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Perception HD-1

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 9:57 pm
by ezwater
Somebody know the specs and the design history of the Perception HD-1? I used to hear it was a built-up Hahn, or that it was related to John Berry's Flashback.

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 10:39 pm
by cadster

HD-1

Posted: Wed Dec 30, 2009 11:21 pm
by Mikey B
From an old buyers guide

HD-1 (aluminum rails and thwarts) and HD-1 Sola (wood rails and thwarts)...both standard with Perception Saddle.
Length 13'-6" Width 30" Depth 13 2/3" :) :) Weight varies from 43 lbs to 56 lbs depending on options.
"Designed for the paddler who wants the versatility of a C-1 but still wishes to retain the excitement of an open canoe"

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 12:30 am
by Louie
Ya ranks up there with the Old Town Otter. Otter get another boat is what we use to tell Bob Flower

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 2:18 am
by oc1paddlr
naw louie, the HD1 was way ahead of it's time. you and i were in sundburst II and still behind the curve.

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 2:18 am
by ezwater
Thanks, guys. :)

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 12:33 pm
by kaz
I used to paddle an HD-1. I liked it. It was high performance in it's day. Does anyone here still paddle one?

Happy New Year.
JKaz

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 1:33 pm
by Louie
Saw one on a truck on the Ocoee a few years back. We still see a few OCA's but never see a HD1.

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 2:40 pm
by DougB
I paddle with someone who uses an HD1 for multy day WW river trips. It's getting soft but still holding on!

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 3:06 pm
by philcanoe
Yes - Jennifer Taylor from near Birmingham, the other half of Jennifer-n-Lonewolf ....still has and uses one. I really loved that one, after getting a much-handed-about but still nearly new one. It was bomb proof and maybe the best boat Perception every sold. However if you ever pick one up these days, it's like Oh-man was I ever that strong! This was the boat Bob Miller ran the Grand in, long before Nolan or Bob.

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 5:28 pm
by sbroam
Mr. Jay Not-Elvis on this board has at least one.

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 7:56 pm
by Riverscout
Just to clarify - J. "Not Elvis" has two HD-1's, one HD-2 and is attempting to collect all remaining hulls to preserve the history of his first open boat. Or maybe it was to ensure total open boat domination when all other ABS open boats dissolve away and the ancient royalex proves to be the only material to withstand the test of time!!! Yep, that was it. And seriously, if you've never paddled an HD-2 it is quite an experience.

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 8:00 pm
by cheajack
Paul Joffrion in Durham, NC has collected 3 or 4 HD-1's and still paddles them. They must weigh 80# but still are going strong. The tickness of the ABS in those boats is twice that in either of my Ocoees.

Posted: Thu Dec 31, 2009 10:21 pm
by sbroam
Old royalex rocks - I dropped my ME about 12' onto concrete, on it's bow - only cracked the deckplate. We have a 1975 OCA on the trailer - not perfect, but pretty stout.

Posted: Fri Jan 01, 2010 1:11 am
by kanur
The HD1 was my first whitewater open canoe and I agree it must have wieghed 80#.

The guy I sold it to never used it ( I told him it would not be a good duck hunting boat for him and his dog) and it may still be around. I'll start asking around if there are people collecting them.