Constantly scouring the local For Sale sites (FB Marketplace, Craigslist, Nextdoor, Offer Up, Letgo, etc.) I came across a two for one deal I could not pass up. I contacted the seller who said someone was already committed to coming by at 6:00 PM, so I looked at my watch (5:25 PM) offered him more than his ask and said I would be there in 20 minutes (10 minutes before the other person). When I arrived, I was stunned. Here was a nice, plastic ocean faring kayak (Aquaterra Sea Lion) as well as a behemoth of a tandem in fiberglass (unknown origin). Both were in dire need of restoration, but at the price I could not afford to pass these up.
After getting these home, I started on the easier of the two. The Aquaterra Sea Lion (Now Perception) is a sought after, great, all round kayak. Fast on the water, very stable, and with the up-swept bow keeps the nose above the waves. The thigh braces add an extra level of stability and serve well for advanced paddling technique.
Cross winds and wave action are not a problem–– drop the rudder and stay on course. This is an excellent day trip or touring adventure kayak with plenty of cargo space under two large capacity, bulkheaded (Front & Rear) watertight hatches. The seat contains a cup holder and the seat back is adjustable.
This kayak has had all the deck roping replaced with added tube hand holds, the rudder assembly and foot slides have been stripped and repainted and the rudder guide-wire has been replaced and optimized, including stainless steel shackles and thimbles for easy detachment. The seat-back roping and bungee have been replaced to provide an easy adjustment setting to raise or recline the seat back. The adjustable foot pegs can handle any paddler (shortest recommended inseam for footpegs is 30”) The rear hatch cover has a double strap for additional on-deck gear storage for multi-day trips. Equipped with front carry handle and rear hand grip under rudder assembly. Minimal scratching and ideal for rocky entrance/exists. The reflective side stripping is in very good condition with minor tears in some places.
This is an excellent kayak for beginners through advanced–– one I seriously considered keeping for myself after this restoration.
- MANUFACTURER: Aquaterra/Perception
- MODEL: Sea Lion
- SERIAL NUMBER: WEM99734C494
- MODEL YEAR: 1994YEAR MODEL
- YEAR/MONTH MADE: 1994/March
- MATERIAL: Poly
- DIMENSIONS:
- LENGTH: 17’ 2” (17’ 9” to end of rudder)
- WIDTH: 22.5”
- COCKPIT: 32.25” L x 16.5” W x 13” H
- WEIGHT: 57 Lbs (60 Lbs w/rudder)
- DRY CARGO: 8650 cu. in.
ONLINE REVIEWS: https://paddling.com/gear/perception-sea-lion-1-kayak/
I Paddle 4 U 
Is your yellow Aquaterra Sea Lion still for sale?
Aquaterra Sea Lion
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Yes it was. I have not come across many kayaks these days— I’m taking a break from the refurbishing.
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I have a very old sea lion. The white block that the rudder pin goes in and the pull up lines go through is cracked, no longer able to hold the pin. Do you have a replacement block I could buy? The kayak is probably 1985? I bought it used back then, but it’s still in good shape.I also need to replace the long black elastic that criss crosses across the bow. I could send the broken block or just send a photo of it and or the rudder.
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Hi Suzanne,
I had to fabricate my own from a Teflon block I bought on Facebook. You can try TopKayaker. Here is what he has in stock.
https://topkayaker.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73_88&products_id=617
This looks like a two-screw block. It might fit and you could possibly get it to fit yours . I will send you an email as well.
David
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