The high initial stabillity of the Micmac should be excellant for poling, especially if you've loaded up a months worth of supplies (which it can easily handle).

: I was introduced to the beauty and joy of stripping (canoes, that is) 18
: years ago when I found Hazens book in the local library. I don't recall
: what the various sizes of his plans were, but I built the 18' 6"
: Micmac and put hundreds of miles on it before retiring it a couple years
: ago. I have a friend who bought a Hazen production about 25 years ago and
: his still is in great shape. Mine unfortunately had to be stored outside
: for most of its life, hastening its demise. The Micmac may be an older
: design but I found it to be extremely seaworthy in rough water, with a
: huge cargo capacity and still fast enough to win a couple of
: run-what-ya-brung races. Gawd I loved that boat.