I am thinking of buying a canoe or kayak what are the pros and cons-i live in the Tampa bay area?

Question

I am thinking of buying a canoe or kayak what are the pros and cons-i live in the Tampa bay area?

Answer 1

When we look back at what the eskimos and native americans use, it's clear see why they chose what they did.   The eskimos chose kayaks because they are decked and protect one more from the elements.   As decked boats, they stop large waves from coming in.  In a kayak one sits low and uses a double bladed padddle.      A double bladed paddle is efficient and allows one to brace on either side of the boat.   This along with a low center of gravity can offer a great deal of stability in a kayak, which is especially helpful when in white water or when exposed to large waves at sea.   Kayaks lend themselve very well to single-person crafts.   Some downsides are that the seat tends to collect water, so your butt is often wet, since you are low, you can't see as much, and it's not as easy to hop out and pull yourself out of something you are stuck on.  You can't easily toss in large packs, coolers, etc the way you can in a canoe.

The native americans and frech voyageurs chose canoes to travel all over the rivers and large inland lakes of north ameria.   Canoes can have a tremendous carrying capacity and most have no deck so are much easier to pack than a kayak.   They are often tandem, but some are desgined for solo use as well as some that are desigend for 4 or more.   A double canoe is very easy to balance and carry on your shoulders with the appropriate yoke and shoulder pads.    Since you are less confined than in a kayak, it's easy to hop out or stand up to have a better field of vision.    With a higher center of gravity, they can be a bit tippier, but this is as much a matter of how they are packed and design as it is of an inhent difference between the two.    Canoes usually have more freeboard than a kayak,  but this along with a single-bladed paddle mean you will probably get pushed around more in high winds than in a kayak, especially if you are solo in an unloaded boat.   Most people find the more normal sitting position of a canoe more comortable over time.

In short - if you will be in farily protected areas, with no large white water and want to be able to have someone else paddle in the same craft, get a canoe.   If you will be out in the open ocean or doing more white water or want a versitle boat that  you won't need to portage, go with a solo kayak.

Answer 2

Chazzowitzka 60 miles north of Clearwater. Take US 19 to Mad Maggie rd. Take left and follow to canoe launch. Peace River in Desoto county is nice also.

Answer 3

you can sink faster in a canoe

Answer 4

In a canoe, you can give someone a ride, but you can also flip over easily. In a kayak you are stuck in one sitting position, not comfortable to me and very hot in summer.