Inexpensive compared to others and performs well as expected. | Asbestos Removal

The seat is torture and I find my back aching after two hours of paddling.

I have owned a version of this kayak since 1993. Back then it was called the aquaterra Sealion. That changed to the Perception Eclipse Sealion later. I am 6'2" 205 and fit fine. The cockpit is just long enough for me to get my legs in. This boat is NOT a multi chine hull as another review said. That person might need to read up. This is a round hull, that means it will initially feel unstable but secondary stability is excellent. When I was younger I could paddle and then stand up in the boat. I find the rudder to be required, some people do not. I could paddle at 6 knots for a fair amount of time in this a few years back. It has good speed if you have the strength. Boat handles rough water very well. I still have a version of this kayak, as it will always be a favorite of mine. Really only downside is weight. This thing is a tank to put on an SUV. My regular kayak is now a Headland Kayaks Nemo L, which is a racing type,(18'x20") with plumb bow. Weights a little over 40 pounds so that is a nice change.

just weight but not really a problem once you are in the water.

This kayak is about as uncomfortable as you can get. I am five ten and struggle to fit in. The seat is torture and I find my back aching after two hours of paddling. On the plus side, this kayak is very fast and handles good in windy and choppy conditions. I use mine in the Naples Florida mangroves and find it good for fishing. Unfortunately its is not too comfortable.

I own the 17'3" L x 22.5" W kevlar version of the Eclipse. The construction, trim, and aesthetics of the boat are outstanding. Everyone calls it a work of art. The performance is equally good. It's quite stable, even in rough conditions, and tracks very well even without the rudder deployed. When conditions are windy and the boat isn't sufficiently loaded with weight, it weathercocks, but this is easily offset by the rudder, which locks the boat in like it's on rails (but does create noticeable, but mild drag, requiring you to paddle slightly harder to compensate). It's roomy enough to take an extended, solo paddling trip without having to pile gear and food on the deck, too. I've paddled mine for almost three years now, and I liked it so well that I just bought the Perception Shadow 16'5" in kevlar for my finacee. The Shadow is very similar, but doesn't have the high deck of the Eclipse, which means it doesn't weathercock as badly, but also doesn't have as much room to shift your legs around when you're out paddling for hours on end. Having said that, the Shadow is a better fit for smaller-framed paddlers (6', 175 lbs. and under). My Eclipse has a bit too much room in it to get a good "fit" (you want to wear a kayak, not just sit in it), but this is easily remedied with some closed-cell foam, glue, and careful shaping to outfit the cockpit. In short, the Eclipse is not the fastest kayak out there, but it's very efficient (and certainly not slow) and it's the best do-it-all boat I've found. Good enough stability to not feel like you're balancing on a pin; excellent speed and rough water handling; decent weathercocking resistance (but definitely get a rudder!); outstanding storage space; gorgeous aesthetics... This kayak screams adventure.

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Dagger Magellan 16.5

I paddle the eclipse on lake Michigan every weekend I can. If you don't like people looking at you, then purchase a less beautiful boat. I can hear people comment amongst themselves from railings as I pass through channels towards the big lake as well as boaters passing by about this piece of artwork. Initial stability is good enough for me to pull my legs from the cockpit and lay them on the deck for a short rest and even a stretch or two. Secondary stability allows me to roll over large waves like a bobber. Had a day on lake Michigan with a possible small craft advisory on the weather radio. I could not help but feel that a picture of a sharks head was painted on the bow of my boat much like the old WW2 aircraft as it felt like it ate waves for breakfast head on. It enjoyed the experience as much as I did. The boat cuts through the water with minimal effort in calm winds. A bit more work is required in windy conditions. Very fun to turn on edge and splice to the left or right. The foot peddle that come with the plastic boat are a joke. The composite version is much more practical. The pedals start grinding along the slider when using the rudder as soon as sandy water enters your boat, and I can't seem to get all of it out. The seat is comfortable but with the back rest makes it very difficult to get back in the boat after a capsize. No matter what I did, the back popped out and I had to sit very far forward into the boat, replace the seat and then move back. This would be very dangerous in bad conditions. Almost enough to say the hypothermia will kill you, but the seat is the deliverer. I give it a 4 value becuase of the price I paid. I give it a 3 value becuase of the seat and foot pegs. Since I did pay good money for this boat I would like to tell everyone this is the best boat in the world, but the decision to include crappy foot pegs and a horrible seat designs dictates otherwise.

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I’ve owned my Eclipse for a year and now feel qualified to give a review. I’m 6’-1”, 160 lbs (running is passion) and fit easily and securely into the cockpit. The front of the cockpit on the Eclipse is slightly higher than some of the other models I have paddled. I especially like this feature because I can get in and out of my boat fast and I can shift my legs around on extended paddling trips. I’ve found the Eclipse handles best when evenly loaded with 20-30 lbs of gear. When riding light she does tend to weathercock and is sluggish in the turns. Not a problem when she’s loaded down with a weeks worth of gear. After all this is a touring boat. When day tripping I’m always sure to throw a couple half gallon containers of water in the bow compartment with the rest of my sparse gear in the stern. Loaded properly the Eclipse tracks and turns better than the other 17 footers I’ve paddled. The quality of workmanship on my boat is great. Can’t nit pick a thing. Great job with this boat Perception.

Customer Service

None needed

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Necky - Looksha IV Wilderness System - Cape Horn 17

Good boat. I usually use it as a cargo hauler, meaning that all my friends will pile their gear into my kayak's dry hatches. I can fit three sleeping bags, three tents plus whatever cargo I can strap on the rear hatch (usually sleeping pads, tarps and my backpack). Very unstable at first but very hard to flip over. Tight cockpit. I saw some review of a 6+ feet 200+ lbs guy braging how much space he has in that boat but in reality I feel very confined. But since I'm comfortable it really doesn't matter. Great tracking but very slow on turns. In general when filled up with gear this boat is very slugish. Waterproof compartments are kind of tricky to pack but hold the water out very well. If you get a good deal on that boat get it because it's a good investment. At MSRP of $1700 it's little bit to expensive and I would rather get a composite boat at that point. Eclipse is not a boat you will be doing any type of pro tricks. It's a boat that won't be as fast or tight on turns as smaller ones. But during longer trips you will get to really value advantages that Eclipse has to offer. It a kayak for multi day/overnight trips.

Customer Service

none yet, and I hope it stays that way

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Old town kayaks

This kayak is not a beginners boat, and it's narrow, multi-chined hull
feel "unstable" to a less experienced paddler, but it has excellent secondary stability, and it's loose initial stability helps facilitate leaned turns with less effort.

I have owned an Eclipse for just over a year and paddle it weekly in Resurrection Bayand Kachemak Bay in Alaska. Even in stiff winds and chop, I have never come close to capsizing this boat.

Weaknesses include tracking when lightly loaded in breezy conditions. Use of the rudder in stronger winds is necessary to avoid constant correction with leaned turns.

Strenths include outstanding quality of construction, great volume and weight capacity for extended trips, excellant speed, and well thought-out deck design, including recessed paddles shaft cradles with bungee cords behind the seat, for self rescue use in rough conditions.

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Dozens of touring boats

Perception Eclipse Kevlar Kicks Butt. Of all the boats on the market right now this one fit me just right. That is the most important thing in my opinion. I'm 6'2" and 200 lbs. As a bonus this boat has excellent initial stability and the secondary is great. It turns on a dime and handles the rough stuff asking for more. The storage compartments stay dry and have enough room for an extended weekend voyage. The quality of this boat is impressive enough to hang it in your living room when not in use. I would have to give this a 10 out of 10. If your lucky enough to find a dealer that has one in stock,paddle it....then paddle the rest. Nothing else compares. My only complaint would be it's availability. You may have a hard time finding one.

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