Old Town Vapor 12 Angler

Size and Weight

The Old Town Vapor 12 Angler is a 12’ (3.7 m) boat, which puts it at the upper limit of recreational kayaks in terms of length. This added length helps improve the kayak’s tracking and overall weight capacity without hampering its portability too much. It also has a 16.25” (41.3 cm) deck height, which provides ample legroom and comfort in the cockpit.

It weighs 56 lbs (25.4 kg), which is a tad heavy for a boat this size, but it isn’t outrageously large. That being said, there are certainly some heftier boats out there, especially among fishing-specific kayaks, like Jackson Kilroy HD, which weighs in at 93 lbs (42.2 kg).

To make it easier to carry despite its slightly heavy weight, Old Town included a set of burly built-in handles on the Vapor 12 Angler. That way, it’s easier to transport the boat to and from the water.

Capacity

With a maximum weight capacity of 375 lbs (170.1 kg), the Vapor 12 Angler is a good choice for most paddlers looking to get out for a long day of fishing on the water. Keep in mind, though, that the weight of your gear will increase with every successful catch. So, it’s best not to fill this boat with more than 70-80% of its weight capacity to preserve performance on the water.

All in all, the Vapor 12 Angler has a generous weight capacity for a kayak this size. For smaller paddlers, this could be enough capacity to accommodate a short overnight camping trip. But, the boat’s lack of dry storage makes it difficult to store large amounts of gear.

ALSO SEE: Best Fishing Kayak. Reviews and Ultimate Buying Guide for Kayak Anglers

Features

Since it was designed with anglers in mind, it’s no surprise that this boat is full of fishing-specific features. In particular, the Vapor 12 Angler has a large stern day well to safely store your catch as you paddle back to shore. It also has two flush-mounted rod holders just behind the seat to help you maximize the number of lines you have in the water.

The boat comes with a cockpit tray and molded cup holder to ensure that you can stay hydrated as you paddle. Additionally, it has a molded paddle rest to help you keep track of your gear as you cast your lines.

As far as comfort goes, the Angler 12 has a Comfort Flex seat that’s fully adjustable. This seat provides plenty of lumbar support thanks to its thick all-around padding.

Finally, the boat has a skid plate on the hull for added durability. It even has a drain plug to help you quickly get rid of any water that made it into the cockpit while you were focused on reeling in your catch.

Performance

The Angler 12 is specifically designed for kayak fisherfolk, though it performs well as a general recreational kayak. It features a characteristic flat hull that slowly transitions into more of a V-shape toward the bow.

This transitional hull design allows for great primary stability as you cast lines, as well as descent tracking capabilities on longer stretches of paddling. For additional control, Old Town built this boat with a Support Track foot brace system that allows you to better maneuver the kayak on the water.