The Canoe Vs. Kayak Debate

[Al Agnew]

Agreed, good solo canoes are more expensive, but I think well worth it IF you have the money.

The apparently poorer stability of solo canoes compared to many kayaks is mainly a function of the higher seat. If you're in water where you NEED greater stability, like when going through rapids with good-sized wave trains (something that isn't all that common on Ozark streams), you can always kneel, putting your center of gravity lower and greatly stabilizing the canoe.

[RSBreth]

Didn't bore me at all, love hearing about other peoples experience with stuff I'm using. I have noticed some of the shortfalls of the Packs' design you mentioned, but it's still working for me. I think it may be that I do lots of the upstream portage-float back down trips is the reason I haven't outgrown the Pack yet. And I tend to fish more sedate water over here in SWMO. Oh, yeah then there's the fact I'm pretty broke these days. Cramps the new canoe budget, ya know.

[creek wader]

That's one thing I like about this site. You can get a lot of info, opinions, and views on a variety of things, without the usual trial and error method. You gotta love this site. Keep the posts coming.

[Greg]

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.

Well I think you may have convinced at least one person (me) to purchase a solo canoe. The more I research it and look into the subject the more I'm convinced that a solo canoe is what would work best for me. I think the extra $$ would be worth it for me.

So I'd like to thank you for posting this subject. I had never even thought about a solo until this thread. Now which one?????

Greg

[Greg]

I talked to a place that sells both solo canoes and kayaks here in Springfield today. Dynamic Earth. This place really pushed a kayak over a solo canoe. They said solo canoes don't track or handle nearly as well as a kayak and have a tendency to "spin around". I still haven't totally made up my mind but this surprised me.

They also said that they sell about 20 to 1 kayaks as opposed to solo canoes for fishing. I'm not sure if this is a negative regarding solo canoes though or just that kayaks are the newer trendy choice. I suspect the latter.

Greg

[jdmidwest]

I fish out of a sit in and a sit on top kayak, a Creek Co 8' pontoon, a 17' Grumman alum canoe, and a 14' Monark Jon Boat with a 9.5 Evinrude. I have also hunted out of all 4 successfully. I have never tried a solo canoe or know of anyone that has one. The only ones I have seen have been ones with full spray skirts and the owners wear helmets, and they were at Spring River or Upper St. Francois River during whitewater events. For the record, I have never tried a whitewater kayak, a belly tube, folboat, a bass boat with a bigger engine than a 50 hp., any ocean going boat, or made my own raft out of sticks either and can't give anyone my opinion about them.

That said, a 12' kayak is a good size boat for someone that fishes streams and ponds in this state per my 5 years experience with them and personally trying out over a dozen different lengths and hull types.

I strongly suggest you try out any personal watercraft before you invest in it if at all possible. You could end up with something drawing dust in the garage.

[RSBreth]

"I strongly suggest you try out any personal watercraft before you invest in it if at all possible. You could end up with something drawing dust in the garage."

Man, that's probably the best advice for anything I can think of, not just for boats, but used cars, future wives, old shotguns, etc. (Sorry folks)

Anyway- check your messages Greg.

[Wayne SW/MO]

That said, a 12' kayak is a good size boat for someone that fishes streams and ponds in this state per my 5 years experience with them and personally trying out over a dozen different lengths and hull types.

I would disagree because of my experience. The one area of use I would agree with your assessment is when one does a lot of fishing by traveling a good distance upstream. When floating I would put them below shorter yaks and definitely solo canoes.

I don't see a whole lot of difference in the overall comfort of any of the solo crafts, but there are distinct differences in maneuverability. The ability to avoid obstructions, quickly duck back into an eddy after passing through a shoal, and throw on a vehicle roof generaly belong to the solo canoe.

There is no perfect craft and each individual should decide what kind of water will be most important and require the most perfection from his craft.

[Bill B.]

I have fished from solo canoes but not from a kayak. Bought a Pack first, then replaced it several years ago with a Wenonah solo per Al's recommendation. I fully agree that the Vagabond is a better canoe. The only complaint I have is that sittiing in it for several hours is MURDER on my old knees. But that's true of larger canoes as well.

[jscheetz]

Well, just for more opinions - I fish out of a 9.5 foot kayak and love it. I have never tried a solo canoe and while I would like to, am pretty happy with what I do with my yak. The canoe would be good for more room, but oddly enough that is one of the things I like about the yak - the fact that I DON'T take 27 rods and the kitchen sink of tackle boxes (like I usually do if I have the room) - so being in the yak makes me strip down the gear and I think that is a good thing - travel light only the essentials... Cause if I had more room - I know I would want to fill it up (you should see my studio)

JS