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why stern paddler exits first (Read 11281 times)

Buffy Inukshuk Offline Posts: 14 Location: Hudson, WI (USA) Joined: Jun 16^th, 2009	why stern paddler exits first Jul 10^th, 2009 at 12:43pm	Quote Print Post
	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?


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monjon Senior Member Offline Posts: 342 Joined: Jan 29^th, 2004	Re: why stern paddler exits first Reply #1 - Jul 10^th, 2009 at 1:11pm	Quote Print Post
	I always leave last when I'm in back-captain of the ship.


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jjcanoeguide Inukshuk Offline Posts: 309 Location: Frisco, TX Joined: Jun 20^th, 2007	Re: why stern paddler exits first Reply #2 - Jul 10^th, 2009 at 1:23pm	Quote Print Post
	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.


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wally Inukshuk Offline Posts: 1987 Location: Minni-soda Joined: Apr 3^rd, 2003	Re: why stern paddler exits first Reply #3 - Jul 10^th, 2009 at 1:27pm	Quote Print Post
	The only "rule" that exists...is to stay dry and not tip the boat! Whichever exiting strategy accomplishes that, will be a winner. I think solo exiting and entering is fraught with a higher chance of getting wet.


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Buffy Inukshuk Offline Posts: 14 Location: Hudson, WI (USA) Joined: Jun 16^th, 2009	Re: why stern paddler exits first Reply #4 - Jul 10^th, 2009 at 1:33pm	Quote Print Post
	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!


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solotripper Inukshuk Offline Posts: 8127 Location: clarkston MI Joined: Mar 14^th, 2005	Re: why stern paddler exits first Reply #5 - Jul 10^th, 2009 at 3:57pm	Quote Print Post
	I'm with Wally on this one. There are to many variables involved in a safe landing or launch too have a hard and fast rule about it. I was always the stern guy, my bow guy was half my size. On some landings that didn't allow me to exist safely, I would have him get out, and turn and straddle the bow using his body weight and arms to stabilize the canoe. I would either climb out a side, OR in some cases, crawled forward over the packs until I had a safe place to exit. Used the same tactic in reverse sometimes. Wasn't pretty, but we never dumped and that's all that matters


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Westwood Inukshuk Offline Posts: 669 Location: Was Minnesota Now Iowa Joined: Mar 4^th, 2005	Re: why stern paddler exits first Reply #6 - Jul 10^th, 2009 at 10:45pm	Quote Print Post
	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


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Buffy Inukshuk Offline Posts: 14 Location: Hudson, WI (USA) Joined: Jun 16^th, 2009	Re: why stern paddler exits first Reply #7 - Jul 11^th, 2009 at 12:25am	Quote Print Post
	My thinking, too. It's relatively easy to paddle a canoe solo from the stern--and a real challenge to do is solo from the bow. That ought to suggest something! Maybe that rule should be taken off the list. There doesn't seem to be a lot of enthusiasm for it.


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BrownTrout01 Inukshuk Offline Posts: 510 Location: Northern IL Joined: Feb 28^th, 2006	Re: why stern paddler exits first Reply #8 - Jul 11^th, 2009 at 3:04am	Quote Print Post
	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?


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Arrowhead Paddler Inukshuk Offline Posts: 68 Joined: Mar 20^th, 2007	Re: why stern paddler exits first Reply #9 - Jul 11^th, 2009 at 4:20am	Quote Print Post
	I think BrownTrout is right and the rule refers to landing in moving water above a rapids or waterfall. If the downstream paddler (bow) gets out first the upstream end (stern) could swing out into the current and capsize.


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