Vapor 10

We bought 2 Old Town Vapor 10 kayaks and we loved them so much that we bought 2 more for when guests are visiting.

Very Good

One of my fishing friends has the Old Town Vapor. We traded kayaks for an afternoon. I found the Vapor did not track as well as my Loon 138 or my Loon 126. But where the Vapor really shined was the huge cockpit. Ideal for taking a lot of fishing tackle and is very stable. The Vapor is also lighter than any of the Loon series making loading and unloading from your vehicle much easier. The Vapor also is more affordable.

I have used for 2 summers along the Saginaw Bay shoreline and I think it is awesome. Handles the small waves fine, great for staying along the shoreline. My trips are normally 4-5 miles in distance, never more than 2 miles from home beach, you can never trust the wind here, Never had to but stay where I can beach it and walk home. Great for exercise, alot of fun in mildly rough water, great to learn on, runs great on nice mild waves.

I'm a beginer plus size kayaker. The big open pit is perfect, comfortable seat and very stable. My only suggestion is to put the drain plug at one end or the other. I cant get it tilted just right to drain it. Adding a new plug myself.

I purchased my Old Town Vapor 10 in 2010. Great entry-level recreational kayak. I wanted a good-quality, stable, comfortable kayak with a very large cockpit for easy entry and exit for very tall people. I've paddled it on countless lakes and rivers, from Class I-II floats and whitewater, to 25+ miles on the Missouri River. I'm still happy I got it and will continue to use it despite buying and using other kayaks.

PROS: Excellent quality, and support from Old Town on a couple of minor updates has been excellent. Very comfortable seat with adjustable back. Very stable - it would be hard to tip this boat. Huge cockpit has enough room for a large dog (I've had 2 in with me) or a small child sitting in front of you. Handy enhancements include the molded-in cup holder (my cup stayed put all the way down the upper Buffalo National River at slightly off flood stage!), and the open well in back (perfect for a small rectangular cooler)..

CONS: Slow boat compared to more streamlined 10 foot recreational kayaks. Very high deck means it catches a lot of wind. Huge cockpit with no enclosed bulkhead means it can swamp in heavy waves or whitewater (but I've taken it on lively Class II+).

BOTTOMLINE: Great stable, comfortable recreational kayak. Not the fastest, but much better quality than cheap boats like Pelicans or other lowest-priced options.

I was loaned this kayak from a friend and found it to be pretty darn good. Its very sturdy and can handle some roughness. Which is apparent as my friends definitely put it to use. It tracks decently and you can get some decent speed from it. The foot adjustment system is great and the seat is ok. I did find my self having to readjust here and there as my butt got a bit sore after awhile (2+ hrs). There was no dry storage, but it did have a open storage area in back. It tracks well enough, but had a tendency to start turning or spinning once you stopped paddling which could be slightly annoying when you're trying to get that perfect picture. All in all it would be a good beginners kayak for sure, but is slightly lacking on some features that I find important.

Great kayaks for beginners and intermediate paddlers. We have three now they are very stable and fast on the water and easy to get in and out.

I'm 6'4 280lbs. and the vapor 10 handled the weight easily Plenty of room for entry/exit and seems to track pretty well.
Seems to do better with slow gliding strokes. Rides a little higher so catches the wind a bit. Usually spend about 2-3 hours each time out comfortably. All in all, very happy with it. I would recommend it if your a 2x or larger.

I have used the several different models of kayak and the Old Town Vapor is the best in the price range, it tracks great and there is no seam so it does not leak like others. I got mine for $315.00. Now I'm looking for the right kayak storage for this size...

I bought the Vapor 10 as my second kayak. At 6' 2", 240 pounds I need a big boat. The Vapor definitely has the capacity and the leg room. It feels good in the water, it is stable. It is fairly fast for a 10' boat. It feels solid and well built. The foot pegs are easy to adjust from inside the boat and have enough adjustment for someone with long legs. The cockpit opening is huge, which is nice for entry and exit and there is lots of room to move your legs around in different positions. The first few times I used this boat I got a lot of water inside, the opening is so large that anything that drips off your paddle lands inside the boat. A longer paddle and concentrating on a smooth paddle stroke seemed to solve the water entering the boat. I tried to use the drain plug to get water out of the boat. It is in a strange location and if you have a lot of water inside it does work somewhat but it will leave a few cups of water inside. Usually I just use a sponge to drain the water.

Most reviewers felt it tracks well, I didn't find that to be the case. It took more effort than the boat it replaced to keep it going straight in the water. It also has a pronounced tendency to spin out when you stop paddling like a whitewater boat. It responds better to a slower, steady paddling pace than to a paddle hard and coast for a while pace. The combing pads are very comfortable. I am able to tuck my knees up under them and I feel really locked into the boat. The boat has good secondary stability, you lean it over so far and it seems to stop leaning. I have played around with leaning the boat over and trying to grab an edge. The boat had a V hull and no edge to speak of, leaning has no consistent effect on the steering of the boat.

You should plan on getting a seat cushion for this boat if you plan to be in it for more than an hour. Even with a cushion I can only paddle for 2 hours before I need to get out and stretch my legs. My wife seems to be able to endure the seat much better than me, so I suppose it's comfort is going to very based on your anatomy.

I have retired this boat to back-up status. I am paddling on longer excursions every weekend and wanted something faster and more comfortable. I like it to much to sell it. I no longer use it, but it is a great beginners boat. I let guests use it since it is easy to get in, easy to adjust and easy to paddle. If you are a beginner or intend to only use it occasionally it will be a great boat for you.

Long time canoe'er, wanted something lighter, more maneuverable, and easier paddling, the Vapor 10 is all these things. On my second season now, and still feel this is the best $300 I ever spent, did not want to invest a lot of $ into a Kayak, just in case it wasn't my cup of tea, but the Vapor has been so much easier to paddle than my canoe, should have taken the plunge years ago! I gave it a nine, I like to fish, and paddle small rivers, yes, when you stop paddling it can and does veer to one side or other, one learns to drag paddle to compensate for this.

My goal is always to stay dry, but I like to keep my Yak clean inside and out, the drain plug is really in a cumbersome place, I flip mine on a picnic table after cleaning, and if I prop it up in just the right place, stand on one leg, and scratch my knee just so, one can get "most" of the water out (clean sponge is your friend). The rear cargo tray is oddly shaped, but a co-worker who bought one after me ($279!) discovered that a "little Oscar" cooler fits perfectly. Very handy if your flexible, and the Vapor's wide "single layer linear Polyethylene" Hull, is more than stable enough to allow one to perform this maneuver. The only thing that would make this vapor 10 better, is if it was a 12 (but then it would be heavier and cost more money).

My wife and I both bought the Old Town Vapor 10 kayaks a couple of years ago from Academy Sports. We've fished bass fishing tourney's on big Lake Sam Rayburn as well as pre-fishing that lake several times. I've owned Malibu, Ocean, and a Wilderness kayak, which all cost much more that this one. This kayak is shorter, lighter, tracks great and has plenty speed. It also has taller sides which help prevent waves from coming in. I agree with others that it needs more padding in the seat and back, but all and all it's great. Another plus is you won't get your butt wet like many others.

I used to look for a new kayak every spring, but I'm keeping this one. At 6' and 285, I'm amazed how stable it is.

I used this kayak on Sheridan Lake in the Black Hills of South Dakota. It tracked fairly well & was fairly stable even in windy conditions. The seat was not very comfortable & the system used to hold the back of the seat up was poorly designed. The foot rest system seemed fairly weak but it did hold up alright on this trip.

I recently bought a Vapor 10. I love this kayak it tracks well in smooth creeks and lakes. I mounted my own rigging it's red with black swirls I get lot's of compliments; good show for Old Town

I bought 2 of the Vapor 10s for my kids' birthday. They are age 9 and 7. They are perfect for what we bought them for.

They are extremely stable and easy to turn. They track well and the kids have no problem zipping across the lake in them. The only draw back is they are tall in the front. The wind has a tendency to catch them making them harder to paddle especially for the younger child. For the price they can't be beat. They are a quality product that my kids will have for a very long time and be able to grow with.

I picked up a Vapor 10 about 2 years ago. It's my first kayak. I've had canoes for most of my life, but was looking for something that was easy to handle alone. And this fit the bill perfectly for me.

I'm a pretty big guy: 6'2" & 270 lbs. So i needed something that wouldn't sink when I got in it, as well as something I could get in & out of without trying to squeeze through too small of an opening. I have no problem with the seat most of the time. But the days when I spend hours on the water & would like a little more padding & lumbar support.

Mine tracks fine & is very stable. But it's not very fast. That's not a problem for me because I use it mainly in creeks where I can take advantage of the current to move along at a fair clip without having to work too hard.

I've looked into a few different models in this price range. But the Vapor 10 was one of a few that was rated to handle my bulk. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat. I only wish I could spend more time on the water in it.

Vapor 10 is a good entry level yak. However, I'd change the horribly uncomfortable seat, rig a better location for a drink holder, and mount a fish finder to make it really shine. I am gonna install a bass fishing boat seat with some good padding so I can fish for more than a few hours without my butt and tailbone throbbing. Would I buy it again if I had the chance, no. Two words for ya, Freedom Hawk! Now that's a fishing yak.

Hands down the best kayak I have ever been in. I have rented a bunch and usually Old Town is well represented at most liveries. I picked this up at the local Dunhams and have been happy with it since the day I brought it home. (Wow I sound like a new parent) Overall the stability and ability to pivot in the water are what sells me on it. It's not skinny and won't track as well as a streamlined kayak, but I use this on an inland lake for paddling about and fishing so it serves its purpose well. The seat bottom is sort of padded and the seat back is the flex seat and moves with your movements. It doesn't have the sealed storage areas but you can buy a kit (which will require cutting into your kayak) or like me buy a dry bag and a dry box. The adjustable footpegs on my model are fine but in looking at a friends (that just bought one) it looks like Old Town made them a bit sturdier. A lot of the people on my lake have been showing up with Pelicans and they seem fine but I think the Vapor is a Cadillac compared to the Pelican.

I got this kayak last summer as a complete beginner and fell in love with the sport. I live in Montana so I have had the opportunity to use it on lots of flat water and the river. It has great stability and good tracking. I have had more fun than I ever dreamed I would with it. I have a detachable anchor system for fishing, I have taken it camping and I have lots of room for gear. It's light weight and I can load it myself as well as carry it.

I think it's an awesome all around kayak for the different things I like to do. I may get another kayak for different purposes as I gain experience but I will never give this one up! It's the kayak that showed me a whole new love. There's nothing better than paddling down the river and seeing what's around the next bend.

I am not a first time paddler and this kayak is OK. I have 2 of them, one angler and one plain Vapor 10. I gave them only 8 stars because there is much more good to say than bad.

To start, this is a sturdy boat. I am 250 lbs and feel very comfortable in it, even with my 6 year daughter in front of me. This boat is great for the room in front of you to put a child, but it does lead to being a little wet from your journey from paddle drip. I did add some ties to the front of my plain boat to match the angler and you need to add a drain to the back of the boat (once added the boat drains in seconds vs. trying to hold the boat on its side in the perfect position for a while). It tracks OK, not great, but turns on a dime for a 10 ft boat. I wish it had a better hull design to track well, then I would have given it 10 stars.

Overall, if I had to buy another boat, I would not choose this one again. I have an older Perception that is only a foot longer and tracks like an arrow, has similar room and does have covered storage which is wonderful, but can be difficult to easily access. In addition, the anchor system on the angler is a nickel buster when paddling hard, but usually not a problem.

I almost bought a Future Beach kayak. Glad my friend told me about the Old Town Vapor 10 Angler. Got mine at Academy sports for $500 and have been a yakin junkie ever since. I've hit 5 foot wakes from large boats and can't tip it over. I've pushed the limits of this vessel and taken on a lot of water but never tipped it. Very stable and easy to control.

Love it an highly recommend it for anyone starting out. I even built a rack out of pvc that hooks into the pole holders so I can load camping gear on it. I give this craft 50 stars.

This kayak is amazing. Excellent quality/craftmanship. Superior materials than other, cheaper kayaks. The cockpit is very spacious. I go on 3-4 hour trips down the river and do not get sore a bit because there is enough room so i can change my sitting position. This kayak is one of the best recreational kayaks for the price.

I got this kayak because my wife told me paying over $500 for plastic is dumb. Even though with our jobs money is no issue. Well I said ok better than nothing. Wow that was not justice. I went out on a white cap lake today and by god I felt safe! I am 5'8 160 pounds I felt it easy to paddle and track perfect!

I am pretty stout due to me being in construction but I felt anyone could do it. No need to get an expensive kayak I laugh now at people who obviously not been fishing long and think some how expensive is better *psh* the fish don't care. Love it would recommend it!

I have owned my Vapor 10 for two weeks now and I love it. This is my first kayak. I have had lots of experience with canoes and rental kayaks a couple of times. My kayak experience was only with sit-on kayaks, but I find the cockpit of my Vapor to work great. I have no problem with the seat because the life jacket provides added cushioning.

I am 6' tall and 220 lbs. It is stable--even in a strong wind and foot high waves. It is light enough that there is no problem getting it onto the roof of my car.

The only two complaints I have are that a sit-in cockpit is not easy to get out of. There is no graceful way to do it. The other problem is with the drain plug. It's location makes it almost useless. But a sponge does the trick just fine. Even in heavy waves, the only water in the boat was what dripped off of the paddle. I wondered if a ten foot long boat would be good enough for me, but it seems to work. So far I've only had it out on our lake, but I am already dreaming of taking it to Florida next winter to see what it might do on bigger water.

First of all anyone reading this review can be confident that its extremely reliable since I use my Old Town Vapor 10 nearly everyday. I got this kayak about 3 years ago and have used it for just about everything ever since.

It's a great boat for beginning kayakers or anyone who just wants to take a relaxed paddle. The boat is extremely durable and easy to transport. The foot pedals are easy to adjust, the handles are great, especially for securing the kayak to a car, and the cockpit is nice and open. The kayak is extremely easy to enter and exit which is great when you do a lot of portages, plus the wide and rather flattish hull basically makes a big table right there between your legs.

Don't even think about buying the expensive angler version of the Vapor because once you add a few rod holders its great for fishing, which I do a lot of from it.

My only complaints would be about the seat, speed, and height of the kayak. Obviously, this is a fairly chubby kayak so you cant expect much as far as speed goes, so if your looking for something efficient, look some where else. although, I have done a few 11 mile trips in the boat, it just requires a lot of conditioning. also the sides on the kayak are a little high so when you paddle your fingers often bump the side of the boat. lastly, the seat is just plain bad. the quality of it isn't great and its uncomfortable. after about 2 hours of kayaking I start sitting on my pfd since this seat even makes my young 17 year old back sore.

Despite a few problems this is an exceptional kayak. I would recommend it to any beginning paddler. Pretty soon I'm upgrading to a Current Designs Kestrel, but I'll definitely miss this boat.

I found the Old Town Vapor 10 to be an exceptional starter kayak for me. It has very good stability, tracks well for its design and the poly construction seems very durable. The large cockpit allows plenty of room for fishing gear and a grandson will be riding in there in a few months. Light and small enough to fit inside of my van, it's grab and go. Aftermarket accessories are plentiful and easy to install.

The major issue with this boat is its seat. It's poorly padded, way too wide, and doesn't put you in a good, ergonomic seated position. I've added foam and hip pads which help some but I'd like a more permanent solution. Other than the seat, the boat does what it's supposed to do as an entry-level rec boat. Its cockpit is very open (a little too open in my opinion) which allows you to haul a decent size cooler in the bow. I've added some bungies allowing me to take several dry bags, a chair, a table. I could camp out of this boat for several days, if needed. Again, a decent boat for short trips and big hauls but the seat prevents me from recommending this boat.

I purchased my Vapor 10 to use on the Potomac River (been on this river since I was a boy I am now 39) in Western Maryland and I must say it is a fantastic kayak. It goes through rapids without a problem and is very stable (Class I and II and minor III). The kayak is very maneuverable and glides across the water. This would include slow or fast water. Paddling is a breeze.

I also outfitted my Vapor 10 with rod holders. Although I want my rods to lay down because I glide under tree branches etc while bass fishing. Rods that would stick straight up would not be practical for me. I also had my 70 year old father trying it while we were fishing the river together and he is sold. Another highlite is the easy load and unload and the large open cockpit and tons of storage room. EXCELLENT KAYAK. THANK YOU OLD TOWN FOR THE VAPOR 10! I will be purchasing another one!!!!!

I'm totally new to kayaking, and after seeing all kinds of makes and models for sale on Craigslist I started doing A LOT of research to educate myself! I considered getting a kayak from Costco but decided on the Old Town Vapor 10 after seeing it was very highly rated in reviews, reasonably priced (although slightly more than Costco), and relatively easy to transport with it's 10' length and overall light weight. I found a great deal for a new one online and placed my order...I was not disappointed.

Although I don't have anything to compare it to other then reading reviews of other kayaks, I have to say that this kayak has excellent performance. It's fairly easy to load and unload and to carry... it tracks straight, is easy to paddle, is very responsive, has a very large cockpit opening making it easy to enter and exit for a newby like me. Seems to be very durable, has a nice look, and my 15 year old son who didn't seem to care much about dad getting a kayak is now HOOKED!!! The only negative is that my back got sore after a recent 2 hour excursion, but the same thing has happened to me in different rental cars... I figure a good kayak cushion will help immensely.
* I recommend using a long paddle length due to the kayak width, I'm using a 243cm paddle (8'), I don't think I'd go much shorter than that

I rate this kayak very high, and am very happy with my purchase!!

I bought two Kayaks this summer: a Pelican and a Old Town Vapor. Both are ten footers. The two kayaks fit nice into the back of my truck (Ranger) and they are easy to get down to the river edge. There is better handling with the Vapor and more room in the cockpit. It paddles straighter and sits out of the water better. I fish with both yaks and find the stability much better in the Vapor. Casting is no trouble from the Vapor and it will stay put even with ship rollers coming at you from any angle. Important feature because of the St Lawrence River can be a little rough on occasion...

This is a great recreational kayak. It is extremely stable and tracks well for a short boat. The open cockpit works well for my family. I can easily take my 8 year old along with me and under calm conditions my. 5 year old sits in the rear storage hatch as well! Probably not recommended by Old Town but the kayak handles it no problem. When I want to go for a longer paddle on my own it does well at that too. I fit the splash deck to it to make it more sea worthy in chop and wind. The versatility of this kayak is hard to beat and with the package I got from Austin Kayak, the value is outstanding. Awesome rec kayak.

Great kayak at a great price. Nice, open cockpit, stable, light weight and durable. Tracks well without hard paddling. Recommended!

I promised an update: I haven't changed my rating... I've had it out a few times in a few different locations (the longest paddle was a little over 6-1/2 miles, half of it upstream in some fairly fast moving water), and have had the same reaction each time, which sort of summarizes what the real problem with the ‘yak is: it's a decent rec kayak with a _really_ awful seat. REALLY, the other problems I noted would be fine if it wasn't for the seat and the problems it causes.

You sit too low with your feet too high. I've sat 4 hours in an old style Swifty seat (just a molded plastic bucket that's part of the ‘yak) without any discomfort, where the one in the vapor has me squirming in 30min. It's not comfortable, it doesn't support you, the wet ride and low seat means your shorts are wet right away, if it's a cooler day, you will be cold.

So what about the rest of it- well I pretty much agree with my first impression good and bad, but the seat is the real problem- so much so that I even tried removing it and moving it around, adjusting its mounting some... without any real help, it's just a terrible design.

So for those of you thinking "well, maybe he's just too big for it or something." Well, I'm 6'4 and run around 240-250#, so I am bigger, but almost all my weight is in my chest and arms. I fit in things that some 175 pounders might not. I fit in a smaller seat then my 5'7" wife. I wear size 34 jeans, but 2 or 3x tall shirts (and have much longer than average arms, so I should have an easier time reaching over the high/wide sides of this thing). I'm used to having fit problems with things but I can't imagine who will actually be be comfortable in this thing.

My wife just said "but the water bottle holder is nice."

Wow, after all the positive reviews I was expecting more.
As compared to something like a Swifty 9.5 (I consider that the prototypical small rec Kayak, small, cheap, light fun... I don't see the point in comparing it to a longer or more $$$ kayak):

Pros:
• cheap
• carries me well (I'm 6'4, 250, in a Swifty I'm buried in the water, plowing through more than gliding over, I'm jealous of my wife that kind of floats along in hers, if I was >50lbs lighter I'd probably just get one for me)
• Glides better than a typical short kayak.
• tracks better than an early swifty, not as well as the current model

  Cons:

• There is no way to stay dry, I get wet in something with a smaller cockpit, got soaked in this in less than an hour- I had enough water in the bottom of the boat that my backside was getting wet through the seat just from drips off my paddle (and I was using a better, dryer paddle than I was in the swifty)
• tracking, yea, better than some short boats, but since it does glide a little it's definitely insufficient. If you give it a few hard strokes and let it glide, you make it a second or 2 before it starts veering off to one side or the other. No real pattern, I experimented and found that sometimes it was to the left, sometimes to the right, didn't seem to be the wind or current (it was calm and I tried it facing both ways in the same spot and couldn't find a pattern)
• the seat sucks. It felt good in the store, but in use it's not rigid enough, the adjustment seems to stretch and the plastic that it's made out of flexes and pokes you. It's so low in the bottom of the boat that just a little water and you're back side is sitting in a puddle. You long for the simple molded bucket of a seat in the Swifty, which keeps you up off the bottom, is stiff...
• the whole shape is tall and awkward. I have long arms and it still felt like i had to do a lot of reaching to prevent from smacking the deck (really the combing) with my paddle, there is no real put your feet over the top and recline or dunk them in the water over the sides to rinse off some mud, it's just too tall and big, even for someone as tall as me with disproportionately long legs
• You almost have to use the foot pegs- with the v-bottom it's a little uncomfortable to just leave your feet sitting in the bottom like in a flat bottomed kayak and none of the other positions that you try when out for a day on the water really work in it either
• The foot pegs/adjustment are a great design, easy to adjust, seem to lock in well... why a con? Who do they fit? I want them about 2-3" past the end of the rail. With them all the way down, with my feet on the pegs my knees are up over the top of the cockpit, maybe 3-5" over the padding on the sides.
• more about the seat- I think it's an inch or 2 too far back. I was definitely sitting with the nose up higher than the back. My wife commented on the wake I was leaving and the nose up attitude I had, kind of like a v-hulled motor boat with it's trim not set right.
• The cockpit is just too large, it actually makes it harder to get in and out of, well not actually harder, just awkward, it kind of becomes the same maneuver as getting in and out of a canoe with a big dog with you, it just seems like there is no good way to do it

So with all this, why a 6 (I almost gave it a 7)? I can see why some people might want it:
- you want a lot of room to put a dog or a kid in front of you, maybe
- you're going to use it with a spray skirt
- you have a really shallow stroke that never gets the opposite end of the paddle over the kayak
- it might be faster than a swifty, while almost as maneuverable, if one of the above keeps you dry it would be fun in fast moving water and better on the flat stuff that you might have to go across to get to the fast moving stuff that other kayaks that do well on one don't like the other.
- in a lot of ways it's like a jeep, which some people love- wildly impractical in many situations, but it will get you there, it will get you in to places that something more normal will not, either because of it's relatively small size or maneuverability, and it will get you out, I get the impression that you can abuse this thing constantly and it will come back for more.

I may try to return it (I just bought it this afternoon and dropped it in the water for an hour on the way home), but if I don't I'll try to remember to post an update after a few longer trips with it, maybe my opinion will change...

Just back from first time using my kid Old Town Vapor 10, bare bone. I have been using a 14' canoe for years and I am amazed how this kayak tracks. Expect moderate speed, but is a recreational kayak. The cockpit is huge, getting in and out was a breeze; we had some winds but the Vapor was easy to maneuver, turn, and paddle. Some water gets inside coming from the paddle, but if you are careful and/or use a 100.00 paddle (mine is a 30.00 paddle), the water inside can be minimum.

I like this kayak. I will add some goodies, a couple of rod holders, and a hatch cover. I would recommend this kayak to anyone who wants to experience or break in kayaking on a budget (299.99). Old Town Vapor 10 won't let you down.

Just bought the Vapor 10 today... Put it on the Dan River in Eden, NC and had a blast. I am 6'3 240 and the kayak fit like a glove. Just getting into kayaks so I did some research and found the Vapor on sale at Dicks Sporting Goods for $329.00. Great boat for the money. I would recommend this kayak to anyone. Very satisfied!

This is my first kayak, I'm glad I came across this websites reviews. It has great features for a recreational kayak mentioned in previous reviews. I've had it for about a month and got caught out in the dark twice. One feature not previously mentioned is that laying a flashlight in the front between your feet and one in the back compartment will light it up like a Christmas lawn ornament (might not be the best thing when you think about what might be watching you under the water). I actually like the open back storage compartment now, it's easy to reach into, doesn't usually get wet and never had anything blown out, yet.

I am new to kayaking and researched several different kayaks before purchasing a Vapor 10. I am 6' 245 lbs, so I wanted a kayak with a higher max capacity and I also wanted a large cockpit. The Vapor fit those requirements.

The fit and finish on the Vapor are great. The footpegs are topnotch and very easy to adjust.The rear storage well on the base Vapor 10 does give the boat an unfinished look in my opinion, so I plan on getting a storage cover at some point, and may even add some deck bungees in the front to complete the look. The Vapor is very stable when getting in and out of the boat, and also in open water. The ride is high and dry.

I do agree with the recommendations of using a 230 paddle, as it is a wide boat. It certainly is not the fastest kayak on the water, but it is easy to get moving and tracks well for a 10' boat. I typically take my 5 yr old with me and she sits at the front of the cockpit on a seat cushion, and I have plenty of room to paddle. I have had several people ask about the boat when they see us paddling around. I have noticed that I am able to paddle more efficiently and faster with the extra weight when my daughter is riding with me.

Although I have not needed it at this point, as the boat stays relatively dry, but I think that a factory installed drain plug would be nice to have. All in all, I am happy with my Vapor 10. Great boat!

I purchased the Old Town Vapor 10X last week. I love it already. It handles beautifully is quite stable and is very comfortable. I kayak mainly to photograph wildlife. I love the ease of maneuvering and glide that I get with the Vapor. I also own an Otter and a double Old Town which is very heavy. The Vapor is lighter and easier to transport. The cockpit is large enough to allow me to bring my dog sometimes which is fun for both of us. It also accommodates my tall husband better than the other two. Great design, great fun.

I purchased the Old Town Vapor 10 (not the XT) on Craigslist for my daily lunchtime kayaking trips. I have a Hobie Classic Mirage, two Wilderness System Rippers, and now the Old Town Vapor. As a South Florida kayaker I was a little hesitant to try a sit-inside for fear that it would be too hot in the summer, but the extra large cockpit on the Vapor has been perfect even for those 100 degree days. I go out everyday at lunch in the Vapor, and it is the perfect boat for my short jaunts on flat water. It tracks nicely and has a roomy cockpit. It is heavier than the Otter, which makes it a little more difficult to throw on my shoulder and carry down the hill. I have an 83" (210cm) paddle right now, but that is too short due to the height and width of the Vapor. I am going to shop for a 230cm paddle instead.

This is a stable little boat that I would recommend for day trips, short camping trips, and fishing. It will not keep up with the longer touring boats, but that is not what it is designed for. I would recommend this boat to beginners and to anyone looking for a quality low-priced "knock around" boat.

I bought a Vapor 10 last month. It wasn't what I was looking for, but when it came down to it, the price was right. It was easy to just throw in the back of the truck and required very little room for storage. As it turned out, I think I made a good decision overall. I wanted it for fishing and light paddling on inland waters, so I outfitted it with rod holders, rigging, etc... which turned out to be pretty easy. It has plenty of storage room. I put a nice but small size cooler in the back well with bungies to hold it. I keep ropes in a small bag bungied on the bow, and there is room for a bag for the anchor and other accessories behind the seat. Up front, in the cockpit there is plenty of room for my tackle box and even a dry bag shoved up in the bow.

She tracks well for a 10 footer. I thought it was pretty fast for its size, until I found myself paddling with a couple of buddies on a 16 foot tandem that left me like it was a lear jet. Nevertheless, this is a great little yak. It is very stable for paddling or fishing and I have no qualms about putting it in deep water lakes, rivers or bayous. The seat is adjustable on the fly and even pretty comfortable. It's also a dry ride that I can put in the water in the fall and most winter days as well as in the summer. A couple of bassboats and johnboats passed by and it handled the wave action without leaving me feeling like I would turtle.

If I had to do it over again, I might buy a 12 footer for a little more speed, but otherwise have no complaints other than color choices. Rig it yourself to save a bundle.

Recently bought two of these after comparing several different models. We had sold a Wilderness Systems Pamlico tandem that fit us and our two kids (2 & 5) but was too big and unwieldy for solo use or even for some of the family use. We have done some touring but decided to get a couple small recreational boats for use with the kids. We have used these boats on regional rivers (Lamoille river) with great enjoyment. It's small size made it easy to access the main river from a smaller tributary, as well as to haul it up and out of the river where there was (sort of) a good place to take out.

Memorial weekend saw use in the Westport River (MA) where it dumps into the ocean. Boats handled well - were lively and fun in the waves and boat wakes but we always felt stable. Cockpits are quite large, providing plenty of room for paddler, stuff, and child. There are even a couple of molded in pockets and a drink holder at the front of the cockpit for the kid, and one in front of the seat for the adult. The large size of the cockpit opening allows plenty of room for paddling motion without thumping the passenger....seat was relatively comfortable, much better with a simple $9.00 foam pad (like what hunters use). Same provides a fine seat for passenger.

The Vapor has a molded in paddled rest and a molded in open-topped, rear compartment. If you upgrade to, I think, the XT, you get a paddle tie down strap, a hatch for the rear compartment, and a better seat. For the money, we chose not to. You can buy these all separately, as well. you can also get a spray skirt for (at our retailer) about $80.

Our time spent in the boats in windy, wavy, tidal conditions was fun, and relatively dry. They are easy to load by your self on to a car, drag or carry to and from water and easy to maneuver in tight quarters. the capacity of over 300 lb means that the boat floats up and over waves with no trouble at all and can operate in mere inches of water. The short length means that the wind doesn't cause too much trouble (easy enough to correct with paddle stroke). Probably helps with tracking that the bow and stern have a pronounced keel.

Summary: Love the boats, perfect for our use and priced much better than the competition that we felt was inferior, for our use. Easy to maneuver, fun, stable but short length means 'top speed' is far from that of a longer, touring boat.

Tip: buy a drain plug (about $10) and install it for easy after paddling drying out. Get a couple of inexpensive foam cushions (@$10/each)for a passenger (and to supplement paddler's) seat.