Kayak Florida Keys
Canoe, Kayak, or Inflatable raft: which is better?
I’m going to the florida keys for a week and am considering purchasing a canoe, kayak, inflatable raft, or an inflatable kayak/canoe. Do any of these work better than the others? If so, why?
My recommendation would be a sit-on-top kayak. This should give you a good compromise for performance, durability, stability, resistance to flooding and ease of reentry from a capsize. Canoes are the least stable of the choices. If they capsize, it is more difficult, particularly for inexperienced paddlers to bail the water out and get back in the boat. Canoes also catch more wind and are difficult to paddle in the wind and waves. Every inflatable I know of is very difficult to paddle at any speed, particularly against wind and waves. If you were thinking of an outboard-powered inflatable or just something to float around on rather than trying to get anywhere, you still might consider an inflatable. Inflatables are the easiest to transport and can be very inexpensive but be careful of coral, rocks or anything that is sharp.
Sit-inside touring kayaks may outperform the average sit-on-top but self-rescue is more of a challenge. My opinions are based on over 20+ years of paddling and 5 years as an instructor & owner of a paddlesports shop. You might want to consider renting before you buy anything.
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2011 PERCEPTIONS 14 FOOT KAYAK, EXCELLENT CONDITION, KEYS, FLORIDA, BOAT, CANOE $450.00 |
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Sea Kayaking in the Florida Keys by Bruce Wachob (1997, Paperback) $14.96 |
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Sea Kayaking in the Florida Keys, Bruce Wachob, Good Book $16.70 |
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Sea Kayaking in the Florida Keys Paperback 1997 NEW $9.95 |