Lots of thoughts here, and I definitely agree with the recommendation to buy royalex if you can find it (not available on the new market anymore, I've been told?). However, one thing worth remembering is that despite all the cool materials and designs available today, Old Time Boys killed a pile of animals and fish out of clunky old wooden boats (or birchbark, or worse!). You might be better off spending less money on a boat you can use because you have to work less hours to pay for it, hours that then can be spent hunting/fishing ....
But if money isn't a consideration, having a more capable boat is the way to go.
Personally I prefer canoes over kayaks for many reasons, but kayaks are certainly preferable under many conditions. But a canoe is the pickup truck of the boat world--can do or haul anything. Attach a motor, and you're good for lake work. Get a paddle, you can do lakes/ponds/streams/marshes/whatever.