Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5 Review

perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5 review

Performance

The Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5 provides the same level of activity as the Pelican Mustang 100x and Wilderness Systems Aspire 105, both of which are recreational kayaks. Keep in mind that when you’re rowing any of these smaller kayaks, the goal is to simply have a pleasant outing, not be trying to set any records.

Check out the increased waterline length of the Swifty Deluxe 11.5 for a better and faster gliding experience.

In general, boats with shorter lengths are easier to maneuver than bigger ones; however, kayaks that have longer lengths provide better stability for keeping a true course. This nine and a half foot Perception Swifty Deluxe gives you the advantages of both a small size and stability.

It is easy to make turns and can be maneuvered quickly, yet still maintains a reliable trajectory on still water.

The Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5 provides fantastic stability, giving rookie paddlers a sense of security right away. The sit-inside design of the kayak places the paddler in a low position close to the surface of the water, offering increased security due to increased stability in a side-to-side direction.

This type of kayak allows the paddler to gain more control over the vessel than a sit-on-top model, as they can use their legs to press against the sides of the kayak.

Market and demographics

The Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5 is a great choice for new paddlers wanting to explore quiet rivers and lakes, as it has plenty of comfort and convenience features, yet still provides good performance that you can grow into.

This kayak fits perfectly into the beginner recreational kayak range, coming at an affordable cost while still maintaining vital elements such as a supportive back rest and customisable foot pegs. The generously proportioned cockpit has been designed to accommodate a variety of shapes and sizes.

The Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5 is not specially designed for fishing purposes, however, its integral rod holders make it a adaptive selection for those starting out in kayak fishing. Coming in at a mere 44 pounds, this kayak is ideal for those wanting something that is lightweight and simple to transport to the put-in.

Comfort

Evidently, the creators of the Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5 put comfort as a primary factor when conceptualizing this vessel. The comfort of recreational kayaks is emphasized because it would be difficult to enjoy kayaking when the person is feeling uncomfortable or tight.

It is essential to be mindful of such details as lumbar support and comfortable cushions. These are the points of contact between your body and the kayak; getting the setup just right is key for reducing fatigue, improving performance, and making the most of your experience.

The shining characteristic of the Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5 is its seat design. The elevated seat gives excellent comfort and important lower back help, which is often a source of pain in kayaks of poor quality from regular stores.

The straps that can be moved along the sides enable the backrest to be shifted forwards or backwards, which allows each person in the boat to customise the fit.

Foot braces are a vital element of any kayak, allowing the kayaker to build an effective linkage between them and the kayak, utilizing stronger muscle groups like the abs and legs for more powerful paddling for longer expeditions.

This kayak, the Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5, has foot braces that can be moved on the slider allowing it to fit most people, although it may not be comfortable for those who are over 6’4″.

Things To Consider Before Buying A Perception Swifty

The Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5 is a good choice for recreational kayakers who want to save some money. This kayak is inexpensive and can be the perfect choice for people who are just getting started.

This boat is suitable for both kids and adults, and can accommodate a total weight of 325 pounds. This can make it a convenient selection in the event that you want each person in your family to have a turn using it on the lake.

A sit-inside kayak is an ideal option for paddling at any time of the year, as the covered cockpit gives added defense from the weather as opposed to a sit-on-top kayak.

Nevertheless, the Swifty has a rather unobtrusive design so you could see it is less sheltered than a few other sit-inside kayaks, signifying you could still face the elements or get sprayed with water.

This kayak is a suitable size for small lakes, ponds, and winding rivers. Its remarkable ability to maneuver enables it to quickly and easily turn in confined areas.

This kayak doesn’t have all the fancy extras, so if that’s what you’re after, this isn’t the right choice. This kayak has minimal characteristics and might not be optimal for extended journeys. This was not created with navigating rough waters or waters in remote areas in mind.

If you’re looking for a cost-effective fishing kayak, this could be an ideal option as it comes with a place to store fishing rods.

Top Features Of The Perception Swifty

Great Maneuverability

This kayak is exceptionally good at being maneuvered around. This boat, which is characterized by its compact hull and superior agility, is ideal for use in smaller bodies of water like ponds and streams.

This kayak is simple to maneuver, especially for beginners or people of smaller stature, making paddling and controlling it a breeze.

It has a hull that is made up of multiple curved surfaces, offering great firmness when on still water. It performs best on lakes, ponds, and slow-moving rivers.

This kayak has relatively good tracking, which means it is not too difficult to stay in a single lane while rowing, leading to less exhaustion from having to constantly readjust the direction of the vessel. However, it’s not the fastest kayak.

The small size of the vessel makes it simple to maneuver in and out of the water, which could make taking it to the launch much easier.

Day Storage

For a small boat, it does have decent storage. This kayak is not meant for long trips, therefore it may not be suitable for packing it with camping gear.

The Swifty has an awesome advantage – a 10-inch storage hatch found in the back. This can be useful for keeping a waterproof pouch that contains important items or snacks. Ropes attached to the top are used to make sure the lid remains in place and also to tie down other things to the deck.

There is an easily accessible tray in the front of the cockpit for putting small items in close proximity to the place you sit. The cup holder that is formed directly into the design is placed conveniently in front of the seat, inside the area you sit.

You can keep your fishing rods at the back of the boat using the two rods holders if you plan to go fishing. A bungee cord paddle holder is situated on the bow of the boat so that the paddle can be secured when you are tending to your fish or putting bait on your hooks.

The area available for bulky fishing equipment is restricted. For instance, there is no room for a box or a kayak refrigerator. There should be plenty of space for fishing gear used for recreational purposes.

You might have to come up with some inventive solutions and use your DIY capabilities if you want to fully set up this boat for a proper fishing excursion. You could customize this boat to make it a fishing kayak by installing optional accessories, which must be bought separately, using either gear tracks or other mounts (not included).

Roomy Cockpit

The large and comfortable sitting area of this kayak designed for recreation is a great component. It makes entering and exiting the kayak a breeze, which is helpful for those who have never used a sit-inside kayak or are just beginning to paddle.

The cockpit in this kayak is more open than some other enclosed vessels, so you may feel less confined and find it more comfortable than narrower sea kayaks. Although the open cockpit in this kayak may give you a more enjoyable paddling experience, it won’t be able to keep you as dry as other kayaks that have more covered cockpits. It may also not be suitable for using with a spray skirt.

In the cockpit, the foot braces can be altered to fit different sizes of legs. The seat has a padded backrest that you can change the angle of using the straps to create your desired reclining position.

However, if you plan to be out paddling for an extended period of time, the seat may not be especially cozy.

The larger cockpit also makes it simpler to come and go. Furthermore, it allows you to move around a bit more freely, such as if you need to reach something. It is possible that you might have enough space to have a small pup living with you.

You could have difficulty handling a dog of medium or large size.

Easy To Transport

Carrying the Swifty 9.5 kayak is a breeze because of its size. This kayak is easy to transport and can be quickly loaded onto a car’s roof rack before being taken to the shoreline. You may be able to squeeze this boat into the back of certain pick-up trucks due to its small hull.

You will spot molded-in hold handles at the prow and stern of the kayak which will give you a solid and relaxed grip for transporting it and placing it on top of your car competently.

The small size of the hull makes the Swifty simple to both load and unload without help, and it’s light enough to be transported to the water without assistance.

Its tiny size makes it more convenient to keep around your house since it uses up less area in your garage or on the wall.

Durability

The Perception Swifty was produced domestically in Greenville, South Carolina, USA. This vessel is constructed with resilient and heavy-duty high-density rotomolded polyethylene, which is strong enough to survive the normal scrapes and hits that a beginner kayaker oftentimes experiences.

Perception guarantees its construction to be enduring and in case of any production defects, they offer a five-year limited warranty. This could offer you more confidence in the excellence of the construction and materials.

Opportunity for modifications

You can customize the Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5 kayak in multiple ways to fit your exact needs. Put a small piece of foam underneath the vessel’s cockpit that your knees meet with in order to make the ride more comfortable, or stick some foam below your heels.

Foam with tightly packed cells, like what is utilized for classic camping sleeping mats, make acceptable cushioning that can be cut into desired shapes.

Fishermen could install a paddle park next to the cockpit, and refine the preset rod holders with the Perception Rod X Pro fittings for a more dependable rod organization.

Final Words

Pros

• Great maneuverability
• Ideal for small bodies of water
• Sit-inside kayak
• Easy to paddle

Cons

• Minimal storage
• Basic seat

The Perception Swifty 9.5 is an excellent pick for novices who want to cast some lines during their paddling trips. It is simple to enter and exit the ample cockpit, even if you lack experience with paddling. It is simple to row and controls well when trying to maneuver in tight spots.