I'm referring to paddling the canoe backwards vs from the stern. I find reaching out so much farther in a wider canoe from the reversed bow seat vs paddling closer to your body in the stern I have a lot better control, power, and able to paddle a lot farther without tiring. I agree, a solo canoe would be more efficient and all, because your width of the canoe is made for that kind of paddling. I don't think I'll ever go back to a tandem canoe for solo. Another factor in my thinking the tandem he's considering is okay besides the money factor is I found getting used to the solo took a little getting used to. I'd want to paddle one a bit before taking it on a trip vs getting in and paddling one loaded on possibly a windy day having not paddled one before. You'd enjoy the trip a lot better. If it was so much better to paddle canoes backwards we'd all be doing it.