I had the pleasure of testing (and ordering) the 12.10 at Frontenac this weekend. VERY nice boat, and really excellent service from this dealer. The associate spent an hour with me - answering questions, hauling the kayak down to the lake, and waiting there for me to return. Totally worth the 2.5 hour trip, despite the loss of a tie-down being taken off my motorcycle which someone mistook as their own…
Very good review! I just purchased the 12-10 and am seriously in LOVE with it! I am 59 yr old woman , 5-9..long legs , 168#..and I am extremely comfortable in this boat.This purchase is a definite upgrade from what I normally use, a friend's Costco Equinox aka Big Bertha.Not going to talk trash about ol Bertha as she and I went a great many miles together on the water, but I wanted a kayak that would track better, lighter than 50# to carry, be more stable in rougher water, more of a performance boat that I could do some light touring , camping and ocean paddling.This boat fits the bill perfectly!It IS more tippy having a 25 inch beam and higher deck, but I have never felt unsafe in this boat despite being in very rough water on day 1.LOVE how well made it is, hatches stay dry, and how easy it is for me to carry.The one downside I have noticed is the keyhole shaped cockpit opening is much smaller than what I am used to, but feel I can make some seat adjustments and that will be fine.Once in the cockpit, I am very comfortable.
REI has been getting small shipments of them on their website, but they sell out within hours of appearing. I finally got one after checking the website every few hours for a couple weeks.
Great review! I have the 12 AR and I’m loving it. Beautifully made kayaks with exceptional attention to detail. Only difference with mine is the catamaran hull and larger cockpit
@@FrontenacOutfitters Actually, given the boats are very similar but the only difference is size, I think a better video would be comparing the AR to the 12S so people can see the differences side by side and you can explain where the strength of each model shines.
@@FrontenacOutfitters You don’t know how much the review for the 12.10 by your former manager helped me decide which kayak to get, especially because it was my first one ever. Your channel was one of the main sources for my research, thanks to all the great reviews on it. Not only did that review help me in my final decision, but after placing the order for the 12.10, I would come back to it almost every day and watch it again to appease my hype for it during the long month before it was delivered to me.
That's fantastic feedback! We're pleased to hear that you had such a great experience. We plan on doing as many kayak and paddle craft reviews as time allows. If you have your eye on anything we carry, reach out and let us know. We'll do our best to get a review or feature video covering it.
Thanks so much for the great review! You mention the 12s is for a smaller person. I am female, around 150 lbs, but I am 5'8" and have very long legs (33" inseam). Would you recommend the 12s or the 12.10? or would either one be okay? Unfortunately with COVID, test paddling is probably not an option :(
Hey Gail. Both would likely be okay, but it sounds like the 12s would be best. We do plan on allowing test paddles this season but it does depend on the state of the pandemic. We were able to carefully run test paddles last year, but we ask that you call in advance and give us a heads up so we can be prepared.
Yes, the 12s and 12.10 are both essentially small sea kayaks. In fact, they are some of the only boats their size that many top sea kayak schools on the west cost will allow to participate in their full-on sea kayaking courses. Not only can they keep up with longer boats with relative ease, but they are also highly maneuverable due to the very well designed hull. They carve very nicely when leaned on edge. Both the 12S and the 12.10 are far more capable then their length would lead you to believe. They also swallow a ton of gear, so much so you would typically have to step up to a longer boat to get the same gear capacity in a comparable British designed boat, for example. They are also outfitted with full safety considerations (i.e. the dual bulkheads, and full perimeter safety lines). With few exceptions, I would not hesitate to take a 12s most of the same places I would take my Delta 16. It is as at home on the ocean as it is on an inland freshwater lake. The 12s and 12.10 are some of the finest examples of "mini sea kayaks" on the market.
It may be minorly better in stability, as in you will barely notice any difference if at all. The 12:10 shares the same hull design as the larger Delta's and thus similar characteristics, but it is one inch wider and proportionally shorter.