What is the difference between a kayak and a canoe?

Whats the difference between a canoe and a kayak?

• The kayaks have seat backs and are maybe narrower? Is the kayak made for more performance/speed? They are both flat bottomed so I am having trouble figuring this out, especially related to hull shape.

• Answer:

  Hi Barney, Kayaks and canoes are not all flat-bottomed - that's some serious misinformation. Hull shapes of both kayaks and canoes vary depending on the purpose of the boat. Same thing for ski boats, sail boats, fishing boats - different hull shapes for different performance reasons. Some are for speed, some for maneuverability, some for slow cruising, etc. Kayaks can carry 1 or 2, sometimes even three paddlers. Here's a sea kayak that can accommodate 3 people: http://www.paddling.net/buyersguide/showBoat.html?boatID=1410&boattype=Kayaks Recreational canoes carry 1 or 2 (sometimes 3 & 4 people). Here's a 2 person boat that has a hull that is definitely not flat-bottomed: http://www.paddling.net/buyersguide/showBoat.html?boatID=440&boattype=Canoes Voyager canoes can carry many many people. Outrigger canoes can carry 1 to 6 people - again the hull shapes vary quite a bit from one boat to the next. Historically speaking, and using U.S. terminology: canoes are open top boats - no deck. Canoes are typically propelled with a single-ended canoe paddle. When a canoe tips over, it fills with water and is very very difficult to empty and re-enter once you've capsized, unless you can get to shore. Kayaks have a closed deck and the paddler sits inside the boat and uses a double ended paddle. The bow and stern of a kayak have water tight hatches that can hold gear, and most importantly, air. When a kayak tips over, the water tight skirt worn by the paddler keeps the boat's cockpit from filling with water. If the paddler knows how to do a roll, they can upright the boat and continue on their way with no issue. If the paddler cannot roll, they need to get out of the boat ("wet exit"). They roll the boat right side up, get back in, & empty the water from the cockpit before proceding. The watertight hatches keep the boat afloat, even when the cockpit has water in it. Both the kayak roll and the wet exit/reentry require practice and skill. Because of the ability to roll or re-enter a sea kayak, the kayak is "Sea Worthy" where the recreational canoe is not. A style of kayak called "Sit On Tops" or "SOTs" have become quite popular. SOTs are much more forgiving: they are usually wide and stable, so they don't tip over as easily as a narrow sea kayak. If they do tip over, they don't have a cockpit to take on water - and there is no spray skirt to hold you into your seat. Boat flips, you fall off. You simply flip it back over, climb back on and go. SOTs have changed the way a lot of people view kayaking - they are paddled with a double ended paddle - but they in no way resemble the boats the Inuits hunted whales in.