Hey Rehd, If you have access to David Hazen's book, he explains using a fairly simple ratio formula to balance canoes. Guess it would work for a kayak as well. If memory serves (don't count on it), distance from center of boat to front of paddler A's seat times paddler B's weight should equal distance from boat center to front of paddler B's seat times paddler A's weight. Hope that makes sense. If not (and even if it does), you had better look up Hazen's boat. Louck, Tom

: Hi All

: I'm at a point where I need to start thinking of placement of the cockpit of
: my Walrus. I'm building the double, at 18' long, and the intention is for
: use by myself for a while, but eventually will be given to a couple that
: like to kayak and always double up. They are also partial to an open
: cockpit. I am going to make the rear seat in a fashion so that it can be
: moved to a fore and aft position, and the front seat will be fixed in
: place.

: My question is: How do I figure the size and placement of the cockpit for the
: double-open configuration. I've looked and don't see any specific numbers
: or formula for figuring a double cockpit in Putz' book. I seem to remember
: that the single cockpit rule of thumb is 3/5 back on boat for the rear of
: coaming. I don't recall ever having read of anyone building a Double-Open
: cockpit, so any thoughts or ideas will be welcome. Thanks!

: Rehd