Kayak vs Canoe - Your Personal Pros and Cons

Well, first, I'd dispense with the idea that a SOT is a good representative of kayaks. That said, there are lightweight kayaks and if I lived on or near the coast or Great Lakes, I would definitely own and paddle a 16 or 17' sea kayak. But I don't. And if I was unskilled with a paddle I could be quite happy with my wife's 40 lb kevlar rec kayak. But I'm not.

My biggest dislike of kayaks is the use of a double blade - but not for the usual reason. I don't care about getting dripped on. I get at least as wet or more when poling my canoes. No, its the lack of maneuverability. Single blade paddling affords so much easier maneuverability than the double, there's no comparison in technical meandering streams. Yeah, you can use a single when seated on the floor, but I've done it and it's not as effective as kneeling or on a raised seat.

Combine that with easy access to gear, versatility, and easier carrying and loading - even subtracting for increased windage - and the canoe is superior for inland waters below class 4 - above which I will never paddle in.

I am a diehard canoer, but..
Kayaks have made heading deep into the woods possible for my family with 3 kids. We managed for a few years when they were super young to squeeze into our 18’6 MacKennzie and do some 2 week trips but eventually it was just too much and we bought our first kayak, a 10’ pelican. For the next few years we basically dragged it behind us with either a kid in it or enough gear out of the boat that we were one big happy family in the canoe. It was slow going but it got the job done.
We sold the pelican and are now in our next stage of kayak, a 12’ flat water/whitewater hybrid that our oldest happily paddles on his own and boldly goes through whatever whitewater dad will let him. At 13, he’s paddled the Porcupine and Bloodvein and a good chunk of the Churchill in it, and to his mother’s dismay, has run some pretty fun stuff. We couldn’t have done these trips without it. I will say that I’d rather portage my 18’, 85 lbs prospector than the kayak, but I do appreciate the fact we just throw it in the Turbo Otters cargo area with no extra charge and I’ll admit it’s pretty fun to muck around with in the foamy stuff.
We’ll see where this year takes us, but I think it will probably be the kayaks last for a bit. We’re running out of room in the family canoe, and it’s soon time to become a 2 canoe family on trips.

Canoes almost exclusively. I’m in RI and paddled a Nigel Dennis sea kayak for a long while (still own it, it’s so customized to me, I don’t think I could sell it if I wanted to). My knees can’t take it for very long anymore.

My exception is my Jackson kayak for fly fishing. It’s designed for that purpose, and it excels at it. Very comfortable, stable enough that my 51yo, 6’7” body can stand and cast. Plenty of room for all my gear, I can even get a comfortable night or two out of it if I pack right. I would never portage it.

I love when the SOT crowd gets to the first beaver dam. That's where you find out the "why" to a canoe.

I started with canoeing as a kid but morphed into an instructor for both canoes & kayaks over the years. While I still have a couple of kayaks in the barn, my choice at this point in life is my canoe. It fits all my needs (I.e. trips, fishing, taking the dog, etc.) and is easier with my aged knees and bad shoulder to enter and exit. While I might still get in one of my sea kayaks if the ocean is calling, I haven't done that in about 10 years and doubt I ever will again unless it's some special trip (I still have fond memories of sea kayaking with humpback whales off Maui).

That's all for now. Take care and until next time....be well.

snapper

Here's the OG, full Gangsta style, on Marshall Lake with us a few years ago. It's a No Kayak Zone, double stick at your own peril!

I started canoeing at 8 years old at our family's summer camp in Maine in a Grumman. Canoes were all I paddled for the next 26 years.

Flash forward to 1980 and I was living in San Jose, California, where I took my first whitewater lessons in Hollowform kayaks. After dumping in Old Scary Rapid on the American River five times, I decided I didn't like the spatial constriction in a kayak nor the scary hanging upside down in rapids while I attempted my 40% roll. Bye, bye, whitewater kayaks after a few months.

So, I decided to paddle whitewater and everything else in my Mad River Royalex Explorer. I did that, originally paddling it with a 9 foot Carlisle double paddle in Sierra Nevada and coastal whitewater rivers in California. (I used a single blade on lakes.) Before trying my first class 3 rapid, on Cache Creek in 1981, Bob Foote strongly advised me to stop using the double paddle and to use my single stick spare. He explained how the single blade is much more versatile for bow and stern strokes, especially because it can work much closer to the hull and keel line to effectuate sophisticated power and turning strokes. I followed his advice and have never used a double blade in an open canoe since.

Between 1981 and 1996, I bought seven other whitewater and flat water open canoes and one decked whitewater C-1, and was exclusively a canoeist in all waters.

In 1996 I got interested in the growing sport of sea kayaking and bought three sea kayaks between 1996 and 2002, and was mainly a sea kayaker between 1996 and 2004. In that year, I got tired of sea kayaking, again because of the spatial restrictions of the craft and my inconsistent ability to roll in scary and cold ocean conditions. Bye, bye, sea kayaks (but I still have them).

In 2004 I decided I wanted a fast craft that I could paddle in the ocean, lakes and smooth water rivers, and which did not require a roll for self-rescue. So, even though I had never paddled or even seen one, I had a solo Hawaiian outrigger canoe (a "va'a") custom built for me by Huki in Sacramento, California. I drove 3,000 miles from Connecticut to pick it up, and then drove 7,000 miles back over six weeks while I paddled that va'a in the Sierra Nevada and Cascade Mountain lakes of California, the Pacific coast of California, Oregon lakes, Yellowstone Park, the BWCA, Lake Huron, Georgian Bay, Algonquin Park, and the Adirondacks. Between 2004 and 2010, I also paddled that va'a all over the Atlantic seaboard from Cobscook, Maine, to Naples, Florida. I consider paddling an outrigger canoe to be open canoeing.

But . . . I wanted to return to traditional CanAm open canoes in 2009, and have done so exclusively in four more open canoes I've bought since that year. Hence, it's been sort of bye, bye, outrigger canoe since 2010—even though I've kept it along with all my other canoes and kayaks in my garage and under-deck storage racks.

That's a long summary of my experiences with different paddling crafts. For years, when I lived in Connecticut and Florida, I used to carry three different boats all during paddling season on top of my full-size Magic Bus van, and here's a picture of my Lotus Caper canoe, Surge sea kayak, and Huki V-1B outrigger on top of the van, which I've posted before:



On this site, I only write about my open canoes, including my outrigger canoe, except for some occasional references as relevant to topics such as this.

Canoer because I like the camping but have begun to think having a kayak for some day trips in rocky Adirondack streams would make sense. One that can take a beating.

Besides all that's already been posted, I don't care for the side to side motion of a double bladed paddle. I prefer to be "on top' of the single blade.

I have 13 canoes in my fleet including a couple of Hornbecks, which unfortunately due to their seating configuation require use of a double blade paddle. But I put up with it because a 10.5' Hornbeck gets me into dense wood bushwhack places where a 16- 17' solo cannot go. IMO a canoe is to be paddled single blade, as are all of my non-Hornbeck solo and tandem (and voyageur) canoes. My only exception to my personal single blade only rule, is when reacing in the solo-rec class, use of a double blade is requied of everyone.

During the training and tripping season, if I am as usual without a partner, I paddle solo exclusively in a solo canoe with a single blade. The few times I have raced solo-rec, I might relent and put in a few days with the dreaded double blade, just to get some muscle memory shortly before the race. When paddling solo with a canoe single blade paddle, I like to keep the yaw of the bow to no more than only a couple of degrees centered on a distant target with each power stroke, Can't do that while wobbling like an injured fish with a double blade, not even with a high angle close to the hull stroke.

boy&hisdogs said:

I'm curious how many of you are exclusively canoeists and how many enjoy both. Personally, I own both and enjoy both for different reasons.

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I'm a single-blade canoeist because I like the advantages of an open boat and the control of a single-blade; that's in context of flat water and quick water paddling. I've paddled sea kayaks on lakes and reservoirs and they were a lot of fun but in comparison with a canoe they weren't as practical and given similar boat design/category I can easily keep up with the kayakers I've paddled with. I do appreciate the advantages of a kayak, though. I don't paddle white water anymore (had a solo white water canoe) and don't paddle on big water/ocean anymore (owned a solo partially-decked sea canoe) so I can definitely see the advantages of a kayak in those situations.

Nowadays, for the places I paddle and the trips I take, the practicality and ease of portaging makes a lightweight canoe the paddle craft of choice. And I still think a single-blade (both straight and bent shaft) is the way to go.

@yknpdlr - can one set up that little Hornbeck for kneeling? Asking for a friend.

tketcham said:

I'm a single-blade canoeist because I like the advantages of an open boat and the control of a single-blade; that's in context of flat water and quick water paddling.

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Amen. I love the ability to cotrol my canoe with a variety of linked strokes to get my boat to obey my will. I like to practice this exercise that a highly experienced canoe instructor taught and tested me: Find a square or rectangular floating dock. Position your canoe perpendicular to a side so that the bow remains within two inches of the dock without ever touching it. Then maneuver yourself along a long edge of the dock to a corner. While still maintaining the two inch separation, maneuver 90 degrees around the corner to the next side and continue onward. Then reverse direction with the same back to the starting location. Do it in a calm wind, then try it on another day with a slight breeze. Now maybe it could be done with a kayak, or in a canoe with a double blade paddle, but I can ony imagine how awkward it would be.

On the other hand, one of the recent team completing for the first time paddling through the Northwest Passage in sea kayaks, is a good friend and Andirondack and Yukon River race canoe paddling partner of mine. Each craft and paddle propulsion method does have its purpose.

Steve in Idaho said:

@yknpdlr - can one set up that little Hornbeck for kneeling? Asking for a friend.

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I suppose it could be if you remove the foam "seat". Probably has been done, although the resulting high gunwale might impede efficient single blade strokes. I can't comfortably and thus don't kneel very long periods, so I dont have any of my canoes set up to regularly kneel. As a flat water racer, I generally sit on a seat designed for the purpose.

yknpdlr said:

I suppose it could be if you remove the foam "seat". Probably has been done, although the resulting high gunwale might impede efficient single blade strokes. I can't comfortably and thus don't kneel very long periods, so I dont have any of my canoes set up to regularly kneel. As a flat water racer, I generally sit on a seat designed for the purpose.

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What if it was fitted with a foam saddle?

It’s gotten to the point where I sea kayak more than I canoe. On large, open waters such as we have in coastal Maryland, I like my sea kayak.

For me, the sea kayak is much faster. Some may be able to paddle their canoe as fast as a sea kayak, but I’m not one of them. I’ve taken my Rendezvous out with sea kayakers, and I struggle to keep up. Okay, the Rendezvous isn’t the fastest canoe. One other guy brings a canoe and keeps up in his Bell Magic, so maybe it’s the boat or that I’m slow.

Wind and waves that are fun in my sea kayak give me trouble in an open boat. But it is a wet ride. I love my spray skirt. I’m comfortable in the kayak seat for many hours. I especially enjoy kayaking in stormy weather, all buttoned up—let it rain.

Once the water temp dips below 60, I’m all canoe. Hands dry. I can wear big, warm footwear that wouldn’t fit in the kayak cockpit. There’s room to pack gear for winter camping. And I paddle smaller rivers where I need to get out and pull over, which I can’t do from the sea kayak.

I prefer canoes. The feeling of a single blade in the water is its own reward, and yes, I use a single in the kayak. The way the hull and water react to produce control is more gratifying in the canoe. My summary statement to kayakers who ask why I like canoes is, “because canoes have soul.” No kayaker has ever tried to argue that point.

Steve in Idaho said:

What if it was fitted with a foam saddle?

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Why don't you just try it? I have used a small soft sided but firm cooler stuffed with stiff foam as a saddle in some canoes, along with a thin foam pad with a larger pool noodle cut in half taped to it to go under my ankles as a kneeling configuration. It works ok, but I just don't like kneeling for any length of time.

My solo canoes all are custom outfitted with higher than the standard highest mounted seat along with a thick gel pad, which I much prefer for single blade paddling. The canoe builders have tried to discourage me from installing those higher seats due to stability concerns, but I have not regretted them at all. I race in C2 and C4 canoes with extra thick pads to elevate me somewhat for better single blade effectiveness. Just try paddling the Yukon 1000 mile race for the fully allowed 18 hours a day, or the YRQ for 24+ hours with hard low slung seats and you will understand.

Maybe it’s just me, but I find it silly of how much dislike there is for kayakers. Most everyone is out there for the same reason, and I argue to say 90% of people feel more comfortable in a kayak than a canoe. Even the cheap 9’ kayaks that have no real design to them and can actually be tippy. Although, I’d also bet that even though some of them do enjoy the nature, most are there for a drunken good time. To each their own as long as they keep their cans. For me, when I’m kayaking, I’m using a kayak paddle.. double blade. I use a variety of paddling techniques, similar canoeing but I use the kayak chines to keep my control in check. What bugs me is seeing an oversized kayak paddle in a canoe, virtually using your canoe as a kayak. It makes sense though, just odd looking. The Experience for me is different but the enjoyable moments are similar whether kayak or canoe.

As Chip mentioned, that stormy weather is more enjoyable in a sea kayak. In my canoe I get weather cocked alot more, still doable unless it’s real nasty then I’ll pass. I’ve been in butt puckering, doubtful moments on superior going through what felt like the Sphinx Gate (Never Ending Story) with scary big waves that I’d never attempt in my canoe. Or rollers so big and snowflakes so fat that you only get a glimpse of your paddling partners every couple of seconds. Now that’s me, there’s a lot of men and women who are way more skillful paddlers than I am and might not hesitate in what i would. In a kayak I can lock the edge in and rudder my paddle, similar with a canoe but I feel I can really dig that edge and lean into my paddle.

I love kayaking, it’s an escape and has helped me cope with deaths, depression, bad days to dealing with cancer. It’s as much of an outlet as it is a way to see how amazing these places truly are. As well as meet like minded people that create friendships. Canoeing is all of that, it’s a healer as well as a means of transportation to far away places. At that slower pace I’m in that place, that moment, you’re just there! To me canoe or kayak is the same as road bike Vs mountain biking. Most of us doing it for the same reason but our paths are slightly different.


All that bickering I just did, I absolutely love canoeing more and will do my best to only talk canoe on this forum, unless it’s already brought up.

Kayaking changed my perspective, canoeing changed my life

ErktheRed said:

Maybe it’s just me, but I find it silly of how much dislike there is for kayakers. Most everyone is out there for the same reason, and I argue to say 90% of people feel more comfortable in a kayak than a canoe. Even the cheap 9’ kayaks that have no real design to them and can actually be tippy. Although, I’d also bet that even though some of them do enjoy the nature, most are there for a drunken good time. To each their own as long as they keep their cans. For me, when I’m kayaking, I’m using a kayak paddle.. double blade. I use a variety of paddling techniques, similar canoeing but I use the kayak chines to keep my control in check. What bugs me is seeing an oversized kayak paddle in a canoe, virtually using your canoe as a kayak. It makes sense though, just odd looking. The Experience for me is different but the enjoyable moments are similar whether kayak or canoe.

As Chip mentioned, that stormy weather is more enjoyable in a sea kayak. In my canoe I get weather cocked alot more, still doable unless it’s real nasty then I’ll pass. I’ve been in butt puckering, doubtful moments on superior going through what felt like the Sphinx Gate (Never Ending Story) with scary big waves that I’d never attempt in my canoe. Or rollers so big and snowflakes so fat that you only get a glimpse of your paddling partners every couple of seconds. Now that’s me, there’s a lot of men and women who are way more skillful paddlers than I am and might not hesitate in what i would. In a kayak I can lock the edge in and rudder my paddle, similar with a canoe but I feel I can really dig that edge and lean into my paddle.

I love kayaking, it’s an escape and has helped me cope with deaths, depression, bad days to dealing with cancer. It’s as much of an outlet as it is a way to see how amazing these places truly are. As well as meet like minded people that create friendships. Canoeing is all of that, it’s a healer as well as a means of transportation to far away places. At that slower pace I’m in that place, that moment, you’re just there! To me canoe or kayak is the same as road bike Vs mountain biking. Most of us doing it for the same reason but our paths are slightly different.


All that bickering I just did, I absolutely love canoeing more and will do my best to only talk canoe on this forum, unless it’s already brought up.

Kayaking changed my perspective, canoeing changed my life

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Great. Now I have to watch Never Ending Story again...

This topic is right up my lane. I think I've touched on it before myself.
I have a ton of boats. Let's stick with solo boats, since most kayaks are solo.
I've converted both my solo canoes to pack style and paddle them with a kayak paddle.
It's just faster and easier and I don't have to prove anything to anybody.
I have multiple kayaks but the only time I've used one on a multiday trip is a Lake Powell trip a long time ago, but I've thought about the pros and cans quite a bit and hope to do some trips in my kayaks in coming years.
When I buy a kayak, I generally look for a large cockpit opening and I don't use a full spray skirt. I don't like feeling trapped. I also tend to go for a kayak that's a little on the wide side, because I like stability.
So, comparing a pack style solo canoe to my preferred type of kayak, the advantage of the canoe is it's easier to get in and out, and it can carry larger items, like a cooler and river toilette. It will also carry more stuff and more weight. It's also cooler on a hot day. Generally speaking, it's more stable, since its wider. What I like about kayaks is you get less paddle drips in the boat, in some ways they are easier to pack, since you don't have to strap everything down. and there is a big advantage in windage. On a windy day I would much prefer being in a kayak. Kayaks tend to be a little faster, being narrower, generally speaking, but it depends on the canoe and the kayak.