Canoe Trim Calculator

About this calculator

A canoe paddles most efficiently when it's trimmed level — its center of gravity sitting at the midpoint of the hull rather than pulling the bow or stern down. Given the bow load, stern load and canoe length, this calculator finds the fore-aft offset of the combined center of gravity from the midpoint, so a heavier stern load pulls the balance point aft of center and a heavier bow load pulls it forward.

Canoe paddlers and outfitters loading gear, coolers and passengers before a trip use this to check trim before launching, since a canoe trimmed too far bow- or stern-heavy is harder to steer, catches more wind or current on the low end, and is more prone to swamping in waves.