What is better 4 people in 2 canoes, or 3 people in 1?

	On the water	Portage
2x2 (4 people, 2 canoes)	(Pos) Higher out of the water / Less drag	(Con) Move 2 canoes to navigate through the portages instead of 1
3x1 (3 people, 1 canoe)	(Pos) More muscle-power (Con) Needs a longer paddle for the middle (Con) Have to figure out seating for middle person	(Pos) 1 Canoe to go through the forest (Pos) Someone to manage the nose of the canoe (Con) More equipment (seating/Paddles) to manage on portages (Con) Longer times in and out of the water

Last year racing, one the water we were able to pass equally ranked teams. Time getting in the boat and out of the boat is where we tended to suffer, and those same teams managed to squeeze in front on the trail. Less gear to collect and tear down per person. Those 20 seconds extra in and out of the canoe count all added up.

Moving through the forest was quick and easy. Unfortunately getting on the portage trail did cost us time as we struggled to figure things out as a rookie team, so the speed of movement was nullified.

Team Made in Poland cuts some foam to make an improvised seat for the middle person.

It's time for a seating change so Team Made in Poland innovates to carry on.

We saw many different options for seating. Collapsible stools, foam blocks, bolted middle seats, kneeling pads. Each has their advantage and disadvantages.