I'm really digging these vids. So clear and concise. It's been many years since I canoed, and I'm about to do so this summer on my home turf in Northern Wisconsin. These vids are really helpful.
How do you feel about paddling a tandem canoe solo by sitting on the forward seat facing the stern. Is it practical or can proper paddling from the rear seat and proper load distribution solve the balancing issue? Or would you recommend a drop in seat? Thank you for posting these instructional videos.
Hi John, these are great questions. I regularly paddle a tandem as a solo by turning around in the bow seat as you mentioned. In a few of these models the trim is still off because the bow seat is quite a distance from the yoke, requiring the addition of lots of equipment at the other end for trim. Paddling from the stern seat would require lots of ballast in the bow in order to correct the trim, but the major problem is that you're no longer the "central pivot point" of the canoe which limits your ability to employ both bow-steering and stern manoeuvring strokes...which is one of the great benefits of solo paddling from the middle. Rather than a drop-in seat, a kneeling thwart is a great option for placing yourself closer to centre. If kneeling isn't an option for you then the addition of a middle seat (or a temporary drop-in seat as you mentioned) may be the best option.
@@PaddlePortageCanoes Thank you very much for answering my question and for the quick response. I am about ready to buy a canoe but I wanted to make sure that a tandem could be operated properly solo. I want it for extended camping trips and need space for gear. On my budget I wanted something that was maneuverable in sub class 2 rivers but still good for lake use and I have about $1000 to spend. I believe I have settled on the Oldtown Discovery 158. Big enough for gear, not too narrow or wide at about 36", moderate rocker, shallow arch, 21.5" bow height, 13.5" depth with straight sides. I believe it is a symmetrical hull. There is a kneeling thwart just in front of the stern seat and the bow seat does look like it is positioned well for trimming if I want to face the stern and paddle seated. From what background I have gained from your videos it seems like a good fit for what I want to do, and the price is right. Thanks for putting out such great content about this topic.
I'm a beginner ( to open canoes ) so I'm doing my research on paddle strokes. I'm the same regarding explanations. I need to know WHY this is right or wrong. If you can't tell me why I assume you don't understand what you are doing yourself. So I'm less than convinced. You explain it perfectly without forcing it down my throat. I'm subscribed and looking for more of your advice. Thank you for posting.
Thanks. For this video I (Trav) was sitting in the stern but only because Stephen, with his camera, was also in the canoe facing backwards from the bow seat.
Enjoyed these vids. I’m bit of a fat knacker and I just couldn’t kneel and paddle, could I use a seat as a solo paddler? Also I’m thinking of getting a canoe for a platform for wildlife photography on a slow moving river, isa canoe a good option, stability wise?
Hi, I only just noticed your comment and question. Hope it's not too late, but a canoe makes a great platform for photography! You can easily set up a camera and tripod (which is how this video was filmed). And of course you can just sit rather than kneel and there are many comfortable seating options available for canoes now with the end result being a much more comfortable sitting option than in a kayak.
I'm really digging these vids. So clear and concise. It's been many years since I canoed, and I'm about to do so this summer on my home turf in Northern Wisconsin. These vids are really helpful.
This is exactly the video I needed tyo watch! Thank you for all the great work and infos!
Good job!
How do you feel about paddling a tandem canoe solo by sitting on the forward seat facing the stern. Is it practical or can proper paddling from the rear seat and proper load distribution solve the balancing issue? Or would you recommend a drop in seat? Thank you for posting these instructional videos.
Hi John, these are great questions. I regularly paddle a tandem as a solo by turning around in the bow seat as you mentioned. In a few of these models the trim is still off because the bow seat is quite a distance from the yoke, requiring the addition of lots of equipment at the other end for trim. Paddling from the stern seat would require lots of ballast in the bow in order to correct the trim, but the major problem is that you're no longer the "central pivot point" of the canoe which limits your ability to employ both bow-steering and stern manoeuvring strokes...which is one of the great benefits of solo paddling from the middle. Rather than a drop-in seat, a kneeling thwart is a great option for placing yourself closer to centre. If kneeling isn't an option for you then the addition of a middle seat (or a temporary drop-in seat as you mentioned) may be the best option.
@@PaddlePortageCanoes Thank you very much for answering my question and for the quick response. I am about ready to buy a canoe but I wanted to make sure that a tandem could be operated properly solo. I want it for extended camping trips and need space for gear. On my budget I wanted something that was maneuverable in sub class 2 rivers but still good for lake use and I have about $1000 to spend. I believe I have settled on the Oldtown Discovery 158. Big enough for gear, not too narrow or wide at about 36", moderate rocker, shallow arch, 21.5" bow height, 13.5" depth with straight sides. I believe it is a symmetrical hull. There is a kneeling thwart just in front of the stern seat and the bow seat does look like it is positioned well for trimming if I want to face the stern and paddle seated. From what background I have gained from your videos it seems like a good fit for what I want to do, and the price is right. Thanks for putting out such great content about this topic.
I'm a beginner ( to open canoes ) so I'm doing my research on paddle strokes. I'm the same regarding explanations. I need to know WHY this is right or wrong. If you can't tell me why I assume you don't understand what you are doing yourself. So I'm less than convinced. You explain it perfectly without forcing it down my throat. I'm subscribed and looking for more of your advice. Thank you for posting.
Thanks!
@@PaddlePortageCanoes 👍
Stephen, thank you for this video, I was wondering where you sitting , aft or bow end. ? Thanks.
Thanks. For this video I (Trav) was sitting in the stern but only because Stephen, with his camera, was also in the canoe facing backwards from the bow seat.
Enjoyed these vids. I’m bit of a fat knacker and I just couldn’t kneel and paddle, could I use a seat as a solo paddler? Also I’m thinking of getting a canoe for a platform for wildlife photography on a slow moving river, isa canoe a good option, stability wise?
Hi, I only just noticed your comment and question. Hope it's not too late, but a canoe makes a great platform for photography! You can easily set up a camera and tripod (which is how this video was filmed). And of course you can just sit rather than kneel and there are many comfortable seating options available for canoes now with the end result being a much more comfortable sitting option than in a kayak.