Came here to watch how to paddle a rented canoe. Not planning to buy either, but was refreshing to see you paddle and talk. You have a very calming voice.

Such a soothing and chill video, felt like I was on the water having a conversation. Canoe owner, looking at purchasing a kayak for some flexibility.

I have been wondering about the differences between canoes and kayaks. I really enjoyed this video. Good information presented in a relaxed and enjoyable format. Thanks so much Cliff.

The best, low key answer with detailed explanation to that question I have ever heard! Thanks for your ending statement about PFDs.

Canoe for me. It's just so versatile. One paddler or three, bring a dog if you like. Paddle, pole or sail depending on the conditions. Sit, kneel or stand. Sleep aboard. I've done all of those in the same canoe. Haven't try rowing or a motor yet, but the canoe can do it. I started in kayaks (canoes are rare this side of the Atlantic) but don't really get on with them, they always seem to be wet, the drip from the upper paddle means you have to wear waterproofs and the spray deck whatever the weather. I find double paddles unnecessarily heavy as well, the single paddle floats through most of the stroke and just skims the water on the recovery, I can do that all day. The feeling of extra stability that comes with sitting low down is a bit of an illusion as well, it's actually reducing your ability to control rolling movement. My preference is kneeling, which is a very reactive position. This will be contraversial but I feel safer in a canoe, even on open water. I quite often paddle alone and know I can recover and get in from the water, I've practised extensively and once had to do it for real. With the kayak I never had that confidence, I could roll, but never reliably.

nice video Cliff - I really enjoy your presentation style. Finishing up my first canoe build!

I spend alot of time on the water. I’ve had many power boats and still do. Most of our adventures are in the Everglades backcountry. And the trips that stand out the most are the ones where it’s just me and a paddle and my 16.5 prism solo, gliding down the wilderness waterway. I had spray decks made for that canoe which encloses the front and rear. So it’s the best of both worlds for me. There is no better way to take in nature than with a paddle in hand. Great video. Made me want to get out the old canoe and hit the water.

I bought my first canoe in '87 and never looked back. For what I do, a canoe is the answer. BTW, I've paddled the Little Miami many times. I live nearby. Good video. I'll watch more from your channel.

14 year old here just realizing i liked canoeing/kayaking. I kayaked the other day and really liked it, but then i tried conoeing and then I was stuck on which i felt was better for me, thanks for helping me figure it out!! (i decided kayak for right now)

Great video! I have tried both canoe and kayaks and think that they each have their own nitch. For fishing or camping the canoe works out better for me. For messing around in the ocean or doing white water the kayak is the best way to go. I know someone will tell me that the outrigger canoes are best in the ocean and they are probably correct especially if you put up a sail. On the Amazon River and tributaries where the most common mode of transportation was by water I never saw a single kayak. They mostly had dugouts but also a few aluminum square stern canoes.

It's very helpful for me. Thanks.

Great video. You touched on the center of gravity and how low your weight is. With a sit in kayak, your bottom tends to be below the water line, more stable. With a canoe or sit on top, your bottom tends to be above the water line, less stable. That's only one factor of stability along with vessel width, chine, etc. The description of what the canoe or kayak is used for is excellent. Also, pacific islander canoes, covering great distances offshore...that's a whole other topic.

Good video. My dad had a huge number of canoes and kayaks. He had a one man closed canoe, as well as a closed 2-man canoe. And I know they make open kayaks as well. So there is definitely cross-over in shapes.

Thank you for your thoughts. I am struggling with what to purchase. I have had a canoe before but just could not use it because I couldn’t transport at the time very easily. Thank you for giving tips for. Other kayak and canoe

Love the vid. The people at Rutabaga are fabulous. I was looking for a fishing platform, and opted for a canoe. Picked a 31 pound Prospector 14 Pack from Swift. Easy to carry to and from the water. Especially easy to load on to the car. Waves roll under the hull effortlessly, giving it great initial stability for sitting quietly on the water while casting and waiting for a bite. Speaking of cars. We have a Honda Pilot - great family hauler, and I'll throw the canoe on top if we're going someplace with flat water. The Pilot is a bit high to get the canoe on and off easily, but it's not terribly difficult. For my solo fishing outings, we just bought a Mazda CX-30. Getting the canoe on and off of that little crossover is a breeze. Put the rear seats down, and I have plenty of space to carry my gear. There would be enough room for two big dry bags as well as the rest of my fishing gear and paddles, to spend two weeks in the Boundary Waters.

Very informative Cliff thanks for your post. I followed a similar path with having more children and circumstances changing. Keep paddling I’ve subscribed to your channel 🤝

Should come up to the great miami River from troy to tipp city is a great trip and a good mix of calm water, rapids and a couple skillfull turns. Been kayaking for years but thinking about getting a 10 foot canoe to make carrying camping gear a little easier. Great video

Good video! I'm a big fan of the hybrid canoe-kayak boats. I have an Old Town Next but there are others that are pretty sweek!

It's pretty simple: kayaks are for the ocean, canoes are for inland (lakes and rivers). It's not a coincidence that kayaks were invented by seagoing people who used them to hunt seals, and canoes were invented by inland dwellers who used them to travel over small lakes and rivers with portages. My advice to anyone looking to buy either: stick with the classic, standard designs (sea kayaks; normal canoes) rather than the modern toy versions (sit on top "kayaks"; canoes with decks).

Always wear a PFD, it's like your life depends on it. People think, "oh im a great swimmer". Then they realize swimming in currents, rough conditions or an ocean is not the same as a lap pool. The sea doesnt care how well a person can swim.

I use a 14 foot flat back sportspall i paddle and got a 2.5 and a electric engine . Realy stable and versatile .

Nice video, I can't get enough of talking about paddle craft. BTW, dugout canoes have been used for thousands of years throughout the world.

Came across much more relaxed I thought. Actually some good thoughts and advise. River is up more it seems, in contrast to the last trip we took. Lol

Good video sounds great boat show

good advice and observations . Myself for what i do is I prefer sit in touring kayaks as we like camping as well as day trips . less exposure to the sun wind, cold and rain and move faster so I can cover more distance and explore more with less effort . although having the extra room and convenience of packing that a canoe has is a bonus for canoes if into camping . If one is just into doing day trips I would recommend a kayak over a canoe . but then if fishing . that would be better done in a canoe . . Is a lot of different reasons for one or the other

Years ago I started with a solo Mad River Lady Slipper in Kevlar. Pretty, expensive, tippy and light. I later got a Bell Rockstar solo in Rolalex. Heavier (50 lbs), a little wider but bulletproof. I practiced and got pretty good at solo strokes, and only paddled on the right side most of the time. I got older and wanted something easier to paddle so I got a Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 kayak. A little lighter, faster and easier to paddle than the Rockstar. I wanted to try fishing so I got a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 sit on top. A little heavier, much more stable but slower than the Pungo. Great fishing kayak as well as river camping. The Pungo was better for pure cruising. As I got older and more into fishing I bought a Hobie Outback with peddle drive. It is more stable, easier to propel using your legs and rudder. Fortunately I live on a river as it is a challenge to car top at 80 pounds. I now have a Bixpy electric drive to get me to faraway fishing spots and the peddle drive for actual fishing. Great fishing platform. I sold off the Slipper and Pungo but still have others.

Nice video, thanks for sharing. I'm thinking about buying a Meyers Sportspal S-15 Canoe for exploring places like Barren River Lake in Kentucky, as well as for hunting & fishing. JT

Oldtown 120 sportman, powerd by Minnkota, with spot lock technology. Saved for about 3 year's, while, enjoying my Predetor 120 pdl. Now it's been a year with the Oldtown 120, and I see no reason to ever upgrade. I still run my Bixpy on a gravity rudder, in tge stern. Hands free fishing machine. Set a heading, enjoy my hot coffee, and get to my spots. So much technology on. Kayaks today. Gotta stay kayak. However, sea kayaks are so beautiful especially with a few Friends on a 3 day camp and fishing trip. 🙏 😎 🎣

Again good job!

appreciate the info... old guy trying to decide on kayak v canoe on buffalo river here in arkansas

Great comparison. I started with a sit in kayak, (Wilderness Systems Aspire 105 20kg/44lb) and now have 2 sit on tops. One is a cheapie (Seak Swift 21kg/46.29lb) - great for day paddles, the other a Hobie Passport (29kg/64lb). I love my Hobie, but gee, she's heavy. So that means I need help at home to load, and have to wait for my friends to arrive to get her off the car. 🤷‍♀ So, what I'm looking for is something lighter around 16-18kg/35-40lb). Of course I'd like to be able to day trip and overnight, as we do both. Mostly on calm water, creeks, dams, lakes and rivers. So I need to decide whether to get another sit in kayak (I sold the original - and yeah I should've kept it - because apparently, you can never have too many boats... lol) Or go with a canoe... Thanks for sharing - you raise some interesting thoughts.

There is no such things than too many boats. I totally agree 👍 Regards from Poland 🇵🇱

Got my 1st canoe this year. Love it. But I've only been out 3 times this year. It's either too windy (more than 20k/h seems tough on my own), too hot, too smokey, too cold...I don't know if I'm being too precious but would love to paddle more.

После многих каяков пришел к тому, что начинаю строить к весне одиночное каноэ , похожее на old town 119. Хочется походить по малым рекам в свое удовольствие ,не торопясь насладиться природой с удобной и простой погрузкой и выгрузкой вещей. Устал от огромной реки Волга, где большое пароходство и огромное количество моторных лодок. Решил, что созрел для каноэ, для начала небольшого )))

I own 2 seventeen foot Grumman canoes and prefer them over my 3 kayaks. But there are advantages to kayaks for certain waters. I grew up fishing out of an aluminum canoe and they are still my choice.

Thanks. Good point.

Against my better judgement, we bought a tandem Hobie Mirage kayak with pedals and to my surprise, the pedal power is much better than paddling. Of course it's not designed for the shallows or a weedy bayou. but for the serious fisherman or sightseer. It's fast, maneuverable and extremely stable (and no, I don't work for Hobie.) The engineering that went into this thing, is just astounding.

I'm voting kayak, even for portaging. I don't kayak to go backcountry camping, I backcountry camp so I can go on longer kayak trips. Yokes are available to make carrying one easier. 17' fibreglass seakayaks generally weigh less than 50 lbs. Composite under 40. Seakayaks will go anywhere in a river a canoe could but thrive in big open water where you can't take a canoe. Kayaks win hands down for versatility. Therefore I have no use for a canoe.

Got my first sit on kayak start in a month fishing. And we are building/assemble ing a radison flat back canoe/ boat. All the Ohio saftey check lists. Center Ohio marshaville

Cliff thanks for the video. I live in the Puget Sound Area of Washington State (Bremerton) and have been looking at the sit on top kayaks with pedal props (propeller is turned by a crank like a bike). They are a little spendy but was wondering if you have any knowledge of them as to pros or cons to just a traditional kayak. I have some inflatable kayaks and they are ok (were not very expensive, but don’t track very well). I’m 65 which is why I’m looking at the sit on top, I figure that would be a lot easier to climb in and out as opposed to the traditional kayak. I plan on doing some fishing and just leisure paddling/pedaling. Also you caught my interest when you said you were canoeing on the Little Miami, I think I canoed that river many years ago, grew up around Springfield Ohio, the US Navy brought me to Washington on large gray ship and I stayed. Thanks again.

I found a loon 15t kayak and would like to know if add rod holders would fishing be possible?I also found a couple canoes what would you recommend myself and my 7 year old will be using.

thanks for the video

I love nature and water.

Great video! Do you prefer to sit up in the canoe with no back or sit lower in the canoe with a seat that has a back? Also, how does this affect your paddle choice (single or double blade)? Thanks!

I’m 50 years a paddler and have owned and paddled a lot of kayaks and canoes. If I could only own one do-everything craft, I’d go with a 16’ symmetrical tandem canoe with good secondary stability, at least a couple inches of rocker and a Royalex type hull material.

I love the kneeling drops but they have different drops because not everyone likes the same thing. Different strokes for different folks.

I prefer the canoe because I do not like being stuck in a sitting position, legs straight out. In the canoe I can move my legs around or take a kneeling position. It is easy to load my hiking pack into my canoe. It is easy to carry by 40 lb. canoe on its portage bar, and it is easy to load the canoe upside-down onto the roof-rack of my vehicle. Of course the kayak is faster and more seaworthy. I have seen kayaks go out into waves that I would never attempt in a canoe.

Great video - thank you for the effort you put into this content. I will check your channel out after I complete this video. Thanks again

Does holding your paddle in the water after the stroke help maintain tracking?

What type of camera and setup do you use ? I would like to record my adventures .

I've been in a canoe a few times in my life but not in 30+ years. I've been itching for a canoe or kayak lately and just can't decide. At nearly 60 years old now, my knees are not what they used to be and my streamlined physique and consequently my balance, also is a thing of the past. I never found canoes to be particularly tippy, maybe initially but I never felt as if I was about to go into the drink. I've always heard that kayaks are tippy, especially for people that are a bit heavy and don't have the greatest balance. Unfortunately, while there are a few box stores around that sell generic low end kayaks, I haven't found any stores specifically for paddlers anywhere near us with a better selection or places where you can try before you buy. I'd have to travel a few hundred miles and make an overnight or weekend trip out of it to find a place specific to paddling, with people that actually know about the sport, which is odd because there are a few creeks, rivers and a few lakes in Arizona.

Love the casual talk. I have a canoe and I like the double paddle setup. Why do you prefer the single paddle? Thx mate

I have been kayaking for years but, me and the wife have been wanting to take the grandkids so, thinking about a canoe. Just worried about the stability.

Question...I have a old sit down inside kayak ..Bass Pro FS12...kinda a fishing Kayak 30" wide...I've had it for years and am content with it...except I can't take may 60 pound Labrador... I go on Ozark rivers that have some current and require minor maneuverability. I was looking for a single canoe....Maybe an Old Town Next or something similar...I don't want something tippy...I have been in a regular rental canoe may times with my boys ...any words of wisdom ?

Paddling has been a sport that I have been enjoying for at least 40yrs, my wife really enjoys being on the water also so that makes it easy to spend time together. We have a couple kayaks at this point but we have a couple grand daughters that absolutely love spending time on and in the water. We have been considering purchase a canoe just so they would be able to take them with us more often. Is there any canoe you like or dislike ? I was thinking of get into a Kevlar or composite based canoe. Me personally I would love to canoe camp.

I've seen some long trip canoe guys using double kayak paddle in a canoe. Is that common?

I have a Grumman 15’ standard that weighs 55lbs . I have it rigged for rowing which is perfect for fishing breezy days on lakes and ponds . I just don’t understand the kayak trend. Kayaks are heavier, hard to get in and out of, and not as versatile.

I do canoes with kayak paddles.

I own and love both but if I could only have one, I'd definitely choose a canoe. Versatility.

Old Town 164...its a tank. Can go anywhere, and hauls a week of gear.

maybe you'll learn the J stroke in that freestyle class...hahaha. signed, the canoe police

I have a jeep 10 000 in repair it ain't great at gas mileage lol. Had to.my wife dont fish. So we ll do scenery together.

Sadly, sea kayaks and canoes have fallen out of favor. Fishing kayaks have become the largest segment with SUPs and sit on top kayaks being the next two. Not coincidentally, those are also the three types of paddlecraft that require the least amount of time to become functionally competent. Few of those will ever find a need or desire to work on paddle strokes or advancing their skills.

As a functioning tool used to transport people and property, a big canoe is the logical choice. Try bringing an ice chest in a kayak or drinking water for four, for a week or more.

First decide where you think you want to paddle. I grew up paddling canoes in the scouts. But after buying a tandem canoe, and my wife turned us over several times. So I said if you learn to kayak, we'll start a family. I didn't expect her to get pregnant at the kayak school. So we started kayaking whitewater. The water did most of the work, and we just changed the direction. That was the beginning. 35 years later I'm still whitewater kayaking. While I still teaching canoeing merit badge, but I spend all my time on the river in my kayaks. Whitewater kayaks are light and very durable. They are short and easy to carry. There is an old saying, that if you only have one blade on your paddle, you are only using half your brain. I highly recommend getting lessons from a good instructor. Learning the proper techniques increases the learning curve. There are some awesome videos on you tube, both canoeing and kayaking. Just pick river and look it up.

Canoe over kayak 100% of the time for me.

If you buy a Canoe, please learn to paddle correctly and efficiently. While Cliff is not working hard, he is working a lot harder than he needs to... watch how he powers the canoe forward with his forward stroke and then... cranking the paddle outward in a partial reverse sweep... he cuts half his forward motion because his stroke is opposing his forward motion. Since his orientation is with Kayaks, he'd be better off using a double kayak paddle versus a single canoe paddle, constantly switching sides and working so hard to keep his forward motion. Oh... learn a J-Stroke which combines a forward stroke with a continuing "forward stroke" that continues to push the canoe forward as you use part of your power stroke to push some water outward away from the stern of the boat. Love paddling and was a canoe instructor for flat water and whitewater for two decades until an auto accident destroyed my left wrist. Check your local Parks and Recreation Department... check your American National Red Cross.

No mention of sit on top kayaks! All kayaks are not tge same.

I don’t like sitting in a kayak for long periods of time

I call my boat a double wide kayak.

I think, canoes were described first in the caribean world.

ROW BOAT = slightly slower, far superior in every other way.

It’s not exactly that everyone wants an SUV. The EPA targets for fuel economy are different for trucks, so auto companies have focused on developing them.

This did not help me decide which way to go. This is just you gabbing without saying anything really.

had a small canoe and it was crazy tippy,gave it away and it could be it was a really cheap poor made?years later got a sit-on anglers kayak and was really stable,so i'm kayak all the way now because the stability is so much better.