Perception Caster 12.5 Review

A PROVEN SPORT UTILITY KAYAK

by Randy Parker

I've had my Caster 12.5 for years and have enjoyed using it in a number of different ways: launching it from the beach in Pensacola, kayakfishing for redfish in the shallow flats of Santa Rosa Sound, paddling lakes, and running class I and II rivers, including the Current River in Missouri. The Caster has performed well. And now that it has been retired from Perception's main line and is produced solely for the big box retailers such as Dick's Sporting Goods, the Caster is a very good bargain. Fitted with the right seat (I use a premium high-back Ocean Kayak seat), the Caster can be a very comfortable ride. It paddles well and offers a lot of storage space for fishing or camping. And I have found the quality and durability of the Caster to be outstanding.

Fishing

With rodholders behind the seat, paddle parks that can easily be used to strap down an unused rod, ample room on the back deck including a molded in area for a round bait bucket, and a forward hatch, the Caster is an excellent fishing platform. It's plenty stable for just about anything short of stand-up casting. And because it is a sit-on-top with two smaller hatches in addition to the large forward one, mounting a transducer for a fish finder is relatively simple, if you think such a thing is necessary.



Camping

With some planning and the right gear, you can camp out of the Caster quite easily. I am able to store a small tent, air mattress, mattress pump and other gear in the forward hatch. I stow my clothes and sleeping bag in drybags on the rear deck. I keep non-perishable food and drink in net bags inside the hull, accessed through the 6" hatch directly behind the seat. Everything stays cool below the waterline. Just be sure to secure anything you put inside the hull or it can roll to places you may not be able to reach. You can read more about my camping here. As you'll see, it never hurts to invite a friend with a canoe along.


River Running

I have run some pretty small and tightly twisting rivers in the Caster. Thanks to my optional rudder, I am able to maintain control even through rapids that have other folks spinning sideways to the current. I highly recommend the Caster with rudder for Class I and II rivers because it offers just the right mix of maneuverability, stability and storage space. For a day trip, there's plenty of room for an ice chest, your jacket, GPS, map, tackle box, lunch, etc. Best of all, you can't swamp the Caster.

Staying Dry

On calm waters, with the scuppers plugged, the Caster is plenty dry. However in open, choppy waters, the low bow tends to allow water over it. Nothing serious. You might get a case of wetbutt, especially if you allow yourself to get sideways to a whitecap. In my Caster there is no drain in the seat area, itself. The low bow and lack of a seat drain are really my only complaints about the Caster, but neither should stop you from buying one. Originally retailing for around $800, the list price for the Angler model at Dick's is just $599 (Sometimes it's on sale with free shipping). So you might get damp but you won't get soaked. The non-angler model would be even cheaper, if it's still available, and recessed rod holders are easily added. It's one of the best yak values around.



How does it compare to the Search 13?

I would love to see how it's replacement in the Perception line-up, the Search 13, compares. Got one? Review it here. Just submit your review to wordnut@bellsouth.net, and I'll post it.

Perception Caster 12.5

• Dimensions: W 29.75" x L 12'6" x H 13"
• Weight: 58 lbs
• Weight Capacity: 400 lbs