As the interest in paddling has exploded, so have the options for picking a boat.
Paddling boats fall into three main categories: canoe, kayak or paddleboard. Personal preference and where you are paddling will dictate which you choose.
Most helpful in choosing the best paddling option for you may be to rent before you buy. Many of Pennsylvania’s state parks offer canoe, kayak or paddleboard rentals.
Here are some considerations to help you make the choice best for you:
Canoes
Canoes are generally the heaviest option. There are some expensive composite options that reduce weight considerably. Aluminum canoes are almost indestructible but loud and cold. Wooden canoes are beautiful but require regular maintenance.
Canoes win out in carrying capacity. They are great for paddling with a partner — human or canine. Recreational canoes are roomy enough to haul extra gear and/or children too young to paddle. The downside is they are more difficult to handle. Solo canoes are smaller and easier to handle.
Canoe shape
New paddlers will probably do best with flat-bottom boats on calm water because they have good initial stability. For windy or wavy conditions, shallow arch bottoms offer better secondary stability, meaning they roll further without flipping over. Canoes with the banana-like curve from front to back turn better in faster water but aren’t as easy to keep straight.
Kayaks
Kayaks are great for paddling by yourself, but there are some tandem kayak options.
For beginners, recreational kayaks are often the least expensive. They are 9- to 12-feet long and wide enough to offer good initial stability, but it does make them harder to paddle. Touring kayaks are meant for longer outings. Both recreational and touring kayaks come in sit-in and sit-on-top models.
Inflatable kayaks are a good option when you have limited storage. The better ones carry like a backpack and feature multiple air chambers.
Paddleboards
The newest paddle option to enter PA waterways is the stand-up paddleboard (SUP). To keep it simple, an all-around SUP is a great choice for beginners and is versatile in all conditions. With more experience and specific use, SUPers may choose surfing, touring or racing SUPs.
When choosing a paddleboard, be sure that your board is large enough for your weight and experience level. Greater width, length and thickness give the board more weight and volume but also more stability. Stability is key for beginner paddlers.
Like with inflatable kayaks, inflatable paddleboards are a good option for people who don’t have a lot of storage. Inflatable SUPs are great for beginners because they work in lots of different conditions and are good for traveling.
Partially adapted from the “Choosing a Boat for Paddling” article written by Bob Frye in the Nov/Dec 2022 issue of Pennsylvania Angler & Boater magazine.
