Just a few notes to add to what Steve has said....
If you're thinking of a kayak, see if any of the local paddling associations are having some kind of "demonstration day" for the public this summer. The clubs up here do that and people can try out kayaks at a public beach where there are many paddlers present to lend a hand and show you the ropes. You can usually find out about this kind of event through any good paddle sport shop as they usually set up a display at them.
The other thing that some clubs do is to organize kayak lessons in a large pool. I'm pretty sure that this is done in association with the YMCA up in my area. In any case, you can take a few evening lessons which are given in a pool where you can try out gear and learn to do various maneuvers, like bracing, rolls, etc... As Steve has mentioned, you may not need to know how to roll a kayak, but you certainly would need to know how to paddle it in swells or wakes from motor boats, or choppy water conditions.... and to learn to recover from a flipped canoe or kayak.
As for whether to get a kayak or a canoe... Of course I'm somewhat biased in favour of canoes. The new canoes can be super light and quite easy for most people to load on a car or truck. If I were buying a canoe for solo paddling, I'd probably go with something around 15 feet in length such as my present canoe. You might think there isn't much difference between a 15, 16 or 17 foot canoe, but there usually is. The 15 foot canoe will be scaled down in width, depth, etc... and will seem easy to manage solo, whereas a 16 or 17 foot canoe starts to seem rather on the "large size" when you are handling it by yourself. That said, a good 15 foot canoe should have a load capacity of around 600 lbs. so it is certainly adequate for 2 adult paddlers on a day or overnight trip. If you think you'll be doing longer trips with a tent, packs, provisions, etc... you should probably be looking at a larger canoe... maybe like the one that Stuart has recently described on this thread.
To this Croc, one of the best things about a canoe is that you can bring along "stuff" with you when you go out on the river. I usually bring a camera, binoculars, a sketchbook and some art supplies, Maggie (my collie dog), water for both of us, an extra paddle in case I drop one overboard, and a lunch if I intend to be out all day... The canoe provides a great platform from which to sketch or take photographs... It also makes a great "hammock" in which I can settle back under a big weeping willow overhanging the river and just gently rock with the waves while holding onto a swaying branch.... Ahhh...now that's the life... (Now you know what I'm doing when I'm not around on S.I. for days...)...(-:
Anyhow, I agree with Steve... most of the people who work at the paddle sport outfitters are really keen and can probably match you up with the right kind of craft for your intended use. I think the biggest challenge is to try to narrow down what it is that you want to use your canoe or kayak for. Once you have determined that, the rest usually falls into place...
Hope you find a nice craft and join us here on the thread more often... (-:
Croc |
