Canoe vs Kayak: Uncovering the Best Fit for Your Paddling Adventures

Choosing between a canoe and a kayak can be difficult if you’re new to watersports. Though similar in function, these two vessels have distinct differences when it comes to seating position, paddling technique, stability, and maneuverability.

Canoes, for example, offer plenty of storage space and stability, making them great for family trips on the lake. Meanwhile, kayaks, with their impressive maneuverability and speed, are better suited for whitewater and other extreme sport enthusiasts. 

If you need help choosing which is best for your needs, we have you covered. 

Canoe vs. Kayak: The Key Differences

Kayaks and Canoes have quite a few of the same features and characteristics. In fact, the price point is almost the same. However, entry-level kayaks are typically cheaper and easier to maneuver and paddle than entry-level canoes. Let’s take a look at all of the critical differences between canoes and kayaks. 

Single-Bladed Paddle vs. Double-Bladed Paddle

Canoes utilize a single-bladed paddle, requiring more technique and time to master. 

Canoe paddlers with a single-bladed paddle can draw a big ‘C’ shape in the water, use power strokes by twisting their torso, and adjust the paddling pressure on each side of the stroke to maintain a straight line. 

On the other hand, kayaks employ a double-bladed paddle, providing faster and less tiring paddling and better balance. The double-bladed paddle allows for quicker, more precise strokes.

Kayak paddlers with a double-bladed paddle use alternate strokes on both sides of the boat, engaging their core muscles and using strokes such as the forward stroke, draw stroke, and stern pry stroke.

Deck Designs: Open vs Closed

Canoes feature an open-top design, offering more space for gear, increased freedom of movement, and easier entry and exit. 

Kayaks have a closed deck with a cockpit, providing a lower center of gravity and a more enclosed space for paddling, which can help with stability and control. However, this design may limit movement, obstruct the view, and make getting in and out more challenging.

To combat water ingress in kayaks, paddlers can use a spray deck, also known as a spray skirt, a cover that keeps water out of the cockpit. Removing and exiting the kayak with it on can be tricky, so it’s essential to practice exiting your kayak in case of a capsize. 

Stability and Maneuverability

Canoes are more stable than kayaks, making them less likely to capsize. This alone may make canoes a more attractive choice to those with little experience on the water. Canoe stability is especially appealing to families with young children. 

Kayaks win the maneuverability contest, especially in narrow or winding waterways. 

Certain types of canoes, like racing canoes, are built to be faster and easier to pilot, but these canoes often still need to catch up on kayaks regarding maneuverability.

Visual Differences 

A kayak is typically enclosed, with a covered deck and one or more cockpit openings where the paddler sits with their legs extended forward. Kayaks are narrower and lower to the water, offering a sleek, streamlined shape. Canoes are wider and have higher sides.

Canoe

Kayak

Types of Canoes

Canoes range from recreational canoes to racing canoes to tripping canoes. Each model has a different length, features, and functionality. 

Recreational Canoes

A recreational canoe like the Old Town or Nova Craft is designed with beginner paddlers and families in mind, offering stability and control for leisurely trips on calm waters. These versatile boats are perfect for fishing, camping, and enjoying a relaxing paddle with family and friends.

These vessels are typically built for up to three people, are usually between 13ft and 17ft long, and feature ample storage space.

Racing Canoes

Racing canoes like the Wenonah prioritize speed and efficiency over comfort and stability. They sit lower in the water and have narrower bodies, reducing their carrying capacity. These canoes often also have rudders for better steering.

The shape of a racing canoe notably influences its speed and maneuverability. Here are some key factors to consider:

• Longer canoes are faster and more stable, allowing them to maintain higher speeds, yet maneuverability can still be difficult 
• Lightweight materials like aramid, kevlar, carbon fiber, and epoxy resin contribute to the boat’s overall speed, so pick one of these materials if racing is your priority.

Types of Kayaks

Like canoes, kayaks come in a myriad of shapes, sizes, and designs, each catering to different paddling preferences and water conditions.

Sit-inside, sit-on-top, and touring kayaks are the most common types of kayaks you’ll have the option to choose from.

Sit-Inside Kayaks

Sit-inside kayaks, or racing kayaks, are crafted for experienced paddlers who plan to ride in low temperatures and rough conditions. 

These boats feature an enclosed cockpit, protecting from the wind and water, a lower center of gravity for stability, and more storage space than open deck designs.

Pelican is a widely known brand for sit inside kayaks and they have a variety of styles and options. 

Sit-on-Top Kayaks

Ideal for beginners, sit-on-top kayaks offer unparalleled stability and ease of entry and exit. Their open deck design allows for more freedom of movement while paddling, making them suitable for a variety of recreational activities, including:

• Fishing
• Surfing
• Touring
• Whitewater paddling
• Snorkeling
• Diving

The stability of sit-on-top kayaks is a result of their:

• Wider width
• Higher center of gravity
• Self-bailing scupper holes

If you are new to kayak ownership and still unsure about which model is best for you, the Sit on Top Kayak from Perception is an excellent option. 

Touring Kayaks

Designed for long-distance paddling, touring, or recreational kayaks provide:

• Ample storage space
• Easier paddling for extended trips
• Narrow and longer designs
• Angular hulls to help you stay on course 
• Customizable features like hip and thigh hooks for enhanced support and comfort

Touring kayaks typically range from 10 to 20 feet long and 18 to 24 inches wide, allowing for improved speed and efficiency in various water conditions. Touring kayaks are the voyager’s choice for extended adventures on the water.

Canoe vs. Kayak: How To Choose the Right Watercraft

When it comes down to choosing between a canoe and a kayak, a few factors come into play, including your intended use, where you’ll be using it, and how many people you’ll be bringing along.

In general, canoes are best suited for casual trips and long rides on a calm lake or river. They offer more room for gear and tend to be more comfortable than kayaks. Canoes also make it easy to take your kids or pet along for a ride, making them great for outings with the family.

If you plan to buy a canoe, some popular choices include:

• Old Town Saranac 160 Canoe
• Esquif Echo Canoe
• Sea Eagle Travel Canoe 16

While kayaks are also perfectly fine for casual trips, they shine when used for sports or when traveling on whitewater. Both Kayaks and Canoes can be used as a form of exercise and sport. However, kayaks tend to be the vessel of choice for those who want a more athletic experience out on the water. 

If you’d rather purchase a kayak, some of the top options are:

• Hobie Mirage Passport 10.5 R Sit-On-Top Kayak
• Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame Convertible Tandem Inflatable Kayak
• Eddyline Skylark Kayak

Final Thoughts

Before purchasing a kayak or canoe, it’s essential to consider where you plan to store it when not in use. These boats can be upwards of 15 feet in length, which can make it challenging to find space in your garage to store your watercraft securely.

If you lack the space to store your new vessel in the off-season, consider renting affordable,  covered storage space through a self-storage marketplace like Neighbor.