Hi everyone,
I'm wondering if my local watersports shop has fed me a line concerning the hatch covers for my recently acquired Carolina 14.5 Airalite. I bought the kayak for my wife used and I understand that Perception no longer makes this model. The outer hatch covers were intact and the entire kayak was in great shape but the inner snap-on hatch covers were missing. Given the condition of the boat I bought it anyway thinking that buying the hatch covers would be a minor thing. Not according to my local shop. I'm told that Perception no longer offers replacement inner hatch covers for that model and that the only option was to have them special ordered from Seal. Is this true? If it is I'll be doing some serious thinking before I buy another Perception product. This just doesn't sound like very good product support.

Thanks,
John

Hi JOhn,

Perception has cleaved off part of its business to a company called mission kayaks.

It might be worth checking their web site and sending them an email. The covers may still be produced that fit. They are in New Zealand.

http://www.missionkayaking.com/index.php

Cheers

BIll

Thanks, Bill. I'll check out the website. I'll also be calling Perception tomorrow to see if what I'm being told is true. I find it a little hard to believe that the inner hatch covers for the Carolina 14.5 Airalite are unique in size. I'd think that most manufacturers would at least semi-standardize hatch covers to save money.

Take care down there,
John

Well, I talked to a customer service guy from Perception today. He tells me that while the inner hatch covers are no longer made they do have a large inventory on hand. Now the question is why a dealer who sells Perception kayaks told me another story entirely. I do know that I'll not be doing any further business with them.

Thanks,
John