One thing I like about sea kayaks is their ability to haul much more than even a heavy back packing load. Mine actually had better stability, and handled nicely, when loaded up with about 100 pounds of gear. Since I use mostly backpacking gear when kayaking, I had lots of capacity.

My area for paddling, the Channel Islands and the Santa Barbara Channel, has nowhere near the tidal range and currents found in the PNW. But even here, it really pays to check the tide charts and plan your trip accordingly.