Most all rowboats have the rower facing to the stern so's the boat is moving forward without too good of a look ahead by the rower. Maybe a new law requiring a speedometer and port and starboard side mirrors to enable a safe outlook ahead and speed control. Hey there Samian.....it's time to call your state rep and request a new law be passed. (big laughy smiley face!)
Old 17' aluminum canoes made in the 1960's and 70's by companies such as Grumman, Alumacraft, Michicraft, and Sea Nymph can be found for a couple hundred dollars and turned into rowing canoes that move along through the water real good.
Some enterprising local small business in a home garage could be making el cheapo, tubular steel, sliding seat, rowing rigs with outriggers and oarlocks set up with 7'6"' wood oars, and screwed to the canoe gunnels. These used to exist maybe twenty years ago and worked very well with aluminum canoes that have a 3/4" keel running the canoe's length Their speed can range up to 10 mph, and they do pretty good in choppy water what with their seated rower's very low center of gravity, and the high sides of a canoe.
Whenever you go for a row, just be carefull to keep the speed below 45mph.
Just imagine the laughs you would get when you row over to the NazBar in a canoe.....and be super charged by Captain Morgan for the row home!
Do canoes even need any type of a light for at night?