Quote:

The key is properly placing the packs so the canoe is balanced front to back and side to side.

  ;) Good advice for tandems or solo canoes.
    I can tell at a portage when I encounter other paddlers if their newbies or experienced paddlers by the way they load the canoe in relation to the size of the bow/stern paddlers.
Experienced paddlers will adjust the load/trim, side to side and bow to stern as mentioned.
They also take in account the weight of the paddlers. Many but not all will keep their packs below the gunnel's for maximum stability.
Rookies tend to just throw everything in and take off, with no regard for anything but getting on the water.
I remember watching some good old boys form Kentucky head out from the portage from Beaverhouse to Quetico one spring.
The bow paddler was at least a 300lb guy and had a couple of packs standing on end/side by side that he was using for a makeshift backrest.
The stern guy probably weighed 135 dripping wet. When they pushed off from shore the stern keel line  was out of the water :o
At the time there was whitecaps on Quetico lake and a stiff wind out of the NNE.
Neither was wearing a PFD. I still had mine on and mentioned the wind/water temps but the big guy just ignored me and off they went.
There partners in another tandem were more receptive to my advice. I asked them to put their hands in the frigid water and ask how far/long did they think they'd last if the went over?
A few seconds with their hands in the water and they looked at each other and donned their PFD's. Then I helped them trim out their substantial load and lash it in.
When I pushed them off I could see the first canoe wallowing in the whitecaps trying to get to the West side of Eden Isle for protection.
I'm sure they made it but I'm betting one or both of them needed fresh drawers when they got to camp that night ;D