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.