Reckon I'll throw in my .02 cents worth. If you have a chance to throw a small outboard or trolling motor on that canoe, (Depending on the distance) it'll help. But if the distance is shorter than walking, it'll sure beat walking. I have an old 17' Smokercraft aluminum canoe that is 36" midship, it's very steady, in the water. I'm 225 lbs, and my wife (God don't tell her I said this) is about 125. When we go fishing, I do most of the paddling from the stern, she's in the bow, and we have no problems. I've paddled us a few miles like that and it worked fine. I would heed the advice on a floating case, (or at the least, get a regular gun case, cut some closed cell foam from an $8 sleeping pad at walmart, and line the inside of the case with the closed cell. I've never tested it, but I've heard it will work, albeit, you'd still have a wet gun, just not a lost gun). Try paddling to your hunting are in the off season in the wamer weather and see how it goes. I have friends that boat in to places quite a bit, and it sure beats walking unncessary miles.