Quote:
Originally Posted by lastlight
that looks like fun! i don't know a thing about planes but would have thought you'd mount the canoe elevated off the supports between the float thingies. to make the plane more evenly weighted?
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Yeah, on the surface, that would seem to make sense. In reality though, it doesn't work there, because that is a high pressure area in flight, and the airflow that goes back to your tail gets disturbed, which is not good (could be catastrophic, actually).
The area on top of your floats is mostly neutral and has the least drag and effect on airflow. I have tie-up ropes, with one end just sitting on top of the floats, and they stay there (unless I do some unusual maneuvers).
Weight distribution side to side doesn't matter much, as the canoe only weighs 40 lbs. And any imbalance in flight (weight or drag) is compensated for with your ailerons and rudder. I carry up to 300 lbs of fuel in my wings, which has a much greater effect on weight distribution, and even that has minimal effect. With weight, the greater concern always is forward or aft, as that affects your center of gravity, which matters a lot more.