I have a smaller tandem canoe about 3 years old. The only person in the front seat has been a 60 pound youngster. He is developing his paddling skill and last summer he worked hard at doing his share of keeping the canoe moving. I noticed when he was paddling hard the canoe was harder to control. Reminded me of a canoe I owned that had no rocker and was hard to control.
Last week I set the canoe on a couple of carpenter horses and setup a laser level over it and measured the rocker. Starting in the center and using a felt tip I marked off one foot points to take measurements from. The Canoe is 16’ 9” and there are 15 points covering 14’ of the canoe. My measurements show a flat to slight negative rocker. Manufactures speck is 2.5”bw. and 1.5” st. The canoe has not been over any beaver dams.
I have tried to change the rocker by pushing the gunnels out and have had some success by removing all 3 thwarts and pushing the center out by 1&1/2 inches. It now has a positive rocker of about 1/3 inch. Yet to try is pushing the gunnels out at the other 2 thwarts.
Anyone have any experience at doing this pros cons. Will I notice it in the handling of the canoe?
Last week I set the canoe on a couple of carpenter horses and setup a laser level over it and measured the rocker. Starting in the center and using a felt tip I marked off one foot points to take measurements from. The Canoe is 16’ 9” and there are 15 points covering 14’ of the canoe. My measurements show a flat to slight negative rocker. Manufactures speck is 2.5”bw. and 1.5” st. The canoe has not been over any beaver dams.
I have tried to change the rocker by pushing the gunnels out and have had some success by removing all 3 thwarts and pushing the center out by 1&1/2 inches. It now has a positive rocker of about 1/3 inch. Yet to try is pushing the gunnels out at the other 2 thwarts.
Anyone have any experience at doing this pros cons. Will I notice it in the handling of the canoe?