Vantage 144 (12FT)

The two things to like about this 144" boat are the stability (it is wide, fairly flat bottomed, and difficult to tip over) and the large open cockpit is easy to get in and out of. There are more things to dislike about it though. The hull design causes water to accumulate on top around the cockpit so if you rest your arm on the edge you are in water. The hatch cover is difficult to put on when it is hot outside and very difficult to put on in cold weather. The hatch storage area is not sealed so any water in the boat will get to anything you have in there. The seat will not offer much comfort on a long day of paddling. As a simple recreational boat it is OK for me.

There are several things about this kayak that work well for me. It has a large cockpit that makes entering and exiting easier for old knees. It is wide and fairly flat bottomed which makes it very stable. It has lots of room to carry all your gear. On the negative side are the very flimsy seat cushion, a hatch cover that is always a struggle to get closed, and there is no watertight storage.