What is the difference between a kayak and a canoe?

Question

As far as how many seats, width, etc.

Answer 1

Both Canoes and Kayaks come in a variety of sizes and shapes for different purposes and numbers of paddlers.

* Kayaks are closed in boats with double ended paddles.
* Canoes are open boats with single paddles.

There are several differences between a Kayak and a Canoe:

Kayaks
The current form of kayaks originated from the Eskimos they generally have a covered in deck and are paddled from a seated position with double ended paddles.
Eskimos in the Arctic made them out of seal skins generally using whale bones and driftwood to form the frame.
It is quite possible to roll back up again using the paddle after capsizing one of these kayaks as a spray cover is generally used to seal the opening around the paddler.

Canoes
The current form of canoes originated from the North American Indians, they are generally open boats with turned up ends, which are paddled from a kneeling or sitting position with single ended paddles.
They were often made of birch bark with a timber frame



Most canoes and kayaks are currently made of a form of blow moulded plastic which is very tough and absorbs a lot of impact with rocks and other objects as they are paddled around.
Specialist boats are often made of glassfibre or some of the advanced composites using kevlar and carbon fibre such as those used for the bodywork of formula one racing cars and racing yachts.

KAYAK - is a palindrome, one of those words that is spelt the same backwards or forwards!

Answer 2

a kayak is covered on top and they're usually 1 or 2 seats (your waist down is inside the kayak). a canoe is open and can seat anywhere from 1 to 3-4 or more.

Answer 3

Canoes and kayaks can come in all shapes and sizes. The difference is that the hule of the kayak is enclosed (water tight) whereas a canoe is open. So kayaks are less prone to flooding when capsized. Canoes would go right under since they are open.

Answer 4

Kayaks are decked and can be paddled through big waves and whitewater; if capsized they can be eskimo-rolled back up by a skilled paddler wearing a spray skirt to prevent water from entering. Some specialized whitewater canoes can do this too but not as easily. Kayaks require the user to generally sit inside of them (sit-on-top kayaks are an exception). They are paddled using a two-bladded paddle usually.

Canoes are generally open and are well suited for hauling gear or fishing on inland lakes and rivers. They are easier to portage over land with a carry yoke. They are not as ideal for big waves and whitewater because water breaking over the gunwales can fill up the canoe and capsize it unless you have specialized air bags to displace water from your canoe. Canoes generally allow you to sit or kneel; personally I kneel with my butt on the seat so that I can transfer my weight seamlessly between my knees and butt. Canoes are paddled using a single-blade paddle typically.
Both canoes and kayaks are available in many shapes and sizes designed for solo use, tandem use, etc. As well as specialized in whitewater, sea, recreational (stable but slow; compromise of stability, turning ability, and speed), etc. Depending on what you want to do, there is a canoe or kayak that will fit your needs preciously. Longer boats are faster than shorter boats; but shorter boats turn easier. Boats with more rocker turn easier but don't go straight as easy.

Answer 5

A kayak has a small opening on the top where one person sits. A canoe is entirely open on the top and can sit sometimes four or more.

Answer 6

About $450 US.