i have some spare space in my garage that would look great with a dusty water craft.

But if it ever got used, which would be a better option? I have two kids (5/2) and for awhile would only want to go with one at a time. Mostly used on calm days on Lake Worth or Benbrook, and some on the pond at our family's place.

A canoe seems to offer more versatility long-tern with the family, but the kayak seems like it would be easier to maneuver when by myself.

Thoughts, recommendations, dusty old boat you want to sell?

With the small kids I think a canoe is a better option

I would go with a canoe. You can find foam seats that allow you to position yourself in the middle (for when you are floating solo).

I like canoes way more. You sit up higher in a canoe, so it is easier to tip, but I it's a ton easier to paddle, seems to move a LOT faster through the water, and I like being able to paddle from the seat or my knees if something starts to hurt. Unless you're going to be doing a lot of fishing, go with canoe.

Now if we're talking pedal-drive kayaks, that's a whole different story (and price point).

I have a Nucanoe Frontier 12. It seems to be a good cross between the two. I take my 3 year out on it with no problem.

Last weekend I actually took the wife, 3 year old and 18 month old out. It has great stability.

Appreciate all the replies. It looks like the canoe is a clear winner.

I'm in the same "boat". I have an active 2.5 year old that I'd like to take out on the lake. Any recs on canoe brands or particular models to check out?

A cooler fits in my canoe but not in my kayak. I use my canoe almost exclusively.

I'll dissent from the majority here & say do something like the nucanoe.

I have kids and the canoes are soooo tippy. Sitting on my knees hurts like heck from old injuries so that's no good either. I like the back support a kayak provides and the kayak paddles allow me to not change sides every 30 seconds to correct my son's erratic paddling.

Zaiquiri said:

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A cooler fits in my canoe but not in my kayak. I use my canoe almost exclusively.

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Clearly you have the wrong kayak....room for my cooler was at the top of my list when I bought mine

Canoe and then go camping out of it

Tandem kayaks are the leading cause of watercraft-related divorces. My wife and I have come to near fisticuffs several times over our inability to effectively navigate a tandem kayak.

I have heard canoes called "divorce boats" for years for that same reason.

Clearly you have the wrong cooler!

Any thoughts on these?

Old Town Saranac 16'
https://www.rei.com/product/887527/old-town-saranac-160-canoe

Old Town Saranac 14' 6"
https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/old-town-saranac-146-3-person-canoe#repChildCatid=1484765

Mad River (14' and 16' available)
https://www.rei.com/product/750860/mad-river-adventure-14-canoe

Sun Dolphin Mackinaw 15' 6"
https://www.academy.com/shop/pdp/sun-dolphin-mackinaw-156-ft-3-person-canoe#repChildCatid=4733081

Old Town has a good reputation.

Not sure how well made Sun Dolphin board are, but that design intrigues me. I am not a fan of keels, so I like that it at least isn't full length. When you are floating by yourself, that middle seat will be nice. I imagine you'll like that partial keel better when alone as well.

I didn't want to give REI any blocks, so I didn't even look at the other two.

My wife and I have been think something simlar, where we can take out 7 and 3 year old kids out one at at time.

What's the difference between a nucanoe and a kayak?

I took my son out at a demo day our local kayak store does, and with a tandem kayak even though I did all the paddling, it wasn't too bad to manuver or get around the small pond/lake we were on.

Old town all day.... Or scan Craigslist and find an Aluminum Canoe.

Good thoughts on the Sun Dolphin. The downside is the 104 lb weight. Whereas the saranac 14'6" only weights 79 and also has three seats.

Added REI since they have a slight sale and actual specs on the boats. Its funny how their sale prices are still higher than anywhere else.

Looks like the hull shape is probably the differentiator. Above the surface, many of the NuCanoe models look like your regular sit-on-top kayak. But the difference is underneath. For the average joe, a NuCanoe is going to be more stable than many modest-priced sit-on-top kayaks. But I admit, I've never been in one.

The NuCanoe looks to blend the benefits of both kayak and canoe. Interesting vessels.

Most larger sit-on-top kayaks will be fine for taking a 7 and 3 y/o out on the water. I have several 10' and 12' sit-on-top kayaks and our kids ride just fine with myself or my wife on calm waters. When the kids paddle, my strokes are much stronger that I can easily cancel out their wonky strokes with mine. We move along and maneuver just fine.

But as soon as you try to put two adults in a kayak, all hell breaks out...in my experience. I much, much prefer a canoe over a kayak for any tandem activities. But YMMV.

I am very impressed with the OB on this thread. A canoe is the clear winner for his needs but I was sure the "Cool Factor" of the kayak would win out.

Good Job!

If you're going to shell out for the NuCanoe so you can take your boys you ought to look at the Gheenoe 15'4"

If you want to stay married - canoe.

If you want a divorce - kayak.

I think that's the OB consensus?

Anyone suggested neither? Same scenario for me except garage space. Ended up with Intex inflatable boat. Had all 4 of us in it with plenty of room to spread out.

Added removable wooden floor, seats, and trolling motor. 2 people plus gear is manageable when fishing.

Thought I'd throw a wrinkle out there