Learn me - unpowered personal watercraft. No, really.

I'm considering picking up a canoe (no, a real canoe) or kayak for Kazoo Jr.  It would be primarily for fishing slow moving rivers and/or lakes.  Right now, everybody, including Walmart, seems to be selling cheap(ish) kayaks.  Here's my questions:  Canoe or Kayak?  Any recommendations re: storage and transportation?  (His Protege5 already has the roof rack and cross bars, so we would just need a way to attach 1 (canoe) or 2 (kayaks) to the cross bars)  Our garage is pretty small/cramped, so I'd definitely need a wall or ceiling mounted storage system. 

Opinion parts:  Would you allow an otherwise responsible 16 year old to go out alone?  Is kayak/canoe fishing practical?  (To me, it seems like trying to fit 10lbs into the proverbial 5lb bag)   Does the fun wear off in light of the effort needed to load/unload on each end?  (We don't live on a lake/river)  Any other issues I haven't thought about?  Also:  Not really interested in a fishing boat.  We don't have towing and/or storage room for one.

What are the watercraft lisencing/titling/insurance rules where live? 

In reply to John Welsh :

They actually pushed for registration of everything this past year, it was shot down in flames.  Currently, neither canoes or kayaks need a title/watercraft registration and insurance not required for non-powered.  

First, get the kid some lessons. Things like what to do when you swamp it, how to get back in in the middle of the lake, etc.

I don’t have much experience with kayaks, so I’ll let someone else comment on those. 

As for canoes, there are aluminum, fiberglass, and Kevlar. Kevlar are, IMHO, the very best. And extremely light—which is important for if you’re putting it on top of the car every time. Aluminum can withstand a nuclear bomb, but are heavy. Fiberglass is in the middle. I’d personally buy one that was a formal rental from an outfitter in the boundary waters. 

I had an inflatable pontoon fishing boat for a while. It was great solo, but was strictly solo. Might be an option to consider if space is at a premium. Good friend of mine has an inflatable 2-4 man raft with a trolling motor mount and rod holders. It's rather nice for throwing in the back of his whatever ugly SUV thing and can get both of us plus gear ~600lbs around the rivers pretty well. We built the motor mount because we got sick of paddling. 

Personally, I prefer canoe to kayak, but I've always been a big boy that carries lots of extra crap fishing. I feel like canoes have better balance and are easier for me to maneuver around. 

If you do have rivers nearby, see if there is a rental place as well. Try out your options there, get an idea on sizes and shapes, and maybe get a good deal on a used one. 

I've had a canoe and now have kayaks. For me the kayaks are hands down easier to paddle. But if you think you will always use it together then a canoe may work better. My experience with the canoe was that it requires more energy to paddle and is more more challenging to control when it is windy. They do hold a lot more stuff if you will be using it primarily for fishing. That said depending on which style kayak you get, sit in or sit on or 2 person, you can bring plenty of gear. Kayaks are easier to load/unload by yourself but it's not always a good idea to do anything on the water by yourself in case something goes wrong.  I frequently go by myself but I tend to stay at the edges of ponds so if I go over I can just stand up. I'll second RevRico that renting would let you know which you prefer. Once you decide which style you prefer then try and find a nice used one. If you think you will really get into it. The good ones either kayak or canoe can get pricey.  If you think you may only go a few times a year maybe just rent when you have the urge. Around me its $25 a day to rent.

canoe, kayak, or row boat? Seems to me you want an Adirondack Guide Boat

I assumed this would be about a broken Jet-Ski.

In reply to mad_machine :

That is not a true guide boat,    Shiny finish is tue.

I spent my teen years rowing a small rowboat all over the lake,

I run the upper Kalamazoo river several times per summer, going after small mouth bass.  I would suggest an aluminium canoe or a 12-14' narrow Jon boat. I have a 14' long 36" wide Jon boat that weighs about the same as a 16' canoe. it is a great boat for small lakes and any river. in a pinch i can carry 3 people with minimal gear.  The flat bottom is great, I can stand up to fish if I am alone. I also have a canoe but it is rarely used.

I have an old aluminum canoe I bought used from a rental place about ten years ago.  It was $300 then and as near as I can tell it’s still worth exactly that.

Of course I haven’t used it in 4-5 years.  Want to buy it?

To fish out of I’d have to vote narrow John boat as well.  Actually an AuSable river boat would be great, but the ones I’ve seen for sale are not cheap.

Im not real familiar with the Kalamazoo river, but I seem to recall it can get pretty wide in parts.  I’d prefer fishing water like that with a flat bottom boat of some type.

Disclaimer: I’m not a fan of kayaks, so I’m a little biased.

My back and knees much prefer a canoe. 

The kayaks are easier to paddle solo though. 

I have both, I use neither. 

Bought this new with one of my first paychecks after high school. Sixteen foot fiberglass. It's titled as a 1972, I think.

This was the shakedown cruise when I finally bought a trolling motor. Was planning to get serious about fishing again. The day before my next trip, I found out that I would be responsible for my dad's care, which locked up all of my free time for the rest of the summer.

Then I started spending a bunch more time on the GRM site, so I bought a Miata. I'll get back to it eventually. 

Saw somebody wheeling (retractable 'landing gear') one of these out of the lake last summer...They seemed to like it, and I think it deflates and disassembles for storage. 

https://classicaccessories.com/colorado-xt-sage-and-grey

It looks like there are companies that make similar inflatable fishing pontoons in two seat models.

https://www.seaeagle.com/FoldCat/375fc

Or in general, what about an inflatable fishing kayak?

https://www.coleman.com/colorado-2-person-fishing-kayak/2000014133.html