Hey there.  Having spent many of my (relatively) short years on this earth paddling, and having worked as lifeguard for many years, I've got one take on this question- SAFETY!  Rule number 1- ALWAYS wear your PFD- most drownings are within swimming distance of shore, and 99% preventable.  Sitting on a PFD does not make it a PFD, just a really expensive cushion!

I've played around a lot with empty canoes in the middle of lakes, flipping, etc., and let me tell you that trying to pull an empty canoe full of water to shore is pretty darn hard, let alone a fully loaded trip canoe:)

Safest bet would be to swim for shore, and track down your canoe and gear later when the weather calms.  Trying a canoe rescue in heavy chop is a recipe for disaster- you'll probably just flip the other canoe :(

Safe paddling!