So I am 210 pounds and I’m blind my friend is 120 pounds and she’s not blind, and we’re looking to get into doing some kayak camping and I would like your professional opinion on a great kayak that I could use for something like this, fishing racing and just having fun in! Without breaking the bank any suggestions are most helpful thank you!
I just got this same kayak today at West Marine. It came with seats, zero hatches though. This is one of the videos that helped me decide on this yak. Thanks.
Glad I could help you narrow down the options. We love this kayak. Hatches are ok, but I would sooner use dry bags. Round hatches aren’t big enough to be that useful. I rarely use the small round hatches on most of my kayaks.
I see them all over in stores and they are still listed on Perception website. Pretty sure they still make this kayak. It is very successful model. They would be foolish not to make it. West Marine, Dicks Sporting Goods, and several other places still sell them. West Marine calls it the Abaco 135 though.
It is a very good kayak for its price point. I bought one three years ago for me and my two small boys. I do recommend it, but a couple things to keep in mind: 1) West Marine lists it at 74 lbs (70 when I bought it), but mine came in at 82. 2) It is stable in calm conditions, but you still have to keep everyone centered. When I took it out with my boys to a local lake, we all happened to lean at the same time to our left, just a bit, and we flipped. And getting back into a tandem with three people is a bit of a challenge for the last person bc there isn't that much room, but it can be done with practice. 3) I took it out a few times as a single with the seat in the middle, and the seat caved in. It wasn't much, about an inch, and you can pop it out, but something to keep in mind. But overall, it tracks well, and you can easily maintain 3mph cruising speed in calm conditions. Solid boat and we've spent countless fun hours on it fishing or lazing away an afternoon.
Nice Video! We bought the Perception Rambler for $450 with seats but no storage hatches back in 2014 at sportsman warehouse. It's been a great kayak for our family, our daughter is now old enough to move into her own. I like the added storage hatch compartments on yours and I might do the same now.
Quick question about adding a rod holder. I planned on mounting a Railblaza HD mount in front of the middle seat, where the deck hatch is on yours. Mine is just the round section, like in front of the rear seat. Do you think it would be ok there? It seems like it has a bit of flex there, and that concerned me. Thanks.
Seats are cheaper than that. Any universal clip in kayak seat fits. As for the price of the kayak (new) I have never seen this model that low in price. This model holds more weight and has better layout than other SOT tandems that may look similar. Just my opinion. I’m not sponsored by them and I paid for the kayak out of pocket.
man I think I made my mind up and buying the new pelican 120 getting it just over $660 not the NXT but just like it just have to put the back storage hatch on it and mounting brackets that's it then its just like the NXT
I just bought the same kayak last month. I like the idea of utilizing the front forward space with the vertical placed hatch. How did you mount this hatch as the surface is not flat?
+rlabrune honestly I screwed it down tight and siliconed the heck out of it. Despite not being 100% flat I don't believe it ever leaked. The factory hatch by my seat I was skeptical of leaking due to constant pooling water. I unscrewed it and re-sealed it with silicone and then I no longer had any water intrusion. It was never much (maybe 1-2 cups after week of hard paddling) but I don't like any getting in. Maybe could have done front hatch differently or gone with smaller one on bow top. The kayak has such high gunnels it rarely had water come over. Also with it holding 550lbs it would take about 30 gallons of water in hull and my wife and I to meet the weight limit. This kayak is a beast!
+Fishing Channel it is incredibly well made. Not the fanciest but rock solid and affordable. I'm not sponsored by Perception or West Marine, but sure wouldn't complain if I was. The Perception kayaks seem to have several standout kayaks that are competitively priced (Striker, Rambler 13.5, Pescador Pilot)
I agree 100%. I had the Pescador Tandem for a long time and now have 2 pescador singles bc the kids can paddle themselves now. I still miss it, it was great using solo cause it had tons of room. GREAT channel, ive been following u for quite some time! Keep up the good work!!
+Big O! Thanks for the support and your insight/validation! All my videos simply reflect my opinion after exhausting research and personal paddle time. I just like to share what I feel I have learned.
Its an ok value but certainly not the best. The seats dont come with it and they cost around $100 each. So now even with the sale price your around $623.00. I just got an Emotion Spitfire 12T for $360.00 (regularly around $450.00) and that includes the 2 seats, 2 paddles and a small dry bag all standard equip. I haven't seen a better value tandem kayak than that.
The emotion spitfire isn’t bad, but I’m taller and I prefer longer tandem for leg comfort. The Rambler 135 is slightly longer for us taller guys. I also like the taller side gunnels and center seating option for going solo or taking a child. Also you can get seats way cheaper on amazon. I got nice ones for around $30-40.
Thanks for making this video! Confidently purchased a Rambler 13.5 today thanks to it!
We have a few in our rental fleet as well.
They have held up well to renter abuse.
So I am 210 pounds and I’m blind my friend is 120 pounds and she’s not blind, and we’re looking to get into doing some kayak camping and I would like your professional opinion on a great kayak that I could use for something like this, fishing racing and just having fun in! Without breaking the bank any suggestions are most helpful thank you!
I just got this same kayak today at West Marine. It came with seats, zero hatches though. This is one of the videos that helped me decide on this yak. Thanks.
Glad I could help you narrow down the options. We love this kayak. Hatches are ok, but I would sooner use dry bags. Round hatches aren’t big enough to be that useful. I rarely use the small round hatches on most of my kayaks.
they don't make this one any more
I see them all over in stores and they are still listed on Perception website. Pretty sure they still make this kayak. It is very successful model. They would be foolish not to make it.
West Marine, Dicks Sporting Goods, and several other places still sell them. West Marine calls it the Abaco 135 though.
Can’t find the same kayak
*Links in video description. Amazon & West Marine sell same kayak.*
It is a very good kayak for its price point. I bought one three years ago for me and my two small boys. I do recommend it, but a couple things to keep in mind: 1) West Marine lists it at 74 lbs (70 when I bought it), but mine came in at 82. 2) It is stable in calm conditions, but you still have to keep everyone centered. When I took it out with my boys to a local lake, we all happened to lean at the same time to our left, just a bit, and we flipped. And getting back into a tandem with three people is a bit of a challenge for the last person bc there isn't that much room, but it can be done with practice. 3) I took it out a few times as a single with the seat in the middle, and the seat caved in. It wasn't much, about an inch, and you can pop it out, but something to keep in mind. But overall, it tracks well, and you can easily maintain 3mph cruising speed in calm conditions. Solid boat and we've spent countless fun hours on it fishing or lazing away an afternoon.
+cobbs thanks for sharing your experience!
Nice Video! We bought the Perception Rambler for $450 with seats but no storage hatches back in 2014 at sportsman warehouse. It's been a great kayak for our family, our daughter is now old enough to move into her own. I like the added storage hatch compartments on yours and I might do the same now.
Quick question about adding a rod holder. I planned on mounting a Railblaza HD mount in front of the middle seat, where the deck hatch is on yours. Mine is just the round section, like in front of the rear seat. Do you think it would be ok there? It seems like it has a bit of flex there, and that concerned me. Thanks.
I would put it there. If you don’t like it then cut it out and put a hatch there! 🙂👍
Sounds like a plan! Thanks.
that's really cool I am thinking about a new yak next year. this would be a great long range camping kayak.
so much room for activities.
Great video sir! Me and my father are looking into a 2+ man kayak without spending over $800 these go almost 300 below that. Awesome
Glad to be of help. These are very durable well made tandems.
did you use self tappers for scotty track - how did you attach (I have the Perception Rambler - same model)
Seats sold separately for $99 each.
I’ve seen them sell an orange one like this without seats for around $300.
Seats are cheaper than that. Any universal clip in kayak seat fits. As for the price of the kayak (new) I have never seen this model that low in price. This model holds more weight and has better layout than other SOT tandems that may look similar. Just my opinion. I’m not sponsored by them and I paid for the kayak out of pocket.
i was just looking at this Yak model at West Marine last week.
man I think I made my mind up and buying the new pelican 120 getting it just over $660 not the NXT but just like it just have to put the back storage hatch on it and mounting brackets that's it then its just like the NXT
+Dwayne Mcguire certainly a great kayak for the money.
Very cool 👍 I want this first kayak to get me hooked my son wants one two now he sees I want one so bad lol ,,,👍😄
I just bought the same kayak last month. I like the idea of utilizing the front forward space with the vertical placed hatch. How did you mount this hatch as the surface is not flat?
+rlabrune honestly I screwed it down tight and siliconed the heck out of it. Despite not being 100% flat I don't believe it ever leaked. The factory hatch by my seat I was skeptical of leaking due to constant pooling water. I unscrewed it and re-sealed it with silicone and then I no longer had any water intrusion. It was never much (maybe 1-2 cups after week of hard paddling) but I don't like any getting in. Maybe could have done front hatch differently or gone with smaller one on bow top. The kayak has such high gunnels it rarely had water come over. Also with it holding 550lbs it would take about 30 gallons of water in hull and my wife and I to meet the weight limit. This kayak is a beast!
that is a nice yak and so cheap too
+Fishing Channel it is incredibly well made. Not the fanciest but rock solid and affordable. I'm not sponsored by Perception or West Marine, but sure wouldn't complain if I was. The Perception kayaks seem to have several standout kayaks that are competitively priced (Striker, Rambler 13.5, Pescador Pilot)
I agree 100%. I had the Pescador Tandem for a long time and now have 2 pescador singles bc the kids can paddle themselves now. I still miss it, it was great using solo cause it had tons of room. GREAT channel, ive been following u for quite some time! Keep up the good work!!
+Big O! Thanks for the support and your insight/validation! All my videos simply reflect my opinion after exhausting research and personal paddle time. I just like to share what I feel I have learned.
nice yak 👍🎣
nice! I like that front deck hatch, I have been planning on putting one there too, check out my perception Rambler on my channel.
+Jerry Ehrlich I will check it out.
Its an ok value but certainly not the best. The seats dont come with it and they cost around $100 each. So now even with the sale price your around $623.00. I just got an Emotion Spitfire 12T for $360.00 (regularly around $450.00) and that includes the 2 seats, 2 paddles and a small dry bag all standard equip. I haven't seen a better value tandem kayak than that.
The emotion spitfire isn’t bad, but I’m taller and I prefer longer tandem for leg comfort.
The Rambler 135 is slightly longer for us taller guys. I also like the taller side gunnels and center seating option for going solo or taking a child.
Also you can get seats way cheaper on amazon. I got nice ones for around $30-40.