I much prefer a canoe to a kayak, easier to get in/out of and carries more gear. I have 2 17' aluminum Grumans (about 70 pounds). They can be noisy, but if you paddle carefully their quiet. I used to jump shoot ducks by paddling along tidal creeks. Taught my retriever to stay still until I beached the canoe, then she'd retrieve for me. I paddled with and against the tide without much trouble. I have also flyfished out them a lot. As long as you appreciate that they're not the most stable craft-definitely not a johnboat!!!-you'll be fine. In 40+ years using a canoe, I've only had one accidently role with me one time, my stupid son-in-law was the cause.