I ended up going with a north wind as someone put one of for sale, starlight with e6 gunwales, close to me at too good a price to pass up. It’s very fast, but slightly tippy. However it has a traditional kneeling seat with foot brace instead of a pack seat, so I think getting their foam pack...
Thanks all. My dogs are Siberian huskies, with weights ranging from 55lbs - 40lbs.
Generally I would look for the dog to be in the front and the pack behind me.
I’m about 5’10”, 195# myself.
Here’s how dense we packed for some of our limited or non portage canoe camping trips
My wife and I have been canoe camping in the ADK and Algonquin regions for about a decade typically with 2 (once 4) dogs and 2x 120L dry packs using a 1980 BlueWater Jensen 18’ cruiser. This canoe has been fast, easy enough to turn despite the length, ok in head and side winds when loaded, but...