Good overall boat

By Jeremy Ranked #111 - Kayaks March 10, 2009

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.

View Details: Perception Carolina 12.0 Kayak

Helpful Votes: 7 Yes