canoing/swimming

[tweedwolfscream]

Keel vs no keel definitely makes MUCH more of a difference when you're soloing than when you're paddling tandem. Expert soloists prefer no keel since it's more agile, but for a guy like me who's been canoeing all my life but mostly tandem with just a little solo experience in there, having a keel makes it much more manageable.

I haven't ever had issues with tipping though, just manoeverability. Keeping a canoe upright is a matter of balance. Always keep your weight either on dead centre or equally split between the two sides of centre. If you have to walk up or down the canoe keep your hands on the gunwales and as much weight as possible on your hands. If you're bringing a backpack or something, load it (centred) into the boat before you get in. In fact some weight in the boat will make it more stable. And if it feels tippy at any point, get your butt off the seat and kneel on the bottom.

Another thing about soloing a canoe is that you shouldn't be sitting as far back as you would be if you were sterning in a tandem scenario. If the canoe is set up for tandem paddling, you should paddle it backwards from the bow seat if you're soloing, since the bow seat is closer to the middle than the stern seat. If you're having trouble from there, kneel just behind the middle thwart.

Of course it could be that you know all this and you're trying to solo paddle "Classic Canadian style" with the canoe heeling over at 45 degrees like Bill Mason... that might explain the swimming