Hello, I'm the OUTDOOR PROFESSOR from DiscoveringTheOutdoors.com/
Here's your outdoor tip on choosing a kayak or canoe.
Dedicated canoe enthusiasts will tell you, “Of course, there is a difference. It’s hard to even compare the two.”
Avid kayakers often will tell you, “Why do you even care about what a canoe is? A kayak is the only kind of boat you will ever need to know about. Canoes are for those old people who don’t know any better.”
Europeans often use the words canoe and kayak interchangeably. If you go to the Web site of the International Canoe Federation you will find canoe referring to many events using kayaks. Go to the American Canoe Association Web site and you will immediately see: “Kayak and Canoe Recreation.” The site proclaims, “Dedicated to helping people enjoy the outdoors using kayak, canoes, and rafts since 1880.” They do not make an obvious effort to differentiate between the boats.
Look up the definition of a canoe on Wikipedia and you find a definition something like, a small boat usually pointed at each end and usually open...but can be covered. The kayak definition on the same site is a small human-powered boat usually with a covered deck and propelled by a double-bladed paddle.
It can be argued that the history of the kayak dates back more than 4000 years to the native hunters of the sub-arctic regions of North America and Greenland. The history of the popularized canoe in the United States shares a romantic history dating back a few hundred years to the American Indian. Both boats were largely a product of their environment and living needs. The bones, driftwood and animals skins were the available materials for the Inuit hunters who were literally “sewn” into their boats in the cold sub-artic climate. The birch-bark or hollowed-log canoe of the early Americans utilized the materials available and served the purpose of transportation in the early river systems. The contemporary canoe or kayak is made of modern materials that are being constantly improved and fit the needs of today’s paddler. It is an open boat symmetrically shaped around the centerline and should be able to be paddled in with direction although there are a number of variations of this design. Aluminum has been quickly replaced by fiberglass, plastic, Kevlar, and carbon fiber.
The sport of paddling can be enjoyed by propelling any of a variety of specially designed boats? Each has its own special purpose. The obvious difference between kayaks and canoes is that a kayak is normally propelled by a double-bladed paddle, while in a canoe, the paddlers uses a single-bladed paddle. Each is designed to fit individual personalities and lifestyle. If you do not know immediately what you prefer, put a paddle in the water by renting each one to try your luck. A canoe is flexible with no frills and very utilitarian. The kayak is usually geared more toward performance and precision with its sleek lines.
The family canoe can come in a size big enough to carry the whole family along with their gear on a trip. Canoes can even include the family pets and excel traveling on calm water. They are maneuverable for their size, but can easily fill with water with high waves and rain. There are great for leisurely nature watching and camping.
Kayaks also come in different sizes, but cargo space is usually more limited than in a canoe. Crew size is also limited to mostly one or two people. Kayaks can be fast and zip through rapids keeping the paddler dry with a more intimate contact with the water. Kayaks normally put the paddler frequently at or slightly below the water line that provides more stability. For turning and tracking canoes largely rely on the keel and taper of the sides of the boat. Kayaks often include rudders and skegs to increase tracking and turns.
“Try before you buy” is the main recommendation I also make to people. It’s hard to make a “wrong” decision if you do this. I personally think that if you do not have a definite need to carry a great deal of gear or people, you will enjoy the freedom and flexibility of the kayak. But, give each a try. Advances in boats may surprise you and the ease of paddling and closeness to the water may draw you wanting new paddling craft. Whichever you choose, each boat provides an excellent way for you to interact with nature.
This is the OUTDOOR PROFESSOR from DiscoveringTheOutdoors.com/
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References-Additional Reading
How to Buy a Used Kayak or Canoe
http://www.ebay.com/gds/How-to-Buy-a-Used-Kayak-or-Canoe-/10000000177635992/g.html
Kayak Types
http://www.smart-start-kayaking.com/Kayak-Types.html
Which Kayak Is Right for Me?
http://www.roscocanoes.com.au/KAYAKS/FAQ%60s/Which%20kayak%20is%20right%20for%20me-244.aspx
American Canoe Association
http://www.americancanoe.org/
Nature Quotient.
eBook @Amazon.com
Outdoor Professor’s Tips: Exploring the Wonders of Nature
eBook @Amazon.com
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