A canoe is a boat called a "canoe", a kayak is of the class of boats called "kayaks". For just about any other rule you choose you will be able to find exceptions.

I don't think there are any boats called kayaks which are not decked, but there are plenty of boats called canoes which are decked. Kayaks can be paddled with a single blade either sitting or kneeling; with or without a sprayskirt. Canoes can have a deck and use a spray skirt and be paddled seated of kneeling, and they can use a double or single paddle.

As to the British calling everything a canoe: well, they are just plain wrong. :)

> In doing random searches looking for a stitch and glue kayak design i
> occasionally run accross plans for a "decked canoe". Excuse my
> ignorance but what is the difference between a decked canoe and a kayak?
> Where i come from a skunk called a polecat still stinks to high heaven.
> :)~