My 10 Best Canoes (Comparison & Buying Guide)

MY BEST CANOES COMPARISON:

Product:	Features:	Pros/Cons:	Price:
Best budget inflatable canoe SEVYLOR OGDEN 2-PERSON CANOE	Length: 10-ft Type:  Inflatable Kayak WEIGHT: 42.3 lbs Kayak maximum capacity: 355lbs Features: PVC construction, Adjustable seats, Multiple air chambers, Airtight system, Easy inflation/deflation	Quick set-up stable adjustable seats for great comfort rugged for lake use Doesn’t carry as much weight	See on Amazon.com
Best for looking the best fishing grounds SUN DOLPHIN SCOUT ELITE SS	Length: 14 ft Type:  Solid Kayak WEIGHT: 84 lbs Kayak maximum capacity: 753 lbs Features: Three seats, Fortiflex polyethylene hull, Built-in seat cooler for your drinks, Square back, Equipped with rod holders	Suitable for fishing stable comfortable cooler for your drinks Not as durable as we would want it to be	See on Amazon.com
Best for flat waters tours SEA EAGLE TC16 INFLATABLE	Length: 16 ft Type:  Inflatable Kayak WEIGHT: 61 lbs Kayak maximum capacity: 800lbs Features: Includes a hand pump, Storage bag, Reinforced material to protect it against punctures, Portable, Three air chambers	portable reliable resistant to punctures Too heavy to carry alone	See on Amazon.com
Best portable for performance canoe MYCANOE ORIGAMI FOLDING PORTABLE CANOE	Length: 14 ft Type:  Foldable Kayak WEIGHT: 55lbs Kayak maximum capacity: 44om lbs Features: Polypropylene construction, UV protected, Foldable design	Lightweight highly portable sturdy set up is easy Little storage	See on Amazon.com
Best for slow-moving rivers OLD TOWN NEXT	Length: 13 ft Type:  Solid Kayak WEIGHT: 59lbs Kayak maximum capacity: 450lbs Features: Three-layer Poly hull, Extra space behind the seat, Removable seat system for great personalization, Lower profile, Great adjustable and padded foot brace	Adjustable seating to suit different riders maneuverable great storage Meant for one person only	See on Amazon.com
Best for vintage wood look OLD MODERN HANDICRAFTS REAL CANOE	Length: 16ft Type:  Solid wood Kayak weight: 52lbs Kayak maximum capacity: 650lbs Features: Made of wood and fiberglass, Lightweight design, 2 persons	Quality craftsmanship lightweight sleek Most people may not like the idea of a wooden body quite pricey	See on Amazon.com
Best for rivers GRUMMAN TIVER CANOE	Length: 12.7 ft Type:  Solid Kayak weight: 44lbs Kayak maximum capacity: 545lbs Features: Made from aluminum, Variety of colors, Standard keel	Sleek design available in plenty of colors durable Quite pricey	See on Amazon.com
Best recreational boat for great day trips SUN DOLPHIN MACKINAW CANOE	Length: 15.6 ft Type:  Solid Kayak weight: 95lbs Kayak maximum capacity: 800 lbs Features: Solid construction, Drink holders, 3 people, Built-in handles for easy transport, Storage compartment	Spacious great features durable construction stable A little heavy	See on Amazon.com
Best for a solo adventure OLD TOWN 133 RIVERS AND LAKE CANOE	Length: 16.6 ft Type:  Solid Kayak weight: 95 lbs Kayak maximum capacity: 900 lbs Features: 3-layer molded polyethylene, UV protected nylon webbed seat, Comfortable carry handles, Quality craftsmanship, Great backrest	quality build easy to carry great storage space Seats are not so great	See on Amazon.com
Best for auctioned packed family trip in the lake MAD RIVER ADVENTURE 14	Length: 14 ft Type:  Solid Kayak weight: 75 lbs Kayak maximum capacity: 875 Features: Adjustable comfort seating for enjoyable rides, Durable construction, Center seat for another third passenger, Beverage holders and great storage trays	Solid construction comfortable seats stable for beginners beverage holders Hard to carry when solo	See on Amazon.com

MY BEST CANOES REVIEWS:

SEVYLOAR OGDEN 2-PERSON CANOE

• Length: 10-ft
• Type:  Inflatable
• Kayak WEIGHT: 42.3 lbs
• Kayak maximum capacity: 355lbs
• Features: PVC construction, Adjustable seats, Multiple air chambers, Airtight system, Easy inflation and deflation
• Pros:  Quick set up, stable, adjustable seats for great comfort, rugged for lake use
• Cons: Doesn’t carry as much weight

SUN DOLPHIN SCOUT ELITE SS

• Length: 14 ft
• Type:  Solid
• Kayak WEIGHT: 84 lbs
• Kayak maximum capacity: 753 lbs
• Features: Three seats, Fortiflex polyethylene hull, Built-in seat cooler for your drinks, Square back, Equipped with rod holders
• Pros:  Suitable for fishing, stable, comfortable, cooler for your drinks
• Cons: Not as durable as we would want it to be

SEA EAGLE TC16 INFLATABLE

• Length: 16 ft
• Type:  Inflatable
• Kayak WEIGHT: 61 lbs
• Kayak maximum capacity: 800lbs
• Features: Includes a hand pump, Storage bag, Reinforced material to protect it against punctures, Portable, Three air chambers
• Pros:  portable, reliable, resistant to punctures
• Cons: Too heavy to carry alone

MYCANOE ORIGAMI FOLDING PORTABLE CANOE

• Length: 14 ft
• Type:  Foldable
• Kayak WEIGHT: 55lbs
• Kayak maximum capacity: 44om lbs
• Features: Polypropylene construction, UV protected, Foldable design
• Pros:  Lightweight, highly portable, great performance, sturdy, set up is easy
• Cons: Little storage

OLD TOWN NEXT

• Length: 13 ft
• Type:  Solid
• Kayak WEIGHT: 59lbs
• Kayak maximum capacity: 450lbs
• Features: Three-layer Poly hull, Extra space behind the seat, Removable seat system for great personalization, Lower profile, Great adjustable and padded foot brace
• Pros: Adjustable seating to suit different riders, maneuverable, great storage
• Cons: Meant for one person only

OLD MODERN HANDICRAFTS REAL CANOE

• Length: 16ft
• Type:  Solid wood
• Kayak WEIGHT: 52lbs
• Kayak maximum capacity: 650lbs
• Features: Made of wood and fiberglass, Lightweight design, 2 persons
• Pros:  Quality craftsmanship, lightweight, sleek
• Cons: Most people may not like the idea of wooden body, quite pricey

GRUMMAN TIVER CANOE

• Length: 12.7 ft
• Type:  Solid
• Kayak WEIGHT: 44lbs
• Kayak maximum capacity: 545lbs
• Features: Made from aluminum, Variety of colors, Standard keel
• Pros:  Sleek design, available in plenty of colors, durable
• Cons: Quite pricey

SUN DOLPHIN MACKINAW CANOE

• Length: 15.6 ft
• Type:  Solid
• Kayak WEIGHT: 95lbs
• Kayak maximum capacity: 800 lbs
• Features: Solid construction, Drink holders, 3 person, Built-in handles for easy transport, Storage compartment
• Pros:  Spacious, great features, durable construction, stable
• Cons: A little heavy

OLD TOWN 133 RIVERS AND LAKE CANOE

• Length: 16.6 ft
• Type:  Solid
• Kayak WEIGHT: 95 lbs
• Kayak maximum capacity: 900 lbs
• Features: 3-layer molded polyethylene, UV protected nylon webbed seat, Comfortable carry handles, Quality craftsmanship, Great backrest
• Pros:  quality build,  easy to carry, great storage space
• Cons: Seats are not so great

MAD RIVER ADVENTURE 14

• Length: 14 ft
• Type:  Solid
• Kayak WEIGHT: 75 lbs
• Kayak maximum capacity: 875
• Features: Adjustable comfort seating for enjoyable rides, Durable construction, Center seat for another third passenger, Beverage holders and great storage trays
• Pros:  Solid construction, comfortable seats, sable for beginners, beverage holders
• Cons: Hard to carry when solo

HOW TO CHOOSE A CANOE:

PRICE

How much you have set aside for your boat is usually the best place to start your search for the best canoe. Canoes come in different prices and you can choose what to go for depending largely on what you can afford. There are a number of things you might actually want to consider when it comes to price. For example, if you are just looking for a boat for that once in a while trip in the lake, you really don’t have to put a lot of money on it. You can start with those entry-level boats that cost a few dollars.

In other cases, if you are an avid lake person and going to the lake or river with the boat is something you do on daily basis, it would make a lot of sense if you go for an expensive model. Most those boats on the higher end of the price range come packed with tons of features.

CAPACITY

Once you have figure out the exact amount of money you want to put on your canoe, capacity is the next thing you need to factor in. In here, you need to think about the number of people the boat can take. If you love taking on those solo trips, make sure you can handle the canoe on your own. On the other hand, if you are looking for something you can take out with friends, take your time and check the boat’s maximum weight. Ideally, the weight capacity should not at any time surpass the manufacturer’s weight limit specification.

WEIGHT

When it comes to weight, a canoe weight must also be taken into great consideration. Ideally, the choice you make shouldn’t be too heavy; you want something you can carry on your own to the water without any problem. Plus, if you know you will be forced to carry it for long-distance, you might want to go for the lightest of them all. In this case, an inflatable canoe is going to be more practical.

TYPE

Chances you already know about the different types of canoes we have in the market. However, you really can’t tell what to buy. We have two popular types of canoes; Inflatable and solid. These two come with their share of advantages and disadvantages.

• Inflatable canoes: This one needs to be filled with air before you can actually use it. They often come with a manual pump. Inflatable canoes come with a number of benefits. First, it is incredibly easy to store or even carry. That is not even all, we have seen tremendous improvements in technology and we have quite a number of them that are more puncture resistant. So you shouldn’t worry about taking them on a rough rides in the rivers.
• Solid canoe: These go straight into the water. They often come made from different materials and that alone allow them to perform better. They are also durable and highly portable as well. So if you don’t want all the hassle that comes with the inflation and deflation of an inflatable kayak, you need to go for a solid canoe.

LENGTH & SHAPE

These are the two most important things you need to factor in when shopping for the canoe. The length and shape can dictate how you are going to use or transport your boat. The length first determines the size of your canoe.

Ideally, you will at some point be forced to transport your canoe from one place to another and you might want to pay close attention to the length of your boat. For example, if your boat is extremely long for the vehicle you are going to use to transport it; then you might want to go for a shorter boat. On the other hand, if you have a long vehicle, then a longer boat will be fine.

As for the shape; if you are looking for great stability, you might want to go for a flat bottom boat. Flat bottom canoes are also great for fishing and also if you are traveling with kids. However, for that great stability, you are going to sacrifice a few things. First is speed; flat-bottom boats are quite slow.

If you are looking at hitting top speed with your boat, you need to think about the length.  Shorter boats, especially those with rounded bottoms can get up to speed with so much ease. Longer boats on the other hand tend to get to a higher top speed. The best part, once they have achieved that top speed, they are good at keeping the speed up.

COMFORT AND STORAGE

Last but not least, you need to consider how comfortable the boat is, especially if you know you are going to go on those long rides. The seating system must properly be positioned to allow you to move your legs freely.  Plus, the seats must be well padded

For storage, you need decent storage space for your gear and other essentials. If you are into camping or fishing, ensure you go for the highest amount of storage space.  Ideally, you need to be able to carry a lot of things all at once without exceeding the weight capacity limit of that particular boat. It cannot get better than that.

Updated on January 24, 2021 by Ben