>>2304941Ex raft and sea kayak guide and pro whitewater boater here.
Have used a canoe every now and then - so the following is based on what I adapted from my other skills.
Obviously the best way to reduce swamping is to fill the space with something buoyant.
Drybags, chilly bins and drums lashed in well are great.
A fishing net type cover attached across the top will hold them in - not sure what your specific boat has for lashings etc. but there's no reason not to get a drill out.
Learn to J-stroke so you don't have to keep swapping sides when you paddle. I've also found a sea kayak paddle (due to width of canoe - a 192 WW paddle just bangs on the sides before it hits the water.) to be great, but that's just personal preference.
In moving water, I always wear a helmet - it's easy to bang your head, and swimming isn't easy if you're dazed or unconscious. I wear a Sweet Strutter (poser I know, but it was free...) because it's basically wearing a hard baseball cap. There are cheaper ones just as good around.
For long days in the sun, you can also get an all-round brim to add to them.
I also wear a neck gaiter and glasses to keep sun off face and ears - NZ sun is gnarly, especially on the water.
I've found them to be no easier, if not harder to carry than a WW kayak, definitely easier than a SK. You can get wheel kits to land it at camp.
Always carry more beer than you think you'll want. Goons (plastic bags) of wine are better bang for your room, and they hold air great once finished - many NZ kayaks are full of these rather than airbags, but we are a nation of binge drinkers.
A heavily laden boat sits deeper in the water, so is less affected by strong winds, at the expense of some manoeuvrability, and greater risk of swamping.
