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Length
Width
Weight
Cockpit
Deck Height
Max Capacity
16' 6"
22.25"
55 lbs.
35 x 19.5"
15.5"
< 325 lbs.
Save big on your order! Enjoy a 15% discount on any accessories purchased with your boat, plus the added savings of Free Shipping & NO Sales Tax. You can't beat that deal! (limited time offer - order today & SAVE).
Note: this item is subject to an oversized wrapping charge.
Perception Essence 16.5 Ocean Touring Sea Kayak with TruTrak Skeg - The Perception Essence 16.5 redefines sea kayak performance. Allowing expert and novice sea kayakers alike to push their abilities to new levels , the Essence 16.5 offers solid tracking, yet is maneuverable due to its unique design. Comfortable and stable with great ergonomics, the Zone EXP seating system is fully adjustable for a personalized fit. Three sealed bulkheads are easily accessible via separate deck hatches, providing ample storage for longer trips. Retractable carry handles make transporting your boat a breeze. Drop the skeg and open up a whole new level of excitement. The TruTrak skeg keeps the Essence 16.5 moving straight and tracking true. The hydrofoil shape cuts efficiently through water, and retracts into a water-tight housing when not in use. The thrill and performance of sea kayaking isn’t just for experts or the sea. The predictable handling of the Perception Essence 16.5 touring sea kayak gives smaller paddlers all the tracking and maneuverability needed for that great expedition in a stable, comfortable package!
Don't forget a spray skirt and cockpit cover! A skirt is important for keeping water out of the boat and the cockpit cover helps keep out rain, dust, and things that crawl! A size 1.7 Deck Seals skirt and cockpit cover fits the Perception Essence 16.5 Kayak.
I've been paddling it for a week and really have come to love this kayak. You can keep up a fast paddling cadence with relative ease so it's a great kayak for touring or fitness. It tracks straight through the water and the primary stabiltity is good while the secondary stability on edge is excellent. I thought the Essence to be more manuverable than the Wilderness System boats, and way more manuverable than the kinda clunky Cayuga. I haven't paddled it in the ocean yet but have gone out into rough lake water in windy and chop (1-3 ft high wakes) and the Essence performed like a champ. The deck rigging is well laid out and practical. The hatches are not completely water proof, if you flip the boat a tiny amount (about 1-2 tablespoons) of water can get in. I don't think you'd be able to pack more than a comfortable weeks gear and food in the boat, however, so you'll want to pack light so space won't be an issue. The seat is comfortable and low-profile, so getting in and out is a snap. The Essence comes with a skeg and it really does work well in wind keeping the boat on course. In fact there were two days with really high wind ( 30 -35 mph) in a few sections and I experienced only some weathercocking! I am impressed with the Essence 165!
Trent Logan
Allentown NJ
3/12/2010
I'm new to kayaks and after trying this one I bought it. I had only tried the 17 foot version of this kayak and one from Boreal Designs. Now I had no lessons to begin with and my first time out was the try out which lasted about 5 minutes max on 2 kayaks. I took this thing out on the lake and loved it. I haven't tried rolling yet (because I wanted to work on basic paddling first) and I can honestly say it tracks very straight with the skeg down. Keep in mind I'm nearing 50 years old and although I paddled canoes, this thing is a bit different. Found the seat comfortable and the side adjustment is easy enough to reach for the foot pegs and the skeg control is recessed on the outside of the boat and is easy to operate and you do see a difference. I keep it down when going straight and bring it up when I need to maneuver after I tried a few hard turns. I purposely went into wakes of big boats to get a feel of it and I'm happy. I don't think I will be outgrowing this craft soon but even with my newbie skills I was happy with the speed.
Mikayak
6/14/2010
I have been out in it several times and have information for anyone who may be interested in this kayak. Initial quality and fit and finish are excellent, as is the seating system. It does track fairly well, but you really need the skeg deployed to appreciate truly straight tracking. I rolled it over (intentionally) to perfect my paddle float re-entry, and after several times, the hatches were dry as a bone. The secondary stability on the boat is fabulous, it edges very well, and the handling is very predictable. My only gripe is that the top end speed could be be a little better given its length, width, and hull design. But hey, I'm out to have fun and not to break any world speed records. All in all, I am very happy with this kayak, and would recommend it to anyone looking for a boat in this class without breaking the bank.
Mark
6/3/2009
Essence 16.5 Touring Sea Kayak with TruTrak Skeg by Perception Kayaks for Kayaking
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