Do You Canoe? Or Kayak? Options

[GandJ]

We're considering the addition of a small personal watercraft to our outdoor gear, but are having a tough time deciding between kayaks or a canoe. Does anyone have personal experience, preferences or dislikes of either or both?

Whatever we get (two kayaks or one canoe?), it will have to travel well on our Explorer's roof rack and be fairly light since I'm old and weak and not exactly overly tall.

All information, advice, horror stories and opinions on the subject will be most welcome.

[Goose Creek]

I have done both, canoe and kayake. I think it is a personal preference which a person should get.
We curently have two kayaks. A two seat for when we both want to go, and my single seat for when just I want to go.
Both have good storage. Both are good handling and light weight.
A canoe will hold more gear, and may be more comfortable depending on the user and what it is used for.
I would suggest you find someone in your area that rents them. Try both then make your decision.

[FosterImposters]

Goose Creek makes a very good suggestion. Try out a couple options.

Many years ago I did a canoe trip in the boundry waters area. We were out for weeks, and our two canoes carried a nice load of gear for the four of us. But those puppies were cumbersome to maneuver: portaging, loading, unloading onto the vehicles.
In all fairness, those were aluminum rentals. They DO make MUCH lighter weight versions.

More recently, we rented a 2-seater, sit-on-top-style, kayak. (No skirts)
Toured around Astoria waterways for a day.

Good heavens: no comparison.
Those plastic kayaks were SO much easier to load/unload from river to car rack. Perfect for a casual day of exploring, in relatively calm waters, with limited gear.

I would NOT, however try to explore/live in the outback of northern Minnesota for a month, with a plastic, sit-on-top verson of a kayak.