Whats better ... a canoe or a kayak ?

Question

How are the new sit on kayaks to ride in ? What is the best make of kayak or canoe ?

Answer 1

kayak

Answer 2

i believe that kayaks r better, because u r in 1 by ureself, so u can control it easier

Answer 3

A kayak would be tougher conditions like rapids. But if you want a leisure paddle then a canoe is cheaper and better. Plus it's a Canadian product and is light. But a kayak is durable and would last longer and the seats are better.

Answer 4

Duh a kayak!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 5

Depends on what you want to do. I own a canoe and an expedition sea-kayak.

I take the canoe flat-water canoeing in lakes or calm or slow-moving rivers or to the intra-coastal. You have to know how to "steer" well to be able to get anywhere since most canoes want to go in circles.  

I take the expedition sea-kayak to the same places, unless the river has too much debris, since it's a lot more difficult to get in and out of a cockpit, than getting out of a canoe. I have a rudder, so I don't have to "steer" as much, but I mainly have it for when the winds whip up on the intracoastal and I have to fight waves washing over my bow. I can take off out of the surf and go back to shore via surf, but you have to know what you're doing so you don't wipe out.

The sit-on-top kayaks can be used in all the same places, and are easy to get out of, too, since it doesn't have a cockpit, and now many of them have closed bulk heads so you can protect your gear (food, clothing, tent etc) from the water.

The best make of kayak or canoe? Depends on what you want to do with them, and how much money you have to spend. You can buy fiberglass, or kevlor or combos of those for the lightest canoes and sea-kayaks around-they also are very expensive, and can get damaged by rocks and oyster shells.

Ocean Kayak makes fine sit-up-top "plastic" type boats, I've used them many times when I've rented, since they're "bomb-proof" (it's hard to tip them over): http://www.oceankayak.com/

Perception makes great sea-kayaks and whitewater kayaks, I bought my plastic sea-kayak from them years ago, and it's still in great shape: http://www.kayaker.com/

I like Current Design's high-end light weight expedition kayaks, but there are quite a few good lines of sea-kayaks, you have to try them out at a sea kayak conference or boat dealer event: http://www.wenonah.com/

Or you can buy "plastic" boats which are made of different types of strong plastic materials, that make canoes and sea-kayak tough to break (unless you wrap it around a rock) and they can take a beating from rocks/shoreline. Old Town makes very popular canoes, but most of them are heavy (75+ pounds), so think about weight as well if you have a bad back, want to do this alone, or want to carry your boat across portages. I have their Penobscot, since I can paddle flat, moving, and whitewater and use it to go on long canoe trips. Their most popular canoe is the Discovery, which is heavy, but good for families and day trips and camping overnight: ://www.oldtowncanoe.com/canoes/

I also like Wenonah canoes, I think they make beautiful canoes and make them out of very lightweight materials (and are more expensive): http://www.wenonah.com/

You also have to decide if you want to buy a solo or tandem boat (for two) as well. A pfd, a light paddle (buy the best you can since that's what will tire you out the most), something to carry the boat on top of your car with, ropes or straps, and lessons on how to get the boat around and back. The ACA has local canoe/white water kayak clubs, and have good instruction for sea-kayaking as well: http://www.americancanoe.org/

Be safe and have fun!