I think you'd be better off with a canoe, especially since you mentioned starting a family. Small children are significantly more problematic in kayaks, where they must be in their own cockpit. Not only does this severely restrict your model choices, but the child really needs to be self-sufficient in terms of exiting the boat in the event of a capsize.

	Jonathan Hanson Jonathan Hanson Jonathan Hanson is a paddler and writer whose lifelong appreciation of nature shows up frequently in his work. Meet Jonathan Previous Answers

In an open canoe, situating the child within your reach is much easier; additionally, there are plenty of canoes capable of carrying two children in addition to yourselves and camping gear.

You might take a look at the Old Town Discovery 174. It's inexpensive at around $775, and its load capacity of just over 1,000 pounds is plenty for a family (I'd try to keep the whole load under 600 pounds, however). The Discovery is made from a material Old Town calls Crosslink 3, which comprises an outer layer of very tough cross-linked polyethylene, a middle layer of foam for rigidity and buoyancy, and an inner layer of linear polyethylene. At 75 pounds (or so) the Discovery 174 is easy for a couple to manage, and it'll shrug off scrapes and knocks with aplomb. With a Discovery, or a similar model, your family will be set for years of adventures.

Best of luck,

—Jonathan

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