You’re well on your way
TramperAl,
At the rate that you’re going with your section paddles on the NFCT, you’ll soon be an authority on the route. We’ll know who to query when we have questions about specific sections.
BTW, I’m a big fan of the trip reports that you’ve been writing up about your adventures on the trail. They really motivate me to want to get out there!
Marshall
tradeoffs
Lots of good boats mentioned; all will be tradeoffs. I.e, a big stable boat will be good for poling, but slower on the lakes and more suseptible to wind.
The Penob 16, as mentioned by several others, is a good versatile boat that solos pretty well.
But stay away from the Penob 15. I had one; worst canoe I ever owned. An absolute pig. Slow, doesn’t like to turn, and strangely doesn’t track well either.