Canoes and kayaks are the typical paddle boats these days, and if you’re not much into water sports, you quickly wonder what the difference really is. In British English, the term canoe can refer to a kayak as well, while canoes are called Canadian or open canoes to distinguish them from kayaks. To keep it simple, we will stick in the following with the common terms canoe and kayak.
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Both types of boats can be used for recreation as well as for water sports, fishing or touring, depending on the model. However, there are some differences that will be pointed out in the following section. Also, we have created a decision guide to help you determine if a kayak or canoe is the right boat for you.
The chart and table below are intended to provide a brief comparison of the two types of boats. If you are still unsure after reading this article, you can also test paddle both boat types in a specialty store or at a rental store.
| Kayak | Canoe | |
| Paddle | double blade paddle | single blade paddle |
| Hull shape | smaller | wider |
| Speed | faster | slower |
| Usage | sporty paddling tours | relaxing paddling tours |
| Seat position | sitting | kneeling or sitting |
| Deck | often with deck | no deck |
| Luggage capacity | low | high |
| Price | low-high | mid-high |
| Kayak | Canoe | |
| Paddle | double blade paddle | single blade paddle |
| Hull shape | smaller | wider |
| Speed | faster | slower |
| Usage | sporty paddling tours | relaxing paddling tours |
| Seat position | sitting | kneeling or sitting |
| Deck | often with deck | no deck |
| Luggage capacity | low | high |
| Price | low-high | mid-high |
For a canoe you will use a single blade paddle. The paddle technique with a single blade paddle is a bit more difficult to learn, in particular when paddling alone. Therefore, there exists canoes for 2 or more persons. A canoe is normally completely open, which means that it doesn’t have any deck as splash guard. But there are some canoes that come with a little deck at the stern and bow. When paddling, the paddler is sitting or deep kneeling. It has a lot of space for luggage.
For a kayak you use a double blade paddle. This means, that it is perfect for everybody who prefers paddling alone. Moreover, a kayak comes in most cases with a splash guard. The paddler is always sitting in the boat and the seat position is much deeper than in a canoe. So, in kayak you are much better protected from splashing water. Thanks to its flatter and smaller shape, a kayak is much faster and more wind-resistant than a canoe. However, it has less luggage load possibilities and loading is a bit more complicated. That’s why most kayaks come with a luggage strap on the bow and stern, in order to attach properly your luggage.
Kayak or canoe – How to decide?
Whether a kayak or a canoe is the right boat for you is a very individual question. In general, it can be said that kayaks are much more common than canoes, since most paddlers have many arguments in favor of a kayak. Nevertheless, canoes definitely have their justification, because in some circumstances one argument is enough and the decision to buy a canoe is made. In the following, we have put together a few points for you to find out which boat is right for you.
Why a kayak is the right boat for you!
You want to paddle mostly alone
A kayak can be paddled better alone with a double blade paddle than a canoe with a single blade paddle. That is why there are significantly more 1-person kayaks than 1-person canoes. To paddle canoes with a double blade paddle, these boats are usually too wide for that.
You have no experience paddling
Beginners do easier with a double blade paddle and feel safer in a kayak. There are significantly more tip-resistant kayaks (e.g. sit-on-top kayaks). Tilt stability is further increased by the low seating position of a kayak. In addition, navigating with double blade paddles is more intuitive than with a single blade paddle. In addition, there are kayaks with a rudder, which supports your navigation on the water.
You have no experience paddling
Beginners do easier with a double blade paddle and feel safer in a kayak. There are significantly more tip-resistant kayaks (e.g. sit-on-top kayaks). Tilt stability is further increased by the low seating position of a kayak. In addition, navigating with double blade paddles is more intuitive than with a single blade paddle. In addition, there are kayaks with a rudder, which supports your navigation on the water.
You want to make a lot of distance in a short time on the water
Because of its flatter and narrower design, a kayak is faster and less susceptible to wind than a canoe. It is also faster to paddle alone with a double blade paddle.
You want to paddle on big waters
To get around on large waters where you’re exposed to wind and waves, you’ll make better progress in a kayak and be better protected in a kayak due to its closed design. In case of capsize, a kayak can be rolled. On large lakes and seas, almost only kayaks are found.
You also want to paddle in the off-season
Kayaks have a deck with a seat hatch that can be closed off with a spraydeck. So no water gets into the boat, and the body heat remains in the boat.
You want to spend as little money as possible on the boat
Canoes start in the low four figures, whereas kayaks start in the low to mid three figures.
If you want to be more sporty, then the kayak is the better boat for you. Because of its shape, it is faster and you can do more kilometers. Many kayaks have a splash guard. This protects you better in challenging water conditions from water getting into the boat. Also, if you want to paddle alone, a kayak is a better choice. Depending on the model, it is suitable for cruising along the coast, on rivers and lakes, and on white water. If you want to start paddling, a kayak is the better choice. There are kayaks already in the lower price segment. The paddling technique is easier to master and requires less practice. In addition, kayaks are lighter in weight.
Below you will find some examples of popular kayaks. There are inflatable, folding and rigid hull kayaks.
AE ADVANCEDFRAME CONVERTIBLE ELITE
for 1 or 2 persons
very stable and fast
highly configurable
ORU KAYAK BEACH LT
for 1 person
fast and easy assembly
feels like a hard shell
OCEAN KAYAK MALIBU TWO
for 2 persons
very stable on the water
perfect beginner kayak
Besides sit-inside kayaks, there are also open kayaks, which are often sit-on-top kayaks. With a sit-on-top kayak, you sit on the kayak instead of in the kayak. They are perfect as good weather kayaks and great for beginners, as they are extremely stable against tipping and getting back out of the water is much easier than with sit-inside kayaks.
In the range of inflatable and folding kayaks, there are even kayaks that can be used as open or closed kayaks. Such kayaks have a removable deck (e.g. Gumotex Seawave, Gumotex Rush 2, nortik scubi 1 XL, Advanced Elements Convertible Elite). In addition, the kayaks can be paddled both alone and together with another person, because the two kayak seats can be placed variably.
Why a kayak is the right boat for you!
You want to go paddling with your family in the same boat
Canoes are the larger boats and offer much more space. 3 or 4-person canoes are not uncommon. Two children can easily fit on the middle bench seat of a large canoe. Children do not have to sit on the bench all the time, but can also play on the floor.
You want to take a lot of luggage on your tours (e.g. camping equipment for multi-day tours).
A canoe offers significantly more capacity due to its large interior space. It is easy to stow large containers, dry bags, boat trolleys, etc. In addition, a canoe can be loaded and unloaded more easily due to its open design (e.g. during transfers on river tours or at campsites). Canoes are often found on rivers, which are paddled over several days.
You are already at an older age or not the most agile
Due to the open design and the raised seating position, it is much easier to get in and out of the canoe. Instead of sitting on the ground with your legs almost outstretched, you sit on a bench in the canoe.
So if you want to go on longer trips with a lot of luggage and the distance covered is not the main concern, then the canoe is the better boat for you. It offers more space for your luggage, as for your camping gear. Also, the canoe is the more family-friendly boat, as it is easier to get in and out and load luggage. It is especially suitable for paddling on rivers and lakes.
In the same way for canoes you will find below some examples of popular canoes. There are also inflatable, folding and rigid hull canoes.
ITIWIT X500 CANOE
for 2 adults + 2 kids
great transport bag incl.
great value for money
OLD TOWN DISCOVERY 169
for 2 person
perfect for long distances
Made in USA
SEVYLOR ADVENTURE PLUS
1 – 3 persons
entry-level boat
kayak seats
The cheapest kayak or canoe on the market
If you are looking for a cheap kayak or canoe, you have to limit your search to kayaks. In general, kayaks are cheaper than canoes. The cheapest kayak on the market is the Intex Challenger K1*. Depending on the offer and season, the kayak incl. paddle and air pump is available as a complete set for under 100$. An air pump is necessary because it is an inflatable kayak. We have already paddled it ourselves and it works alright for small and calm paddling tours. The price-performance ratio is unbeatable.
INTEX CHALLENGER K1
for 1 person
pump and paddle incl.
front deck
Nevertheless, you should be aware when buying such a cheap kayak that it can’t compete with a rigid or folding canoe or high-quality inflatable kayak (for example Aqua Marina Tomahawk, Itiwit x500, Advanced Elements AdvancedFrame, …). It has a low stiffness due to the low air pressure, a small interior, a less resistant boat skin made of PVC film without fabric core, no coaming to attach a spraydeck, no carrying handles. However, it has a fin for better straight running and high tipping stability.
