I am headed to the Q with my new (well old but new to me) Prism next week. While working on it today it occurred to me that how a pack and load my gear may be different from the Voyageur I had been using. Any thoughts on loading the Prism? I have been able to travel with a single pack previously and would like to do so again. Thoughts?

if you are sitting in the middle then I would put the pack directly behind you. with my prism, one small pack goes up front, one pack goes behind me. double portage, trims level every time.
I have a small bubble level in my seat pocket I check trim with.

I do the same as bwcasolo

I have a CCS Pioneer or Explorer that goes right behind me with all my gear such as clothes, tent, sleeping bag etc-rain gear goes in top flap so I can get to it if needed while on the water.

I have a large school book type back pack that has my Bear Vault, food fuel, stove and kitchen stuff (pots, utensils) plus some small miscellaneous stuff that can fit in the nooks and crannies-that goes in the bow and can be move fore and aft to help trim the canoe based on conditions.

The Pioneer fits but it can be tight if you fill it too much and too wide so be aware when packing and try to keep it as narrow as possible-better it bulges up then out to he side. The explorer fits better than the Pioneer, but for longer trips or late fall trips it some times isn't large enough for all the gear.

If you have anything else loose (fishing pole, bucket, portage yoke, chair) that does not go in a pack or is not attached to the gunwales put that in the stern behind the pack.

If you still feel a single pack will work then maybe bring something you can fill with some rocks at the end of portages as you launch for the bow to help with trim or a drybag you can fill with water and close. At least you can dump the water or rocks before portaging them across and refill on the other side.

You should be able to get decent trim by using a single pack as close to the back of the seat as possible and adjusting the trim with the slider. Though the Prism is a very different boat from the Voyageur they have a similar bias towards rear loading.

Thanks! I find this info very helpful to me, too.

Thanks for the information, it is useful.

"I have a small bubble level in my seat pocket I check trim with."

best idea I have read in some time. Might bungie small level to a thwart

When trimming a solo canoe very often perfectly level is not ideal. If heading into the wind you should be lower in the bow. For a tail wind lower in the stern. Having a sliding seat or a pack in the bow helps make adjustments as needed.

quote Bogwalker: "When trimming a solo canoe very often perfectly level is not ideal. If heading into the wind you should be lower in the bow. For a tail wind lower in the stern. Having a sliding seat or a pack in the bow helps make adjustments as needed."

Have to agree with that. It may be level on the bubble but not trimmed for conditions. I go by canoe handling, do not care what end may be higher. 2 packs for me, to allow adjustments.

butthead

quote butthead: "

quote Bogwalker: "When trimming a solo canoe very often perfectly level is not ideal. If heading into the wind you should be lower in the bow. For a tail wind lower in the stern. Having a sliding seat or a pack in the bow helps make adjustments as needed."

Have to agree with that. It may be level on the bubble but not trimmed for conditions. I go by canoe handling, do not care what end may be higher. 2 packs for me, to allow adjustments.


butthead"

I usually adjust as needed, level for me has worked in all winds and conditions. different strokes, pun on words.