Is the uneven finish the result of the settling of dust during the cure or the roughness of the substrate?

It looks good- if you're bothered by it's slightly rough feel content yourself with the thought that a rough surface produces less friction when traveling through water.

That should read "a rough surface patterned like a shark's skin"- with luck the dust and cat hair complied.

I thought you would be interested, before I posted the last bit I searched the web for an article I'd read about prepping racing hulls and that perfect smoothness and waxing had fallen from favor due to some new understanding of fluid dynamics. Unfortunately I could not find the article. The idea was that the irregularities created small scale patterns of turbulence that made it easier for the hull to pass through the water.

Unfortunately that leaves you with the choice of accepting hearsay from an anonymous source or sanding a large object with 200-600 grit, then turning your garage into a dust and cat hair free environment. Neither choice too attractive. Perhaps the best course would be to develop your own theory justifying the status quo and raise a measure of single malt to a really good looking boat.

I remember Solus'  article and read it with rapt attention. Leave a few imperfections they will help to make your canoe faster. Last year I refinished a SRQ17 as you did and was thrilled with the results. Forego the additional coats and do that later when necessary. Mine turned out fantastic but I have no pics.

I'll take three fingers please.