Terminology is one of those things that can just feel impossible to get to grips with until you’ve spent a lot of time in a certain discipline.
For the lay people among us, the terms canoe and kayak are often interchangeable, and we don’t really understand what the distinction between them is, if there even is one.
So, what is the difference?
Kayaks are single seater vessels, in which one paddler uses dual paddles to move around. They are operated from a cockpit. Canoes are open topped, and usually operated by multiple people at once, using single bladed paddles. The paddler might kneel or sit on a perch, rather than in a cockpit seat.
So, the two things certainly are not the same thing, and bear many differences.
While the basic principle is the same—an unpowered vessel that one or more people propel with hand paddles—operating the two things is very different.
Let’s find out more.
What is a kayak?
Let’s start with kayaks, and define them and look at their features, first.
Kayaks are small watercraft, narrow and long with space for someone to sit in the dead center.
The pilot might wear what is known as a spray deck over the cockpit, to prevent water from coming in.
This also makes it possible to roll the kayak without it filling with water.
They are, perhaps most importantly, operated with a double-bladed paddle, allowing you to easily paddle on either side to keep forward momentum.
If you were to only paddle on one side, the kayak would simply spin in circles.
Kayaks were actually first invented by indigenous Inuit cultures in the frozen north.
They were used for inland hunting on rivers and lakes in the Arctic, and were typically made by stretching animal skins, such as seal, over a wooden frame.
The frame was also sometimes made from whalebone.
Modern kayaks have diverged from the ancient designs more and more in modern days, but the basic design is still the same.
You can also have kayaks that seat multiple people.
These are differentiated from canoes, though, by the fact that you still have a cockpit that can be covered by a spray deck.
They are also sometimes propelled by other means, like sails and electric motors.
Some even use gas engines.
So, a kayak is a small, narrow boat, usually for one person, and usually propelled by dual blade paddles.
Now, let’s find out what defines a canoe.
What is a canoe?
A canoe, while still being a lightweight vessel, is differentiated from a kayak in many important ways.
However, it’s worth noting that, in British English, kayak and canoe are often used to mean the same thing.
Both refer to a kayak.
However, that is less common because there still needs to be a term for a canoe, which is never referred to as a kayak.
Canoes were independently developed by numerous cultures across the world and throughout time.
Indeed, we find evidence of canoes as far back as 8000 BC, where we find dugouts and canoes with paddles being used in places like the Netherlands and Denmark.
The defining features of a canoe start with its overall structure.
Canoes were often carved out of a tree trunk, and feature a single, large, open area to sit and store things.
Typically, you would kneel in a canoe, but you may also have a small wooden perch to sit on.
Generally, canoes are expected to be piloted by more than one person.
You each have a one sided oar or paddle, and will paddle on alternate sides to keep forward momentum.
Traditionally, canoes were made of wood—as I said, often carved out of a single, large tree trunk.
Today, though, naturally, they are made of all sorts of materials, from plastic and composites to fiberglass or even Kevlar.
So—let’s look at how these two vessels are similar and how they’re different.
What are the similarities between canoes and kayaks?
Well, let’s start with the basics.
Obviously, they are both small watercraft designed to be propelled with paddles.
They both were used for hunting and exploration for many thousands of years, though kayaks were indeed much more specialized and unique.
But when you get down to it, they are certainly more different than they are similar.
Let’s look at how they’re different.
What are the differences between canoes and kayaks?
The first difference is where the passengers sit.
Kayaks have closed cockpits for a single person to sit in.
Canoes are open topped, meaning water can flow in more easily.
They are generally a lot slower than kayaks, too—which goes to show why kayaks were used for hunting, whereas canoes were more often used for exploration or gathering.
The paddles are an important difference.
Kayaks are aerodynamic enough to be piloted by one person with a dual paddle.
Canoes can be piloted by one person but having to move one paddle between both sides makes them a lot slower and more cumbersome.
The differences they exhibit are due to their application, then.
One is a fast hunting vessel, the other a slower exploration vessel.
Once you know the basic differences between canoes and kayaks, you will know to look at them which one is which fairly easily.
Canoes are typically much bigger and can seat multiple people.
Kayaks are for one person.
That’s really all you need to know to tell them apart.
When it comes to operating them, though, they are even more different.
