: Nice to have both.

Sure is - they're two completely different types of boat. And also two completely different types of paddle, if you use the single blade.

That was half the reason I went ahead and tried the canoe: because I always kind of wanted to see if I could master the single blade. There's a hoary old saying among canoe diehards that says "half the paddle, twice the paddler", and such a statement is a gauntlet thrown down in front of a guy like me; a red cape waved in his face! There's another old phrase, the "art of the paddle", that I love the sound and idea of. If you think there's an art to using a Euro paddle, try a Greenland paddle. And if you think there's art to be painted with a Greenland paddle, try a single blade. It's not only wonderful fun, but has taught me more than I can enumerate on Greenland paddle use (I don't enjoy/use Euros these days).

I believe that being a kayaker makes me a better canoeist, and being a canoeist makes me a better kayaker.

Paddling a kayak with a single blade is lots of fun too, and yes, rolling with one is a hoot, nuthin' to it. Haven't tried rolling the canoe yet, but I imagine it could be done. You'd end up with a swamped boat, of course. I'm sure I'll give it a go one of these days.