Canoe vs kayak

[Smellydog]

My daughter and I built our own kayaks. She was about 12 at the time, iirc. Working alongside me, copying what I did, we built one each, then used all the left over bits and pieces to build a third one which we sold to cover the costs of the whole project.
It was a fantastic way to spend a daddy & daughter week or two of the summer hols. Memories were made that'll last forever.
I would recommend it.

Is that what you all used to escape from Bardsey....

 

[BenBhoy]

My daughter and I built our own kayaks. She was about 12 at the time, iirc. Working alongside me, copying what I did, we built one each, then used all the left over bits and pieces to build a third one which we sold to cover the costs of the whole project.
It was a fantastic way to spend a daddy & daughter week or two of the summer hols. Memories were made that'll last forever.
I would recommend it.

Mate you clearly haven't seen my woodworking skills!!! I could put some bale twine on a plank and try float!!

 

[weblyish]

We're lucky enough to have easy access to a beautiful stretch of the trent, so I'd like to buy something inflatable to be able to go out on a nice day. Be me & 2 kids & dog. Im thinking canoe better suited as more space. However kayak seems to be far more popular. Anyone with real world experience of both? Looking at this one to get us started.
All Inflatable Kayaks | Decathlon https://share.google/iBw8Dzot2WXIOs2D0

Sevylor Adventure Canoe Kit | Charlies https://share.google/WDBjC5riXprMgVHr8

I run the water activities program for 200 scouts and have been an instructor for most types of craft for a decade or more.

Something inflatable for a quick muck about on a nice day basically within sight of your launch, with kids and dogs?
Easy, Just get a couple of paddle boards. The Aldi ones are decent value or they are always coming up on fleabay/gumtree etc

They are by far the lightest safest and quickest to set up. Fairly resistant to wind and easy to get back on to. Zero entrapment risk.

Inflatable kayaks/canoes are a nightmare in the wind and so much more faff. Their Ropes and straps present an entrapment risk you will forever find yourself blown into a corner and spinning around

If you want to go a bit further or take a full picnic and camp then a 'proper' canoe will make your life so much easier if you can store and transport one . A prospector or venturer 14 -16ft


Please please please
Get buoyancy aids ('lifejackets') and make the kids wear them and read the cold water shock stuff - this is a real risk on a hot day

Cold Water Shock Infographic

Paddlesport participation is at an all-time high, but so is the risk of cold water shock. In 2024 alone, there were 193 accidental water-related fatalities in the UK. Many of these tragedies occurred…

paddleuk.org.uk

 

[WW.]

Definitely get BAs.

 

[SSN100]

I run the water activities program for 200 scouts and have been an instructor for most types of craft for a decade or more.

Something inflatable for a quick muck about on a nice day basically within sight of your launch, with kids and dogs?
Easy, Just get a couple of paddle boards. The Aldi ones are decent value or they are always coming up on fleabay/gumtree etc

They are by far the lightest safest and quickest to set up. Fairly resistant to wind and easy to get back on to. Zero entrapment risk.

Inflatable kayaks/canoes are a nightmare in the wind and so much more faff. Their Ropes and straps present an entrapment risk you will forever find yourself blown into a corner and spinning around

If you want to go a bit further or take a full picnic and camp then a 'proper' canoe will make your life so much easier if you can store and transport one . A prospector or venturer 14 -16ft


Please please please
Get buoyancy aids ('lifejackets') and make the kids wear them and read the cold water shock stuff - this is a real risk on a hot day

Cold Water Shock Infographic

Paddlesport participation is at an all-time high, but so is the risk of cold water shock. In 2024 alone, there were 193 accidental water-related fatalities in the UK. Many of these tragedies occurred…

paddleuk.org.uk

Always nice to have one’s opinions confirmed by a professional!

Also worth adding if you have two decent size SUPs you can get an adult, two kids and a dog on the water.

 

[Will the chippy]

We've got a paddle board and can get me and the 2 kids on. Good chance of everyone getting wet. Easy to steer and easy to get back onto.
We've all got buoyancy? Aids. If I wear one then the kids can't complain. And we can all lounge about floating too.

 

[Husky]

Kayaks, you sit in them and use a spray deck to keep the water out and let's you roll back up in you capsize.
Canoes are open and if you tip over you will have to get back to shore to empty the water out.
I have seen inflatable canoes struggling to make any headway in even a slight breeze and they are almost uncontrollable in any wind.
As said above, spend money on a proper canoe, they are so much more manageable and safer.

 

[Tim.243]

Kayaks, you sit in them and use a spray deck to keep the water out and let's you roll back up in you capsize.
Canoes are open and if you tip over you will have to get back to shore to empty the water out.
I have seen inflatable canoes struggling to make any headway in even a slight breeze and they are almost uncontrollable in any wind.
As said above, spend money on a proper canoe, they are so much more manageable and safer.

My Pram dingy would spin like a top when Chip jumped off the front so not only spinning around but going backwards with the wind trying to get up the creek for a duck flight lol

 

[BenBhoy]

We've got a paddle board and can get me and the 2 kids on. Good chance of everyone getting wet. Easy to steer and easy to get back onto.
We've all got buoyancy? Aids. If I wear one then the kids can't complain. And we can all lounge about floating too.

Where do you go mate?

 

[Will the chippy]

Where do you go mate?

Not often enough. Usually just when we go on holiday. We're in Cornwall at the moment and the paddle board is ace on the sea.
Looking to go a few places near home when we get back, as the kids love it.
Borrow mine if you want a try

 

[Tyla]

I have quite a fleet of water craft, mad river open canoe with buoyancy fitted, ocean kayaks sit on top, sevylor inflatable and paddle board. They all have their place, multi day trip definitely the mad river, sea fishing or river fishing on my own, the sit on top, exploring less navigable river spots and anything slightly sketchy the sevylor and general messing about when its warm the paddleboard. I take 2 dogs, 1 kid and sometimes an extra person on all of them except the sit on top. Value for money for having fun on a paddle board is hard to beat. Much easier to swim from too and drives faster the the sevylor