two girls, one paddle: canoe vs tandem kayak

September 6, 2021 5:20 AM

If there are two people but only one can paddle, which would be more fun: a tandem kayak or a canoe?

That's the question. One of us has a sprained arm. We're not going any great distance, just low-stakes paddling about in a tidal estuary on a nice day.

I (the person with two working arms) am comfortable in a kayak and in a two person canoe (but have limited experience in a solo canoe).

posted by geegollygosh to Sports, Hobbies, & Recreation (11 answers total)

They will both be about the same. I’ve paddled both kayaks and two person cables with a small kid up front who rests 50% of the time. Slower to turn but still ok.

If there’s waves I would choose a kayak as they tend to be more stable and track better than a canoe. The double paddle means you don’t have to take conscious action to go straight. With a canoe you have to keep switching the oar from side to side.

I go for canoes when I get to pick because canoes have an inherent romantic goofyness that I enjoy. Lookup J-stroke as a way to reduce switching the oar.
posted by sol at 5:35 AM on September 6, 2021

For a paddling reasons that sol mentioned, I think tandem kayak would be more fun. Already comes with a double-sided paddle to efficiently switch sides.

If you don't mind slightly damp legs / bottom I would take it one step further and get a sit on top tandem kayak. I spend last less time messing around with foot pegs, straps, etc in a simpler sit on top. Plus, if the water is warm, getting your legs wet is kind of a bonus.

Happy paddling!
posted by Guess What at 5:58 AM on September 6, 2021 [1 favorite]

One nice thing about a canoe is that the non-paddler can sit facing the paddler, fetch drinks from a cooler, etc. In a double kayak you can't really move around all that much.

Remember that generally when you solo canoe the you (the paddler) sit in the seat closer to the middle (i.e. the canoe points the opposite direction to the direction it points when you have two paddlers).

For me it would be canoe 100% (I really really hate double kayaks, though, even/especially when both people are paddling).
posted by mskyle at 7:54 AM on September 6, 2021 [4 favorites]

First, make sure you have a boat appropriate for flatwater. A whitewater boat will be miserable for you as a solo paddler on flatwater as it won’t go straight.

The kayak will be heavy but easier. You will be paddling on both sides with the kayak paddle, and a good flatwater kayak might have a rudder too. You will sit in the back for more control.

It’s a challenge to solo canoe, and you usually sit in the middle of the boat. At the back of a double canoe with only you paddling, it’ll be a struggle to move forward and maneuver.

Is your friend well enough to help you get a heavy tandem boat in and out of the water?

My honest opinion is that this is not a great activity for someone with a sprained arm who can’t paddle. Can you take a walk near some tidal pools instead?
posted by bluedaisy at 9:52 AM on September 6, 2021

Controlling a canoe with one paddler is a much trickier skill. Go kayak.
posted by gideonfrog at 11:56 AM on September 6, 2021

If you're not a comfortable solo canoeist go for the kayak, it'll have better balance and be easier all around.
posted by goingonit at 12:23 PM on September 6, 2021

As a former paddler due to health issues, I prefer going out in my two-person kayak to being in the canoe with one other person. When the wind starts blowing, the canoe gets pushed badly, and you really need a second paddler. (It's not so bad if there are two paddlers with the one non-paddler.) I also find the sitting position in the kayak to be more comfortable.
posted by metonym at 12:29 PM on September 6, 2021

I have a fair amount of experience in canoes and kayaks on flat waters (and a bit in rivers). I recently went camping at a paddle in site by myself. I canoed in on my own and just placed all my crap at the front where a person would usually be. It went fine. It’s a bit annoying to switch back and forth (though a J stroke helps as mentioned above) but really you’ll be fine either way and will work it out.
posted by raccoon409 at 4:19 PM on September 6, 2021

In my observations, fishermen tend to use sit-on-top kayaks. Of course, they go to a destination and stay put while they fish.
posted by SemiSalt at 5:25 PM on September 6, 2021

Not to derail but there is never, ever any reason you should switch back and forth between sides of a canoe to steer on flat water. If this was going to be your technique you'll definitely be happier in a kayak.
posted by goingonit at 6:38 PM on September 6, 2021 [1 favorite]

If you know how to solo a canoe, the canoe will be nicer.

If you don't know how to solo a canoe, or don't know what I mean by "solo a canoe" you will be much happier in the double kayak. Have fun!
posted by no regrets, coyote at 9:41 AM on September 7, 2021