I'm just about to the point in my build where I'll be installing the seats, and I have a couple questions on seat placement.

I'm planning to go off the canoecraft calculation (strenman's weight x A = bowman's weight x B), however I'm not sure what a reasonable starting point for the bow seat is. I've been trying to go off the Wenonah BW 17 as a starting point, since it's the same length and width as mine (NW Cruiser). Since this info isn't listed anywhere in the specs, I measured some stock images and came up with the front seat being anywhere from 51" to 62" from the tip of the bow.

However, in order to balance the canoe with the calculation above, I would have to put the stern seat at 70" from the tip of the stern, which seems awfully far forward. The issue is that my wife is only 110 lbs, while I'm 180 lbs so we're dealing with a big weight differential.

So I guess I'm trying to determine if I can get away with putting the seat less than 51" from the bow, reducing leg room for wife (not ideal), or if I can cheat a little and move my seat back and have a slightly stern heavy canoe. Or if having the stern seat that far forward would actually work okay.

I'd take it out for a paddle. Have someone else along who can look at your trim. If you know where the water line is mark it at the bow and stern with a little piece of tape. Sit on packs, foam blocks, chunks of wood, whatever. You can both move fore and aft and figure out where proper trim is.

I wouldn't move the bow seat ahead much more than "standard" otherwise someone with longer legs might find it pretty uncomfortable in the future.

You can always use packs to adjust trim when tripping or a dry bag partially filled with water for day paddles.

Another option is to have your wife take the stern to easier attain balance.

Alan

One complaint I always got from my kids, Was they didn't have enough leg room. When I paddled bow, I understood where they were coming from.

As Alan suggests, try it out before drilling holes for the seats.

Here's a formula I used. The front edge of the bow seat dictates the stern spacing. When the bow person is comfortable. Measure the front edge of the bow seat, from center. The front edge of the stern seat should be the same distance.

I like to make my seats about 10-12" front to back. This way I can shift my weight to adjust trim, and still be comfortable.

Jim

Thanks for the replies guys, great info.

quote 1JimD: " Here's a formula I used. The front edge of the bow seat dictates the stern spacing. When the bow person is comfortable. Measure the front edge of the bow seat, from center. The front edge of the stern seat should be the same distance.
"

That is true provided: 1) Paddlers are the same weight, and; 2) the center is the balance point.

On some canoes, especially asymetrical ones, center is not the balance point.