Difference between big lake and ocean caoneing?

Question

How much difference besides the waves size is there?

Answer 1

Well the ocean is a heck of a lot bigger than a "big lake"

Answer 2

I wouldn't paddle either in a rec canoe without serious flotation bags and a bomb proof roll or rentry. (Yes, canoes with flotation can be rolled.)  

Canoes (recreational ones) are very difficult to do a self-rescue in; I wouldn't recommend going out in either the ocean or one of the great lakes.   In the ocean you have riptides and regular currents which both tug at the boat.  The surf zone in the ocean is a real trouble spot too.  

Get a sea kayak, then you can go in both the ocean and the big lakes.  (Make sure you learn and practice your safety skills first!)

Answer 3

Actually there isn't a whole lot of difference.  Ocean boating you have to consider tides, too.  I don't know of many people who use standard canoes in the ocean...mostly people I know use either ocean kayaks or outrigger-type canoes.  The outrigger provides quite a lot of extra stability and safety and does not add much extra drag.   Either way your going to need flotation bags for your standard canoe, similar to how you would rig for white water.  And you'd probably be best learning how to eskimo-roll the thing too.  It's harder to do that in a standard canoe than in a kayak, but its certainly possible.  You need all the same safety gear either way.

Personally, I'd go to a purpose-built ocean kayak for either large lake or ocean boating.  They are long and track well, are not as affected by either wind or wave due to their low profile.  Many are fitted with foot-control rudder systems that keep you going where you want to go, too.  And having that spray skirt keeping water out is a big advantage!

Taking lessons from a reputable kayak/canoe shop or with a club is a really good idea before doing this, too!

Answer 4

Unless by "big lakes" you're talking about the Great Lakes, there's a serious difference in waves. Unless you're in a protected cove or lee of an island, a swell of up to 3-4 feet or so is considered calm in the ocean (off southern California), and when it gets snotty it can get much bigger than that. So watch the weather forecasts carefully if you're heading out in a small boat.

Another difference between lakes and the ocean is the currents. They can run a couple miles per hour at times, which is a real problem if you're paddling against them.