My review of a 1992 Perception Pirouette. An oldie but goodie! I also compare this kayak to a new Jackson Kayak and talk about some of the differences. Please enjoy, like and subscribe!!
I have had a pirouette Sports S for decades ( ex slalom paddler) . Its great for the rivers with long pools. I don't use it for creeking any more as there are better boats now. Mine has a "Bumfortable" foam seat that clicks into those holes on the side of the seat so very comfortable. Has a lower deck than the modern boats, which can be a bit uncomfortable if your not used to it. Easy to put your knees up in the centre for a change in position on the pools. I sit on the back deck with feet in cockpit & paddle it like a ski on the flat, for a change in position on long trips. They are fast, super snappy in & out of eddies & for fast ferries. Easiest boat to roll. Probably done more white water miles in this kayak than anything else. Have been thinking of upgrading to a lighter, modern long boat, but it is soo hard to sell this one :)
I had a Pirouette and a Pirouette S for my son. Spectacular kayak, exceptional performance in big water. Not a play boat by today's standards, but it's great at surfing and I actually was able to do pirouettes with it by the time I got out of whitewater kayaking (after two back surgeries...). It was a joy to paddle, so light and fast due to its length, contrary to the Perception 3D I had, which was akin to paddling a bathtub. 🙂
My first ww kayak was a Pirouette. I liked it, but then I thought I needed smaller, more modern boats. Turns out they all have their own personality and each boat will teach the paddler something new.
I've got 2 Perceptions of this era (corsica) that were given to me for free. Only hit class 2 rivers (maybe a 3 in a couple of locations). Really enjoy that. Would really like to go out on a lake, but this boat would get blown all over the place by the winds. Like you said, a bit unstable. I'm pretty new to kayaking. Not gonna spend a bunch of money on a better kayak, but wondered if it make sense to glue a removable fin on the bottom of one my kayaks for the lake boating.
How well will this boat do at surfing Beach waves?any idea? Right now I'm in a sea kayak that 17'7 and I want to try a much shorter boat but not sure if this thing will be able to handle fast incoming steep waves. What would you say?
I've not tried it but my feeling is you would have some real problems getting out to sea to catch a wave back in. This kayak spins really well due to the hull. That would make getting out there a challenge. I think you are probably better off with your 17'7. Good luck and be safe!
When I moved down to Miami from the mid-Atlantic I was bummed that there was no whitewater in the state of Florida. So my son and I took our Pirouettes to South Beach and surfed with them. Couldn't believe the lifeguards had no issue with us doing so, especially with so many people in the water. It was a lot of fun, but not quite the same as surfing in rapids. It's do-able.
