as nice.

Family paddling

First look

Perception’s attention to detailing is second to none with styling, fixtures and fittings all well thought out and top drawer. Just as with the brand’s other sit on top offerings you can trick out your sled with various accessories and feel confident embedded rivets won’t fail while out for a float.

Perception Scooter Gemini

The brand’s special secret recipe ensures the moulding process is an intricate and refined one – coating the most susceptible areas with more material to enhance durability. The Perception Gemini is a well manufactured high end bit of kit, that all the family will enjoy, and a real head turner in brand new Glacier White livery.

Carriage and storage

If you’re in the market for a tandem kayak you’ll need to ask yourself two simple questions:

‘Do I have ample storage?’

‘Can I transport it easily?’

Be under no illusion, the Gemini is on the larger side and hoiking it on and off roof bars can be tricky – especially if you’re not a 6ft testosterone infused Alpha male. That said there are methods that won’t put your back out. Where you ‘hang it up’ at the end of each session should also be given thought.

On the shingle

Sitons main paddling location is a shingle fringed south coast (UK) beach. Heavily tidal, it’s the ideal playground for checking out the Gemini, and in fact any sit on top kayak, with ever changing conditions. During high water there can be an intimidating shore dump – after the sea ebbs sand is revealed, along with a less dicey launch.

If your put in is similar it might be easier to slide the boat along the shingle. For other scenarios a trolley may be better – lugging it on your shoulder can be tiring. But let’s not forget this is a kayak designed for more than one person and as such you’re likely to have extra hands to help cart it to the water.

Start ’em young

Off we go

The Gemini is a familiar paddling experience, after using the brand’s Scooter extensively. Essentially a scaled up version of the single hander it’s easy to keep in a straight line and tracks well – which is great for beginners. If there are two experienced kayakers in the mix then it can really shift – blasting off into the distance at will. Our test family proved this by red lining at a fair old pace.

The Gemini is a great way to introduce your offspring to the sport, without running the risk of them floating over the horizon when going it alone. You can be right there as they learn those important fundamental skills and help give pointers along the way. And in fact it can also be used as a diving platform – after all, when introducing wee ones to kayaking it’s best to do so in a fun and non serious manner.

Kayaking fun

Room to breathe

The extra space in the Gemini is significant. It’s a design that’s perfect for touring and camping trips with plenty of room to stash essentials. Paddlers at the rear will need to think carefully about how everything is packed down, to accommodate legs.

An aft tank well, although on the smaller side, gives even more options for travelling with gear. If you don’t require this space for ‘stuff’ then get the dog involved or even a smaller third person.

Locked and loaded

Single handed

The easy paddling nature of the Gemini makes it applicable for single paddler missions. There’s a slight lifting of the nose with only one aft pilot, which during breezy conditions can cause a bit of resistance. In this situation it’s best to shuffle forwards to keep the bow down and paddle from the middle. (You can attach thigh straps and take the Gemini into some small swell, which is super fun – just don’t cause issues for other water users).

Up front and in control

For such a large boat the Gemini remains fairly manoeuvrable. Obviously it’s never going to be as nippy as its smaller sibling, the Scooter, but the Sitons team was impressed by its handling none the less.

Summing up

Whether paddling with the wife, the kids or the whole family, the Gemini is really a lot of fun and the perfect toy to have when visiting any watery stretch.

For those tight on budget then it’s fine to have this boat as a ‘one does all’. If you can stretch to a second sit on top kayak then it might be worth partnering with a more manoeuvrable sled.

Paddling fun

For more info on Perception Kayaks Europe head over to www.perception.co.uk

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Magic glide and awesome tracking

While retaining its sit on kayaking roots, Perception’s Triumph 13 Kayak is an unusual looking beast when compared to the norm. Considerably longer than many typical sit ons, the Triumph 13 (as in 13ft) is made for covering distance, chewing up miles and burning around your local coastal or inland spot.

The Triumph 13 out of the box

Perception’s attention to detail permeates right through the Triumph’s design. From the moment you ‘unwrap’ the beast it’s obvious a great deal of time and effort has been put into making the Triumph a quality paddling machine. As with all Perception kayaks, fixtures and fitting are high quality and embedded firmly into the hull to ensure they don’t unexpectedly pull out at critical moments. The Triumph’s finish is super high end and we know from past experience that the brand’s moulding process ensures all high impact areas have reinforced side walls to help with durability.

The hull shape is extremely defined with both the Triumph’s nose and tail akin to a flared water piercing arrow head. This blends into a spine – incorporated to increase tracking – that runs the length of the underside. Deep channels flank the keel serving to funnel water and increase propulsion and efficiency while the pronounced bow and stern gives way to rolled gunnels and a wide cockpit area. An enormous hatch is set deeply into the Triumph 13’s foredeck, combined with large aft tank well, gives ample storage for stowing belongings and necessary items – perfect for multi day tripping or journeys with overnight stops. Handy paddle keepers sit next to the seating area with grab lines and easy carry toggles making humping the Triumph about a little easier. Let’s be honest, it’s a large boat that requires a wide turning circle during transportation and anything that helps with moving it is welcome. The rear of the Triumph has a reinforced tail with a heavy grade plastic skid plate attached. It’s inevitable that you’ll end up dragging your boat across rough surfaces and this will help keep your pride and joy in tip top condition – it’s this attention to detail which sets the Triumph apart. Finally, Perception’s well positioned toe rests and lower seat cut out, which serves to bring the pilot’s centre of gravity closer to the water, gives a hint of the ride to come. Having inspected the Triumph on land it was time to head out for a float.

The Triumph 13 on the water

Getting aboard the Triumph is a relatively easy affair although there’s a slight roll, due to the increased length and rounded gunnel’s that may unnerve beginners at first. Once in paddling position though you feel ready for action – the Triumph looks and feels like a ‘real’ machine, rather than a recreational toy. As such it instils a sense of purpose in the paddlers mind and fires you up ready for action. One of the Triumph’s most noticeable features is its straight line glide. The 13ft length definitely helps but the hulls underbelly puts the icing on the cake. The Triumph’s high sided nose cuts through the water and deflects brine away from the hull. This is a key point as water is ‘sticky’ and flatter designs tend hold water making boats feel sluggish. With its similar tail shape, the Triumph releases well – the paddler only needs a few strokes to build momentum. The hydrodynamics of the Triumph are something more associated with sit in designs, rather than sitons. We wanted to test this feature further and put the hammer down for a few hundred yards before letting up. The Triumph just keeps on gliding – even when confronted with choppier water or waves it didn’t relent – distance is covered in twice the amount of time.

It hardly needs mentioning the Triumph isn’t exactly an agility machine. We couldn’t resist, however, taking the Triumph for as spin in the waves. Picking up runners with ease it’s hardly surprising the added push from a liquid wall brings the Triumph up to red line speeds pretty sharpish. If you’re thinking of piloting in surf, paddling skills are a must – it’s a beast of a boat and could cause problems in busy line ups. Here at Sitons HQ we’re lucky to have an offshore break that’s quiet. Without the risk of injuring others, putting the Triumph through its paces in small to moderate surf was good fun, although in a lot of cases ended us taking a dunking!

It’s also worth noting the Triumph is dream to slice into wind and current, making difficult coastal conditions easier to handle. Coming back downwind is super fun; the hull’s length and that magic glide coming into play again. Back to its natural habitat of sit on top kayak touring, the Triumph 13 is a joy to paddle over any distance. We did notice at coastal venues, where strong tides and current run, a few correction strokes may be needed as Mother Nature tries to pull you off course, but this is a minor point. If you live close to an inland waterway then you’ll be in heaven as you burn up the miles.

Triumph 13 Conclusion

Perception Kayaks Europe Triumph 13 is a cracking step up boat for anyone wanting a touring vessel. The Triumph would make a good partner to your more manoeuvrable boat or if you’ve decided kayak touring really is your thing, but still don’t want to head down the closed cockpit route. Perception’s Triumph 13 certainly ticks all these boxes. Here at Sitons HQ we use the Triumph for exploring tidal harbours and inlets in our area. And yet it’s still fun to sometimes take for a blast in small waves – with enough paddler skill this is still possible. Amazing glide, good tracking, room to store everything, including the kitchen sink, Perception’s Triumph is a great example of how the sit ons market isn’t simply limited to kit for messing about at the beach.

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