Canoeist Weight Distribution: How Far Can He Reach Without Getting Wet?

[gtaylorMD]

A 56kg canoeist sits at rest at the back end of a 23kg canoe. The canoe is at rest in still water with its front end about 0.50m from the dock. He realizes that he left his paddle on the dock, so he carefully works his way to the front of the 2.3m long canoe. Is he likely to reach the dock from the front of the canoe (without getting wet)? Explain with some estimates

I am completely confused on this one, I believe he can make it without getting wet but I cannot seem to accurately prove that. Thanks for any help

 

[nickjer]

Sounds like conservation of momentum problem. Which means the center of mass won't move since the initial momentum was zero.