I was browsing some of the lists on this site and came upon the "rule" that when possible, the stern paddler should get out of the canoe first. Can someone tell me why?

I'm a little confused by that.  It's sound advise when you're paddling an unloaded canoe, as the bow seat is usually closer to the canoe's center of gravity than the stern seat.  The bow will tend to pop up if there's only someone in the stern, moreso than if someone is seated in the bow seat.  This makes the canoe harder to maneuver and more "tippy".

However, in canoe country, a lot depends on weight distribution, portage landings, waves, etc.  Also, whether you're wet footing or dry footing has a huge impact on how you proceed.

I once guided a crew and put a giant of a teenage nicknamed Bubba in my bow seat.  He was probably 6'6" and 15 years old, and his sense of balance really had some catching up to do.  He's the only person I've ever had flip me out of a canoe when loading.  From then on, I was last to enter, and first to exit.

I'm glad you folks are as baffled as I am. I can think of specific situations in which it might make more sense for the stern paddler to get out first. But as one of you said, it depends. Not a "rule" I'm going to put in my quiver!

Buffy,

I was baffled by that rule too.  As a general rule, we have the bow person exit first because the stern person has more control over the canoe.  I also think who exits first has something to do with who is in control.  But each situation must be viewed indepently.

Westwood

Not sure about that one either, but the canoe does feel tippy when spinning it around to back into shore.

Is there a rule listed about always landing the upstream end of the canoe first when in moving water?