I agree with jmen 24 as to size and quality of canoe. We have taken our Old Town Tripper down the St John and Allagash in Maine, paddled numerous lakes and many classII/III river runs. It is stable and rugged. After 22 years of beatings it is still ready to go. The problem that I see for a novice solo paddler is that the boat is rather heavy.
The Discovery series boats would be a little easier to handle solo. Now about those instructions: do it. Some basic paddling instruction will make the difference between having fun and utter frustration real quick not to mention safety. For many years we have watched canoes go by our island camp and we have seen only one person who had a clue as how to paddle. It is not hard; someone just has to show you.
Safety: Everyone in the canoe to wear a pfd at all times. The concept of having the pfd lying on the floor is useless if you go over. By the time you recover your wits the canoe and pfd will have floated away in the breeze. Even if you manage to grab it, putting one on while flailing in cold water is chancy.
You should go to the New England Paddlesports Show 2010 at the UNH field house April 9-11. You can see all the boats/gear and scope out instruction.
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