When paddling solo is it better to sit in the middle, the bow or the stern? i have a 12 foot dingy that is sort of half way between a kayak and a canoe. i started out seated in the direct middle but found something was lacking. last summer i spent the entire time paddling from near the bow while stowing all my gear in the back 2/3 towards the stern. this summer i've decided to sit on the stern end of the boat as there is a small overhang that supports my weight and placed all the gear in the bow. Oh my gosh what a difference does it make! now i get why all the old timers were seated way back in their boats. it handles well, cuts into the wind and despite the bow sticking a bit out of the water it doesnt seem to weathercock all that bad.
>>pic semi rel, my next project is to rig up a small sail to drag me along on windier days