

The short keel holds this kayak back in the tracking department. It’s nowhere near sturdy enough to stand up in and I’d still be careful when I’m casting so as not to throw my weight around too much. This makes it a reasonable platform for fishing as long as the water remains calm.

With a multi-chine hull design, the Deluxe 9.5 provides impressive stability for such a small boat. Taller paddlers may not have an issue, but if you have short legs, it may be worth installing some sort of padding that can work as a thigh brace. I do wish there were some leg braces of some sort so you had something to lean your legs against as you paddled. Paddlers of all sizes should be able to find a comfortable position, especially with the easy to adjust foot braces.

The seatback and pad on the Deluxe 9.5 are well padded. In this day and age, there’s no reason your kayak can’t have a comfortable and well-padded seat. This makes the Deluxe 9.5 ideal for smaller bodies of water or rivers with tight corners.
#SWIFTY KAYAK DICKS HOW TO#
The boat turns with an easy paddle stroke, and if you learn how to incorporate your hips into your steering, you can manipulate your boat into some tight areas.
#SWIFTY KAYAK DICKS INSTALL#
There’s no way to install a rudder, but that’s really not an issue. One advantage to a shorter keel is that, even without a rudder, the Deluxe 9.5 turns easily. And if you’re traveling with friends that have longer boats, don’t be surprised when you fall behind. It does limit it to day trips where you’re only covering short distances.

It plods along but doesn’t really glide, requiring you to maintain a good paddling stroke to keep your speed up.Īny boat with a short keel will have these issues, so it’s hard to blame the Deluxe 9.5 for this shortcoming. With a short keel and a hull built for stability, the Deluxe 9.5 is not a speedster. You can expect any polyethylene-clad boat to last a really long time. This material gives the boat excellent rigidity and makes it very tough to seriously damage. Like the majority of recreational kayaks, the Deluxe 9.5 is made of a tough and durable plastic called polyethylene. Load Capacity: 325 pounds Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5 Kayak Design Material Perception Swifty Deluxe 9.5 Kayak Specifications Ideally, this would be in a climate-controlled place like a garage, though a covered shed will also do the job. Make sure you have the proper, dedicated storage space before purchasing. While it’s one of the shorter and lighter hard-sided kayaks, it still measures over nine feet long and weighs over 40 pounds. This makes the Deluxe 9.5 a good choice for those that live in rainier or cold environments. If you wear a spray skirt, the cockpit is effectively walled off from splashing waves and rain which will protect your legs and lower torso. They also provide more protection than a “sit-on-top” from the elements. These boats are narrower than their “sit-on-top” counterparts but don’t sacrifice stability since your center of gravity is lower. Unlike most recreational designs, however, the Deluxe 9.5 has a “sit-in” design. Wind, waves, and tide can blow it off course easily. For safety, you should limit your paddles to protected waterways such as small lakes, mellow rivers, and very calm saltwater environments. It has a short keel and no rudder which minimizes the type of water that it can be safely paddled in. The Deluxe 9.5 is designed as an entry-level, recreational kayak.
