Psamathe wrote:And you need to consider the budget carefully. Apart from the boat itself, paddles are surprisingly pricey (I got descent kayak paddles @£250), buoyancy aid, insurance, and you need a license for most waterways (though most are included in the BCU membership @£40+ a year). I don't mean to discourage as I love it but I'm also lucky in having loads of great water moderately nearby.
Ian
I'm not discouraged, so far the responses have made me feel fairly positive.
There are a lot of canals around me, I run alongside them all the time and have often thought how pleasant it would be for a nice quiet paddle up and down them, see them from a different angle, watch the wildlife etc.
I've seen the occasional canoe on them so presume there's no restrictions and I don't have an issue paying for membership to the appropriate body.
I just need a two man canoe with room for luggage (i.e. sandwiches). Ideally inflatable since even a 'split' canoe would take up space I'd rather not give up. If I could carry it on a bike that would be superb but I rather suspect that's fanciful at best...