I got along fine last year with 2 girls, ages 5 and 7, in the middle seat of an 18.5 SR canoe. How many years can I expect to reasonably continue to do this? They are not overweight and are growing as you might expect of "normal" kids. When did you need to switch over to individual seats for them or at least the older?

The ducklings were 10 and 12 the last time we had them together in the middle seat of our SRQ 18.5.

My boys will be 7 and 5 for our first family BWCA trip this year, but I don’t trust them to sit by each other at all, especially with paddles to whack each other with (on accident of course). Sorry I’m not any help, but slightly jealous that you got even one trip with two kids in a middle seat.

11/12 I’d expect them to have their own seat to be able to help. Before that you can’t expect a lot.

To the point about getting along: The concern about that was not a real factor. The novelty and the fact of being in the water a long way from shore probably helped too.

About helping: For 10 to 15 minutes in, they each had their own kids paddle and used them furiously. Paddled front and backwards for more action. I was in stern and enjoyed this emensely while dad powered from the bow. Dad had a good laugh later. After a while, they figured out on their own a more efficient stroke pattern which worked well until the need to rest overtook them. Playing with the paddles in the water was fun for them as the different angles resulted in different patterns for water to go around or over the paddles. Splashing was fun too. One even lost her paddle and a crisis was averted when she realized that it was floating and we could actually go back for it. On the way back after the week, the island off to the side was named by her: LOST PADDLE ISLAND. I was surprised she knew where she lost the paddle. None of their "help" was very efficient for getting anywhere, but who cares.

I would take the boys with a dose of reality instruction in advance if they have any discipline where what you say really means anything. If not, leave them at home.

My kids are almost 3 years apart. when the oldest was 12 there started to be an issue with them sitting and working together. They were definitely starting to get into each others way. My son First paddled the front seat at 11 on a 5 day trip, windy days were pretty tough on me in the back seat but it worked out. For reference my son was probably one of the smallest kids in his class up until about 9th grade. I would try to get the kids paddling sooner than later. My daughter now 13 is a very competent front seat paddler, and my son 16 can paddle all day on long trips.

I skipped the shared middle seat, and went with a removable/adjustable seat. It’s a little tight, but we work it out. I think they appreciate having their own space, and I don’t worry about an argument rocking the boat. It works well in an 18.5 Northwoods, so it would probably work in the 18.5 SR.

bwcadan: "To the point about getting along: The concern about that was not a real factor. The novelty and the fact of being in the water a long way from shore probably helped too.

Yeah, that was more of a comment on boys vs girls at that age, although the individuals matter too. My boys listen well independently, but being in close proximity is usually just a matter of time (like minutes) until there’s an issue. In a canoe would be better, but still not letting mine share a seat.

11 and 12 for sure. We started using 2 canoes for 3 kids last year when the oldest turned 14. We could fit everyone in one still, but not everyone was happy anymore.

My kids are 8 and 10 and we had them in the middle of a Minnesota 4 last summer. (A Minn 4 has four real seats.) My 8 year old son wasn't great at helping with the portages, but my 10 year old daughter quickly understood the best way to land the boat, unload and start carrying. I think at about 10/11 and up, it's time for them to be able to start being a contributor in a tandem canoe. With your kids at the age they are, I think they should be fine for a few more years. In our 17 foot Esquif that we run on rivers, we have some mini cell foam pads about 3 inches thick that we put in the middle of our boat for them to sit on. This setup means there isn't much room for gear, though.