Canoe vs. kayak dryness

[trick worms]

I live in the south, so the lakes don't freeze over. does a canoe or kayak stay drier in weather?

[Dye99]

If it rains, you get wet.

SOT fishing yak will be self bailing. Canoe will not. 

 

[paleus]

With the scupper plugs in my slayer and paddling so that I don't sling water into the boat, I can stay really dry. Dry enough that I'll go fishing in jeans and not get any wetter than I would in a boat. If it's raining, you're gonna get wet no matter what you're in. But a SOT kayak will drain instead of filling up with water. 

[Darren.]

All depends on the weather you fish in.

I live in VA and fish out of a hybrid kayak/canoe
in the Native Ultimate 12. No scuppers. But I've
only had one issue that I had to get ashore to 
deal with...and it wasn't in rainy weather.

Though I think scuppers are the bees knees,
I love my U12 hybrid. A fantastic fishing machine.

Similar hybrid would be the Commander from
Wilderness Systems - fwiw.

[Dye99]

8 hours ago, paleus said:

With the scupper plugs in my slayer and paddling so that I don't sling water into the boat, I can stay really dry. Dry enough that I'll go fishing in jeans and not get any wetter than I would in a boat. If it's raining, you're gonna get wet no matter what you're in. But a SOT kayak will drain instead of filling up with water. 

Yes and no. In a normal day I wear jeans, and hiking shoes in my yaks for fishing, and remain dry.

How one paddles, how loaded down the boat is with gear, and transitioning in and out of the kayak is where you might get a little water. The bottom the boat can be wet but its not standing water. The scuppers do let the water out. And the more you fish out of it the better you get at a routine, and understanding what it takes to keep the craft dry during normal fishing. Self bailing is truly that.

[Neil McCauley]

Canoe keeps you further from the water, handles waves and spray better. But yea, if it rains, it rains. If you really want to be a madman you can get a spray skirt:

[trick worms]

Do y'all fish out of a kayak in cold weather?

[Darren.]

8 minutes ago, trick worms said:

Do y'all fish out of a kayak in cold weather?

Yes, but not this year. No time. Bundle up, and if
you're in a kayak that will get your butt wet, you will
want to dress appropriately. There's special gear 
for that. I don't own any, myself, but I know guys
who do...

[flyfisher]

Drier is more of a preparation of you the paddler, not the boat.  In cold weather, you prepare for getting wet and the same goes for warm weather, it's just a lot easier to do it in the summer.  Any craft that sits as close to the water as a kayak or a canoe does will have a higher probability of getting wet but it is manageable for sure.

And as far as getting out in cold weather, yeah, you definitely can and I do.

[Dye99]

3 hours ago, trick worms said:

Do y'all fish out of a kayak in cold weather?

I been fishing a lake that still has snow on its shores for the last two months. I stay dry but as posted above I wear the proper gear.

 

[buzzed bait]

echoing what has already been said.  the kayak won't hold water if draining through the scupper holes so you have no fear of sitting water. but i do get a splash from time to time from my paddle, which may be bad technique or something on my part, who knows.  

as far as cold weather goes, dress appropriately and i'll fish in any temp that mother nature allows.  i have some ski/snowboard pants that work very well for me when paddling in colder weather.  honestly, what gets coldest when paddling/fishing cold weather are my hands.

[J Francho]

The points about the cold are well made.  All I'll add is that I'd much rather be in a stable SOT than a canoe when Lake Ontario or Erie are kicked up, or even just big rollers the day after a storm.  A little wash through the scuppers is better than upside down.

[Caliyak]

On 3/12/2016 at 5:58 PM, trick worms said:

Do y'all fish out of a kayak in cold weather?

Trick, out in cali, yes we fish in freezing weather, 50 degrees. If it rains, we are done. We pack it up and go home. LOL 

Trick, all joking aside, you will get wet in a kayak or canoe. I went into this sport knowing that I will get wet and I will be limited in space and gear. So focus on your life jacket, your seat and what makes you more safe, warm and comfortable.