Looking for some specific advice here. I'm taking a four night trip starting in Seagull (night 1), moving through Alpine and Red Rock Lakes (night 2), and spending the last two nights on Saganaga (nights 3-4). I'm the fifth wheel and probably the strongest paddler/portage, but probably not by much (relevant info, I swear).

Any other trip and I would just rent a solo canoe (Wenonah Prism) and bring my own double-bladed paddle, but with this big water and fairly easy portages, I'm leaning towards just bringing my kayak. I own a 14'6" touring kayak and a fair amount of light gear. I've camped out of this kayak plenty of times on solo trips, but never with a group.

Am I wrong to assume that my kayak will be better on the big waters? Is it worth ~$200 in savings to have slightly longer portaging times?

Sounds like you know the issues - and you are right, those shorter portages make it a lot more manageable.
You say you've camped out with the kayak many times - has that involved portaging? If so, and you have a yoke or other effective way to carry the yak...go for it.
But know that if you had any serious portaging, I'd counsel you to rent the canoe!

Do you have a yoke? Never been on the 101 rod portage from Seagull to Alpine, but the review give it a 5 out of 10 for difficulty. If it is remotely hilly or rocky I would not want to carry a kayak, but as SNS stated, if you have a yoke and you know what your getting into, go for it! I personally would take a pack or small tandem canoe with a double paddle, but I own them and don't have to rent.

Another supporting voice.
A yoke is a very good idea and do rehearse your transfer from boat to pack for the portage itself. One complaint about kayaks is they take time and space at busy portages. I have tripped in a 14'6" kayak and had some good trips. Once I got that transfer down I was often faster than many canoe groups.
A kayak is often preferred on big water. I am as comfortable in my 16" Magic as I have been in either of the yaks I paddled and would want at least a 16 foot kayak for big water issues. I am not sure your kayak would outperform the canoe on the waters you will encounter.
And the $200 dollars really makes the decision. Get a yoke if you do not have one and take the kayak.

MidwestFirecraft: "Never been on the 101 rod portage from Seagull to Alpine, but the review give it a 5 out of 10 for difficulty."

I've always called it the alpine highway, because it's well traveled and has an easy grade. People seem to give it a five because of it's length, but other then that you couldn't ask for an easier 100r portage.

CWTB: "

MidwestFirecraft: "Never been on the 101 rod portage from Seagull to Alpine, but the review give it a 5 out of 10 for difficulty."

I've always called it the alpine highway, because it's well traveled and has an easy grade. People seem to give it a five because of it's length, but other then that you couldn't ask for an easier 100r portage."

I love reading campsite reviews and for the most part they have been very helpful, but portage ratings have been woefully different from my own experiences for the most part.
"The portage itself is rather difficult in my opinion because it has a couple points of steep elevation change as well as some narrow areas."
Then a few posts down a pic of the highway you mention:)

MidwestFirecraft: "

CWTB: "

MidwestFirecraft: "Never been on the 101 rod portage from Seagull to Alpine, but the review give it a 5 out of 10 for difficulty."

I've always called it the alpine highway, because it's well traveled and has an easy grade. People seem to give it a five because of it's length, but other then that you couldn't ask for an easier 100r portage."

I love reading campsite reviews and for the most part they have been very helpful, but portage ratings have been woefully different from my own experiences for the most part.
"The portage itself is rather difficult in my opinion because it has a couple points of steep elevation change as well as some narrow areas."
Then a few posts down a pic of the highway you mention:)
"

LOL, yeah, portage reviews appear to be much more subjective. Weather conditions or being the last portage on a long day make a big difference on how I perceive difficulty. Physical ability can also make a huge difference, what I find easy my grandpa might have a harder time with.
On the other hand we all pretty much judge campsites the same; number of tent pads, seating quality, food hang trees, latrine. etc.

You all are awesome! "Alpine highway", I love it. I'm gonna talk it over with my crew but still leaning towards taking it thanks to these answers.

I won't be taking a yoke, but I have a pretty good system for portaging my kayak. I'd hate to be the one taking a break on a busy, narrow trail but that photo looks pretty spacious to me. I'm hoping at least one of these portages is an "up and over" where I can just team carry the boat with everything in it.

Thanks again!

Thanks!

Have you paddled either of these big lakes? So you think I'd be more comfortable in a 14'6" touring Kayak (that I own) than I would in a solo Wenonah Prism using a double bladed paddle, right?

I've been on the Brule on a windy day in a solo canoe and remember wishing I was in my Kayak.lol That's kind of what triggered my whole thought process.

When I took the Prism I was paddling circles around my tandem friends. I just don't want to switch to a kayak and then be laggin behind all day. You don't think that will be the case, right?

Thanks, you guys are pros!