OK, so if feels like the doldrums have settled in on QJ for the holiday season, giving me an opportunity to fill the void with yet another one of my ignorant questions.

I have been reading a recently published canoeing book where the author mentioned placing his large pack in front of him at his feet, and placing his small daypack behind him at arms reach.

This seems to be backward to me?

Other books and photos show the large pack snug against the rear of the seat and the daypack in front of the paddler’s feet.

At this point, I have little enough time traveling solo to form a knowledgeable opinion of my own.

Anyone care to weigh in?

Regards,

MossBack

This would be more of a center of gravity / load balance issue than the placement of specific packs, wouldn't it?  I mean, if you want to keep a straight line into the wind and reduce 'weather-vane' effect, you would place the heavier pack in front of you, no?  I assume you weight more than any pack you bring so the trim of your canoe should determine what goes where.

I think PJ is dead-on with his comments.

Since I solo a tandem, how I load is different from a true solo in where I place my packs but the desired effect is still the same.

I want to slightly bow heavy 99% of the time unless I'm running with a strong wind at my back. Then I want to be stern heavy about the same degree as bow heavy.
Some solo paddlers because of their chosen canoe don't really have a choice where the big pack will go.

I think that's why many like the sliding seat option.
A little bit of direction with weight can make a lot of difference in how your canoe handles

I don't think it could be put more succinctly than PJ and ST said it.  I will add this can be applied in a current as well, such as paddling a river or stream.  If there is appreciable current - against you or with you, you want the trim to favor the upstream end, as the lighter end will always want to be ahead in the flow.  Usually not much of an issue in most of the BW/Q creeks and flowages.

pd

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OK, so if feels like the doldrums have settled in on QJ for the holiday season, giving me an opportunity to fill the void

Off topic, but you know what really fills the doldrums/void?

Some TRIP REPORTS!   ;) ;D ;D

Model of canoe is critical. Some hulls like a rear bias, some forward. Paddling an Advantage or even a Prism bow-heavy is frustrating in nearly any condition.

I suppose what I should be doing is reading less and paddling more.  I am making several assumptions. Many solo travelers I have taken note of, have one large pack carried alone and another smaller pack carried with the canoe.  I assume most solo seats are near the center balance point, so the larger pack being close to that center would have a smaller effect, and a lighter pack to trim with as far forward as needed.
Some of what I have read suggests having minimal weight in the bow so it will rise over the waves in a headwind, taking on less water?    

With the solo canoe I have, the best spot for a large pack is just aft of the seat, because it is the widest spot available.  Everything forward of the foot brace is considerable narrower, making it more difficult to trim on the water.  Pushing with a paddle and pulling with a rope has been suggested and does seem to work.  All somewhat puzzling.

MB

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Some of what I have read suggests having minimal weight in the bow so it will rise over the waves in a headwind, taking on less water?

I can't speak for your canoe but in that tandem paddling solo if the bow is light, in a headwind it wanders all over the place. Bow heavy it tracks true and just slices thru the waves. In your true solo that might not be the case as Solus points out.

Solus being a true solo paddler and having paddled many solo canoes would know how critical the hull shape is.

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From Paddling .com and Kevin Callan, who seems to be generally in favor of a light bow.

Mostly adding to my confusion.

MB

Mossback, I can't think of a true solo boat that you'd want your bigger pack in front of you, given the distance it would take to account for leg room. Better to have weight closer to the center and adjust trim with smaller packs even if they're out of reach.
Was the article you read talking about solo tripping using a tandem or tripping in general? If so then it would be true.

As for trim too much either way is too much. Different boats and conditions should only take slight adjustments either way once you're close to an even balance.

As for the doldrums, yes it is. But I'm waiting for snow. Come on blizzard.

MB.

I believe you're overthinking it.
Before your next trip fill your packs with some ballast to approximate gear weight and get out on a local lake.
I think it will become readily apparent how you want to load your canoe and the easiest way to FINE trim it.

+1 on PJ's and ST's comments.

Happy holidays........Mike

Funny story about trimming.  On my maiden solo voyage with my tandem I ended up kneeling in the bow with my wife's kayak paddle (which I had along as a spare) struggling to paddle into a 30 mph wind on a river.  When I would come to a bend in the river the wind would actually blow me around and back upstream on occasion because the stern was so high up!  THAT moment is when I realized that I didn't know squat about trimming a canoe.  To add to the fun was a 60 lb. golden retriever bouncing around in the boat.   Luckily the trip ended well except for a few lumps on the dog's head from my paddle.  I'm guessing that my guardian angel must be a paddler and the dog eventually forgave me.

PB....you're right.  Sometimes we just have do more doing than reading.  Experience is the best teacher.....IF you survive.

Stay safe and warm........Mike

Mike,

If you are going to keep soloing with that tandem canoe, check out some of my trip reports.

After years of trying different things, I think I have it down pretty well now.

  You want to be paddling backward in the BOW seat and into the current or wind the bow NEEDS to be slightly heavy.

  My old SR16 used tandem died so I used a 17 ft SR tandem on the FUBAR trip. I knew that extra foot of waterline was going to be a problem so I brought a waterproof bag, that I would fill will water and put right up in the bow.

Worked great. The wild card with people who take dogs, especially a big one is whether or not you can keep them in one spot.  ;) ;D ;D

ST,  You are correct as usual.  Over-thinking and under-performing are two of the things I still do well.

I grew up in a house where all answers were black and white.  My Father had no concept of gray areas.  I continue to foolishly expect that in my adult life, so when I receive seemingly conflicting information from the printed page or wherever, I look to others as tie breakers.  Or at least to help me understand it.

Mike, I would not have the nerve to challenge a 30mph wind.  My rule is never be out in weather faster than the VNE Speed of my own guardian angel.

Thanks to everyone for offering your thoughts.

Regards,

Mossback

MB,
I'm correct in that its what works for ME.  ;) ;D ;D
I take articles by experts and fellow QJ people as a place to start. Ultimately what works for them MIGHT not work for me so much.

Your hull shape, how much you weigh and your gear weigh, how and where you can load them. Do they lay below gunnells so you have no sail effect and a low center of gravity etc?

So many variables you need to think about, most become apparent with some good old-fashioned trial and error.

Since I don't own a canoe, I had to learn as I was doing. If you have your own canoe, it's easier to test things out before you go on a trip.

  That's one of the things I love about the QJ and trip reports. I learn so much from the way other's do things or what led to embarrassing moments.

Every trip I learn something new and like most here are always open to refining my methods.

I have it down pretty good after quite a few years.  I very seldom tandem anymore.  I have a center seat yoke from Spring Creek and one of their composite double bladed paddles.  I did a two week solo in WCPP in 2017 and nineteen day with brother last year.  I still used the two blades as it's easier for the bow guy to fish while I paddle.  Works great.....for ME like you say.  Thanks for the inputs!
Later.......Mike

MB....the only reason I was out in a 30 mph that day was ignorance/borderline stupidity and I must possess a high bladder to brain ratio!  BUT I did manage to paddle north to south down Royd lake in WCPP two years ago into a very stiff south wind with the old two blader and maintain some sense of dignity.  So contrary to what some folks say, I do have the ability to learn!
Later.......Mike