Perception Tribe 9.5 Kayak Review
Introduction: Perception Tribe 9.5 Review
It’s about noon on a Saturday. You’re miles from civilization, a cool drink in one hand, your dog on your lap, a stockpile of refreshments behind you and serene waters as far as the eye can see. You were made for this moment, and so was your kayak.
If that’s your idea of heaven, you might have been paddling the Perception Tribe 9.5, a do-it-all sit-on-top kayak that’s perfect for lazy afternoons and worry-free weekends.
If you’ve ever considered purchasing a sit-on-top kayak, you know they are built for comfort and ease-of-use. The Tribe 9.5 is at the top of that list and allows paddlers all the freedom they need, with easy maneuverability and good tracking at a lightweight budget. Perception has been making quality kayaks for generations, and the Tribe is proof that they still know a thing or two about paddling.
There are lots of reasons we love this kayak, but below you’ll find American Paddler’s in-depth Perception Tribe 9.5 review.
Check out buyer reviews of the Perception Tribe 9.5 on Amazon.com
Perception Tribe 9.5 Specs and Features
- Comfort Seating System with lumbar support
- Adjustable seatback positioning
- Seat folds down for stackable storage
- Leak-proof one-piece construction
- Easier to carry at only 46 lbs
- Molded-in side carry handles for easy transport and lockable security
- Replaceable skid plate lets you drag without fear of damage
- Large front and rear open storage for cooler, tackle, and other gear
- Center hatch with built-in bag and protective lid
- Bungee cord lashes to secure gear
- Drink holder
- Multiple foot rest options accommodate paddlers of all sizes
- Ocean and saltwater optimized
| PERCEPTION TRIBE 9.5 SPECS | |
|---|---|
TYPE | Sit-on-Top/Recreational |
PADDLERS | Solo (with room for a dog) |
LENGTH | 9'5" (287 cm) |
WIDTH | 31.25" (79 cm) |
MAXIMUM CAPACITY | 300 lbs (136 kg) |
KAYAK WEIGHT | 46 lbs (21 kg) |
COCKPIT | 53" (135 cm) wide by 20.5" (52 cm) tall |
DECK HEIGHT | 16.25" (41 cm) |
HULL MATERIAL | High-density polyethylene |
WARRANTY | 3 Years |
An easy-to-use kayak for beginners and experts alike
The Tribe 9.5 is the smallest of Perception’s Tribe family of kayaks, with its cousins the Tribe 11.5 and Tribe 13.5 offering more speed (and weight) and better tracking. Still, the Tribe 9.5 more than holds its own here.
The biggest advantage to the Tribe 9.5’s small size is its accessibility for smaller paddlers and beginners. If your plan is to go ocean fishing, the bigger boats might be your better bet, but for lakes and slow rivers, the 9.5 offers more than enough stability and maneuverability. It’s also versatile enough to handle light surf — a bonus for those who aren’t sure where their paddling adventures will take them.
Even if your paddling adventure takes you nowhere but the middle of a calm lake, the Tribe 9.5 is stable enough to enter from the water, making this a great option for swimming or diving — not to mention fishing or other flatwater activities.
A breath of fresh air: Easy carrying and storage
If there’s one area where the Perception Tribe 9.5 really shines, it’s portability. Honestly, the folks over at Perception ought to win an award for this. Consider:
- The Tribe 9.5 weighs just 46 pounds — more than lightweight enough for a single person to handle
- Molded-in side handles that are actually part of the kayak rather than cheaply made dangling ropes. Not only does this help with portability, but it also means you can run ropes or bike locks through it as an anti-theft feature. (Why this isn’t standard practice, I have no idea.)
- If you own multiple Tribe kayaks — including the Tribe 11.5 or 13.5 — they’re stackable. No more garage takeovers!
- Because it’s both stackable and has molded-in handles, the Tribe is a breeze to tie to your car. And that’s assuming you need to tie it up at all, as the small Tribe 9.5 can easily fit in the back of most pickups.
- A replaceable skid plate means you won’t hurt the kayak dragging it to the water
Bring your dog, bring a cooler, bring a book
The Perception Tribe 9.5 is wide open and super-stable, a reassuring fact for those not used to sit-on-top kayaking. Lots of paddlers rate this kayak as one of the best kayaks for dogs or children, thanks to a wide, well-balanced deck for Fido or Junior to rest comfortably while Mom or Dad paddles. In fact, while the Tribe 9.5 is rated as just a solo-paddler kayak, there is space (and attachment points) for a second seat should you want to bring a child along.
Speaking of the aforementioned “cold drink,” the Tribe 9.5 offers plenty of room to bring a cooler — or anything else you want in tow — thanks to its generously deep stern tankwell and high-quality bungee strapping that keeps your gear secure. And it’s got a well-placed cupholder, should you need to put down the beverage for a moment to ward off “Jaws Junior” who’s intent on flipping Dad’s kayak.
In any case, we’d love to see him try. If ocean swells can’t flip the Tribe, an 8-year-old probably won’t have much luck, either.
Carefree comfort and flexibility
An uncomfortable seat can ruin an otherwise great kayaking experience for a first-time paddler, which is why the Tribe 9.5’s padded seat stands out among sit-on-top kayaks.
Unlike many flimsy sit-on-top kayak seats, the Tribe’s foldable high-back seat is actually attached to the kayak itself, providing better back support for longer paddling trips. When in use, the seat is folded up and supported by pressure-strength bungee cables, which offers a rigid feel similar to higher-quality metal frame seats. When not in use, the seat can be folded down for easy transport.
The seat back itself is also adjustable, which helps a lot depending on the size PFD you’re wearing.
Adding to the comfort for larger or shorter paddlers is the Tribe’s multi-channel molded-in foot wells, which allow for comfort in almost any seating position — knees up, knees down or legs straight ahead.
Keep your things (and yourself) dry
As any sit-on-top kayak owner will tell you, it’s impossible to keep all the water out. But with the Tribe 9.5’s multiple self-bailing scupper holes, you’ll at least keep most of it out. In fact, that’s one of the advantages of a sit-on-top kayak as opposed to a sit-inside version: the kayak does the work of bailing for you.
When water does get in, it doesn’t have to ruin your wallet or cellphone, thanks to the Tribe 9.5’s lockable 6” center hatch. Though the hatch itself is not watertight, it’s better than nothing when it comes to keeping your valuables splash-free, and it’s more than most sit-on-tops offer. We’d recommend investing in a dry bag, anyway.
Colors
The Perception Tribe 9.5 comes in several colors for guys and girls, from green/blue to pink, red, yellow and camo.
Price
Despite its remarkable features, the Perception Tribe 9.5 is priced very well for a solid, versatile sit-on-top kayak. Check the most recent price yourself on Amazon.
Tl;dr (Too long, didn’t read)
The Perception Tribe 9.5 is a well-built, ingeniously designed sit-on-top kayak that’s perfect for beginners and smaller paddlers who want performance and stability at a budget price. Easily maneuvered in both surf and calm flatwater, the Tribe 9.5 is perfect for fishing, diving, swimming or just an afternoon on the lake with a cooler and a dog. Perception’s brilliant staff has made this one of the most portable kayaks on the market, with molded-in handles (an anti-theft feature), stackable design and lightweight (46 lb) construction easy enough for a single person to handle.
Overall, a very solid, lightweight kayak that deserves a serious look.