I don't think that for most paddlers an asymmetrical hull design is going to give substantially more difficulty than the wind will unless you are paddling in a dead calm.  One can also adjust the hull design impact by sitting off-center so the canoe is somewhat 'tipped' over to one side - this alters the section of hull that is in contact with the water, removes most of the impact of a keel (if there is one) and makes the boat much more responsive because you've created a massive rocker.  Not something I'd do on a windy day, but on a calm day it would remove asymmetrical hull design from the equation.

Bottom line for most people, paddling a tandem canoe backwards while sitting in the front seat is the most elegant solution.

Not on a lake with a single site but on Carcajou Bay, with four sites and we had two reserved.  Squatters were set up on the nice point site - family of four - we talked to the two other occupied sites and they had permits for Carcajou.  Approached the squatters and he said they have a permit for Grand Lake and played dumb that the bay would naturally be part of the lake.  He got somewhat belligerent and asked us "what do you want us to do, pack up and leave?" which we responded "yes".  But he refused.

Fortunately, we were a 45 minute paddle from an access point and we went directly there to report the infraction.  Luckily, we ran into an AA board member at shore and he invited us to join them on their site on Grand Lake.  We did see the rangers visit their site in the morning...I hope they gave him a fine because the guy acted like an ass.

As far as the "well-oiled machine" comment I was referring to their actions in rescue operation collaboration.  The comment on costs was a separate topic...I would support the individual and their insurance be billed for at least a portion of that.  I'm not sure how that usually runs, but I expect that insurance companies get bills for at least some services in more common situations.  

These are the hazards of 'extreme' activities (extreme in quotes because remote Algonquin is probably considered extreme by 90% of the population but it's not BASE jumping extreme).

Live in the moment, plan for the future but do not forget the past.

I passed my 85 pound aluminum Michicraft canoe on to an 18 year-old kid for $100.  I had picked it up used, hand painted the camo pattern with my daughter using leaves from the yard and put many miles on it mostly on the Susquehanna River in Pennsylvania and as far away as Lavieille in Algonquin.  Safe, great utility, bomb-proof; could carry two guys, a dog and hunting/fishing gear all over the place.  But there comes a time to move forward.

Maybe give it as a gift to a young person as a means to introduce them to the sport?

My gosh, I've stayed on the site in the narrows and then paddled right by that flag tree.  I knew it looked familiar, but just couldn't put two and two together.

Fret not over an extended WIA post - I enjoy the back-and-forth and the challenge of deciphering clues...even the dated ones!

Only issue with cutting through that campsite is if it is occupied - a polite request and explanation will likely permit passage through. 

I've never looked for or located the spring but there are a couple creek crossings along the portage that you could top off nalgenes (although the cart path circumvents those, there is a creek/lake along that route too).  You really would just need enough to get you through Dickson and Hardy's Bay which is likely just an hours travel so just don't rely on Dickson/Hardy water.

Another difference between St. Regis and Algonquin is the campsites are hidden back in the woods away from the lakefront.  You get little to no view of the lake from your site and less wind on a hot summer evening.

There are a boatload of state managed boat-in campsites on the Saranac Lakes but, unfortunately, those are fully booked through August.  I would have at least a small concern with capacity/availability of first come/first served sites in the region - less concern in St. Regis as portages keep the crowds away, but greater concern in the easier accessed lakes (really just like Algonquin, in that sense).

Joe Schmoe is spot on about the hiking being excellent in the ADKs (although I don't think he's been to Colorado where they count how many 12,000+ foot peaks you've climbed vs. how many 4,000+ foot peaks in the ADKs).  The mountains are substantially different - the Rockies are often snow-capped, have more loose rock and are geologically immature compared to the hundreds of millions of years of weathering and glaciation that the ADKs have sustained. Nonetheless, the hiking is excellent, many opportunities for swimming holes, waterfalls, etc.

You may end up looking at some of the charming motels that dot the area - you can get a pretty cheap place on a lake in relative comfort as well.  If you get skunked trying to find a campsite that would be a possible plan B. 

It's not Algonquin, but it's a nice substitute in the unlikely event of a meteorite impact or global pandemic forces you to change your plans.  

I'll guess the Crow River.  I know it's wrong but feel obligated now.