Sit-Inside Review: Old Town Vapor 10

At the Kayak Angler office, we receive the latest and greatest fishing kayaks for testing and review. And, sometimes we receive boats that aren’t specifically designed for fishing.

That was the case with the Old Town Vapor 10. When the 10-foot-long sit-inside arrived at the office, the boat didn’t even have a rod holder.

Maybe I should have sent the Vapor back. Maybe I should have passed it on to sister publication Paddling Magazine. But I saw the boat’s potential, so I scheduled the little kayak for a test drive.

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Sit-Inside Review: Old Town Vapor 10

Fishy Features

When I review a kayak, I ask: what are the strong points, who is the ideal owner, and how can I rig and outfit the boat? Then, I compare the boat to similar kayaks and ask: how does this kayak perform and where does it shine?

That’s how I approached the Vapor 10. And the answers were surprising. Turns out, the Vapor 10 is a great fishing kayak.

First, let’s clear the air. The Vapor 10 is available in an Angler model. The biggest difference is the Vapor 10 Angler has two flush mount rod holders behind the seat. And the Angler costs $100 more than the stock Vapor 10. So, installing aftermarket rod holders saves $100 and offers me more options for rod holders and placement.

The Vapor 10 fits in the class of recreational sit-inside kayaks with a large cockpit opening, comfortable seat, short waterline and light weight.

In its category, the Vapor 10 excels. The defining characteristic of the rec-yak class is a huge cockpit opening making the boat easier to enter and exit. The large cockpit opening also provides space for fishing, hunting or photography. The Vapor 10’s cockpit is 48 inches long and 19.5 inches wide, with plenty of space to move around.

The large opening also provides more room for fishing. To cast and work my lure, I didn’t need a fishing rod with a short butt section. When I caught a fish, I swung it into the cockpit and wrestled it to the deck.

The front of the cockpit opening is molded into a dashboard with shallow trays and a cup holder. I stored loose lures in the tray and my pliers in the cup holder so they were easy to reach and organized.

The only complaint is the sternwell is too small to fit a standard gear crate or even a five-gallon bucket. That means I had to give up vertical rod holders. The well is deep enough to carry a tackle box, a bottle of water and a drybag with tools and gadgets, so I didn’t have to sacrifice gear.

The only other fishing feature is a molded paddle rest across the cockpit. When I put down my paddle to pick up my fishing rod, I found myself instinctively laying the paddle shaft in the shallow grooves to keep the paddle from rolling out of the boat.

Even though the Vapor 10 doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of a full-feature fishing kayak, the little sit-inside is set up for easy fishing.

Vapor 10 Rigging

To turn the Vapor 10 into a proper fishing kayak, I added a rod holder. At first, I thought about adding flush mount rod holders behind the seat, like the Vapor 10 Angler, but then I had a better idea.

Instead of drilling huge holes into the kayak and taking up valuable space below deck with flush mount rod holders, I installed a YakAttack MightyMount Switch gear track to the flat space behind the seat on the port side. Then, I attached a LockNLoad track mount and Omega Rod Holder to the gear track.

When I grab the Vapor 10 for a fishing trip, I take the boat, a paddle, a PFD, a backpack full of stuff and one fishing rod. I can carry all of my gear in one trip and portage the Vapor 10 a decent distance between fishing holes.

Comfort Flex Seat

For a bargain kayak, Old Town didn’t skimp on the seat. The adjustable Comfort Flex Seat is suspended from the gunwales so it hovers over the floor to keep me out of water in the bottom of the kayak and elevate my legs to reduce stress on my back.

Thick EVA foam padding on the seat back and seat bottom are molded to support my back and legs. To adjust the seat back, I pulled a cord inside the cockpit.

Complementing the seat, a pair of large foot pegs provide paddling support. The foot pegs are easy to adjust while I’m seated and the wide, padded pads are comfortable on bare feet. As a final touch, the Vapor has foam pads where my legs contact the side of the cockpit rim.

On-Water Performance

Compared to other recreational sit-inside categories, the Vapor 10 is both fast and stable. The 28.5-inch-wide, rounded hull provides primary stability with soft chines to let the boat roll in waves.

Further improving seaworthiness, the high sides and flared bow cut through the water while keeping out spray and still slipping beneath the wind. Comparing apples to oranges, in wind and waves I would much rather paddle a 10-foot sit-inside than a 10-foot sit-on-top kayak.

While the Vapor holds its own on the water, it really shines on land. I could easily lift the 47-pound Vapor with one hand and carry it over my shoulder. The short little boat fits in my six-foot truck bed, or I can load it on my station wagon roof rack.

At home, I store the Vapor upside down on top of a pile of other kayaks, so it doesn’t even take up space in the yard.

In short, the Vapor 10 is a compact rec kayak that fulfills all the requirements of the category. It’s easy to use, own and maintain with sporty and stable performance.

Who Is the Vapor 10 Owner?

Anglers looking for a lightweight boat that is easy to transport and store will love the Vapor 10.

Compact sit-inside kayaks are most at home at a lakeside cottage or a neighborhood pond. But the flared bow and high sides make the boat ready when rough water arises.

Anglers who fish in cold water favor a sit-inside kayak for protection from the elements. Recreational sit-inside kayaks are also popular with photographers and hunters looking to store their valuable gear below deck.

Compared to other recreational sit-inside kayaks, the Vapor 10 offers smart features for fishing and paddling. By adding a rod holder and limiting my tackle and gear, the little sit-inside is a capable fishing kayak.

How It Compares

The Old Town Vapor 10 is far from being the only choice for an entry-level recreational or fishing kayak. Nearly every major recreational kayak manufacturer offers a comparable 10-foot sit-inside kayak, and there are a number of other options within the Old Town lineup itself. Here is a look at how the Vapor 10 stacks up against other models.

• Old Town Vapor 10 vs Angler

  You may have noticed the Old Town Vapor 10 and Old Town Vapor 10 Angler are mentioned interchangeably in this review and other sources online. The Old Town Vapor 10 is the base model from Old Town, while the Angler version adds a few useful accessories for kayak fishing including rod holders and an anchor trolley.

  Both the Vapor 10 and Vapor 10 Angler have the exact same hull, so the performance of both kayaks is the same. If kayak fishing is not your priority, then you’ll save $70 on the purchase price of an Old Town Vapor 10 and can choose from brighter color schemes.

• Old Town Vapor 10 vs 10xt

  The Vapor 10xt is the same kayak as Old Town’s Vapor 10 base model, with a large oval Quick Seal stern hatch rather than the Vapor 10’s open stern tankwell. If you prefer covered dry storage, the upgrade to the Vapor 10xt may be worth the additional $170 price tag. If you’re just as happy with putting your gear in a $20 dry bag and tossing it in the tankwell, save some coin on the basic Vapor 10.

• Old Town Vapor 10 vs 12

  The Old Town Vapor 12 adds an extra two feet to the waterline of the 10-foot Vapor 10, making the 12-footer a good choice for anglers and recreational paddlers seeking a bit more speed and storage space. All other things being equal, longer equals faster when it comes to kayaks. Because the Vapor 10 and Vapor 12 share the same width and general hull shape, the 12-footer will have better glide and tracking (the tendency to hold a straight course without making corrections).

  On the other hand, the Vapor 10 is slightly more maneuverable, lighter (49 lbs versus 56 lbs) and easier to store and transport. It’s also $200 cheaper, so choose the Vapor 10 if ease of transportation or budget are a priority. Choose the Old Town Vapor 12 Angler if you want fishing features in a sleeker, faster kayak; look at the Vapor 12xt if you prefer a dry stern hatch to an open tankwell.

• Old Town Vapor 10 vs Trip 10

  If you are looking at a side-by-side comparison of the Vapor 10 and Trip 10 and feel they look exactly the same, this is because they are. The Old Town Trip 10 is the same boat as the Vapor 10, produced by Old Town under a different name exclusively for Dick’s Sporting Goods. The only other difference between the kayaks is color scheme.

• Old Town Dirigo 106 vs Vapor 10

  Another 10-foot recreational sit-inside option from Old Town is the Dirigo 106. The Dirigo 106 is a long-time favorite from Old Town that offers a more premium paddling experience than the budget-priced Vapor 10. Higher end features include three-layer polyethylene construction for even better durability, bow and stern deck rigging for on-deck storage, a deluxe high-back seat, and handy storage hatch built into the front of the cockpit.

  Perhaps the most important difference between the Vapor 10 and the Dirigo 106 is the latter has a large stern hatch with a sealed bulkhead for dry storage. In addition to keeping your gear dry and secure, a bulkhead (an interior wall within the kayak hull) ensures positive flotation should the kayak tip over or swamp in deep water. This makes the Dirigo 106 a safer and more suitable choice for exploring more exposed waterways, whereas Vapor 10 users should stick to only the most sheltered waters.

  For those who are strictly paddling on calm, near-shore waters, the Vapor 10 is a good, low-cost choice. If you aspire to paddle more types of water—or just like the deluxe features of a more expensive boat—choose the more versatile Dirigo 106.

• Ascend FS10 vs Old Town Vapor 10

  The Ascend FS10 is another sit-inside fishing kayak intended for use on calm waters. The Old Town Vapor 10 and the Ascend FS10 are very similar boats in overall concept. The stern tankwell on the FS10 is larger, which is a bonus for kayak angling.

  One drawback to the Ascend line is availability. Ascend is only available at Bass Pro Shops and Cabela’s, while Old Town is carried by many paddlesports and general outdoor retailers across North America. Ascend is also a newer brand with limited variety of designs, whereas Old Town has a proven track record of manufacturing quality canoes and kayaks going back over a century.

• Perception Sound 10.5 vs Old Town Vapor

  Perception is another venerable kayak brand known for decades as a leader in paddlesports. The Perception Sound 10.5 is a sit-inside fishing kayak similar in price, specs and performance to the Old Town Vapor 10 Angler. Both are 10-foot recreational kayaks intended for calmer bodies of water, with built-in fishing features like rod holders and a storage tray within the cockpit rim.

  When comparing features, the Perception Sound 10.5 has a larger tankwell for increased storage space, and includes scupper holes for drainage along with a bungee rigging to secure your gear. If this is the style of kayak you are looking for, you can’t go wrong with either. It may just depend on which is available at your retailer.

Where to Buy the Vapor 10

Vapor 10 Pros and cons

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Don’t try this with your sit-on-top kayak. The Old Town Vapor redefines grab-and-go kayak fishing. | Feature photo: Patrick Hayes