I have paddled a few times in my days but never owned one. These were given to me by a fried and are in need of some minor maintenance. The seats are in need of replacement, but I can’t find them! These are probably about 20 years old and are otherwise in good shape.
First, the seats are pretty wasted on both.
Second, any type of reigging or strapping is gone.
Lastly, the bulkhead silicone is bad going into the rear storage compartment.
I think I could get pretty far if I just had the product info, since I don;’t even know what should be on the bow in front of the cockpit! I also have little idea how this seat situation works; separate seat bottom and back, and a separate cushion or cover for the back? And an adjustable strap for the beach? Sheesh!
Thank you all in advance for any assistance and direction.
TopKayaker doesn’t show any parts for either of those kayaks. Take the seat out and find a well stocked local kayak shop. See if they have replacement parts that fit the seat frames. Post the area of the country where you live. Other members might he able to suggest helpful shops in your area. If you don’t have the support straps, you can buy bulk nylon straps and fabricate a set. Look for bolt holes in the hull. Marines stores, hardware stores and Tractor Supply have assorted stainless bolts, washers and stailess steel/nylon lock nuts. Scuff where the bulkheads contact the hull and apply Lexan which is available from Lowes or Ace Hardware. The price went from $9.00 to $14.00 in the past 3 years. Don’t use the typical silicone caulk because it diesn stick to the rotomold plastic. Other caulks are available, but they’re more expensive, have longer curing times, and don’t offer equal of better dirability.
Both of the kayaks are entry level boats that you might outgrow quickly, especially if you enjoy kayaking. Before you make a significant investment of time and expense, look at the replacement cost of used boats in better condition. Seat pads could cost up to $100 a set, then straps, bungees, caulk, and stainless fasteners. You might find better used boats for less.
Perception archives all their past catalogs on line. I checked their 2004 catalog and here is the link. Looks like the Sundance 12 first turned up in their line around 2004. Scroll half way down in the first catalog I linked below and you will see it under the Airilite models with all the specs. If your boat is the regular rotomold plastic rather than the lighter Airilite , the first catalog that model appears in is the 2006 (second link) and it is on the first page after the title page.
As a very basic pond rec boat it appears to have no deck rigging. You should be able to find a serial number on the boat and the last two digits will tell you what year it was produced. Then go to the Perception archive and pick the catalog from that year if it is not either of the ones I’ve linked.
Neither boat has a bow bulkhead so you should add some flotation in the front hull to prevent the kayak sinking in a capsize. You can get flotation bags (another expense) or stuff inflatables like beach balls or bundles of short cuts of pool noodles in to fill up the void past the foot pegs for safety.
One thing I have used for temporary enhancement of trashed seats (I have adopted a number of old and well worn kayaks over the years) is to get a closed cell pad, either an Ensolite camping mat (Army Navy surplus stores usually have them) or a dense foam yoga mat, cut it in half length wise, fold one piece in half and wrap it around inside the back of the cockpit to cover a trashed seat back, then fold the other half in thirds and wedge it over the seat. You can also use cut lengths of the fat 6" pool noodles or 3 of the standard 3" noodles taped or cable tied together to wrap around behind your lower back and hips as a back support. (Don’t use pipe insulation foam noodles since they are open cell like a sponge and will absorb water.) I did that to cover a shredded seat on a 20 year old high end touring kayak I bought 2 years ago while I was waiting for a backordered seat back replacement to ship to me and it worked so well I still have not installed the new back band.
