It's a Reliable MSK-146b...which is essentially a Sailrite Professional or Consew 146 (they all use the same frame).

There's really not a better place to store something like a kayak paddle and I'm usually an optimist and hoping that the weather will require an "all hands to the back!" mode of sailing.

But, we do take that into consideration and if it is expected to be a light day, we'll move most of the water to the front pocket on the trampoline. The water in this bag is really just a backup since we're usually wearing camel-backs anyway....so there's not that much of it. The other items aren't that heavy and we can always move a little further forward on the boat. As far as the alternative, I would hate to be double trapped at the back of the bus on a monster reach wishing that I hadn't put all of that weight up front - that would be far worse, IMHO.