I have recently purchased a triumph 13, I'm an experienced paddler and have already tried it out in testing lake and sea conditions. I have found that the kayak goes like lightening in flat and windless environments however in windy or wavy conditions it suffers badly from 'weather cocking' (aka not going in the direction you intend !) and can therefore become a real handful. I have since fitted a rudder kit which has literally transformed the kayaks performance. If your paddling flat water it's great otherwise, in my view, a rudder is a definite worthwhile upgrade. Not that easy to fit but there are videos out there .
This is a great kayak, I have owned it for 4 years doing long distance marathons also 8km sprints against normal sit inside kayaks which I have come 1st ,this kayak in the right hands can out perform most 13/16 ft kayaks, I have also used it on class 2 rapids, and average about 1000miles a year, my wife who can not walk has also used it on lakes
Worth mentioning scupper holes under seat for drainage. Wondering if a removable skeg would be better than rudder system. Just bought mine this week and pleased with quality. If a Wilderness tarpon 160 and RTM Disco got it together, this would be their baby.
Great video, many thanks and always happy to watch your channel. I want to buy my first plastic fast kayak more for touring half day and explore caves. Im 115kgr heavy and between RTM Tempo and triumph (find them both at Greece) witch you think is better for my size and can handle wind better? Looking forward for your answer!!!
I've got this kayak and so has a mate. Stability wise it's lovely, everything is arranged in the right place. I'll definitely be looking at the rudder kit as it doesn't take too much breeze for it to turn though. Nice review
I bought one of these kayaks last summer. I did find it wasn't as good tracking as my old Ocean Kayak Scrambler XT but I didn't want to go to the lengths of fitting a rudder kit myself. I did fit a small skeg which I bought from Amazon, it is advertised on Amazon just now as 'Qi Lu Kayak Skeg'. it varies in price from £6.99 up to about £20. It is relatively easy to fit using appropriate marine glue and I have found it to effectively reduce the weather cocking. It is quite compact at only 4.5 inches deep and 7.5 inches long. Something you may want to consider?
Enjoy your videos. Always informative. Constructive criticism; the frame transition of hand on the lens tends to work better if the next frame involves your hand coming back away from the lens. If the next frame is you away from the lens (i.e. behind the kayak you’re talking about) a cross dissolve or fade in/out transition tends to be a bit smoother. Also regarding audio, have a play in post production with your software for minimising background noise as the traffic noise pulls focus from your commentary. If you have the ability to split your audio track from your video track you can add a little bit of compression to your commentary also which takes away the harsh sound of “S” or that popping sound of “P” 👍🏻
Hi Felix, appreciate the criticism! To be completely honest, I usually film these overview videos in about half hour after I finish work and tend to film in mostly one take with no script 😅 I really don’t do much post production and understand the videos could be better but put simply I really don’t have much time to get into the nitty gritty of it whilst working full time and trying to fish all the time too 🎣 I have hundreds of hours of fishing footage spanning over 8 years but rarely have time to do anything with it, but recently I’ve got into the swing of filming, producing and uploading a video within the same day otherwise it’ll never get touched! Fully take on the pointers though and I’ll see that I can do so thanks for the feedback 😀
Hi Liam - Would you be able to recommend any replacement seats for this kayak? I am finding mine a little flimsy but don't want to take the plunge on something that might be as equally flimsy!
Hi Will, a good seat that seems to offer more rigidity (less flimsy) is the Feelfree Deluxe Seat. I’m sure there are others but this one works well and offers good back support.
The front hatch opens up to the inside of the hull so if water got into the hull you would see if in the front hatch. If placing anything inside the kayak that you want to keep dry then make use of a dry bag to be safe.
Liam, I have a Trident prowler 13 from 2012, do you think you can get different front hatches similar to the perceptions front hatch, as that one looks a lot more water tight than the Tridents front hatch,,,,?
Hi Darren, I don’t think there would be any rubber or dual density hatches that would fit the prowler hatch. I guess you have the standard hatch lid with cross-lock straps to hold it down? It may be worth fitting a soft rubber gasket to the hatch lid itself to contact with the gasket that’s on the hatch rim. Or you could line the inside of the hatch lid with stick-on 6mm foam to give the same effect of a seal-on-seal.
Which would you recommend for coastal paddling/touring, between this and the WS tarpon 120 E? I live on the Rame peninsula (near Plymouth) so after something for exploring and camping on beaches and exploring the estuaries etc
Both are great for general coastal paddling. I personally prefer paddling the Tarpon 120, but the Triumph is a touch faster. It really does benefit from the rudder system if you are planning to cover many miles on the water. I expect you’ll find either more than sufficient for your requirements. I would say the main decision comes down to whether you want the more premium outfitting on the Tarpon or a more basic design of the Triumph. Pop down to Cornwall Canoes and check both out side by side 😀
@@CornishKayakAngler I went for the triumph, picking it up Saturday 😁 might bring it in for a rudder kit at some point though, you're not too far away!
The Hi-Life is a model moulded in the US and as far as I know Perception UK are not currently importing this one into the UK due to the current high import costs. This may change in the future though.
Hi, is this Kayak still in production? Purchased one for wife a few years ago but now can't find in perception kayak website ruder kit or other accessories.
@@CornishKayakAngler , I'm based on California, us. But for sure here is no longer in production. You may want to check us website, maybe soon in UK will happen the same.
I have recently purchased a triumph 13, I'm an experienced paddler and have already tried it out in testing lake and sea conditions. I have found that the kayak goes like lightening in flat and windless environments however in windy or wavy conditions it suffers badly from 'weather cocking' (aka not going in the direction you intend !) and can therefore become a real handful. I have since fitted a rudder kit which has literally transformed the kayaks performance. If your paddling flat water it's great otherwise, in my view, a rudder is a definite worthwhile upgrade. Not that easy to fit but there are videos out there .
Great review. Well presented, engaging and worth viewing. I’ll buy one!! 👍
This review was one of the deciding factors in my purchasing a Perception Triumph 13. Nice kayaks for fishing.
Brilliant review. One of the best kayak reviews I've seen. Thank you. Im picking mine up next Friday. 👍
Nice kayak great walk through. I'll be using my sea pro kayak for the first time in a couple weeks can't wait to get out on the water.
This is a great kayak, I have owned it for 4 years doing long distance marathons also 8km sprints against normal sit inside kayaks which I have come 1st ,this kayak in the right hands can out perform most 13/16 ft kayaks, I have also used it on class 2 rapids, and average about 1000miles a year, my wife who can not walk has also used it on lakes
Great to hear your feedback on the Triumph 13. They certainly are a capable and versatile kayak!
I want to put a rudder on my search 13 .. great video
Worth mentioning scupper holes under seat for drainage. Wondering if a removable skeg would be better than rudder system. Just bought mine this week and pleased with quality. If a Wilderness tarpon 160 and RTM Disco got it together, this would be their baby.
Blimey, proper in-depth 👍. I was very almost going to get 2 of these but decided on 2 Dag Midway's instead as they fit my purpose far better.
Great video, many thanks and always happy to watch your channel. I want to buy my first plastic fast kayak more for touring half day and explore caves. Im 115kgr heavy and between RTM Tempo and triumph (find them both at Greece) witch you think is better for my size and can handle wind better? Looking forward for your answer!!!
I've got this kayak and so has a mate. Stability wise it's lovely, everything is arranged in the right place. I'll definitely be looking at the rudder kit as it doesn't take too much breeze for it to turn though. Nice review
You won’t regret getting the rudder kit, you’ll be amazed the difference it makes to the kayak! You’ll wonder how you managed before 😁
I bought one of these kayaks last summer. I did find it wasn't as good tracking as my old Ocean Kayak Scrambler XT but I didn't want to go to the lengths of fitting a rudder kit myself. I did fit a small skeg which I bought from Amazon, it is advertised on Amazon just now as 'Qi Lu Kayak Skeg'. it varies in price from £6.99 up to about £20. It is relatively easy to fit using appropriate marine glue and I have found it to effectively reduce the weather cocking. It is quite compact at only 4.5 inches deep and 7.5 inches long. Something you may want to consider?
Enjoy your videos. Always informative. Constructive criticism; the frame transition of hand on the lens tends to work better if the next frame involves your hand coming back away from the lens. If the next frame is you away from the lens (i.e. behind the kayak you’re talking about) a cross dissolve or fade in/out transition tends to be a bit smoother. Also regarding audio, have a play in post production with your software for minimising background noise as the traffic noise pulls focus from your commentary. If you have the ability to split your audio track from your video track you can add a little bit of compression to your commentary also which takes away the harsh sound of “S” or that popping sound of “P” 👍🏻
Hi Felix, appreciate the criticism! To be completely honest, I usually film these overview videos in about half hour after I finish work and tend to film in mostly one take with no script 😅 I really don’t do much post production and understand the videos could be better but put simply I really don’t have much time to get into the nitty gritty of it whilst working full time and trying to fish all the time too 🎣 I have hundreds of hours of fishing footage spanning over 8 years but rarely have time to do anything with it, but recently I’ve got into the swing of filming, producing and uploading a video within the same day otherwise it’ll never get touched! Fully take on the pointers though and I’ll see that I can do so thanks for the feedback 😀
Good informative video very helpful. Does it come with scupper plugs?
Thanks! The Triumph 13 doesn’t come with scupper bungs as standard but you can buy them separately.
@@CornishKayakAngler thanks
Hi Liam - Would you be able to recommend any replacement seats for this kayak? I am finding mine a little flimsy but don't want to take the plunge on something that might be as equally flimsy!
Hi Will, a good seat that seems to offer more rigidity (less flimsy) is the Feelfree Deluxe Seat. I’m sure there are others but this one works well and offers good back support.
@@CornishKayakAngler Thank you so much, I might give the kingfisher a go in that case!
Is the large hatch a separate section to the rest of internal hull or if water got into the inside of the kayak it would go there too?
The front hatch opens up to the inside of the hull so if water got into the hull you would see if in the front hatch. If placing anything inside the kayak that you want to keep dry then make use of a dry bag to be safe.
Liam, I have a Trident prowler 13 from 2012, do you think you can get different front hatches similar to the perceptions front hatch, as that one looks a lot more water tight than the Tridents front hatch,,,,?
Hi Darren, I don’t think there would be any rubber or dual density hatches that would fit the prowler hatch. I guess you have the standard hatch lid with cross-lock straps to hold it down? It may be worth fitting a soft rubber gasket to the hatch lid itself to contact with the gasket that’s on the hatch rim. Or you could line the inside of the hatch lid with stick-on 6mm foam to give the same effect of a seal-on-seal.
Which would you recommend for coastal paddling/touring, between this and the WS tarpon 120 E? I live on the Rame peninsula (near Plymouth) so after something for exploring and camping on beaches and exploring the estuaries etc
Both are great for general coastal paddling. I personally prefer paddling the Tarpon 120, but the Triumph is a touch faster. It really does benefit from the rudder system if you are planning to cover many miles on the water. I expect you’ll find either more than sufficient for your requirements. I would say the main decision comes down to whether you want the more premium outfitting on the Tarpon or a more basic design of the Triumph. Pop down to Cornwall Canoes and check both out side by side 😀
@@CornishKayakAngler I went for the triumph, picking it up Saturday 😁 might bring it in for a rudder kit at some point though, you're not too far away!
@@lntkernowdoes the kayak have enough space for couple nights remote camping and gear that entails? Thanks
Do you know if in England could i to get the "hi life 11"another model of Perception?
The Hi-Life is a model moulded in the US and as far as I know Perception UK are not currently importing this one into the UK due to the current high import costs. This may change in the future though.
Hi, is this Kayak still in production? Purchased one for wife a few years ago but now can't find in perception kayak website ruder kit or other accessories.
Yeah it is still in production in the UK and US for sure, where are you based?
@@CornishKayakAngler , I'm based on California, us. But for sure here is no longer in production. You may want to check us website, maybe soon in UK will happen the same.