Canoe vs kayak

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rusty_tlc

rusty_tlc

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My wife and i are thinking about getting a couple of kayaks.
I'm starting to think I might like a small canoe better.
We would be sticking to lakes and flat water river stuff.

I'm thinking something small and light weight but big enough to let me take the dog in it with me. He's about 65# give or take 5#
 
Canoe - good deals can be had on used canoes depending on your location. I found a 16ft old town penobscot in SoCal for $100.
 
If you're not planning on whitewater, as it sounds, then go with the canoe. It'll be much more flexible. For instance, finding firewood, taking a picnic, etc. Most kayak's don't have a separate cargo compartment, although a few do. The one's I've seen would not work with your size dog.:p

I would think that you can find a canoe that fits all three of you, in a pinch, but you'll still feel comfortable paddling with just and the dog in it, while your wife gets to use the kayak still.
 
I've had a canoe for over thirty years and would recommend it to anyone. Mine is 19 foot aluminum so it is heavy, clunky and loud. I took my wife and dog (and son when he was young) on many flat water and even some fast water. We've gone on say trips and overnights. My wife rarely paddles but it's not a problem.

Get a synthetic canoe, something with kevlar, a carrying yoke and comfortable seats.

Rnjoy.
 
If solo, I'd consider a kayak. But it sounds like your needs are more canoe oriented. I have a 16ft. old town and it is great 90% of the time. I'm considering buying a kayak or a small solo canoe for when I'm out by myself.
 
I should clarify a little.

The wife hates canoes, we borrowed one for a weekend. Plus anything big enough for both of us and the dog would be to heavy for me to lift onto a cruiser roof rack by my self, she really shouldn't do any heavy lifting. We also like the freedom of two separate craft.


We will probably spend some time next spring in rentals or borrowed kayaks before we buy. If I can rent or borrow a small canoe I'd like to give it a chance.

What got me thinking about canoes was a trip I did on the Delaware river years ago. There was a guy who had a solo canoe and it looked like it was pretty cool, he used a two blade paddle and scooted right along. Plus I hate leaving Jake behind. He is a very well behaved dog and very smart I'm sure he would get used to riding in a canoe pretty fast.
 
I take it she's not Canadian...

Sounds like you've ruled out the larger canoes due to weight. Have you tried a Kevlar ultralight canoe? That might be manageable, though it would be more fragile than other materials. Another possibility might be a canoe for you and god the copilot, and a kayak for the better half.
 
If you are willing to spend - you can get a canoe in the 40-50lb range. I use a yakima load bar that pulls out to the side so with little assistance from the wife, I can load it pretty easily.
 
poke boat..


New Page 1


designed to fit a man, a gun and a dog..
 
My son and I paddled a hybrid before I took the plunge on our 2 angler yaks. The only reason we decided against getting on of them was because we do a lot of our paddling on the coast, and it would swamp too easily. Check out the link below for Native Watercraft, my favorite hybrid.

Hybrid Kayak Overview
 
SunTzuMD said:
If you are willing to spend - you can get a canoe in the 40-50lb range. I use a yakima load bar that pulls out to the side so with little assistance from the wife, I can load it pretty easily.
Click to expand...
Dad used a 2 2x4s. He clamped one end of each to the opposite end of the roof rack bar and had the other ends hang over the side he wanted to lift the canoe up on. He'd lift the canoe up onto it, and then slide the canoe over onto the roof rack. Once the canoe was up he'd remove the 2x4s and tie them up under the canoe.

The rack I had for my car had fore/aft side rails. I'd approach the car from the side, lift one end of the canoe onto the side rail. Then I'd slide it up until roughly centered. Next I'd pivot it around to align it with the car.

For the pickup truck rack I'd just approach from the rear. I'd let the canoe tail drag so the bow is up high enough to clear the rear rack. Once the bow was up on the rear rack, I'd grab the stern, lift, and slide it forward until the canoe was centered properly fore/aft.

The canoe I have is a mid to late '60s aluminum SmokerCraft made for river running. I'm sure it isn't under 80lbs.
 
psfpilot said:
.... Another possibility might be a canoe for you and god the copilot, and a kayak for the better half.
Click to expand...
That is exactly the option I'm considering.
 
Bogo said:
Dad used a 2 2x4s. He clamped one end of each to the opposite end of the roof rack bar and had the other ends hang over the side he wanted to lift the canoe up on. He'd lift the canoe up onto it, and then slide the canoe over onto the roof rack. Once the canoe was up he'd remove the 2x4s and tie them up under the canoe.

The rack I had for my car had fore/aft side rails. I'd approach the car from the side, lift one end of the canoe onto the side rail. Then I'd slide it up until roughly centered. Next I'd pivot it around to align it with the car.

For the pickup truck rack I'd just approach from the rear. I'd let the canoe tail drag so the bow is up high enough to clear the rear rack. Once the bow was up on the rear rack, I'd grab the stern, lift, and slide it forward until the canoe was centered properly fore/aft.

The canoe I have is a mid to late '60s aluminum SmokerCraft made for river running. I'm sure it isn't under 80lbs.
Click to expand...

I can figure out a way to do almost anything. I'd just rather have something light I can flip up on top of a lifter Cruiser roof rack or carry 1/4 mile from parking to beach.
 
Mace said:
poke boat..


New Page 1


designed to fit a man, a gun and a dog..
Click to expand...


OyajiJon said:
My son and I paddled a hybrid before I took the plunge on our 2 angler yaks. The only reason we decided against getting on of them was because we do a lot of our paddling on the coast, and it would swamp too easily. Check out the link below for Native Watercraft, my favorite hybrid.

Hybrid Kayak Overview
Click to expand...

Thanks this is why I post questions like this here, links to lots of stuff I've never found on the interwebs myself.
 
Good old Canoe can't really be beat. I've never seen that poke Boat before, but it looks pretty neat. I've got a a few 16' Tandem and Solo canoes, as well as a 14' Solo canoe and I've never been disappointed. I have a 16' Canadian Tire special canoe that's been to hell and back a few times. It's heavy, but durable like you wouldn't believe. I have a 80lb German Shephard that comes huntin with me for deer and the odd moose. Although it's not a square stern, I manage to get a 4hp outboard on the back of by 16' and it cruise's pretty good. Personally for my self I'll be getting an inflatable next, Zodiak or check out Eagle Inflatables. Happy trails!
 
No dog here, but the wife and I sold the canoe and got two old town dirigos. Works out really well. Our old canoe cut water like a cruiser cuts air, it was slow. The yaks move along without much effort and if you hit it hard they are fast.

One vote for the kayaks here.
 
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