Canoe or Kayak? Style or Function

In this video I discuss the differences and similarities between kayaks and canoes? Which one should I buy?
Mentioned: Jerry Vandiver "There's no such thing as too many boats" • Too Many Boats - Jerry...
Gear in this video:
Canoe: Northstar Northwind Solo in Blacklite
Paddle: Badger Paddles Badgertail 63" in Cherry
PFD: Kokatat Maximus
Shoes: NRS Paddle Shoe
Filmed with GoPro Hero 7 Black and GoPro Hero 7 Silver and edited in Adobe Premier Rush.
Follow me on Facebook: www.facebook.c...
Instagram: / massiecrkpaddle
Link to my blog : massiecreekpad...

[@highloughsdrifter1629]

Canoe for me. It's just so versatile. One paddler or three, bring a dog if you like. Paddle, pole or sail depending on the conditions. Sit, kneel or stand. Sleep aboard. I've done all of those in the same canoe. Haven't try rowing or a motor yet, but the canoe can do it. I started in kayaks (canoes are rare this side of the Atlantic) but don't really get on with them, they always seem to be wet, the drip from the upper paddle means you have to wear waterproofs and the spray deck whatever the weather. I find double paddles unnecessarily heavy as well, the single paddle floats through most of the stroke and just skims the water on the recovery, I can do that all day. The feeling of extra stability that comes with sitting low down is a bit of an illusion as well, it's actually reducing your ability to control rolling movement. My preference is kneeling, which is a very reactive position. This will be contraversial but I feel safer in a canoe, even on open water. I quite often paddle alone and know I can recover and get in from the water, I've practised extensively and once had to do it for real. With the kayak I never had that confidence, I could roll, but never reliably.

[@clifffawcett]

Thanks for your robust contribution to this conversation!

[@jacoblongstreth9216]

Not to mention that a canoe can actually carry a considerable amount of cargo.

[@psyched9754]

Came here to watch how to paddle a rented canoe. Not planning to buy either, but was refreshing to see you paddle and talk. You have a very calming voice.

[@clifffawcett]

Thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@Universus.Official]

Such a soothing and chill video, felt like I was on the water having a conversation. Canoe owner, looking at purchasing a kayak for some flexibility.

[@clifffawcett]

Thank you for saying that! That’s my goal in making these videos. I like having both a canoe and a kayak. As you said - more flexibility. Thanks for watching!

[@jeanarmstrong3456]

I have been wondering about the differences between canoes and kayaks. I really enjoyed this video. Good information presented in a relaxed and enjoyable format. Thanks so much Cliff.

[@clifffawcett]

I’m glad you enjoyed it Jean. Hope to see you out on the water soon.

[@Saltfly]

I spend alot of time on the water. I’ve had many power boats and still do. Most of our adventures are in the Everglades backcountry. And the trips that stand out the most are the ones where it’s just me and a paddle and my 16.5 prism solo, gliding down the wilderness waterway. I had spray decks made for that canoe which encloses the front and rear. So it’s the best of both worlds for me. There is no better way to take in nature than with a paddle in hand. Great video. Made me want to get out the old canoe and hit the water.

[@clifffawcett]

I couldn’t agree more! “There is no better way to take in nature than with a paddle in hand” 🛶

[@hankb1604]

The best, low key answer with detailed explanation to that question I have ever heard! Thanks for your ending statement about PFDs.

[@clifffawcett]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@exploringwoodsman]

I bought my first canoe in '87 and never looked back. For what I do, a canoe is the answer. BTW, I've paddled the Little Miami many times. I live nearby. Good video. I'll watch more from your channel.

[@twfaucet]

14 year old here just realizing i liked canoeing/kayaking. I kayaked the other day and really liked it, but then i tried conoeing and then I was stuck on which i felt was better for me, thanks for helping me figure it out!! (i decided kayak for right now)

[@charlieprice6835]

nice video Cliff - I really enjoy your presentation style. Finishing up my first canoe build!

[@clifffawcett]

Hey Charlie! Thanks for watching. Appreciate it.

[@GulfCoastTim]

Always wear a PFD, it's like your life depends on it. People think, "oh im a great swimmer". Then they realize swimming in currents, rough conditions or an ocean is not the same as a lap pool. The sea doesnt care how well a person can swim.

[@clifffawcett]

You are 100% correct. It’s like only wearing your seat belt when you think you might be in an accident. By the time you realize you need it you already needed it.

[@jonasf4065]

Lol. Do you swim with a PFD?

[@Abcdefghijklmnopqrstubwxyz123]

What is a PFD?

[@REPINSTR8BAMA]

@@Abcdefghijklmnopqrstubwxyz123 personal flotation device

[@Johnnysax69]

​@@Abcdefghijklmnopqrstubwxyz123 Life vest 🦺

[@GetOutsidewithSteve]

Thank you for this great video. I just went from kayak to canoe. Grabbed a Clearwater Prospector. They are made in Alberta where I'm from. Can be paddled tandom or solo. I am loving it, but I have much to learn, which brought me to your page. Any tips or advice from you and your community would be great.

[@woodswanderer7274]

Great video! I have tried both canoe and kayaks and think that they each have their own nitch. For fishing or camping the canoe works out better for me. For messing around in the ocean or doing white water the kayak is the best way to go. I know someone will tell me that the outrigger canoes are best in the ocean and they are probably correct especially if you put up a sail. On the Amazon River and tributaries where the most common mode of transportation was by water I never saw a single kayak. They mostly had dugouts but also a few aluminum square stern canoes.

[@clifffawcett]

Thanks for watching and offering your thoughts! I think you’re right.

[@scottv4186]

Good video. My dad had a huge number of canoes and kayaks. He had a one man closed canoe, as well as a closed 2-man canoe. And I know they make open kayaks as well. So there is definitely cross-over in shapes.

[@clifffawcett]

The lines have for sure, been blurred. Thanks for watching! 👍🏻

[@calom4823]

I use a 14 foot flat back sportspall i paddle and got a 2.5 and a electric engine . Realy stable and versatile .

[@scottschnappauf9391]

Great video. You touched on the center of gravity and how low your weight is. With a sit in kayak, your bottom tends to be below the water line, more stable. With a canoe or sit on top, your bottom tends to be above the water line, less stable. That's only one factor of stability along with vessel width, chine, etc. The description of what the canoe or kayak is used for is excellent. Also, pacific islander canoes, covering great distances offshore...that's a whole other topic.

[@clifffawcett]

Good point! Yes!

[@chriscraft1245]

Thank you for your thoughts. I am struggling with what to purchase. I have had a canoe before but just could not use it because I couldn’t transport at the time very easily. Thank you for giving tips for. Other kayak and canoe

[@clifffawcett]

Having the ability to transport easily is so important in whether you actually use it! Thanks for watching

[@kiltworm]

Got my 1st canoe this year. Love it. But I've only been out 3 times this year. It's either too windy (more than 20k/h seems tough on my own), too hot, too smokey, too cold...I don't know if I'm being too precious but would love to paddle more.

[@BushKayakersCampingAustralia]

wind can really be a problem on open water although if you stay near the edge and let the trees block the wind for you , you may find you can still go out on windy days also paddle up creeks and tributaries on windy days helps . hot and cold just dress appropriately . sunscreen hat tip water over you paddle near the edge in the shade . but yeah wind can spoil a nice paddle sometimes

[@craigjohnchronicles2504]

Love the vid. The people at Rutabaga are fabulous. I was looking for a fishing platform, and opted for a canoe. Picked a 31 pound Prospector 14 Pack from Swift. Easy to carry to and from the water. Especially easy to load on to the car. Waves roll under the hull effortlessly, giving it great initial stability for sitting quietly on the water while casting and waiting for a bite. Speaking of cars. We have a Honda Pilot - great family hauler, and I'll throw the canoe on top if we're going someplace with flat water. The Pilot is a bit high to get the canoe on and off easily, but it's not terribly difficult. For my solo fishing outings, we just bought a Mazda CX-30. Getting the canoe on and off of that little crossover is a breeze. Put the rear seats down, and I have plenty of space to carry my gear. There would be enough room for two big dry bags as well as the rest of my fishing gear and paddles, to spend two weeks in the Boundary Waters.

[@clifffawcett]

Thanks for watching. Big fan of Rutabaga and Canoecopia. Love my Pilot too! And obviously my canoes and kayaks 🤩.

[@jeffreyerwin3665]

I prefer the canoe because I do not like being stuck in a sitting position, legs straight out. In the canoe I can move my legs around or take a kneeling position. It is easy to load my hiking pack into my canoe. It is easy to carry by 40 lb. canoe on its portage bar, and it is easy to load the canoe upside-down onto the roof-rack of my vehicle. Of course the kayak is faster and more seaworthy. I have seen kayaks go out into waves that I would never attempt in a canoe.

[@clifffawcett]

Yes! 👍🏻

[@F3L1XL31TR]

Great video, super helpful. I've been mulling this question over for a little while now and was leaning kayak for the wrong reasons. To anyone watching, there's an important distinction I wanted to make on a small point in the video: the Inuit are not First Nations people - the latter refers to the Indigenous peoples to the south.

[@clifffawcett]

Thank you

[@sam-kayaks]

После многих каяков пришел к тому, что начинаю строить к весне одиночное каноэ , похожее на old town 119. Хочется походить по малым рекам в свое удовольствие ,не торопясь насладиться природой с удобной и простой погрузкой и выгрузкой вещей. Устал от огромной реки Волга, где большое пароходство и огромное количество моторных лодок. Решил, что созрел для каноэ, для начала небольшого )))

[@clifffawcett]

Thanks for watching and commenting! I don’t understand Russian but I do have Google Translate. The Volga River is very large! More like the Ohio River or the Mississippi here in the USA. Much bigger than my Little Miami River. Enjoy.

[@artp5030]

У меня знакомый продает old town (побаловался ) практически новый, но от нас отправить что то не реально.

[@anthonyvespia6662]

Oldtown 120 sportman, powerd by Minnkota, with spot lock technology. Saved for about 3 year's, while, enjoying my Predetor 120 pdl. Now it's been a year with the Oldtown 120, and I see no reason to ever upgrade. I still run my Bixpy on a gravity rudder, in tge stern. Hands free fishing machine. Set a heading, enjoy my hot coffee, and get to my spots. So much technology on. Kayaks today. Gotta stay kayak. However, sea kayaks are so beautiful especially with a few Friends on a 3 day camp and fishing trip. 🙏 😎 🎣

[@clifffawcett]

Sounds like fun! I’ve seen those Minnkota powered kayaks. Looks like a lot of fun. I love the idea of enjoying a cup of coffee while heading to a fishing spot! Thanks for sharing

[@BushKayakersCampingAustralia]

good advice and observations . Myself for what i do is I prefer sit in touring kayaks as we like camping as well as day trips . less exposure to the sun wind, cold and rain and move faster so I can cover more distance and explore more with less effort . although having the extra room and convenience of packing that a canoe has is a bonus for canoes if into camping . If one is just into doing day trips I would recommend a kayak over a canoe . but then if fishing . that would be better done in a canoe . . Is a lot of different reasons for one or the other

[@clifffawcett]

Thank you! Thanks for watching.

[@Rincon009]

Good video! I'm a big fan of the hybrid canoe-kayak boats. I have an Old Town Next but there are others that are pretty sweek!

[@clifffawcett]

There are so many options now that combine the best characteristics of both! Thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@BarnabyWild13]

I just bought a Native hybrid 14.5 feet. Two seater. Getting away from kayaks so I can haul more gear on float trips.

[@philiphapeshis1226]

I found a loon 15t kayak and would like to know if add rod holders would fishing be possible?I also found a couple canoes what would you recommend myself and my 7 year old will be using.

[@davidbartlett6746]

Nice video, I can't get enough of talking about paddle craft. BTW, dugout canoes have been used for thousands of years throughout the world.

[@clifffawcett]

Thanks David 👍🏻

[@samuelhartsock1177]

Great video! Do you prefer to sit up in the canoe with no back or sit lower in the canoe with a seat that has a back? Also, how does this affect your paddle choice (single or double blade)? Thanks!

[@clifffawcett]

There are advantages and disadvantages to sitting high in a canoe. It’s more tippy if the seat is high. But with a high seat you can get your legs underneath and kneel which allows more control and a lower center of gravity. A lower seat with a back is definitely more comfortable. A lot depends on where you’re going to paddle and your skill level.

[@jamesandtannis]

Very informative Cliff thanks for your post. I followed a similar path with having more children and circumstances changing. Keep paddling I’ve subscribed to your channel 🤝

[@clifffawcett]

Thanks man

[@williambridenbaugh6554]

Should come up to the great miami River from troy to tipp city is a great trip and a good mix of calm water, rapids and a couple skillfull turns. Been kayaking for years but thinking about getting a 10 foot canoe to make carrying camping gear a little easier. Great video

[@clifffawcett]

I’ve paddled that section from Troy to Tipp. Beautiful section for sure.

[@TxHornyToad]

Years ago I started with a solo Mad River Lady Slipper in Kevlar. Pretty, expensive, tippy and light. I later got a Bell Rockstar solo in Rolalex. Heavier (50 lbs), a little wider but bulletproof. I practiced and got pretty good at solo strokes, and only paddled on the right side most of the time. I got older and wanted something easier to paddle so I got a Wilderness Systems Pungo 120 kayak. A little lighter, faster and easier to paddle than the Rockstar. I wanted to try fishing so I got a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120 sit on top. A little heavier, much more stable but slower than the Pungo. Great fishing kayak as well as river camping. The Pungo was better for pure cruising. As I got older and more into fishing I bought a Hobie Outback with peddle drive. It is more stable, easier to propel using your legs and rudder. Fortunately I live on a river as it is a challenge to car top at 80 pounds. I now have a Bixpy electric drive to get me to faraway fishing spots and the peddle drive for actual fishing. Great fishing platform. I sold off the Slipper and Pungo but still have others.

[@clifffawcett]

It’s so interesting to see the various “boats” you’ve used and to hear the rationale behind it. Thanks for engaging

[@MichaelAnglada]

Cliff thanks for the video. I live in the Puget Sound Area of Washington State (Bremerton) and have been looking at the sit on top kayaks with pedal props (propeller is turned by a crank like a bike). They are a little spendy but was wondering if you have any knowledge of them as to pros or cons to just a traditional kayak. I have some inflatable kayaks and they are ok (were not very expensive, but don’t track very well). I’m 65 which is why I’m looking at the sit on top, I figure that would be a lot easier to climb in and out as opposed to the traditional kayak. I plan on doing some fishing and just leisure paddling/pedaling. Also you caught my interest when you said you were canoeing on the Little Miami, I think I canoed that river many years ago, grew up around Springfield Ohio, the US Navy brought me to Washington on large gray ship and I stayed. Thanks again.

[@clifffawcett]

Springfield is just up the road from where we live! How cool. My wife and I had lunch in Bremerton a few years back. We were in Seattle and took the Washington State Ferry over to Bremerton and drove to Bainbridge and caught the ferry back. I haven’t personally used the Hobie kayak you’re talking about but I hear they’re great. Go Navy! Beat Army!

[@roywarriner8441]

I'm voting kayak, even for portaging. I don't kayak to go backcountry camping, I backcountry camp so I can go on longer kayak trips. Yokes are available to make carrying one easier. 17' fibreglass seakayaks generally weigh less than 50 lbs. Composite under 40. Seakayaks will go anywhere in a river a canoe could but thrive in big open water where you can't take a canoe. Kayaks win hands down for versatility. Therefore I have no use for a canoe.

[@clifffawcett]

I hear what you’re saying. I used to be kayak only. I enjoy the differences between the two. I will always own both. Thanks for watching 👍🏻

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

Against my better judgement, we bought a tandem Hobie Mirage kayak with pedals and to my surprise, the pedal power is much better than paddling. Of course it's not designed for the shallows or a weedy bayou. but for the serious fisherman or sightseer. It's fast, maneuverable and extremely stable (and no, I don't work for Hobie.) The engineering that went into this thing, is just astounding.

[@clifffawcett]

I’m assuming your spell checker got you and you typed “Hobie” as in “Hobie Cat”. I’ve seen those and always been fascinated by them. I have never enjoyed those pedal powered boats you rent at vacation spots and figured it was the same.

[@flt528]

It's pretty simple: kayaks are for the ocean, canoes are for inland (lakes and rivers). It's not a coincidence that kayaks were invented by seagoing people who used them to hunt seals, and canoes were invented by inland dwellers who used them to travel over small lakes and rivers with portages. My advice to anyone looking to buy either: stick with the classic, standard designs (sea kayaks; normal canoes) rather than the modern toy versions (sit on top "kayaks"; canoes with decks).

[@antondahl8945]

I own 2 seventeen foot Grumman canoes and prefer them over my 3 kayaks. But there are advantages to kayaks for certain waters. I grew up fishing out of an aluminum canoe and they are still my choice.

[@scenicdriveways6708]

Nice video, thanks for sharing. I'm thinking about buying a Meyers Sportspal S-15 Canoe for exploring places like Barren River Lake in Kentucky, as well as for hunting & fishing. JT

[@clifffawcett]

Aluminum! Nice. Throwing it back. Good all around boat. Enjoy it! 👍🏻

[@adison6340]

Хорошее видео, доброе и спокойное. Приятных путешествий.

[@clifffawcett]

Thank you! 😊

[@ShazBookOwl]

Great comparison. I started with a sit in kayak, (Wilderness Systems Aspire 105 20kg/44lb) and now have 2 sit on tops. One is a cheapie (Seak Swift 21kg/46.29lb) - great for day paddles, the other a Hobie Passport (29kg/64lb). I love my Hobie, but gee, she's heavy. So that means I need help at home to load, and have to wait for my friends to arrive to get her off the car. 🤷‍♀ So, what I'm looking for is something lighter around 16-18kg/35-40lb). Of course I'd like to be able to day trip and overnight, as we do both. Mostly on calm water, creeks, dams, lakes and rivers. So I need to decide whether to get another sit in kayak (I sold the original - and yeah I should've kept it - because apparently, you can never have too many boats... lol) Or go with a canoe... Thanks for sharing - you raise some interesting thoughts.

[@clifffawcett]

I love my sit on top kayak (Tarpon 140) once it’s in the water but getting it there… ooof… rough! Recently I’ve been using my solo canoe (Northwind Solo by Northstar) almost exclusively. It’s so light and easy to get on and off the car and into the water and paddles so smoothly and effortlessly. Thanks for watching.

[@alowatsakima8950]

unless you are paddling in the ocean are large open water areas, a whitewater kayak will do. They are light, mine is for steep creeking, 8' long and weighs 40 lbs., but it paddles across flat water just fine.

[@oldsmokeeater7075]

Came across much more relaxed I thought. Actually some good thoughts and advise. River is up more it seems, in contrast to the last trip we took. Lol

[@clifffawcett]

Thanks Uncle Art! I felt more relaxed too! It was a beautiful day and it was nice to have plenty of water. I saw a beaver and got it on video but it didn’t fit into the theme. I’ll try to put it in a future video.

[@LukaszW998]

There is no such things than too many boats. I totally agree 👍 Regards from Poland 🇵🇱

[@clifffawcett]

Poland! That’s awesome!! Thanks for watching

[@scottwhitemyer5501]

appreciate the info... old guy trying to decide on kayak v canoe on buffalo river here in arkansas

[@clifffawcett]

Thanks for watching. Try renting one of each or maybe you could find a demo day nearby to try both. Happy searching (and paddling) 🛶

[@ri-jm5tn]

I’m 50 years a paddler and have owned and paddled a lot of kayaks and canoes. If I could only own one do-everything craft, I’d go with a 16’ symmetrical tandem canoe with good secondary stability, at least a couple inches of rocker and a Royalex type hull material.

[@clifffawcett]

That would be an excellent choice! Good all around

[@highloughsdrifter1629]

Only 30 years for me. I'd make the same choice, that's one boat that can do anything. Fit a sail rig for open water.

[@Akira-101]

It's very helpful for me. Thanks.

[@randymartin5521]

I've been in a canoe a few times in my life but not in 30+ years. I've been itching for a canoe or kayak lately and just can't decide. At nearly 60 years old now, my knees are not what they used to be and my streamlined physique and consequently my balance, also is a thing of the past. I never found canoes to be particularly tippy, maybe initially but I never felt as if I was about to go into the drink. I've always heard that kayaks are tippy, especially for people that are a bit heavy and don't have the greatest balance. Unfortunately, while there are a few box stores around that sell generic low end kayaks, I haven't found any stores specifically for paddlers anywhere near us with a better selection or places where you can try before you buy. I'd have to travel a few hundred miles and make an overnight or weekend trip out of it to find a place specific to paddling, with people that actually know about the sport, which is odd because there are a few creeks, rivers and a few lakes in Arizona.

[@clifffawcett]

Thanks for watching Randy. I hear what you’re saying. It’s not always easy to get what we need nearby. As far as “tippiness” I have found both canoes and kayaks that are really tippy and both canoes and kayaks that were so stable it was almost impossible to flip them if you tried. I think the most difficult point in the paddling experience as we get older is getting in and out of the boat! Launching from a sandy area makes it the easiest. I’ve also found with my 58 yo out of shape frame, that having a back rest is awfully nice… I hope you can find something you can enjoy!

[@randymartin5521]

​​@@clifffawcettI have been considering something with a back rest. Some of the sit on top kayaks look like they practically have la-z-boy recliners for seats!

[@clifffawcett]

@@randymartin5521 I have a sit on top and while it is super heavy to get on and off the car, it is SUPER EASY to get in and out of and SUPER COMFORTABLE to paddle… here’s a video I did on it kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHLNk6iDarCdo7c

[@roberttolley5055]

Got my first sit on kayak start in a month fishing. And we are building/assemble ing a radison flat back canoe/ boat. All the Ohio saftey check lists. Center Ohio marshaville

[@mkfishing4458]

had a small canoe and it was crazy tippy,gave it away and it could be it was a really cheap poor made?years later got a sit-on anglers kayak and was really stable,so i'm kayak all the way now because the stability is so much better.

[@fathertomoutdoors6579]

What would you recommend for bad lower backs?

[@clifffawcett]

@@fathertomoutdoors6579 I can relate! I have a bad back too. I think the seat in my recreational kayak is the most comfortable for me, but it’s a heavy boat which puts a strain on my back putting it on my car and taking it off. My solo canoe is way lighter but there’s no support for the back. In the canoe my back feels best when I’m kneeling. Thanks for watching!

[@UncleDanBand64]

I have been kayaking for years but, me and the wife have been wanting to take the grandkids so, thinking about a canoe. Just worried about the stability.

[@clifffawcett]

I totally get the stability issue. That’s why we bought a tandem kayak to start with. Our kids were like 5 and 7 and we liked the stability of them sitting on the floor below the water line…

[@UncleDanBand64]

@@clifffawcett yes, my grandkids are 6 and 3.

[@geodude6244]

Nothing's worse than shame of tipping a canoe. My pops plopped down on the rails of our canoe when he was drinking luckily we were in standable water. Deep water re-entry is much easier on a capable kayak. It's possible with a canoe but more time and work. I feel like a canoe shines more when you add the second person for paddling and assisting whatever may happen.

[@kalhev2265]

I love nature and water.

[@schneemann-fy6gi]

A long video with background that actually is very informative

[@clifffawcett]

Thanks for watching. Glad you felt it was informative

[@allans7281]

Love the casual talk. I have a canoe and I like the double paddle setup. Why do you prefer the single paddle? Thx mate

[@clifffawcett]

Thanks Allan. I should do a video on this question! I like both the double blade and canoe paddle. When I first started with my solo canoe I used my double blade because I was more comfortable with it. I forced myself to use the canoe paddle. As I practiced and learned more skills, I got more comfortable with the canoe paddle. Now… it depends on the boat I’m in, the conditions, and my mood. Sometimes I bring both and switch back and forth!

[@allans7281]

@@clifffawcett likewise! Would a single paddle work effectively solo paddling?

[@clifffawcett]

@@allans7281 For sure. If I’m on a lake or covering long distances, I favor the double blade. If I’m on a small creek or tight winding river or just out for a leisurely paddle, I’ll go single blade.

[@highloughsdrifter1629]

Single paddle doesn't drip into the boat. It's also less tiring, simply because it weighs half as much and is floating for most of the stroke. Harder to learn though and needs the right hull to work with.

[@JohnTaylor-gg3vv]

Paddling has been a sport that I have been enjoying for at least 40yrs, my wife really enjoys being on the water also so that makes it easy to spend time together. We have a couple kayaks at this point but we have a couple grand daughters that absolutely love spending time on and in the water. We have been considering purchase a canoe just so they would be able to take them with us more often. Is there any canoe you like or dislike ? I was thinking of get into a Kevlar or composite based canoe. Me personally I would love to canoe camp.

[@clifffawcett]

One of my favorite aspects of paddling is you can do it with others! The best advice I received about buying a canoe was to buy the lightest one that met my needs. I have a kevlar/carbon mix from Northstar called Blacklite. I love it because it’s so easy to put on top of my SUV and it’s very tough as well. I love all of the Northstar canoes. I always recommend trying before you buy. In the spring a lot of shops hold demo days. Thanks for watching John. Happy Paddling 😊

[@blairbeaumont]

Nova Craft Prospector in ToughStuff or Blue Steel. Very light and apparently quite tough.

[@somethingsomethang]

Does holding your paddle in the water after the stroke help maintain tracking?

[@clifffawcett]

Sure does!

[@peterh4446]

I have a Grumman 15’ standard that weighs 55lbs . I have it rigged for rowing which is perfect for fishing breezy days on lakes and ponds . I just don’t understand the kayak trend. Kayaks are heavier, hard to get in and out of, and not as versatile.

[@clifffawcett]

I started in kayaks and i still prefer them in certain instances, but I love my canoe. I feel like kayaks are kind of like SUV’s… they fit the image people have for themselves. There’s nothing like the classic Grumman! 👍🏻 Thanks for watching!

[@peterh4446]

@@clifffawcett I fish mostly in the Adirondacks, and had a nice conversation with an older couple in a 17 kevlar Winona and they told me how awesome it was an weighed 40 lbs. they explained that my Grumman was a great starter canoe (I bought it in 1980 in Saranac lake). After a bit, they described all the problems they had dealing with the wind. I guess I’m okay with my starter canoe. Your videos are great. I know Lums Pond and lived in Dover , now in Annapolis.

[@clifffawcett]

@@peterh4446 That’s a great story! Sometimes the best thing is the thing that works best! Small world… Delaware and Annapolis 👍🏻

[@kevinbates1657]

What type of camera and setup do you use ? I would like to record my adventures .

[@clifffawcett]

Typically I use a GoPro mounted on the jaws flex clamp on the front thwart facing back towards me and a second GoPro on the bow facing forward. Thanks for watching

[@crabbydad8931]

I've seen some long trip canoe guys using double kayak paddle in a canoe. Is that common?

[@clifffawcett]

I switch back-and-forth between the double bladed paddle and a single bladed paddle. They each have their own benefits and drawbacks.

[@crabbydad8931]

@@clifffawcett yeah interesting. as soon as I posed the question I stumbled across video where guy said he started it for wrist injury and now switches back and forth too : )

[@brucecoppola8512]

Double paddle canoes are especially popular in the Adirondacks for some reason, maybe elsewhere in the northeast US. When I visited there from Michigan, being a kayaker I was intrigued. I wound up building a skin on frame design by Cliff Jacobsen, his Arrow 14 solo canoe. It's my favorite flat water boat. That said I admire those who use a single blade paddle with real skill.

[@MrPeter924]

Good video sounds great boat show

[@vicselixir]

I love the kneeling drops but they have different drops because not everyone likes the same thing. Different strokes for different folks.

[@clifffawcett]

You’re right Victor. I like vanilla, my wife likes chocolate. I still haven’t decided which drops I like best though. I like kneeling until my legs get tired and then I’d prefer the lower seating position. I think the freestyle class might help me feel more comfortable sitting higher. Will keep you posted. Thanks for watching and commenting 👍🏻

[@vicselixir]

@@clifffawcett I use the Northstar kneeling pad or before that cheap gardening kneelers for my knees and straighten them a few minutes every hour. But people with knee problems I can see the dilemma. I may be lowering my drops as I age. Lol www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Kneeling-Pad-90346/315303737

[@alowatsakima8950]

First decide where you think you want to paddle. I grew up paddling canoes in the scouts. But after buying a tandem canoe, and my wife turned us over several times. So I said if you learn to kayak, we'll start a family. I didn't expect her to get pregnant at the kayak school. So we started kayaking whitewater. The water did most of the work, and we just changed the direction. That was the beginning. 35 years later I'm still whitewater kayaking. While I still teaching canoeing merit badge, but I spend all my time on the river in my kayaks. Whitewater kayaks are light and very durable. They are short and easy to carry. There is an old saying, that if you only have one blade on your paddle, you are only using half your brain. I highly recommend getting lessons from a good instructor. Learning the proper techniques increases the learning curve. There are some awesome videos on you tube, both canoeing and kayaking. Just pick river and look it up.

[@clifffawcett]

Thanks for watching and sharing your story

[@richarddean3154]

Great video - thank you for the effort you put into this content. I will check your channel out after I complete this video. Thanks again

[@clifffawcett]

Awesome, thank you!

[@09591000]

Thanks. Good point.

[@clifffawcett]

Thanks for watching

[@oldsmokeeater7075]

Again good job!

[@richie2075]

maybe you'll learn the J stroke in that freestyle class...hahaha. signed, the canoe police

[@clifffawcett]

😂😂😂

[@martinswartout6215]

If you buy a Canoe, please learn to paddle correctly and efficiently. While Cliff is not working hard, he is working a lot harder than he needs to... watch how he powers the canoe forward with his forward stroke and then... cranking the paddle outward in a partial reverse sweep... he cuts half his forward motion because his stroke is opposing his forward motion. Since his orientation is with Kayaks, he'd be better off using a double kayak paddle versus a single canoe paddle, constantly switching sides and working so hard to keep his forward motion. Oh... learn a J-Stroke which combines a forward stroke with a continuing "forward stroke" that continues to push the canoe forward as you use part of your power stroke to push some water outward away from the stern of the boat. Love paddling and was a canoe instructor for flat water and whitewater for two decades until an auto accident destroyed my left wrist. Check your local Parks and Recreation Department... check your American National Red Cross.

[@cvanscho]

I'm trying to decide on my first paddle craft build (I come from a sailing background). When I read comments like this, it really gives me pause. Do I really want to get into something that is so complicated and gives rise to lots of criticism if you don't do things the "right way"? I just want to have fun (as the girl singer says), and this type of attitude is of concern..

[@clifffawcett]

I’m with you Chris. You don’t have to take the joy out of a pleasurable pastime by making it about performance. I really enjoy paddling. The joy doesn’t come from how good I am at it. The pleasure lies in the process, not the result. Thanks for watching. 😊

[@BrettFox]

@@cvanscho Or.....just ignore people.

[@highloughsdrifter1629]

I can see both sides of this. On one hand we are just here to have fun and certainly not to conform to someone else's idea of correct style. It's not just style though, learning an efficient paddling stroke can greatly increase your enjoyment of the canoe. It could also change your assessment of the canoe verses the kayak. It is easier to learn to make some kind of progress in the kayak, though possibly equally difficult to get the best out of it. Canoe, I think, is inherently more complex, because it's so versatile.

[@tomb7901]

I own and love both but if I could only have one, I'd definitely choose a canoe. Versatility.

[@clifffawcett]

Can’t beat the versatility of a canoe! Thanks for watching! 👍🏻

[@jerryschneider145]

@@clifffawcett I have owned both, canoe hands down.

[@polarissucks]

thanks for the video

[@clifffawcett]

Thanks for watching 🤩

[@jaynecobb5774]

Old Town 164...its a tank. Can go anywhere, and hauls a week of gear.

[@clifffawcett]

Great boat!

[@wisenber]

Sadly, sea kayaks and canoes have fallen out of favor. Fishing kayaks have become the largest segment with SUPs and sit on top kayaks being the next two. Not coincidentally, those are also the three types of paddlecraft that require the least amount of time to become functionally competent. Few of those will ever find a need or desire to work on paddle strokes or advancing their skills.

[@clifffawcett]

I truly believe that the kayaks and canoes always be around because they are so great at what they’re made for. While they may not appeal to the casual paddler simply looking for a fun recreational activity they can pick up quickly and do on occasion, they will always be there as an option.

[@wisenber]

@@clifffawcett i don't believe either are going away, but their market share (along with the skill base) has been shrinking for some time. On the water, it's pretty rare to see anyone under 45 years old using either of them. Paddlecraft will continue to evolve, and who knows what will be en vogue 30 years from now. Thirty tears ago, the current most popular items didn't exist. Fifty years ago, sea kayaks as we know them weren't around. People were using Klepper and Folbot folding boats with fiberglass whitewater boats just having caught on sixty years ago.

[@clifffawcett]

@@wisenber I think you’re right. It’s interesting to observe the ebb and flow of things. I just read an article about the “canoe or kayak” topic. I was reflecting on all the new products that blur the lines between the two. There are “kayaks” that are more like typical canoes and “canoes” that are more like kayaks and everything in between!! To each his own! 😊. Thanks for sharing

[@wisenber]

@@clifffawcett I think the ACA just considered a kayak as a type of canoe. The Aleutian boats covered the spectrum of single blade, double blade, open cockpit and closed. And of course the South Pacific added outriggers and sails. That being said, the boat you'll use is always best.

[@clifffawcett]

@@wisenber “The boat you use is always best” So true!!! For me, for now, it’s my Northstar Northwind Solo!

[@BarnabyWild13]

I do canoes with kayak paddles.

[@clifffawcett]

Me too! Great combo

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

As a functioning tool used to transport people and property, a big canoe is the logical choice. Try bringing an ice chest in a kayak or drinking water for four, for a week or more.

[@clifffawcett]

There’s nothing like a canoe for swallowing a ton of gear

[@jamesbaldwin7676]

@@clifffawcett At least a half a ton. We've owned all kinds of boats and still do, in fact we now live on a sailboat. Our expedition cargo canoes went to live with my son. They were 18.5' x 3' and were rated to hold 1100 lbs. We could stand-up in them and even move around. The Hobie Compass goes with us now and is kept along the side railings. We've also got a Portland Pudgy on the foredeck (Google it.) All of this boating stuff started for me as a Boy Scout building homemade, canvas/plywood kayaks. Ask me someday, about our recent canoe trip into the Okefenokee Wildlife Refuge (gator infested swamp.)

[@roberttolley5055]

I have a jeep 10 000 in repair it ain't great at gas mileage lol. Had to.my wife dont fish. So we ll do scenery together.

[@ronn6471]

No mention of sit on top kayaks! All kayaks are not tge same.

[@clifffawcett]

Thanks for watching Ron N. You’re right. I have another video on sit on tops here: New Boat Reveal | Wilderness Systems Tarpon 140 (w/OUTTAKES & BLOOPERS) kzbin.info/www/bejne/aHLNk6iDarCdo7c

[@larzchannel5975]

I don’t like sitting in a kayak for long periods of time

[@danorris5235]

Canoe over kayak 100% of the time for me.

[@clifffawcett]

Thanks for watching

[@gregkosinski2303]

It’s not exactly that everyone wants an SUV. The EPA targets for fuel economy are different for trucks, so auto companies have focused on developing them.

[@gypsyman1939]

Hey sir, jump in water and play dead for 2 mins see what happens.

[@danielspenner3683]

I think, canoes were described first in the caribean world.

[@clifffawcett]

Thanks for watching

[@andrewbrown6522]

I call my boat a double wide kayak.

[@clifffawcett]

That’s funny! 😂

[@andrewbrown6522]

@@clifffawcett its a pelican bass raidet i modified to adventure with. Its basically 2 hard pontoons and i sit in the middle. Funny but accurate! Lol

[@ALoonwolf]

ROW BOAT = slightly slower, far superior in every other way.

[@clifffawcett]

Interesting to think about… 🤔

[@keithmoriyama5421]

Are you telling me you would rather be in a row boat over a kayak in 6' ocean waves?

[@jonasf4065]

@@keithmoriyama5421 Um, people have been in 20 foot waves on Georges bank in rowboats that collect the fish catch for a couple of centuries. Kayak isnt as good as you think it is. In wind and waves that are 5'+ kayaks have been rolled over, and over, and over...people just can't stay up and drown. Rowboats ride over the waves much better.

[@keithmoriyama5421]

@@jonasf4065 Ever heard of Eskimos? In a journey of any distance-- see you in a week.

[@jonasf4065]

@@keithmoriyama5421 They didn't venture very far and they did not typically go out in rough conditions. Ever hear of Frank Samuelsen & George Harbo? There's also a reason why rowboats like the adirondack guideboat has won open ocean races (and in rough conditions) like the Blackburn Challenge. Because they are the best watercraft for such use. Rowing is also the fastest way to manually propel yourself. No chance for a kayaker (using best surf ski) to beat a single scull rower over the Olympic distance.

[@robinscottmarsh846]

This did not help me decide which way to go. This is just you gabbing without saying anything really.

[@j.a.1785]

Don't be dense.