Herb wrote:

Its hull is 1 ft longer than the Voyager, but it has that wider
diamond shape, to be race legal.

I have read about large wetted surface area of a hull slowing you
down unless you are seriously fit and strong. Which makes me think,
might the Voyager be faster in the real world, i.e. if paddled
expending moderate effort?

While the following text refers to kayaks, I imagine the same
principles would apply to a canoe. I found this text on the net:

The concept of hull speed often leads to the oversimplification "longer
is faster". This has caused many paddlers and several designers to buy
or build kayaks that are extremely long in order to be faster. However,
because longer, like wider, also means more wetted surface, there will
be a length where all the available power will be absorbed by the
increased friction, before hull speed can be reached. Longer then
becomes slower. Unfortunately, the longer kayak will also require more
effort at all lower speeds because friction is present at all speeds.
The speed advantage of a long waterline is only apparent at top speed.
Extremes of length (and then only up to a point) benefit a racing
kayaker and few others. If you can't reach hull speed (squat the stern)
when paddling hard that kayak is probably too long and/or too wide for
you.
The above discussion only points out one of the disadvantages of buying
a longer kayak, more work. Also, in strong winds a longer kayak will
be more difficult to handle (especially when not gear laden). This is
due to the increased windage, the longer lever-arm offered the wind,
and generally the slower turning speed of a longer kayak. Not being
able to control your kayak in a strong wind could have disastrous
consequences.

--
Kevin Powick