Swimming in the warm waters near the Caribbean is not the same as sailing in the northern sea: it requires protection from wind and splash. This is why, to this day, kayaks most often have aprons and skirts for added protection from the cold and water. In a canoe, the rower is colder, protection is usually not provided. That is why kayaks are more popular than Indian boats – bad weather in them is not so bad.
There are at least three differences between a canoe and a kayak:
- seating method of the rower (knee or bank / cockpit seat, back with support);
- oar type (one blade / 2 blades) and rowing method;
- the canoe is wider than a kayak of a similar purpose.
For an unaccustomed person, it is more comfortable to sit in a kayak, since there are supports for the legs and back. The traditional canoe is very light, it could be carried on the shoulders, turned upside down, but its modern counterparts can carry more weight compared to the kayak due to its greater width.
The canoe is usually driven with a single-bladed oar. When a person with no experience is rowing, this gives one important advantage – water does not pour into the cockpit from the second part. In general, canoe and kayak rowing techniques are very different. A canoe paddle provides better maneuvering ability and more power during the stroke, but less stroke rate. Kayakers and kayakers use a paddle with two blades for movement and control, can influence the movement of the body. Some models are equipped with steering. The tourist segment of boats is easier to operate.
Other parameters are very difficult to compare, since they depend on the purpose of the boat. For example, a downhill canoe or slalom canoe has much lower stability than a tourist kayak. The stability of a tourist canoe is either comparable to that of a tourist kayak, or higher.