cant decide between a canoe or a kayak

[Clocker]

what would you pick and why. i just want to do something fun and relaxing.

 

[eldorado99]

canoe... more relaxing.

 

[mundane]

Kayak. I feel like I have more control and freedom when in a kayak than a canoe.

 

[walrus]

I have both and use the kayak much more than the canoe. Thr canoe is only good on calm lakes while I can go aywhere in the kayak. The kayak is much easier to paddle and much faster.

 

[fitzov]

canoe + fishing

 

[moshquerade]

canoe.
you can invite a friend along.
you can fish, as someone mentioned.
you can get a trolling motor if you wish.


more options than a kayak.

i own two canoes, and can take 5 friends along for a water stroll if i'd like to.

 

[lokiju]

Buy both, chop them in half and combine the two different halves.

Then you'll have a kaynoe or a canyak!

Win Win IMO.

 

[acemcmac]

Originally posted by: moshquerade
canoe.
you can invite a friend along.
you can fish, as someone mentioned.
you can get a trolling motor if you wish.


more options than a kayak.

i own two canoes, and can take 5 friends along for a water stroll if i'd like to.

Canoe for the same reasons. I like to be able to move around if I want to and actually transport cargo when camping and stuff. Canoes are just more utilitarian... Kind of like the SUV of personal boats. Never been a kayak fan. I like being higher above the water and I like the stability of the canoe.

 

[BeauJangles]

I like canoes and learning to solo them is pretty easy.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Every so often a bunch of family gets together and goes from Redding to Red Bluff down the Sacramento River in canoes. It's always a fun trip. A couple of times people have taken kayaks, but they can't hold any gear (it's a 3 day trip with camping along the river).

Canoes FTW

 

[Hammerhead]

Kayaks are easier to haul.

 

[vi edit]

Split the difference and go with a "Sit on" Kayak like the Ocean Kayak Prowler or Scramblers.

You get the stability, speed, and manueverability of a kayak with the cargo hauling ability of a canoe. I think kayaks are better if you will be going solo a large percent of your time. They are easier to load and unload and a bit more dynamic in the types of water you can run them in.

I'm looking at one of these for hitting up some of the big strip mine lakes around me:
http://www.oceankayak.com/kayaks/angler_editions/prowler_15_angler.html

 

[Insane3D]

Who says you can't fish in a kayak? I have a 13 footer that I fish in all the time....

 

[thehstrybean]

I like both...Find one of each really cheap FTW!!

 

[Clocker]

Thanks for the info!!!! I like the idea of adding a motor to the canoe so i think i might take that route instead.

and before i forget. where do i look for canoes on the cheap. well i really dont want cheap = crap canoe. but reasonable price for a pretty good canoe.

clocker

 

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Who says you can't fish in a kayak? I have a 13 footer that I fish in all the time....

it's not impossible, but it is more difficult. where is your tackle box/fishing pole kept? how about a fishing net to help you land the big ones?

 

[mattpegher]

Definitely more versatility with a canoe, esp if you want to carry gear or another person. Lots of good canoes out there and unless you plan on portaging, carrying the canoe on your shoulders across land, don't waste your money on the expensive ones. A good plastic canoe with internal aluminum frame and a keel is all you need. I personally prefer to solo padel from the stern so I like longer canoes for the boyancy but you have to weigh down the bow. (usually with my kids)