Ballenxj said:
I often think about getting a kayak. I'm a total novice, I know nothing about them.
Anybody have any experience with both have an opinion about which would be better for a beginner?
I'd recommend a Rotomold, sit-on-top kayak as your first boat. They're much easier to get back into should you fall out, and as others have said, kayaks are a lot more fun and versatile than a canoe. I would also suggest getting something with a rudder.
I often hear experienced paddlers "Poo-Poo" the use of a rudder, claiming that it's cheating and shows a lack of good paddle technique and skill (big deal).
Some of us don't aspire to become professional kayakers, but instead just enjoy a relaxing day on the water, and a rudder can make all sorts of difficult situations manageable: Following seas, weathercocking, improved tracking in a shorter boat, reducing roll, etc.
(The tracking advantage means you won't wear yourself out making corrective strokes to stay in a straight line).
Personally I prefer sit-in boats. They're a lot lighter and they put my butt below the waterline, increasing stability. I also stay a lot dryer being inside the boat. They're also a lot more aerodynamic, making battling a headwind easier. Sit-ins are also lot easier to toss onto your shoulder when you need to portage around/over an obstacle in your way.
Try that with a 75+ lb sit-on-top with no cockpit combing to rest on your shoulder.
As to the issue of being trapped inside a touring boat with a spray skirt and not knowing how to do a roll: There's a loop at the front of the spray skirt that you pull should you capsize. This pops the skirt off the cockpit combing and allows you to push yourself out of the boat, like pulling your foot out of a shoe.
If you're wearing a PFD/life jacket, as you should at all times, you'll pop to the surface next to your capsized boat.
The disadvantage to a sit-in design is that they require more gear (bilge pump, paddle-float, skirt) and training (rescue and reentry) before you can safely use them. Most rental companies won't let you rent a sit-in unless you can prove you know how to get back into the boat.
Most kayak and outdoor outfitters have demo days where they bring out last years inventory/old rentals and let the public try them out. That's a great way to get answers and find out what design you like the best.
I rented the very kayak I now own, twice, before I bought it, just to make sure it was what I wanted.
