Old Town Vapor 12XT

Size and Weight

The Old Town Vapor 12XT measures up at 12’ (3.7 m) long, putting it right on the upper cusp of the realm of recreational kayaks. This added length provides a bit of extra tracking ability but doesn’t drastically affect the boat’s portability. Plus, it has a 16.25” (41.3 cm) deck height for extra legroom in the cockpit.

At 56 lbs (25.4 kg), the Vapor 12XT is a hefty boat. It’s heavier than both the Perception Carolina 12.0, which weighs in at 49 lbs (22 kg) and the Pelican Sprint 120XR, which tips the scales at 51 lbs (23.1 kg). While it’s not an outrageous weight for its size, there are certainly alternatives out there for paddlers that prefer a lightweight boat.

Capacity

With a weight capacity of 375 lbs (170.1 kg), the Vapor 12XT is reasonably well-equipped to support a larger paddler and their gear. However, since a boat’s performance decreases substantially if you load it past 80% of its capacity, this kayak is best for paddlers and their gear that weighs less than 300 lbs (136 kg).

This is more than enough capacity to accommodate most paddlers and a day’s worth of gear. Since the boat also has a single stern dry hatch, it’s also suitable for a short overnight that requires minimal gear.

Plus, although it doesn’t have a front hatch or a deck bungee, the large size of the Vapor’s cockpit means it’s relatively easy to store gear in the forward boat compartment while kayak camping. This makes the kayak a decent choice for paddlers looking to experiment with overnight trips without the need to commit to a pricey touring boat.

Features

The biggest feature of the Vapor 12XT is its roomy cockpit. Old Town designed this boat with a relatively high deck height and a sizable cockpit opening. This means that it’s easier to get in and out of the kayak without banging your shins on the deck.

Additionally, this boat is outfitted with a fully adjustable Comfort Flex seat. This seat is chock full of padding for lumbar support and added comfort during a long day on the water.

Thanks to its built-in cockpit tray and cup holder, the Vapor 12XT makes it easy to stay hydrated on a sunny day. It also comes with a molded-in paddle rest so you can keep track of your paddle even if you stop for a snack or to snap a photo.

Recognizing that this boat is a little on the heavier side, Old Town also outfitted it with two built-in carry handles to make transport a little easier. They also included a drain plug to rid the boat of excess water, as well as a skid plate to protect it from damage.

Performance

Built with recreational paddlers in mind, this kayak has a rounded hull in the middle, which provides a comfortable paddling experience and good primary stability in calm conditions. At the same time, the Vapor 12XT rounded hull transitions to more of a V-shaped hull at the front, offering slightly improved tracking capabilities over longer distances.

The boat also comes outfitted with a Support Track foot brace system and thigh pads, which allows you to better control your direction, particularly when maneuvering. While it’s best used in sheltered water, more experienced paddlers can likely handle a small bit of chop in the Vapor 12Xt.