Five Best Canoes and Kayaks

Canoes and kayaks have been used for roaming rivers, lakes and even oceans for thousands of years. The seated paddling position is comfortable for long days paddling; the boats are little and maneuverable allowing them to go anywhere other boats cannot.

Although these boats were at first used for survival, particularly hunting, they are currently used almost entirely for outdoor pastimes and leisure. The first boats of this type were made from found driftwood and animal skins, mostly seal, although things have moved on and more modern materials are usually used.

Canoes generally came from warmer environments which are enclosed with trees. There was no need to be anxious about freezing water spilling over the sides of the boat. For that reason, their designs never required the completely sealed and surrounded surface.

Kayaks will often keep you much dryer, because they are sealed and developed oin colder climes. Often times though they will have a drain valve that makes it very easy to let the water out quickly and effortlessly.

Whether or not you purchase a canoe or a kayak is completely a personal choice, unless you are planning on taking to Arctic waters. They both offer an environmentally friendly and inexpensive method to get out and enjoy the water.

The KL Industries Mackinaw 156 Canoe is intended to be an extremely steady strong canoe that will last long in the family for many years to come. It is made of a high-density polyethylene, which makes the boat very rugged, also comes with a lot of features that most families will find useful.

A drink cooler that is molded right into the center seat is a feature that I think anyone using this canoe on a hot summer day will appreciate. Drink holders molded into each of the three seats is another creature comfort that you can get used to real quick.

A dry storage compartment located next to the cooler allows a safe storage area for car keys, wallets, cell phones and jewelry. I don’t know how many times I have heard of people who have gone canoeing and lost valuables when they have gone for a swim, maybe in an accident.

The Coleman Exponent Fastback Inflatable Kayak is not a bad inflatable kayak. It will go well with brand new paddlers who have never tried kayaked before and want to do some simple entertaining paddling on calm waters.

This kayak should be able to handle class 3 whitewater, and for more experienced kayakers, class IV should not be too tough to handle either, although it is advised that you log some hours on calmer waters before attempting the rapids. It is light weight and would be very easy to travel with or take camping.

This is an entry level kayak with an entry level price tag. It is best suited for someone that is not expecting a lot from their boat but just wants to get out on the water and have some fun.

Ideally, Sevylor Inflatable Colorado Canoe, 2-Person is intended for lakes, ocean fishing, rough waters, and diving. This is because they created this canoe in the likeness of traditional North American Natives’ canoe style, with a raised bow and stern and a slender, shape and comfortable fit for users. The positioning of the two bucket seats creates a balance of weight that is best suited for making sharp turns. The Sevylor Inflatable Colorado Canoe has magnificent handling in turbulent conditions and, needless to say, in calmer waters. The bucket seats are especially flexible so that they will fit the contours of any person perfectly. There is about 45 inches of leg room per person, so it is amply comfortable for anyone up to even six and a half feet tall.

The Emotion Comet takes a full collection of features at a barely credible worth to the sporty paddler. It features a large cockpit opening makes it easy to get into the boat with some extra gear. It also has fully adjustable seat and foot braces that will accommodate paddlers of all sizes. More adventurous paddlers will love the predictable lean turns and quick acceleration that the Comet invites. The firm chine provides a tremendously stable experience while the stern keel and tracking channels even the newest paddler will stay on the track.  Water drains easily from the stern-placed drain plug making it a breeze to empty. A beverage holder carries the drinks close by and as well stores small accessories

One of the best and most inexpensive inflatable kayaks that you'll find is the Intex Challenger K1 Kayak. It is designed for lakes and slow moving rivers. It has a low profile design. The kayak itself has a streamlined design and the inflatable seat is built for only one passenger. The strong vinyl covering is surprisingly thick - a feature you would find on much more expensive inflatable crafts. The Intex Challenger comes with a paddle, inflatable seat and foot rest, pump, carrying case and a patch kit. If you find the paddle a little uncomfortable, you might want to shop around to find a paddle that suits your taste.