I'll start this review with the bottom line: If your time will mostly be spent day touring, but you also want to be able to occasionally fish or take photos, then look no further and buy this kayak. If you know you'll mainly be fishing, paddling small creeks, or going on long tours, you may want to consider other boats.
Now for the meat of the review: I'll start by saying I'm 6'2'' tall, 180 lbs and a thin build. The Carolina fits me like a glove with the foot pegs fully extended. If you're much taller, you'll be cramped. Your knees will make contact with the coaming on the underside of the cockpit. This is normal and provides additional control. There is ample padding on the underside, and padding on the top allows you to cross your knees for a break. Although the cockpit is larger than the standard touring kayak, those prone to claustrophobia may want an even larger opening. I thought the opening was just right. It is large enough to access gear and I feel comfortable that I could quickly bail if I capsize, but it is small enough to keep out excess paddle drip.
The seat is nice and well padded. A strap underneath the seat easily raises and lowers the backrest and straps on the side adjust the angle of the backrest and the angle of the front portion of the seat rest. Ridges in the seat clear water away. I would have liked to see a drain hole in the bottom of the seat, but if you're getting that much water in the cockpit, you should consider a spray skirt.
The Carolina is surprisingly swift in protected waters and easy to control; it's slightly less so in open choppy waters. But that is to be expected. Because it's a few inches narrower than most sit on top kayaks, it's slightly more tippy. It does retain enough stability to fish and take photos, but if fishing is all you want to do, you'll likely be happier with a sit on top. The Carolina tracks straight and true. I thought the turning radius was a little large, but I attribute this to paddler error more than anything. A rudder may help finesse turns in tight places, but you will be ok without it.
The biggest complaint I have is still a minor one. There are two tracking channels on the hull that keep you going straight. To create the channels, there are two ridges that run along the inside of the cockpit. The sides of your feet rest along these ridges and I thought it was slightly uncomfortable. Different shoes or some padding could easily fix this problem.
Overall, the Carolina is a great compromise boat. You wont get the initial stability and access of the fishing kayaks, the speed of the long touring kayaks, or the maneuverability of playboats. What you will get is a well rounded boat that can does a good job of everything.

I bought two of these boats for my wife and I. Having used the kayaks of others allowed me to test drive several designs. The carolina is very versitile in lakes rivers and even in long island sound. It handles extremely well, tracks very striaght and glides through the water with plenty of momentum. I fish, tour and play and this boat alllows you to do all three easily without being to limited in functionality. Its very comfortable on long paddles and my 12 year old twins also can handle it easily. I would definately reccomend the 12 carolina to anyone looking to do every kind of kayaking except white water. For around $700 its a fantastic buy.

This kayak performs excellent for the price paid. When you are on a budget you want to get the most bang for your buck its a great choice. The kayak paddles smooth and carries speed well. The seating system is comfortable and easy to adjust. The cargo holds keep gear dry, but dry bags are a good idea. The Carolina looks good as well when its sitting in the water. Initial stability is great and secondary is good as well if you are using a spray skirt. This kayak is at home on big rivers, not whitewater, maybe class 2, and lakes. enough room for camping gear for the weekend. For the money you can't beat it.

I purchased this kayak from Dicks about a mounth ago and have been anciouslly waiting to try it out. I really like the looks of the rythym model and recently found out that you can order the same model in 14 foot from dicks. I have a theory. Do you suppose perception makes these models exclusivlly for dicks and just don't offer this on there web site. Why would thy do that. I just want to know moor about it. Maybe even someone elses appintion. Thanks for listening.