I bought a new kayak over the weekend! I have never owned my own kayak, but I bought one super cheap from our Perception rep..an Essence 16.5. The specs are here.

I got this baby on the water for the first time today, and it paddles quite nicely. The boat seems pretty stable...it is a British design similar to its cousin the Wilderness Systems Tempest 165, which I have been paddling intermittently for three years now, so I pretty well knew what to expect. I feel that the Tempest has a little more primary stability perhaps, but from my brief one hour paddle they seem pretty similar. As I continue to paddle it, I will be able to post a more complete review.

My trip was out around Garrett Bay, and the conditions were completely glassy. I left my camera in the car, but when I get the pics up tomorrow, I think you will be able to see the reflectoin of the clouds on the water. SWEEET!!