The Canoe Vs. Kayak Debate

[Al Agnew]

A comment on kayaks over canoes in another thread prompted me to write this (again), and rather than hijack that thread, I thought I'd start a new one.

Kayaks are all the rage these days. I can understand it for pleasure floaters, but I can't believe anglers love them so much, because they have inherent drawbacks for fishing compared to solo canoes. The problem seems to be that everybody compares solo kayaks to the tandem canoes they've always rented or owned, and most of them seem to be comparing them to the 17 ft. aluminum canoe that used to be the rental and boy scout camp standard. OF COURSE, a solo kayak is probably going to be faster, more maneuverable, and easier to paddle than a tandem canoe, especially a tandem canoe with a vanilla design like the usual 17 ft. rec canoe. But it isn't a fair comparison unless you compare the kayak to a craft that's meant to do the same thing--carry ONE person. And that's a SOLO canoe. I've spent time in both, and the solo canoe can do anything a solo kayak can, and do most of it better, especially if you use a double bladed paddle with it, along with a single blade.

I've paddled around, played in, and rented kayaks for fun...but I own 4 solo canoes, and have owned two others in the past.

I think I'm on a one-man crusade to get people off the kayak craze and onto solo canoes...if solo canoes were more popular, there would be more good models more widely available.

Things that my Wenonah Vagabond does as well as any kayak I've ever paddled:

speed (with a double bladed paddle)

going upstream (with a double bladed paddle)

maneuverability (with either a single or double blade)

stability (if you REALLY need to be stable, like in rapids, you can kneel in it)

Things it does BETTER:

Carries a lot more gear, and carries rods, etc. a lot more conveniently

Portability (easier to cartop, and it weighs 43 pounds compared to the 50 or more pounds of the average sit-in kayak)

Precise one-handed maneuverability (while you're holding your fishing rod in the other hand)

Better on twisty, brushy, narrow little creeks (with the single blade--you don't have a double blade sticking out on the sides or up in the air to get hung in brush when things get tight)

Comfort (most people find sitting up in a canoe more comfortable than sitting with your legs straight out in front in a kayak)

Better visibility and castability (higher vantage point and higher angle off the water)

Things the kayak can do better:

Shorter learning curve (although you can learn to handle either with a double bladed paddle just as easily, single blade strokes in a canoe take a bit more knowledge and practice)

Handles wind better (due to lower profile)

So for anybody considering buying a kayak, you owe it to yourself to try out a good solo canoe first. There are good Royalex models for fishing made by Old Town (the Pack), Wenonah (Vagabond, Wilderness, Argosy), Bell (Yellowstone Solo), and Mohawk (Solo 13 and 14, Odyssey).

[hoglaw]

I have an old fiberglass canoe with all the seats stripped out for solo fishing. It doesn't weigh a thing and I can stand up and walk around in it. I can also lay rods down at my feet and not have to grab them every time I get into the trees. I use a single blade extra long paddle, and mainly stand up to paddle. If I'm just cruising, or going long distances, I'll sit down on a cooler or something else. I can move the center of gravity to any part of the boat I want...closer to the front/middle for long distances on calm days, closer to the back for manuvering or on windy days. I can scull with one hand to get into perfect position while maintaining a tight line on my shakey-head. I can jump out of my boat into deep water without getting anything else wet (though I can't get back in!).

Where's the freedom in a kayak?

[ColdWaterFshr]

Now, Al . . . its a bit of moot point you're making when we all know that you've made the evil leap to roostertail-throwin-gonzo-driving-JETBOATS!!!

[creek wader]

I own an inflatable kayak, for the convience. Since, I have to store it in my vehicle, that I leave in Jefferson City. When I bought it, I was looking for a sit in, that would give me storage like a canoe. So, I bought a 11 ft. sit in inflatable tandem kayak. Which I use solo. It isn't as wide as a solo canoe, still it is fairly stable. I can store alot of gear. Also, I can lay rods in it, which makes it much more hands free. It's kind of like a travel rod, it gives me a boat when I normally would not have one. It works for my situation.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I own both and I can't argue with what Al says. I've used my kayaks a lot less since acquiring my Mohawk 13 a few years back. If there is a big difference, to me it would be in comparing 10' kayaks, in price and physical handling, to solo's. They're generally cheaper, weigh the same, and can be carried in more vehicles.

[RSBreth]

Old Town Pack here. Paddled several kayaks, and owned two before I really tried a solo canoe. For screwing around with one rod and a minimum of tackle, or just using it as transportation between places you get out and wade, 'yaks do fine. But for serious fishing a solo can't be beat. I can carry 4 or 5 ( 4 or 5!) 7-foot rods IN the canoe, tips protected, right in front of me. Along with camera and tripod, tackle bag, lunch cooler, and extra paddle. It's totally changed my stream fishing for the better.

Besides, you gonna disagree with Al about stream fishing?

[trout fanatic]

I recently purchased a kayak for the simple reason that I have never had one and wanted one. Period. It never entered my mind that it was better suited than a canoe or did anything better. It has its limitations like anything else and I am very happy with my purchase. It sure takes up a lot less room in the garage than my old bass boat did. Come to think of it, I'll bet there is room for a canoe alongside her.

[Al Agnew]

There ya go, Trout Fanatic...you really need BOTH!

Coldwaterfisher, yep, and I'm still so conflicted about it I'm gonna have to spend huge amounts of money for Psychiatrist bills!

Actually, the jetboat gets a lot of use in cold weather, but from now til November my canoes will get wet a whole lot more than the jetboat.

[ollie]

While I can't argue with what Al says, I will make this point.

Brand new good solo canoe = $700-1,500

Brand new good yak = $300-800

JMO

[jdmidwest]

Having fished from a variety of canoes, inflatables, and kayaks, I still like the yak. Canoes draft too much water, are too long in tight spaces, easy to tip over, catch too much wind, and unless its a short solo boat, its useless to fish or float by yourself in a stream. There were times when I always fished with a friend and canoes were fine, now I go alot alone and my kayaks fit the bill just fine. I can carry them into ponds and lakes on certain areas. I can pack 3 of them on my luggage rack. Now all of my friends own yaks too. I still drag out the canoe when the three of us go on a family float.

Alot of rental yaks are junk, my boats are top of the line and the hulls meet different needs. My Pamlico paddles like a dream and will take waves and current well. My sit on top can be stood up in, its a little slower, but extremely stable. You sit higher in it and its better for fishing. Both will carry a load and are comfortable to sit in. I can be dry and out of the wind in the sit in. After 5 years and 5 different styles I have it figured out. Sit ins have to have a open cockpit to get in and out of with waders. 12' seems to be an optimum length for around here. I had a longer boat, it started getting tippy like a canoe in heavy waves. One downside to kayaks, they are not made for big guys. 240lbs and less are okay, you just have to watch how much gear you pack. Each boat has its own weight rating as do canoes. But I am looking for another.

I have not tried any of the solo canoes, I am sure they have a place. The yak I am looking at is by Native Watercraft, the Ultimate 12. It is open top like a canoe, stable, has a skeg, and made for fishing. I am going to try one out next weekend.

My yaks both hunt and fish. I bought them for hunting and fishing was just an extra. The yaks are stealthier, lay lower in the water, and are easier to camo.