Canoe or Kayak

[ianmck]

I've had the notion for a few years now to get a canoe/kayak for exploring and for fly fishing from. After a few recent trips to the loch ba area it has again made me think it would be ideal for this sort of water. I've had a look around a few websites but it seems a bit bewildering to me. Can anyone offer any advice in terms of what would be best for a beginner and what sort of price would I expect to pay for a reasonable entry level one. Thanks.

[Wildfisher]

Good post.

I'd also like this info. I don't even know the difference between the two. 

[sinbad]

I do exactly this with many trips on loch ba and similar places every year. Ive a kayak and an open canoe. For fresh water lochs i much prefer the open canoe as i can get a friend, a dog, camping gear and all manor of extras i could never carry on foot and mostly not with the kayak. Roughly speaking your looking at  15/16ft long , 34in wide and a little over 30kg. They are made in composites and various plastics. To be honest with all the boulders and rough beaches common in these types of places i stick with the heavier plastic lay up. Expect to pay £800+ new or about £400+ second hand. For day trips on the sea you might be better with a kayak. I dont use my kayak much but I'm sure Corsican Dave from here will be able to advise on the kayak part of your question.
Anything you want to ask feel free. 
    Cheers Sb.

[corsican dave]

for what you want to do i'd say canoe

doing something like this trip:[attachimg=1]

would be a complete pain with a kayak. the portage:[attachimg=2]
would mean a complete unpack and probably a trolley

and fishing from a canoe is far easier, unless you have a dedicated fishing kayak and some essential gear.

[corsican dave]

don't forget to factor in the cost of a decent buoyancy aid (£80 +) and some additional buoyancy for the boat (airbags or foam, roughly another £30). it doesn't need to be prepped for white water, but it's nice to know your boat's not going to end up at the bottom of a loch if you capsize!

do go to a canoe shop if you have one locally. you should get sensible advice and a chance to have a look at a couple of models. a good design is the "explorer" or prospector" (mine is a venture explorer 15; mad river or old town are regarded as some of the best) which are a subtle variation on the classic shape to make them more versatile and handle running water and a bit of chop. as sinbad says, expect to be forking out around £800 new. don't get a flat bottomed one or a straight ended one unless you really are only intending going out in the most benign conditions. and definitely don't fall in love with a wooden one! they look beautiful but require careful handling and one good hit on a rock could ruin your boat.

i'd also consider spending a bit of time with an experienced paddler. there are some paddle strokes that aren't immediately obvious that'll save you effort and give you more confidence in variable conditions.

here's another couple of shots to whet your appetite:
[attachimg=1]

[lochgarryfisher]

I can thoroughly reccomend the "old town predator c133".
It was my only means of getting on the water and away from the midges for about 5 years. 
It is extra wide so is as stable as you get which is great for standing and fly casting although i would say its not so good if it is windy, it was hard work.
The other massive benefit of canoes/kayaks i reckon is their stealth, bit like a float tube i guess, the fish have no idea you are there, i once saw a trout rising coming towards the canoe, unfortunately it refused all my efforts at the dry fly but continued rising and took a fly about 2 foot from one side, swam a few inches under the canoe and took another fly 2 foot on the other side of the canoe!

I chose an open canoe cos i had a dog, never tried fishing from a kayak but i think even without the dog these days i would still go for the canoe because i can just throw stuff in where as everything has to be more organised in a kayak although am sure there would be days re weather i would go out in a kayak but would never consider it in a canoe so pros and cons.

[Calum]

I've no experience of kayaks but have used canadian canoes extensively for almost thirty years now.  Both to explore the wilds as well as fishing from.  Stable and able to take two adults and enough kit for.......well, as long as you could wish for.  That said I've had some killer portages, but that's all part of the fun for me!  I'd encourage anyone to give it a go. There are plenty of places you can hire them first, to see how you enjoy it.  Ian, where are you based?

[rannoch raider]

Kayak or Open canoe? Hard one, lot's of good advice already offered. I would just add that the Sit On Top Yak is probably a bit easier to re enter if you turn it over on the water. No bailing and very buoyant. A little more forgiving for beginers?  I also felt the open canoe was a much more pleasant craft to prowl around on. It had room to move around, greater 'deck space', many can take two or three bodies and pets? Easy to access kit bags, clothing etc, higher and more comfortable seat position. Much more sociable if you are out with a mate. It can also be made far more stable with the addition of a simple outrigger.

Whatever you choose you will enjoy it. You will be able to fish places that can't be accessed by larger boats. It is a great way to get yourself over fish and the stealth factor not only gets you close to fish, it will also allow you get closer to wildlife on the shore than walking or using a powered craft will.

Help Ma Boab! I think I'm talking myself into another one :lol:

[Allan Crawford]

If I get access to a keyboard I could write a lot, my pal has a canoe and I have a kayak both great  you might what to try both to see what best suits your needs. Canoe not as safe in the wind but more room for  gear and carries a friend ?

[ianmck]

Thanks for all the replies. Good info there and plenty of food for thought.