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Trim is how the canoe floats in the water . If the canoe is floating empty on the water , the trim will be neutral , but as you add weight to it , the canoe sinks deeper in the water , and if that weight isn ’ t distributed evenly , one end will sink deeper in the water than the other end . For most situations , having a bit more weight in the back of the canoe ( the stern ) is preferred , but there will be situations where it is better to shift weight to the front of the canoe ( the bow ).
A canoe-trimmed bow heavy when out for a typical paddle is hard to steer as the lighter end wants to swing around . That means you must constantly apply steering corrections , which gets very tiring . If the canoe is slightly stern-heavy , the front has less resistance on the water than the back , so it will be much easier to keep the canoe travelling in the direction you want to go .
Canoes fall into two broad categories ; trim adjustment varies slightly for each . The traditional shape for canoes was symmetrical in design , the front and back half of the canoe are identical , and many modern canoes are still of traditional design . In recent years manufacturers have been making canoes that are asymmetrical in design , where the front of the canoe is shaped differently than the back , which alters performance and handling .
In a traditional canoe , it ’ s easier to keep it going in a straight line if trimmed sternly . By doing that , the front end lifts out of the water while the stern end sinks . That lessens the influence your movement through the water has on the bow , but having the stern deeper acts a bit like a rudder , reducing the amount of steering required to keep the canoe on track . Asymmetrical canoes generally have more rocker at the bow ( raised a bit above the keel line ) than the stern , which creates that rudder effect when the canoe is trimmed neutral , so it ’ s not as crucial for them to be trimmed stern heavy .
TANDEM CANOE
When paddled tandem , the first consideration for adjusting trim is the weight of the paddlers . If one is significantly heavier than the other , more weight needs to be closest to the lighter paddler . On a canoe trip , that can be done by placing the heaviest packs next to the lighter paddler , but if the outing is just a day paddle , a bit of pre-outing planning can help . Adjusting weight distribution by adding some rocks works , but if there ’ s a risk of capsizing , a canoe might sink to the bottom if the rocks get stuck . A better option is to use containers filled with water . A collapsible container is one good option , or a dry bag that is filled with water is another good option . Water is neutral in weight if the canoe should capsize , so there ’ s no risk of it sinking . When the canoe lands and must be carried somewhere , you can dump the water in the containers .
A tandem canoe of the traditional symmetrical design paddled solo is best done with the canoe turned around with the paddler using the other side of the bow seat . That gets the weight closer to the canoe ’ s centre and makes it much easier to adjust the trim with the weight of a pack or similar . Asymmetrical tandem canoes paddled solo don ’ t fare as well paddled from the bow seat facing backwards , but it can be done . It ’ s best to keep the bow facing forwards , and the best way to adjust the trim with the paddler ’ s weight is to replace the stern thwart with a kneeling thwart .
Trim is a significant factor in retaining control when paddling in the wind , as the canoe acts like a weather vane . The heavy end stays anchored in the water while the lighter end swings away from the wind . If you paddle in a tailwind , it helps to be stern and heavy , but you want the bow to be a bit heavier in a headwind . Being bow-heavy in a headwind dramatically reduces the effort required to steer the canoe .
Wind and waves usually go together , and changing trim can make a trip across a lake much easier . Every
TWO CANOES SET UP FOR TRACKING UPSTREAM . PHOTO CREDIT KEN HUGHES .
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