This same question was sent by two people a day apart. It's another one of those "gray areas" where it might be tough to choose the best answer. Give it your best shot and explain your answer here if necessary.

I like my sealine pro pack. I never have to worry about things getting wet and the hip belt makes it a comfortable portage. (my wife hates it however, only because it's too heavy for her.)

One of it's unintended features is that it's size is adjustable depending on the width of your canoe. The reason I mention it is because a friend recently commented to me about the recent cover of Piragis's "The Boundary Waters Catalog" If you haven't seen it, some other examples can be found in the Winter 2000 edition of the BWJ, page 19, 35, 40, 42. Take a look, then ask yourself this question: "Where is the center of gravity if load your canoe like that?"

My friend and I have traveled together many times with way too much gear including serious 4x5 camera equipment (heavy tripods, Polaroid backs, film boxes, 3 pound lenses, etc,...) It's a lot to carry. Still, we would never think of loading a canoe, who's stability we trust our lives with, that far above the gunwales.

Both of us are pro photographers (paid, professional "convenience liars" just like lawyers...) and we don't agree if these shots are just propped for effect or if it's actually common to load a canoe like that. I have seen a few canoes loaded like this on occasion and on windy days I've actually stopped and watched, just in case. I'm amazed that these companies’ legal eagles didn't start screaming. Canoes packed that way would be way to tipsy, IMHO. Perhaps I'm wrong, any other opinions? (I'd actually wouldn't mind being wrong about this.)

Posted by db on April 07, 2001 at 17:51