Although many people refer to canoeing when they mean kayaking, they are not the same thing; there is  difference between the two. If you are among those people who are not familiar with the various differences between kayaks and canoe, then you are in the right place. Read through this simple guide to understand the many contrasts between the two.

Kayaks vs. canoes: Do you know what are the key variations between the two?  Below are some of  the main variances between the two.

1.Difference Between Kayaks and Canoes– Let’s start with Closed vs. Open design

Let’s start with the most significant difference between canoes and kayaks  and this would be on the boats themselves. When it comes to canoes, they are heavier compared to kayaks with an extensive frame that is open on top like a rowboat and have the traditional boat appearance. Canoe’s are designed with more gear carrying capacity and can carry multiple passengers.
Kayaks are small in size, sleeker boats that are designed for high speed and maneuverability. Which makes them great for recreational needs like open water paddling, Whitewater rapids, or river tours.

We have different types of canoes around the world, but the most common one that you are likely to see near lakes around you is the recreational one. They are usually around 13 to 17 feet in length. Canoes generally have tall sides and sit typically higher on the water compared to kayaks, with the paddler sitting on kneels or benches running the beam width.

Some kayaks have an open-top called sit on top kayaks, but many are built with a closed cockpit. This means kayakers will sit inside. Kayaks are more versatile, with different designs intended for various purposes such as recreational, whitewater use or kayak fishing.

2. Seating and comfort

Since canoes have an open-top, this makes climbing in and out  a lot easier. It is a straightforward process, like just stepping on board. Paddlers have an opportunity to use the nearby canoe’s side to stabilize them and even stand up when they are inside. When sitting in a canoe your knees are usually bent since  you are sitting elevated on a bench.

Where as in the kayak, your legs are usually straight out in front of you, since there is no bench or the seat.  In a kayak you sit lower to the bottom of the kayak than the canoe’s bench.

Getting into a kayak is not that easy. It requires a paddler to slide his or her legs into the cockpit while maintaining balance to avoid tipping the boat. But once you get inside a kayak, it is more relaxing and comfortable than a canoe.

Kayaks do not provide a comfortable ride to paddlers who wish to extend their trips.  Unlike canoes, which offer more freedom of riding allowed by its open-top design. After all, you can stand up in a canoe and stretch your back and legs which is something you can not do in a kayak without taking the risk of tipping over.

How to paddle

Canoes are bulky and very heavy, which means they take a lot of effort for a person to paddle  them. In most instances, it requires two people. Learning how to paddle a canoe is more complicated than for a kayak. The canoe paddle will have a single blade. With two people doing a tandem canoe trip, in order to go forward they will need to remove your paddle from the water and place it back in the water on opposite sides of the canoe or each person can be responsible for one side of the canoe and they always paddle on that side. (Although doing it this way you get a workout of your muscles but it’s very uneven). If not in sync, you could go in circles. This leads to even more coordination between the two people that are in the canoe.

It is very important for  your partner to hold up their end of the paddling, because if you are doing it all by yourself,  it will be challenging. If you are paddling with a child, they may not be able to paddle at all, so keep that in mind.

Kayak paddles have a blade on both ends that are designed to be used by one paddler that dips straight into the water.  But it also takes some skill for two kayakers to paddle together

. They must also paddle on the same side in order to continue to move forward. But paddling a tandem by yourself, with kids, is a lot easier in a kayak. The kayak is easier to move forward than the canoe and takes less effort.

3. Difference Between Kayak and Canoes: Maneuverability and Stability

A canoe is more stable compared to a kayak, but they all can tip over.

When it comes to speed, kayaks move faster with ease. Some kayaks come with a rudder and skeg already built in it and that helps with the steering. Because of this, less effort is needed giving it great maneuverability. In both canoes and kayaks, there are types more stable than others. Meaning, there are kayaks that are more stable than other kayaks and same goes for canoes. A wider boat is more stable, but this also leads to a slower boat, as well.

4. How they are used

Both have a wide range of uses like fishing, river paddling, long-distance trips, and even camping. Canoes offer big storage space; it is the best option to choose if you want to go out to relax.
Kayaks offer the best choice for fishing, given the full rod holders, foot pedals, and deeps wells.

Conclusion

Which should you choose, a canoe or a kayak? Well, it comes down to your personal preference. They both have their own benefits, and flaws. It all depends on what you’re planning to use it for. Kayaks are designed to be portable. Canoes are great for large load capacity and hauling more people. This makes group exploring or camping easier. Kayaks are good for maneuvering in narrow spaces and moving faster. These are some of the main differences between kayaks and canoes. I hope you are now in a better position to differentiate the two.

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