Perception Napali

[fishnmusicn]

With all the talk about the Illusion, how about the Napali? I've seen one for sale very cheap, and wonder if anyone ever paddled one? About a foot or so longer than the Illusion, but weighty at 75 lbs ( my back hurts already ). Need a faster yak in addition to the new Ride I'm hopefully going to scoop up, and can't afford but only so much - How about the Napali info good and bad, anyone?

Fishnmusicn

[fishnmusicn]

With all the talk about the Illusion, how about the Napali? I've seen one for sale very cheap, and wonder if anyone ever paddled one? About a foot or so longer than the Illusion, but weighty at 75 lbs ( my back hurts already ). Need a faster yak in addition to the new Ride I'm hopefully going to scoop up, and can't afford but only so much - How about the Napali info good and bad, anyone?

Fishnmusicn

[RiverRaider]

75 Lbs ***Ouch***

The extra length makes for a + 25 lbs. extra capacity over the Illusion, but it also adds more wetted surface area.. just more plastic to push through the water, still a pretty looking boat however.

[fishnmusicn]

Update on the Napali that I had seen on the web, put it on layaway and picked it up last weekend. Took it out on a big lake yesterday for about 4 hours. Initial impressions, its definitely a touring type SOT with speed, felt faster with more top end than both the Tourer and Prowler 15 I owned before. GPS when I get it hooked up will confirm or deny this. Its got a narrower beam than most plastic SOTs, so its just a tad tippy - especially coming from the Ride I used over the summer. No hull slap whatsoever, a quiet design even in small waves, better than the Prowler was. More comfortable too, adjustable footpegs and a nice slope from the seating area that conforms nicely to the shape of the legs as they bend from the knee forward. Backband that comes with the Napali is not too bad if you center it in the slot in the seating area and adjust the ratchet to your liking. Just enough mounting space topside to do what I need, but doesn't compare to most fishing SOTs, for me just fine. Its an effortless paddle with nice speed but a little heavy feeling compared to say a Tarpon 160, which I could see as being more nimble. Still I think it could give the Tarpon a run for the money in an extended race. The only drawback and probably the reason it was discontinued - its a heavy boat at 75 lbs, about the limit of what I want to deal with. Added thigh straps for carrying handles and some tubing on the deck lines for additional holds while hefting a short distance. Its one I want to keep, but my back will tell me what to do if I can't find ways to make the loading and unloading an easier chore. I see it as one of the faster plastic sit on tops if you can find one, for those that might be interested. Just eat your wheaties and breathe whilst you lift... http://kfs.infopop.cc/groupee_common/emoticons/icon_wink.gif
http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/images/maps/sail_boat.gif

Fishnmusicn

[RiverRaider]

What... no Pics? http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/images/maps/hammer.gif

Congrats on the boat http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/images/maps/notworthy.gif

Now, if you would be so kind http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/images/maps/pics.gif

[fishnmusicn]

Here is one I got off another site. Tried downloading the pic the paddling store sent me before I bought, and I got an HTTP error 406 message http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/images/maps/banghead.gif

[fishnmusicn]

Looks like that one came through - mine is the old famous red/yellow combination. I'll post some pics when I get a chance to take some shots - thanks for the congrats...

[lconn4]

It's a beauty. Perception got the seating area down pat. Perception also accuratly states the correct weights. http://www.kayakfishingstuff.com/images/maps/rofl.gif

http://www.kayaker.com/products/boat.asp?type=discontinued&ID=93

[houdini]

looks like the Illusion to me with a different name.

[fishnmusicn]

The Napali is 15 inches longer than the Illusion - the hatch configuration is about the same on both boats. Like the Illusion, the Napali also has a 26 inch beam which means they are both speedy. The Napali has a little more volume in the bow in the top half which will help it ride over big waves in nastier conditions. I'm guessing the Illusion would be faster off the line but once up to speed, the Napali will stay out front. Its a pleasure to paddle. I had it out on a local 600 acre lake last weekend and paddled 2 lengths, a lot more than I usually cover. Its efficient. My only beef is the weight, and thats why I have it up for sale - if it doesn't sell I'll be just as glad to keep it if I can find the right set of wheels to move it around. On the other hand, its not much heavier, than say a Heritage Redfish 14, which weighs in at 72 lbs.

Fishnmusicn

[houdini]

Well, if it's any help. I have a Rolleze cart that I use to move my Illusion around. I also have a trailer and a new Hullivator I haven't had a chance to try out.

[fishnmusicn]

If I hang on to it, I'll be looking at those kinds of options -