General purpose Thames river Boats
These river kayaks are available for member to members to take on sessions on the Thames. They are located in the specified containers as indicated below. Many of these boats were originally designed for use on whitewater.
The paddler weights are taken from manufacturers specifications where available, but please always make sure that you fit comfortably before taking the boat down to the river! For example, a tall thin paddler may be within the weight range specified, but not be able to extend the foot rests sufficiently.
Longer boats will be a little faster and easier to keep them going in a straight line. For this reason, most club members now use Sea Kayaks on the river.
The paddler weights are taken from manufacturers specifications where available, but please always make sure that you fit comfortably before taking the boat down to the river! For example, a tall thin paddler may be within the weight range specified, but not be able to extend the foot rests sufficiently.
Longer boats will be a little faster and easier to keep them going in a straight line. For this reason, most club members now use Sea Kayaks on the river.
| Name | Colour | Location | Paddler weight | Length | Notes | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perception Dancer XT | Faded pink | Green container | 68 to 113 Kg | 3.58m | 1980s design. Boat length and paddler weights taken from pages 14 and 15 of the 1993-1994 specification | |
| Perception Dancer XT | blue | Green container | 68 to 113 Kg | 3.58m | 1980s design. Boat length and paddler weights taken from pages 14 and 15 of the 1993-1994 specification | |
| Perception Dancer XT | Purple | Green container | 68 to 113 Kg | 3.58m | 1980s design. Boat length and paddler weights taken from pages 14 and 15 of the 1993-1994 specification | |
| Perception Dancer XT | Purple | Green container | 68 to 113 Kg | 3.58m | 1980s design. Boat length and paddler weights taken from pages 14 and 15 of the 1993-1994 specification | |
| Perception Dancer | Yellow | Green container | 45 to 90 Kg | 3.5m | 1980s design. Boat length and paddler weights taken from pages 14 and 15 of the 1993-1994 specification | |
| Perception Dancer | Purple | Green container | 45 to 90 Kg | 3.5m | 1980s design. Boat length and paddler weights taken from pages 14 and 15 of the 1993-1994 specification | |
| Perception Mirage | Translucent | Green container | 45 to 90 Kg | 3.96 | Boat length and paddler weights taken from pages 14 and 15 of the 1993-1994 specification | |
| Prijon Invader Light | Pink | Green container | Unknown - can't find any specifications | 3.0 ?? | 1980s design and originally a whitewater boat. Long and fast, but not very maneuverable compared to modern whitewater kayaks. Has been used on sea trips, but quite slow in the swell. Not been on any whitewater trips in recent years. Good solid boat and was in regular use on the Thames until the sea boats became popular. | |
| Perception Corsica S | Purple | Green container | 50 to 90 Kg | 3.2 | Originally a whitewater boat. "High stability and lower volume lead to predictable handling." At 3.2m long, it's not suitable as a modern white water boat. 1998 Specification | |
| Perception Pirouette S | Blue | Orange container | 45 to 90 Kg | 3.37 | Not suitable for beginners on the Thames because of the very low stern deck which when it dips could catch out the unwary. Paddler weights taken from page 14 of the 1993-1994 specification 3.37m long, so not really recommended as a white water boat. | |
| Perception Pirouette | Red | Orange container | 68 to 113 Kg | 3.4 | Not suitable for beginners on the Thames because of the very low stern deck which when it dips could catch out the unwary. Paddler weights taken from page 14 of the 1993-1994 specification 3.4m long, so not really recommended as a white water boat. |