: If you are building from plans or a kit and have built the cockpit, you are
: limited in your seat position. Hopefully, the designer thought about trim
: when locating the cockpit.

: I would start by putting the seat into the boat and sitting in it. Is it
: comfortable? does moving it back or forwards help the comfort? Do you hit
: the back of the combing if you lean back to roll or brace? Do you have
: foot room and a place to lock in you legs?

: I use foam seats and a suspended backrest like in Nick's book and end up with
: my backrest 2-3" in front of the back of the cockpit, and the seat an
: inch in front of that.

: If you already have the boat built, all talk about trim is academic, go for
: fit. If it doesn't track right add a fixed skeg.

: --Eric

Thanks Eric,
It's built alright so I'll take your advice. I built the seat and backrest from Nick's book so it's a good start. I've gotten used to trimming a canoe for the wind by moving a little fore or aft. I only have a couple days kayaking but it seemed that moving the seat position a few inches changed the handling but I don't have the time in yet to really tell much. Anyway, you can't tell much at all if you keep slopping around and falling out of the boat.

Jim