Ok, not trying to ruffle feathers. If I had the money I would purchase a Hobie Mirage. However, I am trying to get set up on a budget mainly because I have never even paddled a kayak. So...

What do I get for the extra $450? The boats look very similar to me so I am asking all of you that have experience. I have narrowed it down to the Pelican, the Perception Sport 10 and the Ride 115. The Ride is quite a bit more expensive so I want to know what the diffrence is. I am also needing to keep it under 12' because I pull a travel trailer.
Thanks.

Hi Barney,

The 10 foot kayaks will nose walk a lot more when you paddle. That basically means you will have to exert more energy correcting the kayak to keep on course. The Ride is going to have a more stable platform if you would like to stand. The Ride has more accessible under deck storage than either of the 10fters as well. Large usable hatches are great for running wires to depth finders, lights, tightening bolts on mounts etc. The seat on the Ride, even the standard one, will be much better and allow for more time in the cockpit for most folks.

Here is the thing: you gotta do what is best for your budget. The resale on the Pelican (in most cases)will not be as good as the Perception if you go that way. If you never paddle another boat you won't know what you're missing but you also may have a bad experience. You won't be ostracized or looked down upon with any of these three boats. We are just excited you want to get into kayak fishing. Get the best you can afford. Get on the water. Have fun and be safe.

I have a 10 ft SINK Ascend FS10 and have not experienced any nose walk with mine. It may be because im lower in the water with my setup and it track a little better than a sit on would. I'd take Mr Payne's advice and just stick to wahtever is in the budget's. He also right about the resale on Pelican's they don't hold their value well.

If you never sell it it doesn't matter what the re sale is. If it is a yak that floats its worth having imo. Welcome to the sport. Its my addiction along with many others here.

I was in your shoes about a month ago. I golf and bowhunt (among other things) and in those two sports, I know how important it is to "get fit" for the right equipment. I kept hearing guys on here say to go paddle a kayak before you buy, I thought a kayak is a kayak and I probably won't even notice a difference right? I couldn't have been more than wrong. I did my research online, instead of going out trying different yaks. So I went to the Mariner garage sale (awesome people) and walked in told them I was there to buy a perception pescador 12. I also wanted to look at the WS Ride 135 which I did, and thought since it's my first yak I really don't want to spend the extra dough on a Ride right now. I went straight to a tank behind my folks house and went for a paddle. It just wasn't what I was expecting. It's a great yak but not the best "fit" for me. I went back two days later and purchased the Ride 135, and now my sex life has never been better, I kid I kid. Now when I paddle the 135, it's what I imagined kayaking would be like. My post is not telling you to go out and get a Ride, just get out there and paddle one around before ya drop the dough. You know what they say "it's better to cry once"

*if* those are the only 3 choices then hands down it would be the Ride 115. I'd have to say the perception would be 2nd choice and my absolute last resort would be the pelican

The pelican is a theromformed kayak - pressed ABS plastic and joined together (usually cheaper to produce). Now that I typed that, I am not sure if the ICON is still that way, but I know the previous models have been. You can find issues on the web with seams leaking, etc - usually repairable but an inconvenience at a minimum and disaster at the other end. The WS and Perception boats are rotomolded (polyethelene) which means they will be a one-piece design. This generally results in a stronger and more durable boat. Likewise you will probably find a thicker and higher quality plastic as well as a better finish-out. With that said, there are some high quality thermoformed boats out there such as the Diablo line. However if the budget means getting on the water or not, I always vote for getting on the water. Maybe exploring a "brand name" used boat in the pelican price range will give you the best of both worlds - some of the kayak stores such as Mariner and AKC carry used boats from time to time - of course CL and checking here and TKF are good sources.

I hear people say the pelican has poor resale but here are my thoughts on resale (right or wrong). A 400 new pelican might sell used for 250 in a couple of years. A 1000 brand name boat might sell used for 800 after a couple of years. So your cost of ownership on the pelican was 150 and the brand name was 200. Which had the "better" resale? On the other side of the equation, you were able to paddle a better boat for only $50....is that worth it? Only you can answer that but my answer would be a definite yes.

Edit - I would also stick with 12' or greater boats......better all around size vs. a 10' IMO.

Thanks everyone.

Keep in mind that in the next month or 2, the new model of the Ride 115 will be coming out.

The old models will likely be reduced in price at that time

What I would recommend is making an appointment for a demo. Getting on the water makes a big difference. Feeling the difference and just how the kayak fits you will make your decision much easier and wiser.

Do you know if there will be any big differences in the next model of Ride 115?

The one difference i remember is that the new one will have a premade place for a FF transducer (no drilling required).

I am sure there are other differences, but that is the one i remember

Save some cash and buy the 115 in the classifieds. $700 is hard to beat for a like new Wildy RIDE 115

I was in your shoes two months ago and don't settle. You truly should get out and paddle a few boats. The kayak you like may feel different to you than it does to me. I paddled a few boats and my favorites in my price range were the prowler and drifter. Some people think the drifter is slow and wet but it was perfect for me. The stability of the boat compared to the others sold me, plus it was light.
The pelican you are talking about looks nice but I would honestly just get out, try a few yaks and buy you a used one. As everyone else stated, the other brands will have better resale and will handle better.
Good luck w your purchase and don't rush it. I wanted a new yak bad but I waited until I found a good one at an affordable price. I ended up buying one while on vacation and drove back w it on top of the car. Keep checking craigslist and Texas kayak and I guarantee a good deal will pop up

The big change is the new Ride 115X which has a built in console that is portable that can be taken out of the boat. It will hold the fish finder battery and the transducer it is really sweet. They are supposed to be in early September.