Seat height
Also: seating position
The higher you sit, the better your leverage for paddling, edging and bracing. The lower you sit, the more stable the boat.
- 1low seat: stable, less leverage
- 2high seat: more leverage, tippier
The Anfibio blog writes that with some experience the seat can hardly be high enough: better leverage and leg spread, more effective edging and bracing, especially with thigh straps. Depending on the boat, the optimal effect is at around 15 cm more height. Beginners often feel safer lower down. A self-bailer needs a certain seat height so you sit above the waterline.
Sources and further reading
Research as of 13 Nov 2026. We have marked manufacturer information as such.