It is a little scary. I haven't actually been in the water with this yet. I will take it to a near by lake monday morning and try it, come home and get some sleep and leave monday night on an 18 hour drive. The weight will be OK for paddling I think because when I tried the self rescue using the side watertight compartment the boat paddled pretty good when it was half full of water. When I get to the BWCA I will dump something if I just have to. The back pack goes in front and I believe I can slip my legs underneath it. I do have two camera's, fieldglasses, two telescoping fishing rods, three reels, a radio, GPS and more that go into the side compartments. I have enough food to last three weeks I think. The brown vest on the right side of the boat doesn't look like much but it has everything to survive if I should get stranded from my boat. The very large duffle bag I decided to take at the last second is because Ken I believe mentioned that the squarls were being such a pest trying to get to the food in hanging bags. I will put the water proof food bag inside it. I'm sure I will be a lot wiser after this trip. If I absolutely have to need a skirt I will do as Russ suggested, use tape, I will duck tape a poncho around the cockpit. I do have a rain suit also. I think I am as ready as I will ever be.
I have read the books, been all over the net and listened to the good advise on the board. Building this boat and prepairing for this trip has been lots of fun.
See you later,
John