I have been around canoes most of my life...I personally own one, and next week will be my 7th week long trip to the BWCA. So I am reasonably experienced and familiar with canoes...a decent paddler but far from an expert.

My question is this. This year a friend is going with me and will be my canoe mate. He is not canoe experienced having only been in a canoe a very few times in his life. He is also a big guy, about 6'5" and weighs 240 pounds. He is strong, but that doesn't always translate to mean a strong paddler. With his size and high center of gravity he would seem to be better suited to take the rear seat in the canoe. On the other hand, the rear seat has more navigational responsibility, and therefore I am better a better choice.

Which seat, front or back, would you put the big newbie in? I am leaning toward putting him in front, but he outweighs me by 30-40 pounds, plus he would not be as agile when it comes to getting in/out of the canoe when launching or beaching. One bad step and I could see us taking a lake bath.

Advice? What's the general rule in this situation?

I would rather have the more experienced in the back. The weight situation is critical tho. I would try to shift your packs-camping gear in the canoe to balance the difference,. Yes a too heavy front is not good and many canoes will handle it better or worse than others.

We have two guys in our group that have been in the same canoe on at least 15-20 trips. Mike 175 lbs, Dave 275+ lbs. Mike has always been in the back, and they have never had a problem. Neither of them were experienced at canoeing when we started but a little practice goes a long way. They just put the heavier packs in the back.

In windy conditions you need a strong paddler in the front. The key is for him to keep his head inside the gunwales. If his head goes outside a gunwales you could flip. My son is about that size and paddles in the bow and for some reason he thinks he has to be looking at me to talk to me. After I warned him nearly a dozen times to quit turning around... splash! Have him get in the canoe first. When exiting, if he gets out first plant your paddle in the bottom of the lake and grasp it with both hands to steady the canoe. No matter what time of the year you paddle, or whom you paddle with, or how far you are going (even 50 to get water), ALWAYS wear your PFD. Before you start heading across your first lake, take some time and practice some techniques and show him the basics.

I did a trip once w/ a buddy that's about the same size as your friend and I'm only 160lbs. It worked well after we moved all of the packs to the back half of the canoe. We we first headed out I felt like I was going to go flying over the bow into the lake.

Thanks guys...I think I will start with him in the front, and see how it goes. If necessary we can change.

We ALWAYS wear PFD's...sometimes even around camp. We always go in May and find the PFD's provide some insulation from the cold.

Going in on Sunday...looking forward to a great trip.

I am good friends with a married couple that have a very significant difference in weight. She is very large and he is skinny as a piece of spaghetti. They owned a Mad River Malecite and she always paddled stern.

One day, while on a weekend canoe trip in Sylvania, we went with them for a day paddle. No extra gear in either canoe. Upon reaching the beach at the far end of the lake, the light weight husband jumped out of the bow of the canoe. The front end of the canoe shot straight up in the air and hovered in the vertical position for what seemed like an eternity before depositing the portly spouse into the lake.

The last thing we heard before she hit the water was "Michael, I'm going to kill you!" That was 20 odd years ago and I laugh every time I think about that incident.

awbrown: "I am good friends with a married couple that have a very significant difference in weight. She is very large and he is skinny as a piece of spaghetti. They owned a Mad River Malecite and she always paddled stern.


One day, while on a weekend canoe trip in Sylvania, we went with them for a day paddle. No extra gear in either canoe. Upon reaching the beach at the far end of the lake, the light weight husband jumped out of the bow of the canoe. The front end of the canoe shot straight up in the air and hovered in the vertical position for what seemed like an eternity before depositing the portly spouse into the lake.


The last thing we heard before she hit the water was "Michael, I'm going to kill you!" That was 20 odd years ago and I laugh every time I think about that incident."

That's funny.

Stringjumper: "

awbrown: "I am good friends with a married couple that have a very significant difference in weight. She is very large and he is skinny as a piece of spaghetti. They owned a Mad River Malecite and she always paddled stern.



One day, while on a weekend canoe trip in Sylvania, we went with them for a day paddle. No extra gear in either canoe. Upon reaching the beach at the far end of the lake, the light weight husband jumped out of the bow of the canoe. The front end of the canoe shot straight up in the air and hovered in the vertical position for what seemed like an eternity before depositing the portly spouse into the lake.



The last thing we heard before she hit the water was "Michael, I'm going to kill you!" That was 20 odd years ago and I laugh every time I think about that incident."

That's funny."

Oh that is way way funny.............. I would be in so much trouble if I did that...

dr bob

The bow seat is closer to the middle of the canoe. Also, I like to have the less experienced padler in the front so I can keep an eye on them. That being said, i go 6'4" and 240 and i pretty much live in the back.

So...How did the trip go?
What did you do about positions?

You want the stronger heavier paddler in the Bow. Ask any mixed canoe marathon racer

I've been in that situation many times. Even though I would rather have the experience in the back it seems to work better with weight in the back. The reasons I think it works better is because the canoe is wider in the back and thus the canoe is more stable also if you get big waves the canoe wants to dive into them and take on water. Just make sure you show him the basic strokes before taking off and expect a learning curve.
The biggest problem with new canoers is that they will lean to paddle and it seems to take them a day or two to learn to swivel their hips with the waves and keep your upper body straight and not to lean side to side to paddle, to grab a fish, get water, etc.

Trimming the canoe is an issue if you put the heavier paddler in the stern if there is a big difference in weight. The stern seat is much further from the center of the canoe. Remember your totter tauter days. Also with the stern seat being further from the center, that paddler has a mechanical advantage with their paddle stroke over the bow paddler. Once again heavier stronger paddlers should be in the bow. Trimming and tracking will thank you.