Best Pelican Kayak Reviews, Spec, Weight Limit & More

The Perception Flash 9.5 is an one-person sit-in, one of the best pelican kayak that is well designed and comes in a variety of colors. The Perception Flash 9.5 is designed to be as comfortable for beginners as possible. This kayak is built with a very stable hull that is meant to withstand calm water and even light surf. We have studied the specs of the Perception Flash 9.5 and can inform you of all of the features you should be aware of.

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3 Best Pelican Kayak Reviews

Pelican Maxim 100X Sit-in Recreational Kayak

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Those good folks at Pelican Store have manufactured a kayak that combines maneuverability and stability. It’s an exceptionally comfortable choice. With T-Handles on both sides, the Pelican Maxim 100X is a comfortable and versatile boat. . Thanks to the extra features, we’re not surprised this boat performed well in our research.

It is difficult to drain the kayak because it is heavy. The hatch covers’ plastic levers are less durable than the rest of the boat’s construction. Despite its price, the Maxim is versatile. You have more options in paddling styles and conditions when you have a boat that can do so many things. 

Designed as a sit-in kayak, the Pelican Kayak has a Shallow V Chine Hull for optimal stability as you float on the water. In fact, the 100X Maxim is designed to stay stable on the water. If you’re concerned about safety, that should alleviate your concern.

The open front hatch is used for storing small items, while the covered back hatch is used to store larger items. The cockpit includes a bottle holder.

A padded ErgoBase seat cushion and adjustable ErgoForm seatback are included in the roomy cockpit.

Pelican Sentinel 100X Sit-on-Top Kayak

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 The Sentinel 100X won in our kayak review with its light, portable, and space-saving open style design

With the Pelican Sentinel 100X, anyone can learn kayaking fast. The kayak is stable and resilient, and it can withstand the knocks and bumps that come with learning how to kayak.

The device is small, light, and easy to carry on or off the water. The wider hull offers more stability. Its speed may be slowed as a result but that is not a fact for anglers who value stability over speed.

Perhaps more suitable for hotter climates or summer kayaking.

A SENTINEL 100X kayak is ideal for paddling on lakes, rivers, and calm waters. Paddlers find Pelican’s boats easy and convenient to use. Choose a boat that fits your needs and budget.

Comfy Top Seat

The top seat and padded seat cushions make getting in and out of the kayak easier for beginners.

For safety reasons, it is best played in a warm setting. Use the scupper holes to drain the boat. Paddlers can also sit comfortably for lengthy durations.

Size: Compact

Less bulky than other fishing kayaks, the Pelican Sentinel 100x is packed with amenities. Pelican 100 X kayaks are tough and can carry 275 pounds. They are also easy to store and transport.

Nimbleness

Its twin-arched Multi Chine Hull makes it suitable for both beginners and adults. Paddling with it is a fun way to move about on smaller water spaces.

Lots of Space

The Sentinel 100x offers front and back paddler storage and a bottle holder. For a box or cooler, a huge tankwell with stretch mesh covers.

It can also hold backpacks and other necessities.

Greater stability

The dual arched double chine hull improves flat water stability. This makes learning to kayak easier.

The stable hull handles rivers, lakes, and quiet waterways.

Long-lasting

In addition, Pelican’s Sit On Top kayak is made of RAM-X polyurethane. This makes the kayak durable.

The kayak also includes foam blocks inside for safety.

Efficacy

The Pelican Sit On Top kayak also glides over whitewater with ease. Its features and portability make it a terrific all-around kayak.

Perception Flash 9.5

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The hull of the Pelican Trailblazer 100 has the following specs:

  • Length: 9′ 6″
  • Width: 28.5”
  • Deck Height: 12.5″
  • Boat Weight: 41 lbs
  • Max Capacity: 325 lbs

Note: Perception Flash 9.5 is now unavailable. You can choose from any other models from amazon from the list below

Material

The Perception Flash 9.5 is a twin-arched multi-chine hall that is constructed with RAM-X impact-resistant materials. Now, you may be wondering what most of those materials and designs are. We have you covered.

Chine refers to the curvature of where the sidewall and bottom of the hull of a kayak meet. The Perception Flash 9.5 specifically has a multi-chine hull. Multi-chine hulls are known for having abrupt edges. These abrupt edges allow for the kayak to have less water resistance, and thus have more cruising speed. Adventure Kayak calculates that multi-chine hulls have 3.2% more cruising speed than soft-cline boats.

RAM-X Impact is a multi-layer material that was exclusively designed by Pelican. It is known for its high impact resistance, and U.V-protected exterior. An interesting fact about RAM-X is that it basically allows the kayak to return its form even when it incurs traumatic impact. If you accidentally run the kayak over, it will actually form back to its original shape according to this Pelican International video explaining Pelican RAM-X.

Comfort

The Perception Flash 9.5 has an adjustable padded backrest. This backrest is useful for kayakers who want the comfort of knowing they can rest when they are tired on the water. An important piece of advice for beginners is to take it steady when learning how to kayak. The added back seat makes the Pelican Trailblazer 100 very beginner-friendly.  

Inside the cockpit, there are also adjustable foot braces. Beginners and experienced kayakers will enjoy the foot braces as they add an extra level of stability to the kayak. Stability is an important aspect that you need to be aware of. Sit in kayaks tend to be less stable and require slightly more balance than other forms of kayaks.

One of the last forms of comfort that this kayak provides is a cockpit table. You can store a water bottle on the cockpit table as well. In addition to the water storage, there is also an additional compartment for accessories.

Safety

In addition to the comfort provided by the Perception Flash 9.5, there are also a number of safety features that come with this kayak. One of the first safety features that come with the Pelican Trailblazer 100 kayak is a drain plug. The drain plug helps keep the kayak safe by helping purge water from the kayak. There may be times when water gets into the kayak. Beginners will appreciate the added security that the drain plug provides.

In addition to the drain plug, there are also handles that come with the kayak. The handles will help people carry the kayak back and forth to the lake. There is also a stern storage tank with a bungee cord. This set up makes it easy to secure items to the kayak.

Price

The Perception Flash 9.5 can be purchased from Dick’s Sporting Goods for $179.98 (28% off / was original $249.99) . You can purchase this kayak in magenta, seafoam, fire red, cyan, and lime. The Pelican Trailblazer 100 ships in 5 business days and requires a scheduled delivery.

This is one of the more affordable kayaks on the market and is even significantly cheaper than some high end inflatable kayaks. Considering the quality of color on this album, we think the Pelican Trailblazer 100’s price is reasonable.

Understanding Sit In Kayaks

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Best Pelican Kayak Reviews, Spec, Weight Limit & More 3

Another aspect of the Perception Flash 9.5 is the style of kayak that it is. The Perception Flash 9.5 is a sit-in kayak. On the other hand, there are other forms of kayak that are popularly known as sit on top kayaks. It is important to know the distinction between the two, especially if you are a beginner. Understanding this distinction will help you better make the decision whether or not the Pelican Trailblazer 100 is for you.

Sit Inside Kayak Pros

One of the pros of a sit-inside kayak is that it protects your body from wind and other weather conditions by kicking your body inside of the cockpit. Less of your body is exposed to the elements effectively keeping you warmer.

Sit inside kayaks also keep the rider rather dry. Even when there are splashes in the water, it may simply hit the side of the kayak because the rider is on the inside.

Sit Inside Kayak Cons

A benefit of sit-in kayaks is also somewhat of a detriment. Sit inside kayaks are not necessarily easy to get in and out of.  For folks that are new to kayaking, they usually require someone to hold the kayak stable upon boarding and exiting the kayak. If you are someone who wants to be able to jump in and out of the kayak into the water, you may find it more difficult to do with this form of the kayak.

It is not impossible to enter and exit a kayak in the water, it is just a complex process. The process of getting back into a kayak when you are in the water is further complicated by the possibility that the kayak may begin to fill with water if you flip it over.

If you are worried about sitting inside kayak recovery in the water, we recommend you watch this video on Re-entering a Sit Inside Kayak.

Sit On Top Kayak Pros

Sit on top kayaks tend to be very beginner-friendly. Sit on top kayaks are usually more stable than sit-inside kayaks, and are easier to board and disembark. There is also usually a self-bailing mechanic that helps purge water from the kayak if water somehow gets inside of the kayak.  

Sit On Top Kayak Cons

With sit-on-top kayaks, there is a higher chance that you get wet. Some folks really do not enjoy getting wet in the lake, so for those individuals who sit inside kayaks is preferred.

Sit on top kayaks also don’t go as fast as sit inside kayaks. Due to the mechanics of the boat being somewhat different, it is harder to go faster using a sit on top kayak. 

Pelican is Committed to Developing High Quality, Environmentally Conscious Kayaks

Pelican, the creator of the Pelican Trailblazer 100 is an excellent company that prides itself on designing and selling high quality kayaks. Pelican is a company that has been designing and developing kayaks for over 50 years. They are committed to developing environmentally friendly kayaks for sale at an affordable price. Pelican is considered to be one of Canada’s best managed companies.

Pelican believes that the more people that treasure the outdoors, the more people that will care about nature’s continued survival. Pelican is committed to making environmentally friendly kayaks.

Pelican kayaks are made with more than 50% post-consumer recycled material. The company is also able to recycle almost 99% of all of the plastic scrap generated by the kayak making process. Pelican uses the heat generated from the kayak making process to warm its factory during cold months.

Pelican is a company that cares about the environment and takes the necessary steps to ensure the development of the Pelican Trailblazer 100 isn’t environmentally harmful.

The Trailblazer Pelican 100 is a High Quality Kayak

At the end of the day, the Pelican 100 is a high quality, environmentally friendly kayak. The Pelican 100 is an affordable kayak that comes with a large number of accessories and amenities to provide a comfortable and safe riding experience. There is enough room on this kayak to store extra items like water bottles.

In addition to the amenities provided on the Pelican 100, there are also a number of safety features that are included. The drain plug that is included on the Trailblazer Pelican 100 is an excellent tool for folks who are worried about water getting into the kayak. The drain plug will purge water in the event that water gets into the kayak.

We think the Pelican 100 offers an excellent value proposition. While some beginners might find this sit in kayak challenging to keep stable in the beginning, we are sure they will become comfortable with this kayak. Experienced folks who have kayaked before will enjoy the high quality build of this kayak.  

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