for those of you who take kayaks. . .what length do you take? Recreational (large cockpit with one back hatch), or touring (small cockpit with front and back watertight hatches)? How do you handle the portages?

I took a 16 1/2 foot Chinook touring kayak two years ago. Great to paddle. . .total pain to portage. . .lots of room for gear. . .65 pounds. A friend had a 14 foot Old Town Dirigio rec boat (large cockpit, one hatch). He could not put much gear in the boat and worked a little more paddling.

I now own a 14 foot composite kayak that is only 35 pounds, narrow frame and very fast. . .but only one small hatch in the back. I also own a 14 foot touring boat with front and back hatches (water tight), with room for a lot of gear. . .but 55 pounds.

I am leaning to the heaiver boat to take more gear and use a portage yoke for portaging. (the lighter boat I just put on my shoulder and carry through the portages).

Any suggestions? (also have a Dagger Blackwater 11.5).

16' 10" QCC 500, 23"w, very large hatches. have never used all the space, even solo. 44#, I use a yoke made from bent 1" pvc. it is slippery when wet, and I dropped it last year, made an "oops" that will need a careful repair someday. I figure it costs me about 10 minutes per portage to pack and unpack, but I am secure and comfortable, even on large lakes.

I'm planning to take my 13.5' Ocean Kayak Prowler sit on top next year. Going to do minimal portages into Basswood. It'll be my first time kayaking in the BWCA.