Canoes And Kayaks
While you’d like to get into some paddling hobbies and are looking for the right watercraft, you may be wondering if you’d rather buy a canoe or a kayak for those weekends on the water. Kayaks look similar to canoes, only they’re slimmer and have an enclosed top, and their portability is attractive to you, but hold on a minute – there’s a big difference between the two types of boats that you need to consider before making the wrong choice.
Kayaks can, and often are, used for simple river travel. Because of their design and light weight, kayaks are able to travel over water much faster then a canoe. This comes in handy when you are going down rapids, since part of the thrill of a kayak is moving at high speeds down rough, bouncy water. Most canoes would get torn to pieces in rough water or, at the very least, the rider would get tossed out (which can be fatal in many cases). Kayaks are designed to negate the risks of descending whitewater rapids. They are crafted to spin around and have counterweights to keep them upright. The closed top also makes it much harder for a person to fall out.
However, if what you’d like is to fish or traverse a river or lake slowly and casually, a kayak may not be for you. Because of their shape and size, it is nearly impossible to carry much in the way of supplies inside a kayak. At best, you may be able to fit a small cooler into the boat with you. Canoes are able to carry much more in the way of cargo, and they can have anchors attached to allow stationary parking in the midst of a lake to enjoy the sights. Plus, the wider shape of a canoe allows for more stability than a kayak can offer, which can certainly help for times when you don’t particularly want a fast-paced, break-neck ride.
The canoe and the kayak were created with extremely different purposes in mind, and one can’t replace the other. You’ll have to decide what you really want to do with your watercraft before you make the purchase, as the wrong choice will leave you unhappy. Certainly, two things should be very clear – kayaks are made for thrill seekers and canoes are for those that have little penchant for extreme adventure.
By Sports Info Editor
Click here for details about Paddler Magazine – The magazine for whitewater boating enthusiasts. Covers rafting, kayaking, and canoeing in the U.S. and internationally.
