Hi Fingeez
Im pretty sure you would love canoes or kayaks once you get bitten by the bug and if you are not afraid of the water.
Imagine gliding silently across mirror surfaced water without disturbing the wild life around you. Seals.. otters .. whales .. dolphins .. basking shark ..they can all be seen around our coasts and they do come close to the paddle boats .. they seem to be as curious of you as you are of them.
You are now exploring one of the last truly wild frontiers of our country. There are remote sandy beaches and wild camp spots that hard a soul has ever stepped foot on, accessible only by boat. Caves and rock formations beautifully carved by nature, the likes you have never seen before. I could go on and on
The mountain have been done to death years ago.. they are full of people wherever you go.. but around the waterways and coasts you will still see sights that not many people see although nowadays the sport is gaining popularity very rapidly.
image removedSo saying..its not all plain sailing. There are new skills to be learned. You still need to navigate but you need to know about tides and winds as well as handling your boat. People can be killed as easily as on the mountains if they don’t know what they are doing.
I admit..I don’t .. I rely on my brother for advice regarding tides and safe places for me to paddle. He is mainly sea kayak and has paddled his way round most of our coasts ..including St Kilda. Sea kayaks can go long journeys and in rough water but they take a bit of time to learn how to keep your balance. I can paddle into reasonable sized waves as long as they are heading straight at the sharp end of the boat..but turn sideways, with the waves now rolling the kayak.. then Im swimming for shore. I even fall in the water trying to get into the things ..but on a good day.. it’s a truly wonderful experience.
Indian type canoes.. I believe are more stable but I don’t think they stand the waves and rough water the way a kayak will. If you are interested in canoes ..visit this forum and ask for advice or read reviews of the different boats
http://www.songofthepaddle.co.uk/forum/forumdisplay.php?28-Canoe-ReviewsTo give you an idea of prices of new kayaks and canoes ..browse this link.
http://www.stirlingcanoes.co.uk/My father bought my mother one of these when he was alive.. my mother still loves it and paddles around on calm days and she is over 80 years old ..so its very stable and reasonable priced
image removedYour question is a bit like..what kind of car is best.
Research what all the different types of boat are capable of… Choose your budget .. consider things like where you will store it.. can you carry it on your own.. how will you transport it and then.. my advice is… go for it .. Im just a learner too ..but can see the attraction.