Trimming the tandem
Posted by: TommyC1
on Feb-22-13 12:57 PM (EST)
Very bow heavy makes it tough to hold your course. A little bow heavy can help in a headwind or while back paddling in current, emphasis on a little.
Sometimes you can just rearrange your gear to trim things out but sometimes you need to move your paddling station(s). Moving the heavier person towards the center and/or the lighter person towards the ends can help a lot.
I paddled with a father son team who had a heck of a time until the father (in the bow) moved behind the bow seat. All of a sudden his much lighter sternman could control the boat.
I've used a pack, a drybag or a small cooler as a seat when the one that came with the boat was not placed for good trim.