The answers to your questions fill books on the subject.
But I will try to offer some food for thought.
I don't think that it comes down to a choice of "either or"
One factor that no one has mentioned is that in general, and
we must always speak in generalities because there are always
exceptions,...in general, a kayak is designed to go through waves
and a canoe is designed to go over waves. A traditional sea kayak
tends to have a low volume bow entry that will slice through the
wave. A canoe tends to have a fuller "u" section bow entry and so
rides over the wave. Because of this, a kayak needs a deck to keep
water out. Canoes do this by making the bow profile higher at the ends.
Canoes are generally used for more sheltered waters than a sea kayak
which is designed for open water.
If you want to paddle primarily on lakes and rivers, want the option
of having a passenger, want the convienience of easy loading and
unloading of gear,want to bring only one boat instead of two, and
would like a boat that may be more comfortable to sit in for extended
times, a standard 16ft canoe, like an Oldtown Ponobscot is your best
bet.If you want to ride on six foot swells on the ocean, don't need to
carry lots of camping gear, want to cover greater distances in a day,
don't mind bringing a boat for each person and don't want to wait for
the weather to calm down a little more, then a typical greenland style
kayak is the prefered choice.
As usual there are always exceptions.
Here is a link to a photo of a boat I built that is a hybrid of the two
types. http://www.geocities.com/new_old_boa...dex/canoe1.jpg
The boat was designed in 1953 by L.F.Herreshoff, a famous yacht
designer. This boat is a canoe because of its hull shape at the bow.
Most people think it is a kayak because of the deck.
One posters comment about a guideboat is useful I think. If you are
unfamiliar with these, here is a link to a photo of one I built.
http://www.geocities.com/new_old_boa...eguideboat.jpg
All the advantages of a canoe with the mechanical advantage of oars
instead of paddles. Some would call this a disadvantage because you face
aft. This boat is also much faster than a canoe because it has a very
narrow underbody, like a kayak.
There are so many variations in hull design that there are no hard fast
answers as to which is the best boat. It all depends on the conditions
you want to use it in and where you are willing to accept tradeoffs.
Can a person have too many boats? ASK MY WIFE!


Gene Cosloy wrote:
Hi,
I'm relatively new to the sport and currently paddle a light touring
kayak in fla****er rivers. Am I missing something by not doing the
same with a canoe? Fundamentally, why choose one over the other? Are
kayaks faster? Are canoes safer? What about wind and current? Is it
harder to control the direction of a canoe than a kayak under the same
conditions?

Thanks,
Gene