Perception Expression 11 Specifications
| Length: | 353cm |
| Width: | 65cm |
| Weight: | 20kg |
| Maximum Capacity: | 114kg |
| Cockpit Length: | 90cm |
| Cockpit Width: | 50cm |
| More Information: | https://www.perceptionkayaks.com/eu/en |
Perception Expression 11 Fixtures & Fittings
- Adjustable Pedal Footrests
- Oval Dual Density Stern Hatch
- Stern Bulkhead
- Special Order with Zone EXP Backband
- Adjustable Padded Thigh Braces
- Superlinear Polyethylene Shell
- TruTrak Skeg System
- Bow and Stern Deck Rigging
- Zone DLX Seating System with Leg Lifters
- Retractable Carry Handles
The Perception Expression 11 Touring Kayak is a piece of great kayak design, pure and simple. We enjoyed every minute of our time paddling it.
It is fast enough to get some solid miles under the hull, and has the capacity to carry kit, if you want to and so will have real appeal to aspiring touring paddlers looking to do longer trips.
Its comfort and confidence-inspiring stability will also make it a great choice for those just beginning their journey in to the sport.
It’s very comfortable too, so anyone climbing aboard, whatever their experience will enjoy paddling it for long periods of time.
Getting Started
For many years now Perception Kayaks have offered the touring and recreational paddler a comprehensive and indeed popular range. The diminutive Perception Expression 11 kayak fits right in to that line up.
Its sleek styling and nice lines contain a very attractive combination of stability and comfort with surprisingly responsive handling and a fast hull.
It seemed to us that the natural place to put the Expression 11 through its paces would be on a full day trip on a classic touring river, so what better place to take it than the River Wye, between Ross on Wye and Symonds Yat?
The first thing that caught our eye was the very nice styling on the Expression 11’s deck.
Perception have always produced touring boats that are easy on the eye and the Expression is no exception, and with useful deck-lines and a rear hatch it was obvious that it had the practicalities for a day out on the water too.
The rear hatch is generous and can easily stow flask, lunch bag, spare clothes, emergency shelter and such like, with very noticeable effect on the boat’s handling.
The shorter length of the Expression 11 made it easy to carry and get on the water and the Zone outfitting and adjustable footrests made getting a positive and comfortable position simple.
The large cockpit also makes getting in and out easy, something that beginners and less confident paddlers will find a real benefit.
We chose to use a spray-deck on the Expression 11, but it can easily be used without if you prefer.
On The Water
As soon as we pushed off and paddled out in to the gentle current we were rewarded with a sprightly, fun yet incredibly stable feeling from the Expression 11.
It’s been designed with a definite slant to complete beginners and it certainly delivers the solid stability that such paddlers need, but Perception have managed to also shape a hull that really does feel fast across the water.
Get in to good forward paddling rhythm and it slides along beautifully.
The drop-down skeg is very easy to use and combines with the hull to keep the boat tacking nicely when you need it, and really helped to combat the side or tail wind we encountered on our trip.
At no time did we suffer from the ‘pushing a brick’ feeling that can be present in some boats of this genre.
It responds really well to edging, partly due to its shorter length.
It also offered great initial and secondary stability further enhancing its performance potential for more experienced paddlers comfortable paddling a boat on edge.
The Expression 11’s natural habitat is on flat rivers, lakes, canals and estuaries but even when we came across some faster moving water and even small rapids it handled itself with aplomb.
It’s a tricky thing to design a hull wide enough to instil the amount of stability that the Expression 11 touring kayak posses but still retain the ability to be trimmed like a narrower pure touring craft, but Perception have pulled it off.
Summary
Pros
- Great capacity to carry kit.
- Picks up some nice speed.
- Superb primary and secondary stability.
- Nice styling.
- Generous cockpit size.
- A good option for a wide range of water conditions.
Cons
- None to report, we loved it!
As you can probably tell, we couldn’t fault the Expression 11.
A true all-rounder and the perfect choice for anyone looking for a day-to-day touring kayak.
See how it compares to some of our other touring kayak reviews and make the right decision for you and your paddling experience.
