Canoe vs. Kayak (1 Viewer)

[Evilgrin 72]

Going boating down a river (no major whitewater or anything) for the first time this weekend. I've been in a kayak before, once, at a zoo. They had a guided tour that allowed you to paddle along and I had very little difficulty maneuvering the thing pretty quickly as I remember. My primary concern is that my wife is a major clutz and if the thing can be flipped, we can rest assured she'll find a way to do it.

I always thought canoes were a little more dodgy and easier to flip than kayaks, but some stuff I'm reading online seems to imply that the converse is true. What would you recommend for a second-timer and a first timer? I would think a kayak would be easier to maneuver, but a canoe would be better for transporting our stuff (we'll have a few items, snorkeling gear, picnic lunch, beers for me.)

Really at this point, ease of entry/exit and reducing the risk of turning the thing over are my two primary concerns. Any advice from experienced paddlers is aprpeciated.

 

[McJose]

Going boating down a river (no major whitewater or anything) for the first time this weekend. I've been in a kayak before, once, at a zoo. They had a guided tour that allowed you to paddle along and I had very little difficulty maneuvering the thing pretty quickly as I remember. My primary concern is that my wife is a major clutz and if the thing can be flipped, we can rest assured she'll find a way to do it.

If this was my wife I'd put her in a kayak and make her hold some rocks.

 

[saintfool]

canoe is easier for two people. just make sure that you are the person in the back of the canoe.

 

[Jaysus]

canoe is easier for two people. just make sure that you are the person in the back of the canoe.

that... and maybe consider a bungee cord to keep the cooler closed.

 

[Ray Karpis]

Definitely a canoe if you have two people.

 

[Bogeys]

canoe is easier for two people. just make sure that you are the person in the back of the canoe.

And if there is a major weight difference between you two make sure the extras (cooler, etc) are more toward the front to balance it out otherwise it will be harder to see and manuever if the front is out of the water too much. The advice about the bungee cord to keep the cooler closed (and attached to the canoe) is a really good tip also.I actually prefer the "sit-on-top" type of kayak, but you can't really transport much on one...very small cooler is about it.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I've been trying to find out if they're the "sit on top" kayaks, but I can't seem to locate that information. Wife tips the scales at about 120 and I'm 190, I assume that would be a major weight difference....

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Man, I thought for sure the kayak would be easier, but I guess I was wrong.

 

[pantagrapher]

Definitely canoe. More stable and comfortable for a casual paddle. Easier for gear and beer access as well.

 

[Bogeys]

I've been trying to find out if they're the "sit on top" kayaks, but I can't seem to locate that information. Wife tips the scales at about 120 and I'm 190, I assume that would be a major weight difference....

You can both sit and then adjust the weight forward accordingly.And since you said no major rapids the canoe will be easier for two, especially if one is a balance challenged individual. The added bonus being she will probably let you do most of the paddling so you will get a work out at the same time.

 

[Exit 1]

I think canoes are slower though.

 

[saintfool]

Man, I thought for sure the kayak would be easier, but I guess I was wrong.

i think it kind of depends on the river. i have had a lot of canoeing experience - solo & in tandem - over the years. it's very easy. i've only kayaked a couple of times. i think it's fine if the river is really easy with few rapids, deeper and few portage stops. it isn't ideal to transport stuff.

 

[Jaysus]

plus you can stand up and piss out of a canoe... with a kayak you have to beach it and get out to piss.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

plus you can stand up and piss out of a canoe... with a kayak you have to beach it and get out to piss.

Jesus, I mean Jaysus...... I hadn't even thought of that.Basically, it's a 5 hour trip - about 8 miles of paddling with stops at an island "party" which has live music and more beers, and a stop at a spring for swimming/snorkeling. I imagine there are going to be a few times I'll need to get in/out of it and speed isn't really an issue, so I'm thinking the canoe may be the best option.

 

[Drifter]

I've done both. I find the canoe a little more comfortable than a kayak and easier on my back with the ability to change leg positions, etc. I would also feel better having both my wife and I in a canoe as I can compensate for any areas she might be having difficulty whereas if we were each in our own kayak, she's on her own.

 

[dickey moe]

 

[saintfool]

plus you can stand up and piss out of a canoe... with a kayak you have to beach it and get out to piss.

Jesus, I mean Jaysus...... I hadn't even thought of that.Basically, it's a 5 hour trip - about 8 miles of paddling with stops at an island "party" which has

like this?

 

[Jackstraw]

If you have access to a chair like the one below they fit perfectly in the front seat of a canoe. Take four strips of cord to tie the legs to the seat of the canoe. Your wife will have the best ride ever and will be happy as a clam. If you have any kind of canoe skills at all she shouldn't have to put a paddle in the water.

http://www.swimoutlet.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=8310&Click=310393&gclid=CK3g0KDmuqkCFYxL2godMy-o8g

 

[Joe Mammy]

I wanted a kayak for fishing. Wifey said, "hey I like to paddle too. Let's look at tandems."

We rented a tandem. Hated it. Bought two kayaks instead. Harmony is here.

I paddle a Wilderness Systems 12' Pungo which is a sit inside and perfect for inshore fishing around Destin for trout and redfish, found a used one for $300 with paddle. Got the wife a Nekki sit inside that is about 10' and easy for her to paddle too although she rarely uses it, also for around $300 brand new.

Canoes are old school dude. When we take our yaks to freshwater springs our friends rent canoes and everyone is envious of our manueverability and speed in the yaks compared to the canoes...but to each his own.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I've done both. I find the canoe a little more comfortable than a kayak and easier on my back with the ability to change leg positions, etc. I would also feel better having both my wife and I in a canoe as I can compensate for any areas she might be having difficulty whereas if we were each in our own kayak, she's on her own.

They have 2-person kayaks. What I can't seem to find out is if they're the "sit in" or "sit on" variety.

 

[Flying V]

I cramp up in kayaks. I can stretch whenever needed in my canoe.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Jesus H....

 

[Drifter]

Crazy Creek chairs are great for canoes.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Another vote for canoe. Is this going to be just a casual float down a river, or something that is going to require a lot of paddling? When we did couples trips down the river, my ex would put a lounger lawn chair in the front and pretty much just soak up the sun.

Canoes can carry a lot of gear, and the weight packed nice and low makes them more stable. Good points have been made about distributing the weight. On one of our trips my BIL (about 220 lbs) had himself and a 40 lbs cooler in the back while my nephew (90 lbs) rode in the front. That thing looked like it was popping a wheely going down the river. They tipped several times, until I made them put the cooler up front.

Have you thought about two sit-on-top kayaks?

Casual float down river. I'm thinking canoe may be the way to go, despite my earlier thoughts. I'm not as concerned about speed and maneuverability for the purposes of this trip, I just don't want to roll the mother####er 3 times in an afternoon.Brother is going with me and he typically goes the canoe route. He did say they were pretty easy to tip, though. He told me to pack light, I'm wondering if I should bring a larger, heavier cooler just to help balance the weight more now.

 

[Drifter]

How easy they are to tip depends on the canoe. Some are, some are not. I would imagine most rentals are goign to be more on the stability side than the maneuverability side.

 

[Bogeys]

Another vote for canoe. Is this going to be just a casual float down a river, or something that is going to require a lot of paddling? When we did couples trips down the river, my ex would put a lounger lawn chair in the front and pretty much just soak up the sun.

Canoes can carry a lot of gear, and the weight packed nice and low makes them more stable. Good points have been made about distributing the weight. On one of our trips my BIL (about 220 lbs) had himself and a 40 lbs cooler in the back while my nephew (90 lbs) rode in the front. That thing looked like it was popping a wheely going down the river. They tipped several times, until I made them put the cooler up front.

Have you thought about two sit-on-top kayaks?

Casual float down river. I'm thinking canoe may be the way to go, despite my earlier thoughts. I'm not as concerned about speed and maneuverability for the purposes of this trip, I just don't want to roll the mother####er 3 times in an afternoon.Brother is going with me and he typically goes the canoe route. He did say they were pretty easy to tip, though. He told me to pack light, I'm wondering if I should bring a larger, heavier cooler just to help balance the weight more now.

Depends on how low you can keep the weight in the boat. The weight doesn't have to be exact, just within 30-40 lbs should be fine.ETA: The longer the canoe the more stable they tend to be, but also the less maneuverable they are. The place I go to has 3 different lengths.

 

[saintfool]

have you considered doing the classic "inner-tube-float-down-the-river" thing? tubing is super casual and easy. no paddling. a tube for your cooler. what could be easier?

 

[george]

Definitely canoe for newbies. And just remind the wife not to stand up! The bigger river canoes are hard to tip as long as no one stands up. And if your wife is pretty much useless as far as paddling, have her sit on the bottom of the canoe and enjoy the ride in one of those low beach chairs. Put the cooler in the front. Put her in the front of the middle area.

 

[pantagrapher]

have you considered doing the classic "inner-tube-float-down-the-river" thing? tubing is super casual and easy. no paddling. a tube for your cooler. what could be easier?

Exposes the posterior to piranha attacks.

 

[Dexter Manley]

have you considered doing the classic "inner-tube-float-down-the-river" thing? tubing is super casual and easy. no paddling. a tube for your cooler. what could be easier?

I go on a river trip every year, and most of the canoe people we pass regret not going with the tube instead.Canoes are much faster down the river though.

 

[mon]

I'd choose kayak over canoe for myself, since I have back problems. Being closer to the water makes it easier to paddle.

 

[saintfool]

have you considered doing the classic "inner-tube-float-down-the-river" thing? tubing is super casual and easy. no paddling. a tube for your cooler. what could be easier?

Exposes the posterior to piranha attacks.

you're never safe from the piranhas.

 

[Ray Karpis]

I wanted a kayak for fishing. Wifey said, "hey I like to paddle too. Let's look at tandems."

We rented a tandem. Hated it. Bought two kayaks instead. Harmony is here.

I paddle a Wilderness Systems 12' Pungo which is a sit inside and perfect for inshore fishing around Destin for trout and redfish, found a used one for $300 with paddle. Got the wife a Nekki sit inside that is about 10' and easy for her to paddle too although she rarely uses it, also for around $300 brand new.

Canoes are old school dude. When we take our yaks to freshwater springs our friends rent canoes and everyone is envious of our manueverability and speed in the yaks compared to the canoes...but to each his own.

at "yaks."Serious businessTM

 

[Evilgrin 72]

have you considered doing the classic "inner-tube-float-down-the-river" thing? tubing is super casual and easy. no paddling. a tube for your cooler. what could be easier?

Not sure that's an option, but I'll look into it. I imagine if I do this, I'm going to have to look into shuttle service back to where the car is parked, since paddling back upstream will not be an option.Also, I know piranhas was a joke, but there might be alligators....

 

[Jaysus]

I'm wondering if I should bring a larger, heavier cooler just to help balance the weight more now.

If you go that route, make sure to also bring a smaller one that you can keep near you for ease of access. Also, and I consider this to be a really big ######## deal... you need a can coozie - one of those old school foam ones, not one of those fancy new neoprene ones. The advantage of the old school foam style will be realized when you can set down your drink without it falling over and spilling every time you do so.I actually have a paddeling specific can coozie, it is huge, and red, and says "Don't Mess With the US". It is boss, and nearly spillproof.

ETA: Supbeam?

 

[george]

have you considered doing the classic "inner-tube-float-down-the-river" thing? tubing is super casual and easy. no paddling. a tube for your cooler. what could be easier?

Not sure that's an option, but I'll look into it. I imagine if I do this, I'm going to have to look into shuttle service back to where the car is parked, since paddling back upstream will not be an option.Also, I know piranhas was a joke, but there might be alligators....

Look for shuttle service anyway. You Do NOT want to paddle 8 miles upstream if you are not experienced. Especially after drinking all day. Just bite the bullet and figure that is part of the cost of going. Or park one car downstream near where you are going before you start.

 

[Ray Karpis]

have you considered doing the classic "inner-tube-float-down-the-river" thing? tubing is super casual and easy. no paddling. a tube for your cooler. what could be easier?

Not sure that's an option, but I'll look into it. I imagine if I do this, I'm going to have to look into shuttle service back to where the car is parked, since paddling back upstream will not be an option.Also, I know piranhas was a joke, but there might be alligators....

You don't want to do this. It is difficult, if not impossible, to paddle and steer a tube. Depending on the river, just relying on the current to take you 8 miles down the river could take an eternity.

 

[Wooderson]

Look at the Hobe brand of kayaks. They have a nice tandem model that you can paddle and peddle as well as add a small sail. Hobe puts the yak in kayak.

 

[E-Z Glider]

If its gonna be warm (and I assume it is since you mention swimming), go with the Kayaks without a doubt. My family has 2 canoes and 4 kayaks. The only time we use the canoes is when its very cold, or we are going for a multi-night trip and have a lot of gear. My kids hate canoeing, they think its boring. Kayaking is more like being in the water. If my 8yo daughter can maneuver her own boat, anyone can. I would be willing to bet a beginner is much less likely to tip a kayak than a canoe anyway. Canoeing actually takes some skill. Im sure you arent going to be skirted into the kayak anyway, so safety isnt really an issue. Also, you CAN strap a lot to the sit-on-tops.

 

[Ray Karpis]

Look at the Hobe brand of kayaks. They have a nice tandem model that you can paddle and peddle as well as add a small sail. Hobe puts the yak in kayak.

Sounds like he's renting from an outfitter.

 

[glock]

If its gonna be warm (and I assume it is since you mention swimming), go with the Kayaks without a doubt. My family has 2 canoes and 4 kayaks. The only time we use the canoes is when its very cold, or we are going for a multi-night trip and have a lot of gear. My kids hate canoeing, they think its boring. Kayaking is more like being in the water. If my 8yo daughter can maneuver her own boat, anyone can. I would be willing to bet a beginner is much less likely to tip a kayak than a canoe anyway. Canoeing actually takes some skill. Im sure you arent going to be skirted into the kayak anyway, so safety isnt really an issue. Also, you CAN strap a lot to the sit-on-tops.

Set us up a pole. I'm gonna second E-Z's HO here. Canoes are prone to being tippy. While one will get wet in a kayak as well, getting back on board is infinitely easier. It's almost impossible to climb back into a canoe if you don't have people on hand who know what they are doing... without scraping a pound of flesh off your belly/thighs, anyway.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

I need to have my wife call and find out what kind of kayaks they are.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

Wekiva (Wekiwa?) River. Just called one of the outfitters at one of the launch points and all their kayaks are sit-on-tops.

 

[yellowdog]

How about a couple of these?

 

[Evilgrin 72]

How about a couple of these?

That looks cool but not looking to drop $550 when I don't know if I'll ever go again. Rental only option here.

Wekiva (Wekiwa?) River. Just called one of the outfitters at one of the launch points and all their kayaks are sit-on-tops.

Looks like a fairly slow moving river. A canoe or kayak would be fine. SOT kayaks are very easy. If you have a choice in length, go for the longer one as it will track better.

Should be very slow moving. My brother said last time he went that "the river moves slower than Giovanni after an all-you-can-eat Chinese buffet." Giovanni is our 340 lb. friend. he didn't even use the shuttle back, just paddled the canoe a mile or two downstream, turned around, and paddled back to the rental place.

 

[rascal]

 

[squidrope]

Canoe. Much better suited for what you're doing. (get a wide canoe they don't tip as easy)

 

[Guest]

Bump

How did this trip from 2011 turn out?

Took my sit-in kayak out for it's maiden voyage last night. Loved it's ease of paddling and maneuverability. 2 hours into a 3 hour trip, I got stuck in the best thunderstorm we have had this Spring.

 

[Evilgrin 72]

We ended up going with the sit on top kayak while my brother and his girlfriend used a canoe. Had no problems at all. Hardest part was getting back into it when we tied it off to swim in the spring. Much easier at launch when the guy put us both in it on the ramp and then shoved us in.