After spending more time in the Nova 16, reflecting on its performance, I would highly recommend it as a first canoe, with good potential as an only canoe. This boat sits in the center of the performance spectrum and it does well. It's stable, handles well, goes on rivers or lakes, carries a load, and yet is small enough for the solo use. It weighs a reasonable 62 pounds and is available at a reasonable cost. If your first canoe needs to handle rivers as well as flatwater, it will serve you well, supporting you early on and responding well when you have good skills.
Weight is a major issue with many paddlers, and an extra thwart adds weight.
But as mentioned, we gladly do special outfitting, adding a thwart included.