When determining what is the difference between a kayak and canoe, it’s easy to get confused between the two, but there are a few significant differences that set the two apart. Canoeing is a recreational activity that often refers to paddling either a kayak or canoe, both of which are lightweight boats that can be used on lakes and rivers for various recreational activities such as fishing.
Canoes were widely used among Native Americans and get their name from their hollowed-out shape, whereas kayaks are derived from the Native Alaskan name for their small hunting boats. Canoes are also much older than kayaks, and date back to between 8200 and 7600 BC.
Kayaks were first used roughly 4000 years ago in 2000 B.C. by Indigenous hunters such as Inuit and Yupik in subarctic regions of the world. Further, both canoes and kayaks are powered by humans using paddles, which in most cases are different in their design and the way their used.
Key differences between Kayaks and Canoes
Both canoes and kayaks are small, slim boats that are typically pointed at both ends, and showcase an angular, long exterior design. However, kayaks are generally designed to accommodate one or two people, but some larger models may be able to haul around up to four people in one go. Kayaks are engineered to move forward with speed, whereas canoes are known more for their stability.
The people in a kayak sit in its cockpit with their legs spread out in front of them and those in a canoe sit or kneel in its cabin. Speaking of the cockpit of a kayak, it is sometimes protected by a spray deck, which prevents water from waves or spray entering into the cabin. Furthermore, the spray deck also helps the paddler roll the kayak, which is the act of capsizing and righting it without ejecting the paddler or filling it up with water.
Kayak and canoe terminology
Although buying a kayak or canoe doesn’t require a whole lot of technical expertise, there are some terms that you may want to get familiar with to make the right investment. The number of people a respective kayak can carry is denoted by K1, K2, K3, K4, etc., so if you’re looking for a two-passenger kayak, a K2 marked kayak is what you should be looking at.
Similar to kayaks, the number of paddlers an open canoe can handle is represented with OC, so OC1 for 1 paddler and OC2 for two paddlers. Closed cockpit canoes, especially those used in competitive sports (canoe slalom) or on white water rivers, are represented with C1 (one paddler) or a C2 (two paddlers).
Canoe and kayak paddles
The gear used to propel canoes and kayaks are different from each other; kayak paddles have double blades (blade on each end of the paddle), and canoe paddles have single blades. Kayakers grip the paddle in the middle and drive themselves forward by pushing the right blade first and then the left blade.
Given that kayak paddle blades are set 90 degrees from each other, kayakers employ a twisting technique to achieve optimal pushing power and to minimize wind resistance. Canoeists contrarily use one hand to grip onto the T-shaped handle at the end of the paddle, and the other about halfway down the paddle shaft.
Many canoeists find that using a kayak paddle on their canoeing adventures helps keep their canoe in a straight line, and can be less fatiguing, especially on solo trips. But since canoes are significantly wider than kayaks, you may need a paddle of at least 250cm length to get the full blade in the water and get a great draw from it.
Apart from their design, canoeing and kayaking paddles are different than each other in the materials used in their construction. Paddles used for canoeing are mostly made entirely from wood, but there are some that can be crafted from high tech materials such as carbon fiber to reduce weight without affecting the strength. Kayak paddle blades are often made from plastic material, but there are a few that are made from carbon-fiber or fiberglass.
In terms of blade shape, canoe paddle blades showcase a long, skinny design often referred to as otter tail or beaver tail, and are ideal for flat water lake cruising. Shorter, wider canoe paddle blades are a great choice for technical paddling on moving waters such as rivers, and are often dubbed sugar island or squired tipped.
Asymmetrically shaped kayak blades are generally a preferred choice among kayakers, given that they feature a uniformed surface that makes it easy to push water. Other kayak blade designs include narrow, spoon and dihedral and wide blade types.
Speed and weight
Kayaks in most cases are lighter than canoes owing to their narrower design. In terms of speed, kayaks offer superior agility and can travel at higher speeds compared to canoes, but the latter can travel as fast when piloted by professional paddlers.
Conclusion
Kayaks and canoes are both designed for various watersport activities but there are significant differences in terms of design and performance. Both can travel in shallow waters but the sleek designs of kayaks allow them to travel faster and therefore make a great choice for competitive sports such as slipping through whitewater rapids and racing.
Canoes can carry more people and supplies compared to kayaks, and are an ideal choice for leisurely canoeing around flat waters. It is easy to get confused between the two, but both serve different purposes. Kayaks are usually regarded as similar to sports cars and canoes as sport-utility vehicles of the recreational boating world.
However, before buying a canoe or kayak, it is important that you understand your respective state’s boating laws to ensure you meet the requirements of owning and operating the vessels such as using a navigational light between sunset and sunrise when operating in waters under the United States Coast Guard’s jurisdiction.