I am prepared to take the plunge and buy a kayak. I live on a cove (for now) and I think I want a sit on top kayak and want one for two people. The ones I'm looking at are 34 inches wide (Ocean Kayak and Future Beach Nexus)- but the Ocean is 12 ft long and Future Beach is 13 ft 4 inches long.

So here is my question:

1) can you still paddle these alone? I heard they are easier to paddle for beginners alone because they track straighter.

2) are they stable? I have read that the 34 inch wide sit on top ones are almost impossible to tip.

3) and the paddles- the dual paddle or the single paddle? I think the dual paddle looks more like for white water or surf and would rather have the single paddle. I can go on the other side of my 'island' and ride the surf (not much most of the time) but I'm not that inclined.