Having previously owned 2 kayaks + 3 different canoes, nowadays I favor the canoe for the overall versatility in terms of being able to carry the weight of people(s) and a lot of extra gear that far exceeds anything that a kayak could carry.

That said, a kayak does have it's place and if I were to take any more trips up the Pacific coast, then I would definitively use a kayak as they handle ocean conditions much better.

Either way, it is up the individual user and before making a purchasing decision, you may want to look into renting both a canoe or kayak so that you get a firsthand impression on each of their unique handling capabilities etc.

Whatever you choose, there is nothing like enjoying a paddle on days like this...