DockShooter,
Nice work on an interesting project. I've found the perfect fishing hole/nature viewing spot. Of course it's a 3 mile paddle, across hyacinth during the summer. I'm 62 and the trip out and back pushes me to the limit. So, . . . I'm considering rowing a canoe (not paddling).

-In general, regular 12' fishing yak vs a 15' canoe, would you rate rowing as more efficient than paddling a yak?
-To start out, would just popping on some oar locks on canoe work out pretty close or would I be wasting my time and need to build a project similar to yours?

And how did your test voyage go? Did you note any refinements you want to make?