[quote=Ellri]
We woke up in middle of night. Got a decent answer, then will sleep more.

Why not? Perhaps there aren't regular boats on that lake/inland ocean? A huge canoe like that is in many ways much better than a boat. There's no saying that its design is the best design available in this kingdom.
[/quote]

I read more about the history of war canoes and I suppose they might be useful for transporting men and products up and down river, which is the primary function of boats in Othea.

Edit: I feel like longboats and small galleys would be more standard in Othean water.