Center boards: I use two, the normal sailing board and a smaller board just for rowing that fills the void and sticks out the bottom a few inches. The boat is a pleasure to row and can easily be rowed at 3 knots. If you work hard 4 knots is possible,
Shoes?Oh yeah.....I'm known to flip when fixing my shoe, or any other silly distraction. I'd hate to be burdened with all that extra hardware.....which I'm sure would love to rest on the bottom (my lake is 50+ ft deep in places)
Here's the shortened trolling motor shaft, destined for a permanent "tractor" canoe installation:2) There's space under the deck—at the bridle—for a motorcycle battery strapped-in on one side, and a trolling motor bracket on the other. The two boxes can be made self-bailing. The trolling motor shaft can be cut shorter, and all the [labeled] wires slipped off the hand control/tiller. (To be reconnected later to the control/tiller). Wires can be fed under the bridle area. The connexions can be simplified, as you don't need reverse or variable speeds..