Dan,
I think I know which pictures you are talking about. I doubt that having the packs on the bottom of the canoe but sticking even 6-8 inches above the gunwales would make that much difference, unless all the heavy stuff was on the top of the pack. The bigger effect is the really heavy item(s) in the canoe, you and me. We are already sitting high on the seat, and my butt and back get sore without a canoe seat, which adds another 1 1/2 inches. If it is really rough, then I've learned to stay in camp, but if I must go then I am on the bottom of the canoe along with the packs. The packs just aren't going to tip the canoe over. If you don't belive me, the next time you take a whiz, just stand up in the middle of the lake and let it rip. When it is all over, you will be in the lake and the packs will still be in the canoe. I still enjoy the challenge of a whiz on the fly, but only after some liqour, and when there are whitecaps.

Posted by Dwight on April 19, 2001 at 23:04