Carolina

I upgraded to a 2002 Perception Carolina from an inflatable kayak. The first thing I noticed was how quickly the kayak accelerated and how it just glided through the water. For the most part it is stable once you are seated, though I did capsize it while getting out one time. It was quite challenging getting back in. I have rented hardshell kayaks that were more stable, though not as quick. I suspect that the more expensive and faster kayaks are even more prone to capsize for which reason I believe this to be a good one in which to learn. I am 6'3 and found it a little challenging to get in and out of the cockpit. I found the best way to make an exit is to put both hands behind me and push the kayak forward while lifting my hips upwards so that I'm sitting on top of it. I use the same method to get in, though in reverse.

The only issue I had was that I couldn't bend my knees enough to be able to use the rudder pedal. My solution was to lengthen the wire hooked up to the rudder so that I could move the pedals down 2 inches. This did the trick, however rudder now has less travel. In time I plan on finding a better solution to the rudder problem.

Bought a new 2005 Carolina 14.5 with rudder on sale last weekend. Took it out for its maiden voyage on Lake Erie in 2-1/2 foot waves and it rode great. This is my first kayak, but I have extensive paddling experience in canoes. I need to work on my kayak strokes and gain some more confidence, but I'm sure this will be a great boat for me long term. I tried a 2006 model, but the thigh braces were too tight for me to fit comfortably in the boat. I'm 6'1" and weigh about 210. The 2005 model is comfortable, and easy to paddle. The people at Ohio Canoe Adventures near Cleveland are great people to deal with. They are very knowledgeable, asked a lot of questions about how I planned on using the kayak and then made sure that the fit was right.

Just got 2006 Carolina 14.5. The backrest is very uncomfortable; it doesn't support the whole back well. Experienced backpain after paddling for 2.5 hours. I could paddle whole day on my Amecica 13.5 with no such problem. I'd like to see some reviews about the backrest on 2005 Carolina, which had different design and materials.

I just upgraded to the Carolina 14.5 with rudder and have to say I'm very happy with it. It tracks better than the Sundance I had and the rudder is nice but I found it handled as well without it. I haven't had it out in very rough water but so far it's very stable and paddles easily. Overall, it's a keeper. I can see myself keeping it for quite a while.

This is a ral pig of a boat. I paddled one once a while back and thought it was basically a decked canoe and a poor one at that. I assisted a friend of mine that was looking for a boat. The Carolina was on sale at a local dealer. We both paddled both the 14.5 and the 16. The 14.5 was fair, the 16 is simply a bus on the water. I should have spoken up and discouraged my friend from buying one ( a 14.5) but did not. He purchased one and does not seem real pleased with it. He will probably try to dump it off in a trade this spring.

This yak is so great!!!! It fits like a glove moves swiftly in the water, is very comfortable and there are just too many things to say about it. I love it and would recommend it to ANYONE! I have been researching and demoing boats for about 1-1.5 years. I wanted to make sure I got the boat that suited me the most, and as soon as I slipped into this boat it was like magic. I am bout 5'8 250lbs. I was worried about my weight being a problem, but it was wonderful. Not even an issue. I have been paddling it so much this season I can’t keep my paddle out of the water. It pays to do your homework!

I've rented a lot of old town rec' kayaks, but I just bought my first kayak, a Perception Airalite Caroline 14.5....it's GRRREAT...easy to car top on my outback with Malone Super J kayak racks....it feels tippy at first, and I went over only once this year, when I first tried climbing in...it's stable, and VERY fast. If you have qualms about airalite, get over them....most kayaks will be made of this material in the future, albeit they will use different names for it. The airalite hatch covers are flush, covering neoprene covers, which keep most water out...I haven't rolled it yet, but I'm sure that will happen soon. Great boat, the girlfriend will be getting hers soon!

'97 Carolina bought used 3 years ago. Been down/up Class 2+ water lots, X large cold unpopulated stormy lakes & surfing behind 100 ft paddlewheeler & on 2+ ft storm waves. Short enough for tight creeks. Stable enough even my wife enjoyed it. A "Chevy Malibu" and deserves to be around forever. Hull takes lot of abuse inverted on truck rack, still no "oilcanning". Likes weathercocking/wallowing w/o rudder, depending wave height/wind. Totally safe boat.

My first Perception Carolina 14.5 Airalite had to be returned (it had a hull-length slice and/or got crushed before it made it to my car rack, so it was not what you'd call seaworthy). This has admittedly spooked me a bit on the durability of Airalite, but many other folks have said it's quite strong. The other one I bought has had no such problems, and has already stood up pretty well to some unorthodox pressures, shall we say.

I've been out on it a few times, in the C&O Canal and Potomac River, and am quite impressed with it. It's easy to get in (and out) of the cockpit (with some caveats, below), its 41lb weight makes it easy to handle by yourself, and it's very stable (primary and secondary). Pretty responsive, too, for maneuverability and speed.

The things I'm finding aren't quite worthy of a 10 rating are: the foot pegs, with the rudder, don't stay where they are (by design), making it hard to get your feet nice and snug sometimes, until you push the rail forward; there are no deck lines or painters suitable for helping you get back into the boat; and my aft bulkhead leaks.

All in all, I'm looking forward to many years of enjoyment with this boat.

I've had my Carolina 14.5 for two months now. It's a 2004 with new material and design...very stable..gains speed well. It's the one I let inexperienced people use and they love it. It's also the boat I use for solo night paddles when I want to absolutely stay upright. Only problem so far was being blown off by Perception's customer service. A bushing for the rudder was not in the bag...and he said I didn't need it...but I really do since the sloppy action of the rudder is so bad I hate using it. I wanted to rate it lower...but the rest of the boat is really nice.

I am 6'2" 215lbs beginner. I have taken four lessons and have learned the basics in kayak handeling in the ocean (Monterey Bay California). I have paddled one set on top and four different closed deck kayaks - one kevlar Pechena and the Carolina 14.5 Airalite. I spent 4 hours in the Carolina including some paddling in 15 kt winds in 2 - 3 foot swells. The Carolina was the best for stability and I felt very secure. If you are looking for a secure kayak that has great performance the Carolina is an outstanding value. Try this boat before you buy.

I have been kayaking on lakes, creeks, and rivers for three years. I have two of the Carolina 14.5 rotomold kayaks, a 2002 and 2003 model. One has a rudder and one does not. I started with out a rudder to learn my paddling skills first. I have been in very rough conditions on the lakes and the Carolina handled like a champ. I never had the fear that I was going to go over in the big waves or high winds. It’s big enough to be stable and track well in the lakes and small enough to wind through narrow creeks. It is amazing what this kayak can do. The rudder becomes a must in winds or trips up stream. I recently took a solo trip down the Buffalo National River in Arkansas in the month of March. I got more than I bargained for because of recent rains. The river was one foot away from being closed. I experienced class I – lower class III rapids. I cant tell you how lucky I was that the Carolina handled like it did. I had two close calls due to strainers and the ability of myself and the Carolina pulled me through. The trip was a four day three night trip. I had the hatches filled with gear and a rear deck bag filled also. The weight was close to max. Me being 6’ 205 pounds, made for some of it. The kayak never felt unstable with the weight. This is a great kayak for beginners and experts as well. I am ready to add a 2004 model to the fleet. They have changed the design some and I cant wait to try it.

I've had my Carolina 14.5 for almost a month, and have taken it out 3 times. I can't speak to it's ability to handle rough water, but I have used it in fairly swift running rivers. I have been very pleased with it's performance. It is certainly not as stable as some of the wider tandem kayaks I've used, but it is plenty stable for a beginner like me. I have not experienced any tracking problems, although I would highly recommend the rudder option. Great kayak for the price.

I have a 2003 Carolina with rudder- I got it as a "guestboat" so that I could bring along uninitiated friends on paddles. I tested the 2002 model, and bought the boat this spring because I felt it was super stable, handled easily for beginners (tracked well), and had a roomy enough cockpit in it to accomodate many body shapes. I was right on those counts....

I live on Lake Champlain, which has the scale of a Great Lake- so we get all kinds of weather/water conditions. While I have not taken friends out in really choppy weather, I paddled this boat through 3-4 foot swells, and felt very comfortable. Watertight hatches too!

My complaints are on two counts: the seats in the 2003 models are horrible. I paddled it twice when I first got it, and realized nobody was going to be happy with that seatback after about an hour on the water. The first two people to paddle it agreed- and we are all different heights. I took it into my local dealer, who could not have been nicer about switching out the seat back for Perception's higher seatback. But now I am left with the issue of getting a sprayskirt to accomodate the higher back. Perception needs to fix this for 2004.

My other issue with the boat is that it did oilcan pretty quickly. I have a Yakima rack system with rollers, and I set them properly, yet the boat dented within weeks, despite being careful with how I tied down.

Summing up: if Perception changes the seat for 2004, and you carry teh boat on its side or upside down on your rack, then this is a perfect beginner boat. It is a pleasure to paddle for just about anyone, though a more advanced paddler is going to want a little refinement.

I've had my 2002 Caroline for a year now, so it's time to give my long-term impression. It is the first kayak I have owned, though I have tried out others belonging to friends and have had canoing experience. I am 5'7", 160 lbs. Most of my use is on a lake, usually 2 or 3 times a week when the lake isn't frozen over, plus a bit of river use. I could not be more pleased with my experience. Despite winds and motorboat wakes, I never feel any danger of flipping over. I think a boat would have to directly hit me to flip me. And I can't imagine what use a rudder would be, it tracks and handles for me as well as I need. I did have a little problem with the "oil can" effect on the bottom, but I put some weights on the part where it was bowing (just to the front of the seat), and it flattened out again most of the way. For my money, it is a great kayak.

You can fix the "popping" deck rigging by loosening the screw on the clamp and looping the bungee around the outside of the screw instead of the way it clamps from the factory. Rigging has stayed put since I did this....

The Carolina is the only touring kayak that I've paddled, but it's awesome. It moves through the water a lot better than any of the recreational kayaks that I've kayaked with. It seems extremely stable too. I was really surprised how easy and stable the kayak was. My only complaint is the seat. You should buy a really comfortable seat for it because the one that mine came with hurts your back after paddling for miles and hours. Overall, an excellent kayak.

The kayak is easy to paddle. But after a hour you've had it. Perception changed the seat in the Carolina and others for 2003. The seat back is really bad, to low for comfort. So when you test their kayaks, go out for a few hours. I had a 2002, you could sit in it all day. But it came with a hole in it and was returned, 3 monthes later I received the 2003. They will sell you the old set for $45. I give it a 10 with the old set in it.

I purchased the 2003 Carolina last month, my first kayak. I have had the chance to take it out (flat water) about ten times and love it. It is a very comfortable boat with lots of room for storage. It is a tight fit for me, 6'3" @ 200lbs. Only problem is that the tracking is not perfect. Takes a little effort to go straight with any kind of a wind. I am going to add the rudder option, I should have started off with it. That should give this craft a ten. I would recommend this boat to anyone looking for a good, affordable day tripper.

Great boat! I have torture tested the hell out of this thing... whitewater, surfing, used it to go down the side of a mountain during a snow blizzard, it fell off my truck, still rides like a charm and for the price you really dont have to worry about beating it up a little. Only complaint is that its a little tight in the cockpit for someone thats 6'3" but thats not perceptions fault.

I like it…alot! I've been paddling a Swifty for a year now, and felt that I was using that boat past its capacity. My last trip was a two-day 20 mile overnight trip with camping gear... a little like camping on your motorcycle. I liked the looks and feel of the Carolina in the show room. It fit me like a running shoe. My dealer wouldn't allow a try out so I wouldn't buy it from him. I went on to try a Wilderness Systems Cape Lookout and a Current Designs Breeze and hated both of them passionately but for different performance flaws. Then I went back to my Perception dealer during a clearance sale and bought the Carolina with rudder (year 2000 left over) for $725 with the agreement that if I didn't like it, he would give me a refund. (Minus a large restocking fee for each scratch!) I live on a lake and have been out in it four times so far and I love it! I got the small hatches but I'll make do, remembering my Swifty camping days. GPS speed measurements: effortless cruising at 4.5 to 5 mph over a 1-mile course (could have gone on all day!). Max speed 6.5 sustainable and touched 7.0 mph briefly. The Armor-all on the hatch covers makes all the difference in the world to their fit and sealability. I have the indication that the bulks will be dry because the rubber hatches bulged slightly when I parked it in the hot sun and the air in the space expanded. Cons? Don't really have any but I can't give a 10 to anything that doesn't involve at least some sex. I do have some cautions though: I'm going to take the advice from other paddlers and car-top upside down to avoid hull dents. I also recommend the rudder, go ahead and splurge you won't be disappointed. Always try several boats that seem great on land out on the water before you buy. Its really strange but true that my opinion may be a polar difference from yours on any one boat. Trust your instincts and turn your deaf ear to the dealer because he has inventory to push. Last, this boat is a heavy 58 lbs. The kayak cart I built from a golf trolley makes a big difference.

A friend lent me her Carolina the 2nd time out and I at once felt at home and determined to buy one. This I did at REI within the month and have never doubted my decision. The Carolina is a roto-molded plastic polymer. It is very well made and the lines are attractive and seaman-like. She carries a lot of cago in her two wells fore and aft. The tupperware covers do tend to leak so use waterproof bags for stuff you wish to keep dry. The kayak seems to know where I want to go and I rarely use the rudder except in heavy winds or currents. I consider the Carolina to be an excellent beginner to mid level boat that you may never get tired of. Price-wise it is a steal!

I have the Carolina EXP W/Rudder. I love this boat! It does everything they say it will. I am 6'1", 225 pounds, but easily fit into the boat. I find the seat very comfortable too. All the compartments have stayed 100% dry, even the cockpit with only a nylon spray skirt. I have not noticed any problem with it's tracking in the wind, even without using the rudder, nor does my boat plow through the water as noted by other paddlers. I live on Lake Tapps in Washington State, and paddle nearly everyday. I haven't taken it out on the Puget Sound yet, but plan to in the near future. I expect the Carolina will perform as good in the Sound as it does on the lake. I'm looking forward to many years of paddling in this boat!

I've had my Carolina for about 6 or 9 months now and untill today had ontly paddled it on calm days. It was a good boat. It tracked well even though I was too cheap to buy a rudder. I took it out today in a 3 foot chop and 20 knot winds and I really got a feel for the boat. First, the boat cuts through the wave effortlessly, but I would strongly suggest a sprayskirt and waterproof paddling jacket for anything more than a ripple (perhaps a little more floatation in the bow compartment would help?)It tracked okay heading into the seas and wind but when I was riding waves back in and even just normal paddling in a following sea left me wishing i had sprung for a rudder although it really didnt surprise me. The boat handles just fine in tight places with a little boathandling skill.

The hatches on the 2001 model are plenty large and havent leaked a drop so far. Im 6'2" and would have liked to see another notch in the footbrace adjustment. The cockpit opening is very roomy and gives me confidence should I get into a situation demanding a wet exit. This boat is extremely stable; Ive rolled it pretty far in its side and it gets harder and harder to flip the farther you tip it. As a boatbuilder and commercial fisherman, I would favor a more distinct chine although not a full on hard chined hull. Good boat but not perfect.

I use my Carolina on the upper Delaware River, the NJ Pine Barrens rivers, and occassionally in Barnegut Bay. Excellent beginner's boat, and great for the money.

The good: good stability and tracking, reasonably good on turns, cruises well for a 14 foot boat, and has plenty of storage for weekend trips.

Drawbacks: Hatches on older models are too small, must be cartopped upside down or you will distort the hull, seat on basic model is uncomfortable for many people after a few hours of paddling.

For a casual tourer, this is a very good boat. If you are more than an intermediate paddler or price is not a concern, then you should consider any number of other boats.

I just paddled the Carolina at a demo. I liked the Carolina until I paddled it. I felt that the Carolina is over priced for what you get. The workman ship is poor, and the hatches are cheap. This boat is very slow I have paddled other boats that are shorter, and much faster. Over all I feel that the Carolina is over rated.

I just bought the Carolina and took it out on a very windy day on LI sound. The boat handled and tracked well. The hatch problem has been fixed. My 2001 model has a larger hatch in the back. It is large enough to stuff a sleeping bag in without a problem. The hatched do not leak. On my maiden voyage I encountyered 2-3' seas. Lots of vaves were breaking over the bow and stern, no leaks. Thanks Perception. My only complaint, the boat does not handle well in really tight spaces but thats what I have an Acadia for. Great boat for $799. Thats correct. I got the 2001 expedition model with the rudder for $799. Great boat for the money. Happy paddling. I hope to see you on the North Shore of LI. Like Perception logo says, "Lifes a trip, Bring a paddle"

I've had my Carolina since june of 99, bought it for around 600 dollars. Its been great, very comfortable, easy to maneuver. I mostly kayak along with canoes so i'm always the fastest compared to them. Its suitably maneuverable to chase girl scouts who are beginning canoeists all over the lake. Its stable in coastal waters, and stable enough to eat a floating breakfast in without spilling the orange juice. Although some complain about the seat, I find mine very comfortable, and can sit in the boat all day without discomfort. All in all, its a very enjoyable kayak.

I've been renting and trying what I can, which isn't easy in Utah. Tried the Ocean 149; large hatches & great storage but it doesn't perform well. I've read every review around on the Carolina and others. Bought the '01 Carolina with rudder and new hatches. Would be nice if it tracked a little better and that's why I knocked off a point. But it's pretty responsive to corrective paddle strokes and responds well to the rudder. Speed is on par with other recreational touring boats in this class. Better equipped than many I've been looking at. Responds well to the built in braces and leans. Use a little silicon spray on the hatch covers and they'll slip on easily. It's spot-on for what I purchased it for, which was mostly for the family. I bought a plastic Perception Eclipse for myself.

Initial Stability, was an excellent A+, but Secondary wasnt so great. Hatch entrance seemed small, and hard to bend rubber to put on/take off but room inside was superb. Tracking wasnt so great, for me it loured to the left often as I found myself correcting its mistake often. Of what I know, all kayaks do this but dont hold my word for it. Speed sucked. I suppose it was alright for its length but i was next to some 16-17 footers and got wasted, not in race but just overall. If speed isnt an issue, but major stability, menouverability and cargo space is, get the Carolina. Overall a pretty nice kayak.

The perception is just about a perfect all-around boat. I have paddled it a number of "slow" rivers, lakes/reservoris and a choppy Lake Erie, all without problem. It is a difficult boat to roll, making it perfect for the person new to the sport. Other reviews here talk about it's lack of speed with larger touring boats, but I've (and friends that have paddled the Perception) noticed that it blew away anything in a more recreational class (this may be obvious). There's also plenty of convenient room in the hatches or on the deck for anything you want to carry along.

I had purchased a Carolina in the fall of 2000. At the time, I was new to the sport of kayaking and I was looking for a very stable kayak. I had compared the Carolina to similar models from Old Town(Castine), Wilderness(Manteo), and Walden(Vista, Passage). The Carolina was the best of the group that I had tried. The kayak felt comfortable and it seemed to paddle well. I purchased the Carolina based on the size, the cost, and the reviews listed at this web site.

At the time, I was looking for a good recreational-touring kayak. In hindsight, a recreational-touring kayak is a contradiction in terms. The best feedback that I can offer is, don't under estimate your abilities as a beginner. The kayak was comfortable and very stable. However, I quickly found the Carolina to be heavy and sluggish in the water. I felt like I had to push the kayak to keep a decent cruising pace. The 25" width doesn't sound like much, but I would repeatedly bang the sides of the hull while paddling. The added width also made it difficult to turn the kayak without making a big circle. The hatches seemed to have a good fit to the hull and appeared dry after my various trips. I did find the hatch openings to be on the small side. For this reason, I never used the front hatch.

I had always hung the kayak from straps in the garage. I also used kayak saddles on my roof rack. I still noticed a tendency of the hull to have the "oil can" effect that is common in some plastic kayaks. The kayak is comfortable and stable, but you give away a great deal of performance and speed for the comfort. This kayak may be a good choice for use on a lake as recreation. It would be good for casual paddling or novice paddlers, but I would not recommend it for any serious touring. It is not a bad kayak, but there are many other kayaks that have a lot more to offer. I quickly decided to sell the Carolina after only 6 weeks.

Demo as many kayaks as you can. If you want to paddle for a few hours and go to different areas, look for a longer, lighter kayak that will not limit your ability. Think ahead of where you want to paddle and how long your trips may last. Make your decision on that type of touring and don't sell yourself short. I realize that this review may contradict many of the other comments about the Carolina, but I hope it will prevent the next buyer from buying twice!

Purchased one Carolina and one America early last summer. (My wife felt more comfortable with open cockpit) She soon realized that America was much slower. We happened to luck out and pick up a model from last year from a priviate seller and now we have two. Love the boats. We have rudders, which even though they will slow you a little bit they are needed in any kind of crosswinds. Need to keep cables lubicated with silicon. We live on a freshwater lake and are surrounded by saltwater here on the eastern tip of Long Island. Looking for a wetsuit so I can paddle in the winter. Anyone have a reccommendation? Only gripe is lack of seat padding. Butt falls asleep and so can you legs.

I recently bought my Carolina, Perception must have been listening to the reviews, because they have enlarged the rear hatch, for storage of larger articles. The boat is a great comprimise, it is not the fastest or most agile, but it serves the kayaker with a lot of options. I have taken the boat out in the chesepeake bay, lake, inlets and river; forwhich the boat acheived quite well. I am new to the kayaking, but from testing and research, this boat seemed to be the best fit for me. I hope that if you are in the market for a new boat, that you will consider the Carolina by Perception. In the tidewater area, Appomatax Paddle Company will set you up right, Thanks Guys.

I shopped very carefully for quite some time before buying my Carolina Expedition (no rudder). I have had it out a few times and am very impressed with it. I wanted a boat I could make some speed in on open water and also get up into small creeks. Of course there are compromises to be made. A longer glass boat would have been faster in the open and a smaller boat with more rocker would have been more maneuverable in the small creeks. I have been surprised at how well this boat does in both situations. It tracks very well and can be turned easily if you lean it over a bit. I paddled and considered a Dagger Savannah but am glad I got the Carolina instead. The Carolina is much more comfortable for me (5'7", 155#). It also seems to have less resistance in the water than the Savannah. I paddled the Carolina about 7 miles today and was very comfortable. I especially like the fact that the thigh braces are included on the Carolina. They add immeasurably to the comfort and feel of being in solid contact with the boat. I read here in reviews about the problems with the deck rigging hardware and bulkheads that leak on earlier Carolinas. My deck rigging is very well secured. I give it a workout with lots of stuff stuck onto and under the cords and they hold it all without coming loose. I intentionally filled the cockpit with water today when I was cleaning mine up and the fore and aft compartments stayed bone dry. I think Perception must have been paying attention and corrected these two problems. The one shortcoming to this kayak is the small hatch covers and the fact that they do not seem tough enough. I will be venturing offshore some as soon as I get more experienced with this boat and learn how to roll it. For the money this boat is a definite "10".

I bought my Carolina new in 1999 for $620. It has no rudder, but came with deck-rigging and thigh-braces. This was actually less than I had planned to spend, but I didn't want to go nuts on my first boat. I think this is one of the best value boats out there. Two hatches, a good amount of storage for a 14'-6" boat, and pretty solid speed, tracking and stability. Perception makes the most comforable boats out there too, which is a bonus on long trips. The only problem I have is with the hatch size, a lot of stuff is a pain to work through the tiny openings, and the cheaper rubber caps don't keep my stuff nearly as dry as my girlfriend's Eclipse with the neoprene gaskets and plastic covers. Of course her boat was used and still $250 more than mine. The Carolina is, however, an awesome boat for little $$$. I've put tons of miles on, touring, surfing, and just meandering around my house. I can honestly say that I wish I'd have gotten a longer, faster boat, but for the money the Carolina is a really solid package. Highly recommended !

Ii love my new Carolina. it is my first kayak. The optional rutter I would highly recommend. It makes the kayak a lot more agile and fun. I have gone over 3 miles with it and if you've ever kayaked before you know one of the most important aspects of a good touring kayak is confortability. This kayak is reletively easy on the back and butt. I still envy the fast fiberglass boats, by for now im happy with my Carolina.

Despite my being a novice paddler I have replaced paddling for sex. Words cannot express how much fun I have had while paddling on lakes and rivers in the North GA. area. Huck Finn and Tom had it all.

Bought a Carolina for my wife. No prior experience and I wanted a boat she would REALLY like so she would want to go with me. This boat has been everything everyone said. I relied on this board to help me decide. She took to it like a duck on water. Very stable & not slow at all. Turns good & she now uses her rudder like an expert. I highly recommend this kayak!

This is the first boat I ever owned. I am 100% (completely) satisfied. I have no troubles using the hatchs, no bungee problems, I find that is is pretty easy to turn for a novice like my self. It is very stable, i found 34 golf balls paddling around lake lanier, and didn't tip once. it tracks remarkably well. I feel that this boat will be a good friend to me for along time. the only problem i have is that i am 6'3 205lbs, this is a little tight fitting, and i wish that they had another inch or so to give for pedal space. Other than that this is the perfect boat for anyone who wants to get in to the sport, or who is already in the sport and doesn't want to spend a fortune.

Very Satisfied! I've paddled quite a bit this summer on the Chesapeake, which can be very ocean-like at times, and even in windy 2-3 foot chop felt very confident. even though the wide hull tends to ride the tops of waves and slap a bit.

Surfs well, with nose high. Front & Rear bulkheads with good - sealing rubber hatch covers. Tracks dead straight. I rarely use the rudder anymore unless in heavy water. Very inexpensive and plastic, so you don't feel bad about dinging it up in shallow creeks. Light enough for 1 person cartopping.

This is my first kayak and it is the best purchase I have ever made. I am more advanced now, but I will always keep my Carolina around. Tracks great, turns great, is excellent in rough seas and the price is unbeatable. hatches are a little difficult, but the fun you'll have with this kayak far outweighs the minor hatch problem. No! I don't work for perception, but I wish I did they produce an excellent product.

I purchased my Carolina on Saturday morning, and paddled on the lake all afternoon. I found the secondary stability excellent, with motorcycle style leans. The boat feels very fast, agile, and sea worthy. I'm giving the boat a 9 because of the seat which lacks confort and will need padding for extended trips. But thats not going to stop me from saying that this is a wonderful boat. BUY ONE! FYI. The salesman at my boating shop said the Carolina is going up in price about 80 dollars.So if this boat is in consideration, you may want to move on it,and spend the extra 80 somewhere else.

Every boat should do what it is designed to do, without violating the laws of physics. If I were going to design a cockpit type boat that wouldn't scare off beginers and yet still offered fun for Intermediate paddlers, this is about the best I could hope to do. The boat is faster than a sit on top, while offering the same initial stability and better tracking. It offers good secondary stability and is comfortable to sit in. You can load it up (hatch problem not considered). You can relax and watch the sceanery while the boat offers nothing to struggle against. Now, don't paddle it too fast or it will slap the water somewhat, don't imagine that it will turn on it's axis (even narrower boats have trouble doing that). If you are considering one of the shorter recreational boats, this one will offer a real step up without any real tradeoffs. If former President Bush or Carter wanted to get bragging rights from completing a two day kayak trip, this is the kayak their aids would choose for them. It is a boat fit for a Kennybunkport trip.

Bought my Carolina early this spring from LL Beans. (Wife works there) :>) I have paddled canoes for the past dozen years and wanted to expand my paddling to some of the offshore islands on the Maine coast. I also paddle weekly with several friends on various bodies of intercoastal water, rivers and ponds. I have two smaller whitewater kayaks also. The Carolina has met all my expectations +. I bought a spray skirt for wave splash and paddling in the rain. Last week while deer scouting/pond fishing I spent the evening on a pond in the pouring rain. It was amazing how cozy, dry and comfortable I remained with raingear and the spray skirt. Something hard to do in my Mad River canoe. The Carolina tracks very well. I cannot find fault with paddling resistance, 10 miles trips are easily accomplished. I put my 67 year old mother in it last week on a calm pond and couldn't get the smile off her face! At 6', 180 pounds I find the Carolina very well situated for my frame. Yep, I'm pleased and this kayak will satisfy me for quite some time. Hey, when I'm ready to drop a couple of thousand, sure I'd like a fiberglass touring kayak, for a few hundred, the Carolina is a value. Nice tip on spraying silicone on the deck hatches! Doing it tomorrow! Buy one folks, you won't be disappointed. Perception, I will accept gratuities! :>) Dennis.

I've just purchased my 2nd kayak yesterday and got a chance to test drive my new Carolina today. For it's class, this is a great boat. The first thing I noticed about the boat is it's excellent stability. This boat is especially ideal for the novice, and since it's first passenger, my girlfriend, was a beginner, she had no worries with rolling.

Another great quality is the tracking of this boat. Normally I paddle a Dagger Meridian with a skeg, and was quite impressed with how straight the Carolina performed in comparison. Although it doesn't go dead straight, as my Meridian does, it tracks very well, with much less course correction than I expected. The channeled hull on the Carolina works well as intended. If you plan on using this boating only in calm water, the rudder accessory is definitely not needed.

For a novice this is the perfect first boat. You get a large, roomy boat with great performance at a very low price. I was lucky enough to get a brand new Carolina for $500 since the hull was slightly scraped, something that seems to happen anyway the first time you take it out. The only real complaint I see with the boat is the weight, but that's normal for a plastic boat. In regards to the deck fitting flaws that I've read about in the other reviews, I haven't had a chance to check it out yet. Hopefully I got a boat with the improved fittings. :) The hatches are a bit difficult to open, and are small, but I think this is insignificant for a day-tripper. Another big plus... bulkheads... waterproof bulkheads are a big plus on any kayak. If the Carolina did not have them, I would not have bought the boat.

My only suggestion is that if you have $1500-3000 to spend on a first boat like I did, go ahead and get a fiberglass or Kevlar hull. The performance difference is tremendous. This will prevent you from "outgrowing" the boat as you gain experience, thus keeping each outing interesting. However, if you are value minded and/or want just a great boat for a fun day on the water, the Carolina is definitely the boat to buy.

I just purchased the Carolina for my 15 year old son last week. This past weekend I had the opportunity to try it out myself. The positives are the affordability, tracks well, good initial and secondary stability. The negatives are the hatch covers are quite small and the rigging pops out of the deck hardware.

In comparison to my own kayak (Kit built Cheasapeake 17 made of marine grade mahoney plywood) The Carolina can't hold a candle to it. My boat is 10 lbs. lighter, is far easier to propel across the water (MUCH faster), has large hatch covers and the rigging is solidly attached to the boat. I rate the Carolina a 7 and my boat a 10!

I have had my Carolina since early spring ('99) and paddle it a couple of times a week. It is truly one of the nicest Kayak's I have ever paddled. I wanted a boat that I could take on weekend river trips, inland lakes and out on Lake Erie. It has exceeded all my expectations in all three conditions. I was initially concerned that I wouldn't be able to keep up with friends in long boats, out on the lake, but the Carolina is very fast I have not had any problems.

It tracks as straight as an arrow and turns easily (no rudder needed). It has very good initial and secondary stability and has a roomy comfortable seat and cockpit, although tall people may find the leg room limiting. The seat back is taller than most and is also comfortable. The cup holder in the seat is about useless.

Although some have complained that the hatch openings are small (they are) they will accommodate most items need for a full day of paddling, the rest can be strapped to the deck. I'm sure that Perception used this hatch design to maintain hull integrity and rigidity (larger openings weaken hull strength) and save cost (hatches are more expensive).

The only complaint that I have is that the deck rigging keeps popping out of the deck hardware. This happens even when applying only minor pressure on the shock cords. I have tightened and retighten the deck hardware only to have it happen again. I must fault Perception for a poor job engineering the deck rigging. If it did not have this problem I would have given it a ten.

If you comparing this boat to any other in its class I'm sure you'll agree that the Carolina is by far the best boat in its price range. Go try one at your local dealer TODAY and BUY IT. You won't be sorry. My other kayak is a Perception Prism (great boat, lots of storage).

Tim's review of the Carolina is right on. These are our first kayaks, my wife and I love it. The only real fault is the hatch opening. There is alot of storeage space but the opening is very small and not easy to use.

My wife (kim) and I have had a canoe for a few years and we always wanted to try kayacking. We went out and tried many different boats and when we tried the Carolina it was a perfect match for both of us. We purchased two of them and yhey are extremeny stable, quick on the water, tracks well and is very manuverable. It is far better than anything that we tried in it's price range ($700 Expedition model - no rudder). Needless to say we are extremely pleased with our purchase.