To see product details, add this item to your cart. You can always remove it later.
Added to

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.

Perception Pescador Pilot 12 | Sit on Top Fishing Kayak with Pedal Drive | Adjustable Lawn Chair Seat and Tackle Storage Areas | 12'

4.1 4.1 out of 5 stars 257 ratings

To see product details, add this item to your cart. You can always remove it later.

Delivery & Support

Select to learn more
Ships from
Amazon.com
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
Customer Support
Ships from
Amazon.com
  • You will be able to track your Amazon order from point of shipping to your doorstep in your orders. If you need more help with tracking your package, please visit Track Your Package.
  • Learn more
Eligible for Return, Refund or Replacement within 30 days of receipt
  • This item can be returned in its original condition for a full refund or replacement within 30 days of receipt.
Read full return policy
Customer Support
Fixing things is quick & easy.

Our specialist Customer Support for large items dispatched from Amazon is on hand to help with your order. Contact us via phone or chat 7 days a week.
Sonic Camo
Sit On Top

Purchase options and add-ons

Brand Perception Kayaks
Item Weight 50 Pounds
Material Polyethylene (PE)
Color Sonic Camo
Style Pescador Pilot

About this item

  • Pedal Drive Efficiency: The Perception Pescador Pilot 12 offers a unique pedal drive system for sit-on-top kayaks. This innovative design allows you to focus on the catch, leaving propulsion to your feet. Designed for the angler at heart, this fishing kayak is a fantastic addition to your fishing trips.
  • Comfort and Convenience: Fitted with an adjustable frame seat, it ensures optimal comfort for lengthy fishing adventures. This kayak also boasts designated tackle storage areas, ensuring quick and easy access to your gear right when you need it.
  • High Capacity and Durable: With an impressive maximum capacity of 475 lbs, this kayak comfortably supports various paddler sizes and gear. Despite its high capacity, it maintains a practical weight of 85 lbs, facilitating easier transport and maneuvering.
  • Angler's Dream: The Pescador Pilot 12 is crafted specifically for fishing enthusiasts. Its pedal drive system enhances your fishing experience by allowing hands-free movement, whether you're navigating calm coastal waters, slow-moving rivers, or serene lakes.
  • Quality Craftsmanship: Made in the USA, the Perception Pescador Pilot 12 stands for superior craftsmanship and material quality. Its robust construction assures durability, promising countless successful fishing adventures and making it a reliable choice for your outdoor activities.

Frequently bought together

$1,959.05
Get it Friday, Apr 5
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
$19.22
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Apr 3
In Stock
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
+
$114.99
Get it as soon as Wednesday, Apr 3
Only 15 left in stock (more on the way).
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Details
Added to Cart
Some of these items ship sooner than the others.
Choose items to buy together.

Product information

Technical Details

Additional Information

Feedback

Perception

Perception Pescador Pilot 12 | Sit on Top Fishing Kayak with Pedal Drive | Adjustable Lawn Chair Seat and Tackle Storage Areas | 12'


Found a lower price? Let us know. Although we can't match every price reported, we'll use your feedback to ensure that our prices remain competitive.

Where did you see a lower price?

/
/
/
/
Please sign in to provide feedback.

Product guides and documents

Looking for specific info?

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
4.1 out of 5
257 global ratings

Customers say

Customers like the appearance and stability of the kayak. For example, they say it's well designed and stable enough to handle big water. Customers are also impresseded with the comfort and adjustability of the seat. That said, some complain about the missing pieces and damage. Opinions are mixed on ease of use and performance.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

32 customers mention24 positive8 negative

Customers like the appearance of the kayak. They mention it's well-thought out, and a great looking unit. Some say that it has a scuff in the side, but it'll still be great for use.

"...This is a great kayak. With the pedal drive I can cruise all day, averaging about 4 mph on the Gulf...." Read more

"...It had a fairly deep scuff in the side but still pretty nice for being used...." Read more

"...I am reviewing here as I really don't want to return the thing. Looks really good. Delivery was to sawhorses inside my shop...." Read more

"...The propeller is thin and looks weak, but so far has held up well, even after striking it on the bottom a couple of times (sand)...." Read more

28 customers mention28 positive0 negative

Customers are satisfied with the stability of the kayak. They mention that it turns great, is pretty solid, and is stable enough to handle big water. They also say that it's wide enough and sturdier for casting, and that the paddle is held securely.

"...I have found that my paddle is held securely and can be accessed quickly if needed. +The chair is very comfortable and can be easily adjusted..." Read more

"...My husband installed it, and the new drive works perfectly with no slipping or free spinning at all. I would definitely still recommend this kayak...." Read more

"...Very stable, even with swells and lots of chop -- I had waves break over the kayak and the only issue was a bunch of live shrimp that I had to scoop..." Read more

"...its reliability and solid construction get you off the bank and in the lake fast and easy." Read more

23 customers mention16 positive7 negative

Customers are mixed about the ease of use of the kayak. Some mention that it's stable, comfortable, and easy to operate. They say the pedaling is effortless and can be sustained for hours. They also say it'll fit on top of an SUV, and the pedal drive is easy to assemble. However, others say that it is not as easy to use as the Hobie paddle drive, it'd be hard to go straight, and there's no easy option of launching without a ramp.

"...3. Ease of Use / Additional Features +The ability to transfer from having a lowered drive to flush with the bottom is amazing...." Read more

"...arrived on time in excellent condition from the seller, and it is easy to use...." Read more

"...I keep everything I need there. They are easy to access and hold enough hooks, lures, etc...." Read more

"...The system is working against a bad angle with bad leverage in that position. The simple remedy is to point the rudder straight up before you launch...." Read more

20 customers mention20 positive0 negative

Customers find the seat comfortable and adjustable. They say the kayak is stable and comfortable to fish from. The built-in rails are long and leave a lot of room for adjustment and placement of accessories. The rudder is effective and allows surprisingly tight turning radius.

"...securely and can be accessed quickly if needed. +The chair is very comfortable and can be easily adjusted for any height to get the best..." Read more

"...It is comfortable and fun to use, and I can't wait to get back on the water soon!UPDATE 6/10/17..." Read more

"...The rudder is effective and allows surprisingly tight turning radius. Pedal drive works in forward or reverse...." Read more

"...off to the left side, checked out the disassembled seat, looks really comfy for long trips on the water...." Read more

16 customers mention12 positive4 negative

Customers like the value of the kayak. They mention it's a good buy for the cost, and a great fishing investment.

"...to stay in budget, but this boat is sturdy and loaded -- great value...." Read more

"...Good kayak for the money but the rod holders are unacceptable." Read more

"...have had issues with the nuts which attach the pedals to the drive, coming lose. While this is a small issue, it can be annoying...." Read more

"...Other then that the boat is awesome for its price point." Read more

15 customers mention10 positive5 negative

Customers are mixed about the performance of the kayak. Some mention that it adjusts forward and back well, the pedal drive works effortlessly, and the paddle works great. However, others say that it doesn't work well in heavily weeded areas, the rudder system doesn''t operate properly, and that the cable to lower or raise the draught doesn'"'t really work well.

"...+The rudder works great in keeping you tracking well. When I am fishing rivers, I was able to stay almost stationary with occasional pedaling...." Read more

"...My husband installed it, and the new drive works perfectly with no slipping or free spinning at all. I would definitely still recommend this kayak...." Read more

"...The rudder lift mechanism never worked well, and recently the rudder lift lines broke and the rudder lift assembly broke, which disabled the rudder...." Read more

"...Guys from the delivery company were cool and extremely helpful. They also waited for me to open everything up and confirm everything was there...." Read more

18 customers mention0 positive18 negative

Customers are dissatisfied with the missing pieces in the kayak. They mention that there are rudder components missing, hardware missing, and a few major pieces are missing. Some customers also report that the seat spacer and the nut for the drive are missing, as well as two of the three screws.

"...and I would have given it five stars if it were not for the critical missing part...." Read more

"...My safety concerns for this kayak are the loose screws around the peddle drive. It comes like this from the factory...." Read more

"...was a few weeks, not bad for a big item BUT, it was missing the custom hand turn nut for securing the pivot pin for the pedal drive and it is..." Read more

"...I received it missing a few major pieces like the stow pin and the connector for the rudder as well as the boat plug and some minor hardware...." Read more

11 customers mention2 positive9 negative

Customers are dissatisfied with the damage of the kayak. They mention that it has scratches, gouges, and blemishes from shipping. Some customers also report that the seat rips off easily.

"...with practice just fine but who does that all day - 2- boat came with blemishes and gashes from shipping:..." Read more

"...For the red kayak which was supposedly “new,” there are several deep scuffs along the front of the boat and inside where the screw that secured..." Read more

"...and as you can tell from the pictures....it's scratched up...." Read more

"...So I replaced the pin. Kayak came with some Fairley deep scratches but nothing that would make it sink...." Read more

Well designed. A few improvements possible. Cheap up front, but parts don't hold up.
4 Stars
Well designed. A few improvements possible. Cheap up front, but parts don't hold up.
UPDATE 2021: I still love this kayak (see original review below), but after two years I'm also feeling the compromises. The rudder lift mechanism never worked well, and recently the rudder lift lines broke and the rudder lift assembly broke, which disabled the rudder. Being out to sea without a rudder is worse than being up the creek without a paddle. Also, the pedal drive mechanism has started making funny sounds that make me worry it will fail while out at sea. And the hardware on the seat has completely rusted out (see picture). I take meticulous care of the kayak, and always hose it down thoroughly with fresh water after being in the Gulf. I've gotten two good years out of the kayak, so I got my money's worth, but now I'm discovering the downside of a kayak with a lot of mechanical components (as opposed to my simple Pungo 120, which has no mechanical systems and still looks brand new after 15 years). My biggest issue is that the manufacturer does not provide a detailed parts list and they stock relatively few spare parts for this model, even though they're still selling it. Instead, they refer owners to a third party site for parts, and finding the right parts at that site without a good parts diagram is a real challenge. I've called the manufacturer's tech support line, and they were some help, but they also recommended parts that were the wrong ones when I looked them up at the third party site. Also, replacement parts are very expensive -- e.g., a new seat (they don't sell just the brackets) costs over $200. Bottom line: If you want a pedal kayak and want to spend under two grand, this is still a good choice, but expect the kind of maintenance you have to do on a boat, not a maintenance-free kayak, and don't expect it to be easy to find the parts and support you might need.This is a great kayak. With the pedal drive I can cruise all day, averaging about 4 mph on the Gulf. Very stable, even with swells and lots of chop -- I had waves break over the kayak and the only issue was a bunch of live shrimp that I had to scoop up and throw back overboard. The rudder is effective and allows surprisingly tight turning radius. Pedal drive works in forward or reverse. The Perception Pescador Pilot is about a thousand bucks cheaper than many of the alternatives. I was afraid I would be making a lot of compromises to stay in budget, but this boat is sturdy and loaded -- great value. Buying through Amazon saved me $300 (the prices change all the time, so be patient and weight for a good deal), and also meant I didn't have to haul the kayak home since it was brought right to my door. The kayak is very heavy. The description says 85 pounds, but the sticker on the boat says 95, so with minimal gear you'll be well over 100 pounds. I can swing my Pungo 120 over my head and carry it without too much trouble over reasonable distances, but for the Perception Pescador Pilot I had to get a set of wheels. Although it's a big and heavy boat, I'm able to pull in the pedal drive and paddle it for reasonable distances when I feel like paddling (you'll want a 96" paddle given the width of the boat and height of the seat).So ... great kayak, but the overall experience wasn't perfect, mostly because Perception missed some things in final assembly. 1) The biggest issue was that the plate that holds the pins that hold the pedal drive in place weren't tightened down, so as I pedaled the plate slipped and the drive wouldn't work. Unfortunately, that happened after I was on the water, and I didn't think to carry a set of wrenches, so tighten that plate before you go out on the water (this might explain why another reviewer complained about the pedal drive slipping). 2) The boat arrived with no instructions for anything other than how to assemble the pedal drive; took me a while to figure out that the bolts that hold the seat in the track are put into their holes backwards at the factory, so you have to pull them out and reverse them to have the seat slide properly (unfortunately, the seat will slide into the track with the bolts backwards, but can't be secured into place, which might explain why another reviewer said the seat slipped). 3) The rudder is really, really hard to get up and down using the side bungee cables if it's in the full retracted position, with the rudder blade resting on the rear deck. The system is working against a bad angle with bad leverage in that position. The simple remedy is to point the rudder straight up before you launch. 4) The two storage compartments in front of the seat are designed to allow cables to pass out through the sides. Unfortunately, this means they're not water tight. In fact there are no water tight storage compartments on this boat, so you have to use dry bags for everything. I wish they had made one of the compartments water tight for stowing cell phone, etc. 5) The seat is designed for a bit more of lay back than I prefer, more like a recumbent bike and less like my other kayaks. I tried adjusting it to a more upright position, but the bar on the bottom seat really wants you to be more reclined. That probably provides better pedaling position, but I wish the seat had more adjustment possibilities for upright traditionalists like me.The paddle storage slots in the rear are well designed -- you can break the paddle in half and store half on each side very securely. You'll use your paddle each time unless you launch from a dock, since you can't launch from shore with the pedal drive and rudder deployed.[UPDATE: I've been pedaling the Perception Pescador Pilot around the Gulf and inland waterways for about a month now and love it. I can go much farther than I ever could in a paddle kayak, and in rougher conditions. I can maintain a steady 4+ mph across a wide variety of conditions for hours, which means I can put in the water, pedal 8 miles up the coast, and pedal back, 16 miles round trip, in half a day. And I can maintain that speed through swells or moderate (1-2') chop. For shorter trips or in smoother conditions I can maintain better speed. Recently I had a chance to try a Hobie kayak with Mirage drive (the flipper-style drive). I have to say that the Hobie feels like a higher quality product. For example, the rudder controls are much smoother, with controls on port and starboard; it can be fitted with a sail, etc.. But it also costs $1000+ more, so for me the Pescador Pilot still wins. Also, with the Pilot, the drive system pulls completely up into the hull, above a heavy rubber gasket, when stowed, which means it's completely protected when I beach the boat. That might not matter on rivers or lakes, but when I bring the kayak in for a landing on the Gulf, the waves can throw me up against the beach pretty hard, and the sand and shells aren't soft, so I appreciate having the fragile parts like the drive system and the rudder completely out of harms way rather than just mostly protected. So, although the Hobie feels like a higher quality boat overall, I appreciate the ruggedness and value of the Perception kayak. It's sort of the Jeep of the water.]Bottom line: Great value, well designed, performs well, stable. A bit of room for improvement (adding water tight storage, and tightening all fittings before shipping), but those are minor points. If you want to get a pedal-powered kayak, I don't think you'll find a better value today.A final note if you're debating a pedal vs. traditional kayak. I've used traditional kayaks for years. They are the epitome of simplicity -- the kayak is just an empty shell, you pop it in the water, ... and go. Regular kayaks are generally lightweight, rugged, and essentially maintenance free (no moving parts other than the foot stretchers). A pedal kayak on the other hand is as heavy as a small boat and has mechanical stuff (propulsion system and rudder) that can go wrong. What you get in return is a very different experience. You can pedal with your hands free, so you can fish, take pictures, etc. For most people you'll be able to sustain a faster rate of travel over longer distances. From my point of view, a pedal-powered kayak is less of a kayak and more of a human-powered small boat.
Thank you for your feedback
Sorry, there was an error
Sorry we couldn't load the review

Top reviews from the United States

Reviewed in the United States on April 17, 2018
Color: Sonic CamoPattern Name: Sit On TopVerified Purchase
28 people found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2023
Color: Sonic CamoPattern Name: Sit On TopVerified Purchase
Customer image
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice product but poor delivery
Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2023
It is nice product. I just received it and tried to assemble. The package prastic was ripped and wholes so I worried there might missing parts. I asked Amazon delivery about it and they said "we don't know we just delivery product and don't know what parts it has" when I trto assemble I couldn't find manual but I don't know it was provided so I tried without manual. And I can't find a bolt. I assume that bolt will delivery with manual but it missed during delivery. There are storages which can store manual and parts. I give 5 stars but little disappointed. Please let me know how to solve this.
Images in this review
Customer image
Customer image
One person found this helpful
Report
Reviewed in the United States on March 22, 2024
Color: Moss CamoPattern Name: Sit On TopVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on March 19, 2017
Color: SunsetPattern Name: Sit On TopVerified Purchase
93 people found this helpful
Report