How to Choose Between a Canoe or a Kayak

If you’ve thought about purchasing a recreational boat to do some paddling with your family or friends, it can sometimes be a tough choice as to whether to get a canoe or a kayak. There are certain points to consider before you make this decision.

Canoe or Kayak?

Whether or not you purchase a canoe or a kayak is completely a personal choice. Both offer an environmentally friendly and affordable way to get out and enjoy the water. There are advantages and disadvantages to both so it is up to you to decide what kind of boat will work best for you.

Facts about Canoes

• Canoes are versatile and are good boats for lots of different types of fun. However though they are good for a lot of things – they are not great at anything.

• Canoes can be very comfortable. Usually there is lots of space in a canoe so there is room to stretch out your legs, maneuver around, load up lots of gear, sit or even kneel if you want to.

• Canoes are very easy to get in and out of. Many older folks will enjoy a canoe simply because of their stability. They are very easy to get in and out of whether you are in or out of the water.

• Canoes are an open concept boat and therefore they will often let in a lot of water. It is not uncommon to be bailing excess water out of a canoe.

• Canoes can get caught by the wind. Often times canoes ride quite high up and can be very light. They are very susceptible to being swayed and pulled by the wind which can make paddling an awful lot of work.

Facts about Kayaks

• Kayaks are much sleeker than canoes. Their sleek style allows them to paddle further, faster and without much trouble from the wind. They are capable of plowing through just about any weather condition and any type of water.

• Kayaks will often keep you much dryer. Many kayaks have closed cockpits and even sprayskirts in order to keep the water out. There are many open concept kayaks especially with inflatable kayaks that will let in more water. Often times though they will have a drain valve that makes it very easy to let the water out quickly and effortlessly.

• There are many different types of kayaks from recreational kayaks to whitewater kayaks to expedition sea kayaks. Whether hard-shelled or with an inflatable, there are lots of choices.

• Kayaks use a double ended paddle which allows for much more control, much more speed and a lot of fun.

Final Thoughts… Canoe or Kayak?

The choice is truly up to you. For me there is nothing like the thrill of a kayak. I find them to be much more versatile and a million times more fun to paddle. Canoes are a little more laid back, a little more relaxed and a lot slower. So in the end, it comes down to what kind of boat will work best for you and what you will mostly be using it for. If you still can’t decide, you may need to take each one for a test drive and find out which one simply feels right.