Old Town Vapor 10XT

Size and Weight

The Old Town Vapor 10XT is 10′ (3 m) long with a beam of 28.5″ (72.4 cm) and a 16.75″ deck height. Despite its modest length, the deck height of this kayak is astonishingly large, especially when compared to bigger boats like the Old Town Heron 11XT, which has a 13.5” (34.5 cm) deck height.

As far as weight goes, the Vapor 10XT is 49 lbs (22.2 kg), making it a little heavy for a boat this size. That being said, 49 lbs (22 kg) isn’t unreasonably heavy, though many paddlers might need a second set of hands to get the Vapor 10XT off the ground and onto an SUV.

Capacity

With a weight capacity of 325 lbs (147.4 kg), the Old Town Vapor 10XT provides more than enough carrying capacity for most paddlers and a day’s worth of gear. However, the boat doesn’t offer quite enough carrying strength for a longer trip where you might have upwards of 50-75 lbs (22.7-34.kg) of gear since it’s best not to load a kayak more than 80% of its capacity.

Features

The Old Town Vapor 10XT is set up for a day of paddling, thanks to its oversized cockpit opening and fully adjustable padded Comfort Flex seat. Both the seat and the large cockpit allow for plenty of room to stretch your legs for added comfort as you paddle.

For gear storage, the kayak has a rear stern hatch with a click seal hatch cover for dry storage. It also offers a molded-in cockpit tray that’s complete with a cup holder for staying hydrated. Plus, this kayak has a molded paddle rest across the cockpit so you don’t lose track of your paddle if you stop for a break.

Other great features include built-in carry handles at the bow and the stern to facilitate easy transport to and from the car. This boat also has thigh pads along the inside of the kayak for a more enjoyable paddling experience.

Additionally, for durability’s sake, Old Town included a skid plate on the back of the Vapor 10XT to protect the keel from damage. The kayak also has a drain plug to help you quickly remove any water that may have built up in the large cockpit throughout the day.

Performance

The Old Town Vapor 10XT has a mostly flat hull with a slight V-shape toward the bow and the stern. While the flatness of the hull offers good primary stability, the boat’s transition to more of a V-shaped hull means that it offers a good mix of stability and ability to slice through the water.

The Vapor 10XT also has a Support Track foot brace system to provide added control and power over the boat while maneuvering. When it comes to touring and day paddles, this kayak’s length and transitional hull design give it a decent ability to track well in fairly calm conditions.