If you're in the mood to do a little sailing or motoring upon the waves and you've got some prior experience, you may want to consider renting a boat. There are several rental outfits across the Cape to help you out, and some of them are listed below. Those people looking for charters and cruises, where you can sit back and enjoy the sights while someone else does the sailing, should refer to the Tours and Excursions chapter. Or, if you wish to mix in a little fishing, see the Fishing chapter.

Cape Cod boat ramps come in a variety of forms: sand, gravel, and asphalt. Some town landings provide free use while others require a sticker, so you'll want to inquire at the local town hall (phone numbers are listed in our Overview chapter). You'll find public boat ramps are very busy during the summer. Try to arrive before 10 AM; otherwise you may not find a place to park your vehicle and trailer

As you glide through the water in a kayak or canoe, you'll find a peace and stillness most of us rarely experience. On Cape Cod you'll find beauty too, whether you're in a river inlet full of colorful sponges that reflect off the bottom or in the moorings fields of some boat yard You'll be seeing Cape Cod's natural beauty from a different angle too.

To kayak or canoe? That is the question. You may want to try both, preferably on the protected waters of a pond, lake, or bay. Here are a couple things to consider as you make your decision. In a kayak you sit closer to the water, where you're snug in the cockpit, and not as easily disturbed by wind and rolling waves. In a canoe you sit higher up, on a bench, so this kind of craft can be less stable, especially in choppy waters. You propel a canoe by a single-ended paddle that you stroke first on one side of the craft and then on the other. The high gunnels catch the wind, the upcurved bow pounds the surf, and all this translates into more work over less distance traveled. In a kayak, on the other hand, you use a two-ended kayak paddle, and you'll move through the water much more efficiently than in a canoe, so you can travel greater distances. Still, canoes provide advantages that kayaks don't, and one of them is space. While this isn't so much a factor for those into solo canoeing, it is an attraction for people who want to bring along fishing gear, a cooler, and definitely the dog. And while some people think of a kayak's easy maneuverability as an advantage over canoes, others are attracted to the challenge of successfully maneuvering a canoe. They say canoeing is more "interesting."

Whatever you decide, don't rent a fancy watercraft just because it looks cool. You may want to talk to enthusiasts of both sports, read some magazines, like Canoeing or Canoe & Kayaking, and then try out crafts based on where and how you intend to pursue your sport of choice.

Canoes, like kayaks, come in solo and tandem versions and in various weights and sizes, so make your decision based on where you'd like to go, how seriously you intend to pursue the sport, and on whether you'll be going alone or with a friend.

If you're renting a kayak, look for a relatively flat bottom for stability. It should be shorter than 15 feet, and be between 2 and 2˝ feet wide. In this size kayak, you can go just about anywhere on Cape Cod comfortably. In addition, you may want to consider getting a spray skirt, which covers the cockpit and prevents water from dripping off your paddle onto your clothing.

You'll also need a personal flotation device (PFD). A whistle is a good idea too; it might prove useful if you run into a creeping fog. Also consider purchasing a Loran map of the area you are paddling; these mark channels and depth of the water.

Many people enjoy kayaking in the quiet waters of Waquoit Bay, where they can explore Washburn Island. Other good spots to start include Barnstable Harbor and Little Pleasant Bay in Orleans. Once in the water, cruise the shoreline and enjoy the sense of freedom you will experience in your kayak. Once you've gotten the hang of the sport, you may move up to a more seaworthy vessel that is usually 16 to 20 feet in length, but narrower, from 22 to 24 inches wide. These longer kayaks move through the choppy waters with more ease.

Before you begin any outings, be sure to check the tides and wind conditions, and take these into account when deciding how far you'll venture. Kayaks are capable of covering 1 to 2 miles in a couple of hours with a steady "touring" stroke. With the tide and wind at your back, you could increase that distance to 3 miles quite easily, but when you have to turn around and paddle against the tide and wind, you'll be going much slower and you'll be testing your stamina.

First time canoeists will find excellent opportunities in the Cape's many marshes and tidal inlets. The Herring River in Harwich is a perfect place to start a canoe adventure. There is easy access to the river from the parking area on the east side of the Herring River Bridge on Mass. Rt. 28 in West Harwich. Once on the water, head up river, where the water winds gently for miles past the salty scent of marsh peat. You may see egrets, great blue herons, and ospreys. To get the most out of your excursion, the best time to paddle the Herring River is at high tide. This will assure that you'll be able to see above the lush green marsh grasses that line the waterway.

Nickerson State Parks' Cliff Pond also offers the first time paddler a way to explore coves and hidden beaches in the shelter of lake surroundings. From Mass. Rt. 6A in Brewster go through the Park Entrance, drive on the main road approximately 1.6 miles and take a left on the dirt road at the Fisherman's Landing sign. The sandy beach launching area makes getting in and out of your canoe in water easy. Be sure to pack a picnic, Cliff Pond has many deserted pond beaches easily accessed by canoe, where you may find yourself in the company of red-tail hawks and Canadian geese.