RE: Kayak vs Canoe? Help!

[Campntime]

 
DW and I are planning ahead for an addition to PU next year.  We have talked about purchasing a canoe for a long time but recently DW spent sometime with a kayak and thinks a 2-person kayak is the way to go.  I m not so sure a canoe wouldn t be more practical.  We are both in early 50 s.  
 
 I know there is a world of expertise on this board.  So help us...canoe or kayak.  Pro s and con s?  Suggestions?  Recommendations?

[Jeffrey]

 Campntime
Really depends where your going to use them?
 
 For us we d do kayak, but each get your own.
 Two singles aren t much $$ more the one double.
 I think that would give you the most options, lakes, rivers.
 
 Kayaks feel more stable then canoes, IMO.
 But I don t think we would like a double.
 It s better to each have the freedom to move around.
 
 Go somewhere that let s you try them first, if you can.

[CajunCamper]

 Campntime
It also depends on what your going to be doing and who will be going with you. For example, my dog likes to take canoe trips with us and we usually have an ice chest and sometimes we even load down the canoe and tent camp along our route. So you have to determine what it will be used for.

[jstaddwtr]

 Campntime
We like our canoe alot.  But, I guess this won t be of much help because we are looking for a kayak to go along with it!!!!!    We found a good deal on an old town canoe so when we go out it rides on the top of the truck.  If we find a place to use it we do.    It makes it fun that way.  Have fun!

[TG1956]

 Campntime
We have a Perception Jocasse two-person kayak. It s much more stable than any canoe I ve been in (lower center of gravity), but Cajuncamper has a good point regarding the ice chest. We can carry a small cooler and my DS and I have had it out on a two day float trip, but you have to pack it like a back pack.
 
 One advantage of the kayak over the canoe is for lake paddling. Since you sit lower in the water, there s less exposure to the wind, so you don t feel as though you re fighting it as much -  a big deal for those of us that paddle on the plains.

[garym053]

 Campntime
We ve been kayakers for about as long a we ve been camping. We " planned"  on going the canoe route but decided to try both, so we signed up for a kayak trip in a wildlife area and never looked back. We also " planned"  on going with a double, but decided two singles would allow more choices!
 We have Necky Zoar Sports, which do not allow room for a dog in the cockpit, but if pets or children/grandchildren are going along for the ride, I would check out the new Pungo s from Wilderness Systems! The cockpit is large enough to add a seat (sold as an extra) to take kids along. The seats are the most confortable out there and now they come in 12 foot and 14 foot lengths, where they used to only come in 10 or 11 footers!

[Calstate361]

 Campntime
Hello, I m a US Canoe and Kayak Official so I can give you a few pointers on them.  I am by no means an expert and I have not paddled in years because when I started all this I was with a boyfriend who was an Olympic Canoest.  Anyway, the suggestions you have received are correct, it all depends on what you want to do with it.  I have more experience with racing canoes and kayaks.  The old boyfriend had a Marathon C-2 (canoe for 2, C-1 is for 1, K-1 is kayak for 1, K-2 is for 2) which is a kevlar/fiberglass, lighweight, canoe that we paddled together.  They are light weight (about 35 lbs.) where most sporting canoes (like the ones the others were talking about) can weigh up to and over 70-80 lbs.   They can be quit heavy and would require 2 people to carry it to the water.  You can purchase a set of wheels which makes the transition much easier.  You will need to decide what you plan on taking with you to determine if a canoe or kayak is suitable for you.  I have found a canoe more stable than a kayak, but there are so many types of both you have  to decide what kind of weight you want to carry, what you want to do with it, and where you want to go.  There are light weight and heavier models for both.  I suggest doing a search for canoes and kayaks and read the information from dealers on both to make your decision.  I time races for our local paddling group and here is a web site that can give you some information and trips to take.  It is run by Current Adventures at:  www.kayaking.com.  The owner is Dan Crandall and his e-mail address is:  dcranda@ns.net.  He can also give you more detailed pointers and could possibly help you decide what kind of boat would be good for you.  Just tell him I gave you his name.  Good Luck
 
 Joan

[Campntime]

 Campntime
Keep those posts coming!  I love this board!
 
 Thank each of you for the great feedback.  Suggestions on makes, models and info sources really appreciated. Must say we are leaning toward a kayak(s) and getting excited.
 
 Two singles or one double kayak now the question.  We will be on lakes (some sizeable), rivers and (forgive me) ponds.  Probably little to no overnights...mostly day trips.  
 
 We were looking at a Dagger Blackwater II, two man...but anxious to check out some of the other models suggested.  Any experience with Dagger Blackwater s out there?
 
 THANKS AGAIN

[GeneF]

 Campntime
We have had 3 canoes over the years and now have 1 canoe and 2 kayaks.
 
 Dw and I use to canoe together but she did not like it when I wanted to move closer to shore to do some fishing and she wanted to get a closer look at the loons.
 
 Once day she got mad and went out and bought her own kayak.  Then I found it awkward loading one canoe and one kayak on the van.
 
 So I sold the powerboat and bought a kayak.  Now we are both happy.  We are on the water together, I am fishing and she is doing her loon watching.  A lot of our friends have the same type of kayaks and we often get together for a paddle on a lake or calm river.
 
 Weight is a major concern for me.  Our old coleman weighed about 65 pounds and was difficult to lift up onto the van.  I bought a Winonah kevlar which weighs about 45 pounds and is easier to handle.
 
 Our kayaks weigh 38 pounds and either one of us can get it on the vehicle.  We have the Perception Swiftys which are puddle jumpers but fine for the waters we paddle.  They are fine for calm waters and slow rivers.  Very stable but do not have the glide of more expensive kayaks.  Several of our friends have the same kayaks.  We mainly do trips of 3 or 4 hours.  Generally stop along the shore for a swim and lunch.
 
 We use a small soft sided cooler to bring sandwiches, drinks and snacks along.  It fits behind the seat.
 
 By the way, most of the people we paddle with wish they were in their early 50 s. []
 
 Happy paddling
 
 

[Campntime]

 Campntime
Thanks GeneF...great post!  You confirmed my feelings about one vs. two person kayaks.  DW is pretty independent, better give her some rein with her own kayak.
 
 We will check out the Swifty s.
 
 Your kayaking friends sound like a fun group.
 Thanks!

[JonesFamilyJayco]

 Campntime
I have a 5yr old boy who would like to spend more time on the water.  I know my little girl (1 1/2yr old) won t wait on the banks too long.  Is it reasonable for me alone to be able to lift/lower a canoe from the top of my Explorer?  I could use the wheels discussed the the post above to move the canoe by my self.  
 
 Also, is it a good idea to look for a less expensive entry level canoe (like they have sometimes a Wal-Mart) or invest in a better model.  I doubt we would be using it more that for short trips in calm water.  What is a ballpark figure to expect to pay$.
 
 Thank you very much!
 
 jonesfamilyjayco
 
 

[GeneF]

 Campntime
You may be talking a but the colemans that you can buy at Wally World.  I had one for about 8 years and it held up well.  It weighs about 65 pounds and costs about 350. They are about 15 feet.  
 
 If you treat it right, it will last.  It is not a smooth canoe in that it does take some effort to paddle and turn it but if you are only using it for paddling around, it will do.  I fished with mine and also put a small electric motor on.
 
 It is fairly stable but then any canoe can be flipped.
 
 Canoes can get expensive and cost well over 1500 dollars.
 
 Visit a place that sells them and they might let you try one or two out.  Don t overlook a used canoe.  You can get some good buys.
 
 Try this link to find some basic information about canoes:  http://www.wenonah.com/