Thanks, Uncle Russ...I love this stuff...
Back in my camping days...I remember once we stayed at a park in northern Ontario, and there was a voyageur presentation. We were treated to a ride in a full length voyageur canoe, composite-built hull, i.e. not birch bark. We had nearly twenty paddlers in it, as I recall. The presenter lead us in singing a few french folk songs, one being alouette, singing being a regular practice among the hard working voyageurs. What a great time that was...
I also remember that with not all that much effort, we could get that thing moving pretty fast...much faster than our regular size canoes.