Canoe of Kayak for camping and fishing?

I was going to post

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My wife has been wanting to go fishing, she has been wanting to go camping, and now she wants to do some canoe camping and fishing. I am thinking about kayaks instead and remembered this post and am wondering if anything of value came from your endeavors?

And any advice from anyone else would be cool as well.

P.S. Yes I know this is an old topic, but I figured I could just ask the question here instead of starting a new thread.

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on doug's http://www.wilderness-survival.net/f...-Kayak-Fishing but I figured I would start my own thread because he asked if anyone Kayak fished and I am asking which I should get.

It's a hard decision I am wanting you all to help me with it. Once again any advice is appreciated.

I've often considered getting something small & light for campfishing....
I think kayak is lighter than canoe but you're sitting really low in the
water with a kayak, then on the other'hand, canoe strikes me as being
somewhat more unstable than, say a 10' jon boat, tho lighter...Personally
I've got to sit comfortably...I think I'd go with a two-seater kayak...I
think them much cooler....Oh!....but then there's the cooler..........BH51..

Well, Doug never did say what he did get, or even if he picked out something.

For two people, camping, fishing, I vote 17 ft canoe.
Just the one I would pick out of the fleet for your specs.

Yeah I thought about that hunter, but then I started thinking about what solo trips. If I went by myself it would obviously be easier to handle the kayak than the canoe. Also, we have 2 options if we each have our own kayak. By this I mean if something happened to one kayak we could possibly have the other to move out on.

But with the canoe we are together and wouldn't be separated unless something happened.

I am going to give it some more thought, but I really do not know which I would prefer.

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Originally Posted by roar-k

Yeah I thought about that hunter, but then I started thinking about what solo trips. If I went by myself it would obviously be easier to handle the kayak than the canoe. Also, we have 2 options if we each have our own kayak. By this I mean if something happened to one kayak we could possibly have the other to move out on.

But with the canoe we are together and wouldn't be separated unless something happened.

I am going to give it some more thought, but I really do not know which I would prefer.

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Solo trips with a canoe are no problem. Here are my two tips...first, and obvious is to keep all your heavy gear in the opposite end as you are in. Second, when you are alone sit in what would be the "front" seat but face inwards as you would if you were sitting in the back (I hope that makes sense) and paddle the canoe as you normally would. This seat is a few feet closer to the center of the canoe and doing this will keep the boat much flatter in the water.

I am not big on kayaks, so it would be an easier choice for me.

I have a 12' Old Town Stillwater canoe that is great for two and can hold a good amount of gear between the seats.

We got a 17' canoe two years ago and I love it. We enjoy canoeing rivers and lakes and we've used it to fish out of several times. She likes to fish with a cork and I like to fly fish. The canoe makes it easy to do both.

Well I think canoe. 1) You really need training for a kayak in case you roll. 2) For cargo, it's gonna' be a canoe winning out again. As Camp has already said, once you get used to paddling a canoe in a reverse posture from the front seat, it really is kinda' easy. So going Solo would be no problem either. Sure a kayak is lighter and faster, but for the most use from one choice I would have to go with the canoe myself.

I think it all depends on how strong your wife is. A kayak is easily learned and fun, and even someone that isn't all that strong can paddle well even in the wind, with out much of a problem, however if she can't paddle well, then two of you in the canoe is going to be a problem, if there is any wind at all or opposing current, and if she can't handle her end she won't want to go. I would choose the kayak, you will pack lighter, sleep closer together and have more fun.

Well, I don't necessarily agree with that. The fact is I do most of the paddling when my wife and I are in the canoe. Not that she doesn't want to paddle, I just want her to sit back, relax and enjoy some life. It's not difficult at all. I suppose if we were in high wind or very strong current then I'd want her help but I really don't want to be on the water in strong wind anyway.

I have a fish and ski 88hp (before my mods) and a very large jonboat (40hp stock). I have really been considering the validity of owning them considering gas prices. I believe I'd trade the fish and ski for a really nice canoe!

My vote is for canoe. I have float camped a couple times a year for many years with a 17' flat back canoe. It is good for solo or team and fits a goodly amount of gear and supplies. Hardcore camping may be fine for me, but the wife likes to be a little more comfortable when she goes so the extra gear room is nice. Kayaks are great for solo camping and fishing, but for the wife it would be all canoe, and has been every time I have gone. Jonboat has more cargo capacity, but not as many access options. I can float all kinds of water in the canoe that I cant get near in the Jonboat.

Think

Kayak, sports car
Canoe, pick up truck

I dunno. You guys seem to have an awful lot of canoe accidents. You seem to lose a lot of your guns that way.
:p
I had a sit-on-top fishing kayak for a while. Thing was so stable you could stand on it on a calm day. Decided it wasn't worth the extra effort and sold it. It did have a good amount of water tight storage space in the front and back. Not like a canoe though.

For when I go to BWCA or other places like it to camp/fish/hunt etc, and 2 people, I use a 20' cargo canoe and my stuff has bags with life preservers that open automatically if dunked under water. I have not lost anything yet. I do have gun rail stabilizers though that stick out the side like small pontoons, cheap insurance for tip over, makes it very very stabil. The canoe is a 20' LL Bean Cedar Strip with oak frame and square back. Bought it up at their Maine store in the bargin section, it had scratches on the outside from someone who did not have a clue how to haul it. Total cost out the door $675 and it came with really nice oars, motor mount, basket weave cane storage centers and a nice clip on the rail canopy.

My butt will NOT fit comfy in a Kyak.

I think I would rather a canoe. I might invest in a kayak paddle for when I would solo it in the canoe though (I've fought a strong wind and current with two people and it was a pain). The canoe is more versatile IMO.

However, I have never been in a nice kayak, but highly enjoyed canoeing on a lake back in scouts.

Whatever you decide on make certain you learn the basic paddle moves. That may sound intuitive but there are some specific methods of paddling that will greatly improve your efforts. Learning how to recover and rescue in a canoe is important, too.

http://paddling.about.com/od/paddlin..._Basics.htm#s1

I used a canoe almost every summer at camp and some in the scouts. I have been kayaking once or twice on vacation, but she has not. I believe it will be her first time in a canoe or kayak. She has only been whitewater rafting with me once out the dozens of times I go.

I am hoping to take her to a local REI, Gander Mtn, or outfitter store and let her see the canoes and kayaks.

EDIT: Even though she stated she wanted to do this I figure the more I involve her in the decision making the more excited she will be when the time comes. Or this could be her way to off me.....

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Originally Posted by roar-k

I am hoping to take her to a local REI, Gander Mtn, or outfitter store and let her see the canoes and kayaks.

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Why not rent a canoe or kayak? You can find them for rent at different stores. It might cost you a couple hundred, but it might also provide you with some hands on experience so that you can make a better informed decision later. Whatever option you choose, I am sure you will have a good time.

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Originally Posted by LowKey

I dunno. You guys seem to have an awful lot of canoe accidents. You seem to lose a lot of your guns that way.
:pI had a sit-on-top fishing kayak for a while. Thing was so stable you could stand on it on a calm day. Decided it wasn't worth the extra effort and sold it. It did have a good amount of water tight storage space in the front and back. Not like a canoe though.

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LOL, LOL, LOL, yeah, there is that,....... nudge,nudge, wink wink maybe all y'all are better at it?

I will say one thing, a flat bottom duck boat is more stable than a canoe, especily when a 80 Lb lab pup is running all over so excited that he shakes and dribbles a bit.

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Originally Posted by Hunter

so excited that he shakes and dribbles a bit.

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I get that way on Christmas morning.

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so excited that he shakes and dribbles a bit.

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Well ,,, that happened to me once,,,,,,,, ummm,, oh ,,,,, Nevermind.....

Glad to see y'all are paying attention.

Now I really hate to bring this up but the ideal solution,....Is more than one water craft!

"Watercraft" being defined as "a hole in the water, surrounded by waterproof material,such as, fiberglass, metal, organic material, in which you pour money into", need not be limited to "one man one boat (loose general term).

Not that it is necessary to procure "alot of 'em" all at once, but any addition would be considered as an "addition to the fleet" as the need and means arise.

Most people do not have just one screwdriver for everything.

"There is no such thing as too many boats (read watercraft), right?"

There ya go Hunter! I have 3.. a 16' runabout, a 12' jonboat and a 16' canoe. I fish the river and lakes with the runabout, duck hunt with the jonboat and use the canoe whenever the water I want to get to is carry in only or when I want to get around without the noise of the motor.

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Originally Posted by Camp10

There ya go Hunter! I have 3.. a 16' runabout, a 12' jonboat and a 16' canoe. I fish the river and lakes with the runabout, duck hunt with the jonboat and use the canoe whenever the water I want to get to is carry in only or when I want to get around without the noise of the motor.

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Hey, Ya gotta think out side the BOX, heh, heh, heh.....

I have only four,(at the moment) 17 ft mod Jon boat for duck hunting/fishing(looks like a camo bass boat).
Canoe (just an old 17 ft Grumman).
Fiberglass 2 man, kayaky type duck boat.
Old leaky $40 buck 12' v hull, (river bank leaving boat, don't really care if it goes away or not).
Still looking for a deal on a 10-12 ft Jonboat, (slid in back of truck by myself, type boat).

Any thing after that I'll I would have to think about.............

....and if you have a boat, or a few boats, you can be a Pirate!!! LOL:yes:

Attachment 6504

So, if I put my kayaky duck boat, on my bigger duck boat and carry it, does that make my duck boat a "Ship"?

Well, we got to go look at some canoes and kayaks today. At the end of walking around able to sit in them the wife is hesitant about the fishing type kayaks. She says they may be stable but I do not feel safe in them. She says see feels a whole let better when she thinks about being in a canoe.

Now that we got it narrowed down to a canoe we only have to find one. Now we have wood, aluminum, fiberglass, and combinations of said materials. This will be quite fun.

Wise man. Remember --- If momma ain't happy, nobody is happy.

If you work on her a long enough, you hear the magic words, "Oh Honey, just buy what you want...I tired of looking, and wheeling and dealing".
The you have joined "The boat people".
Congrats

Is being one of 'The Boat People' as bad as being one of 'The Lake People'?
Around here we have Lake People. I don't qualify as I wasn't born here...but can fit in at times. Some of the yuppies think they are Lake People but the Lake People know better and just smile toothy-like.

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Originally Posted by roar-k

Well, we got to go look at some canoes and kayaks today. At the end of walking around able to sit in them the wife is hesitant about the fishing type kayaks. She says they may be stable but I do not feel safe in them. She says see feels a whole let better when she thinks about being in a canoe.

Now that we got it narrowed down to a canoe we only have to find one. Now we have wood, aluminum, fiberglass, and combinations of said materials. This will be quite fun.

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I've never owned a wooden canoe so I can't offer and suggestions on that but IMO, the ABS canoes are the best out there. One word of caution with the ABS...dont build your campfire to close to it! They will deform on you and the ride back off the river will be very uncomfortable (so I've heard:innocent:)! I really like aluminum as well, but they are very loud on the water. The only experience I have with fiberglass is splitting one in half up on the Allagash...That stunk! LOL!

I have used aluminun when I was younger, they are a lot noiser and flashier, aluminum gets real hot, and they spook the fish more.

Personally, I have always been partial to the Old Towns, good canoes, reasonable price. Their site also has sections about canoe types, uses, selection. Put a link to a pretty one http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/canoes/h...ator_c160.html . Good luck and have fun.

I said earlier mine was a 17 footer. Mea Culpa, it's not. It's a 14.5 foot Mad River Explorer. It's plenty big for the two of us and gear.

Here again we are talking sports car canoes, and pick-up canoes.

Used to lust after some of the fancy Old Towns and such.
Didn't have the bucks, but wanted a "boat", (canoe in this case)

Best deal at the time was the 17ft Grumman alum. New $399, you put it together. (kinda a funny story about this, but I digress)
I opted for the low ended, as opposed to the sweep up ends...does catch as much wind, yes, I did try out a couple of different kinds before laying down the cash.

Weighs in a 78# will carry 750 pounds, strong as all get out, and yeah, loud...But a lot of the noise is operator error.

Did replace the alum seats w/Old Towne caned seats, very nice, and replaced the center support with a removable formed oak "portage" carrier.

Yes, I could (note the "could" part) portage it myself, easily, with that carrier,..... it is looog, so picking a path is important.

The advantages of the higher price canoes, the lam-wood, canvas, fiberglass ABS (UV?), are that some are lighter, some do not have a "keel" makes them easier to maneuver, quieter, prettier and lets face it cool.

I chose a alum. canoe as just about every "rent a canoe" uses them, as the are idiot proof, tough, long lasting and not much or any maintenance.

Look into what is out there before you buy, keeping in mind primary use.

Aluminum and rocks seem to be opposing magnets to each other, and once bonded, do not like to break apart. ABS is the way to go. The noise factor can really scare of the animals when trying to sneak up on them for viewing, is another reason to go ABS. One more thing to think about, I have been in the bow of a canoe for extended periods of time fishing and it isn't a pleasant experience if the canoe is to short and the bow seat is to far forward, please check out the seat location.

I grew up float camping with canoes. I have tried kayaks a few times a didn't like them. You cant carry as much gear and you spend a lot of time wet. I also had a lot of trouble trying to fish from a kayak.

Paddling: I sit in the back and do the paddling. I tell my wife that her job is to sit in the front and look pretty, like the bow figurehead on an old ship.

P.S. ABS is IMHO the far better material for a canoe. Less noise to scare the fish away and much easier to portage those shallow spots.

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Originally Posted by r0ckhamm3r

Paddling: I sit in the back and do the paddling. I tell my wife that her job is to sit in the front and look pretty, like the bow figurehead on an old ship.

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Funny, that exactly what my wife's job is! ;)

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Originally Posted by MidWestMat

Funny, that exactly what my wife's job is! ;)

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I agree, that way you don't have to fight her lack of paddling skill, where every other stroke of yours is a correction to one of hers.

LOL I was trying to be tactful but there is a lot of truth in that.