OK, please don't think this is blasphemy!! But I have started to do some soul searching and I not sure of the answer why I want a kayak over a double paddle canoe. Yes I have paddled both and I prefer a kayak but I am not sure if it is really best for my needs.

My primary use is a day boat for paddling. It will be a mix of big lake and small streams. No open water paddling. If I had a kayak, I might take to the Ocean on vacation but it would be rare. We do have a big lake and big waves, but big is 3 to 4 foot and that is only in really nasty times when I wouldn't be out on the lake. (Unless it was to play in the big waves). It takes a lot of wind to create waves like that for us.

I want to do some camping with my niece. So I need the to be able to haul some gear. This will take place on mostly flat water. Some of the rivers around us have shoals and maybe a couple of class 2 rapids. Not real white water where we would go.

The advantages I see are that a canoe could be lighter (no decking) and probably a bit more convenient to camp out of. Quicker to build but that is really an issue. Kayak being a closed boat is nice because it keeps unwanted water and animals and insects out. It can be rolled and a canoe can not. Of course she will probably never learn but the first 180 degrees anyway. :-)

I will build me a kayak regardless, Maybe her a canoe and me a kayak. But I am serious in asking what advantages the kayak has for someone who spend their time on flat water and does a little camping? Not stirring the pot either!