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Perception Joyride 10 Kayak Review

Mark Armstrong
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The Perception Joyride 10 is a recreational sit-inside kayak that’s designed to be stable and great for beginners. It has a lifestyle-inspired cockpit, with dedicated storage for your phone.

Perception Joyride 10 KayakPin
  • Length: 10 foot
  • Width: 29.5 inches
  • Depth: 15.25 inches
  • Weight: 50 pounds
  • Weight capacity: 275 pounds

The Perception Joyride has a large cockpit that’s crafted to be easy to get in and out of and can feel less restrictive once you’re seated.

It comes with a padded seat included and has decent storage for a compact recreational sit-inside kayak, including a hinged storage hatch.

But it may not be the best kayak for long trips, as the storage space is designed more for day use rather than multi-day use.

This is built primarily for calm bays, lakes and ponds, and slow-moving rivers. It can be a great starter kayak for both adults and kids.

Because of its compact size, it might not be the best choice for larger paddlers, as the maximum capacity is 275 pounds.

The Perception Joyride Is Aimed At

The Joyride is a boat that’s designed for the lifestyle paddler. It’s a recreational kayak with a sit-inside hull that can be ideal for paddling in all climates. The cockpit is compatible with spray skirts, so you can keep the cold weather and water out.

The cockpit is large and spacious so it can feel less confined than some narrower touring kayaks. The roomy cockpit also means it can be easier to get in and out of, especially for paddlers who are new to sit-inside kayaks.

This is a compact kayak so it’s designed to offer increased maneuverability in small bodies of water. This means it can be great in smaller rivers and lakes. It can also be easier to control for beginners and a convenient size to transport and store.

This boat can also handle ocean water and small waves. But it’s designed with more primary stability than secondary stability, so you may find it performs better on flat water.

This is not a touring kayak, so storage space is limited. It can be best suited to day trips and there’s enough space to hold essential gear.

Top Features Of The Perception Joyride 10

Stability

This is a stable kayak that’s made for flatwater conditions. It has a flat bottom with a V-shaped bow and stern to help cut through water.

It’s designed to offer good primary stability, making it ideal for beginners looking for a stable craft. It can also be paddled in mild surf and mild-to-moderate rivers if you have the skills.

Large Cockpit

A great feature of this sit-inside kayak is the large cockpit. At 51-inches long and 23-inches wide, this is designed to offer more space to move your legs and adjust your position while you’re on the water.

The spacious cockpit is easy to get in and out of compared to narrower kayaks.

Despite the large size, you can still attach a spray skirt (sold separately) if you want to shield your lower body from the elements.

The cockpit features a padded adjustable seat. The Zone Deluxe seating system has a padded seat bottom and an adjustable backrest. The backrest can be raised higher or lower but it can only be held in place once you’re leaning back, which could be a downside for some.

The cockpit also features Zone Deluxe thigh pads for added comfort to prevent your legs resting on the hard rim of the cockpit.

For increased stability and comfort, you’ll find adjustable foot braces to suit different leg lengths, even taller paddlers.

> The best kayaks to buy for tall and big paddlers

Lifestyle-Inspired Features

One of the main selling points of the Perception Joyride 10 is that it’s a lifestyle-inspired recreational kayak. This means it has extra features to appeal to the modern paddler.

A key feature is the patent-pending Selfie Slot. This can let you place your phone at various angles to get the best photo opportunities, whether you’re taking a selfie or filming your voyage.

The Joyride 10 also benefits from having two Solo Mount recesses. This means you can attach additional accessories to the deck without having to drill into the boat (accessories sold separately).

Storage

The Perception Joyride 10 has ample storage space for a day’s paddling trip. The main storage area is a hinged storage hatch in the stern. This can be great for keeping various items safe and dry while you paddle to your picnic spot.

There’s no space for a cooler but you should be able to fit a dry bag plus other items in the hatch. There are also bottle holders on the cockpit dashboard.

Bulkhead

A nice feature of this compact kayak is the bulkhead in the stern. This can add buoyancy for increased safety. It also helps to keep your rear storage area dry.

We think this is a great kayak for exploring lakes, bays, and calm rivers. Others are out there enjoying the water and beautiful scenery in the Perception Joyride 10, even on 10-mile river trips.

Perception Joyride 10 Alternatives

Eddyline Sky 10 Kayak

Eddyline Sky 10Pin

The Eddyline Sky 10 can be a good alternative to the Joyride if you’re looking for a little extra storage and a much lighter boat. However, this is a more expensive kayak.

This 10-foot kayak features Carbonlite composite ABS construction to combine high performance and durability. This is a very lightweight kayak (32-pounds) that is very stable and can be great for beginners.

It has excellent storage, including two hatches and deck bungees for additional gear. It also has a large cockpit for easy entry and a soft foam seat with backrest for comfort.

Pros

  • Excellent storage
  • Very lightweight
  • Roomy cockpit

Cons

  • Expensive

Wilderness Systems Aspire 105

Wilderness Systems Aspire 105Pin

The Wilderness Systems Aspire 105 is 6-inches longer than the Joyride. It’s also more expensive.

This can be a good alternative if you’re looking for extra comfort. It can also be a good option if you’re a larger paddler, as it has a much higher load capacity than the Joyride.

It has a Phase 3 AirPro seating system which can be easily adjusted for personalized comfort. It also benefits from having a large stern hatch for storing gear plus bungee rigging on the deck providing additional storage space.

This also has a large cockpit for easy entry and less-restrictive movement. The spring-loaded skeg means it can be easier to control and track straight.

Pros

  • Comfortable seat
  • Great for large paddlers
  • Retractable skeg

Cons

  • Not cheap

Perception Joyride 12

Perception Joyride 12Pin

If you’re looking for a little extra space but you want the same great features as the Joyride 10, the Perception Joyride 12 could be an ideal alternative.

This is 12-foot, 2-inches long and a couple of inches narrower. This means it can offer increased speeds over the Joyride 10 for faster, more efficient paddling.

But it may be less quick to turn in tight rivers than the smaller version and it may be more awkward to transport and store compared to the Joyride 10.

This has the same main features as the 10-foot version, including the Selfie Slot on the entertainment dashboard, and the hinged hatch. It has a higher weight capacity so it could be a more suitable option for larger paddlers or taller paddlers looking for more leg room.

Pros

  • Quicker
  • Entertainment dashboard
  • Good for beginners

Cons

  • Less maneuverable

Perception Joyride 10 FAQs

Can The Joyride 10 Be Used On Coastal Water?

Yes, you can use this kayak on calm coastal water, such as bays.

But it’s not designed for heading into deep oceans or for sea kayaking excursions.

Can Tall Paddlers Use This Kayak?

Yes, there are adjustable footrests in the cockpit and the cockpit is pretty spacious.

However, if you’re tall and large, you may want a longer kayak with a higher capacity. Your weight plus all your gear needs to be under 275-pounds.

Is A Paddle Included?

No, a paddle is not included with the Joyride 10.

But this means you can choose the best paddle for your needs.

Conclusion: Is The Perception Joyride 10 Any Good?

Perception Joyride 10.0 KayakPin

Pros

  • Great for beginners
  • Spacious cockpit
  • Storage hatch

Cons

  • Not great for large paddlers
  • Not the best for extended trips

The Perception Joyride 10 can be an excellent kayak for both beginners and more experienced paddlers. It’s easy to use, stable, and performs well on a range of waters.

It can be a great boat for small rivers and bays, thanks to its compact hull. And you can easily add accessories and keep your phone handy for photos.

If you think it’s the right kayak for you, check it out here. And remember to tell us what you think of it.

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