> I'm large, 6' 240lb and inexperienced. At my age of 50+ I
> may never master a roll, though that will be the first order of business
> once I get wet.
> My short list so far: Georgian Bay Panache Chesapeake 17 Guillemot S&G
> Epedition Are there others that should be on this list? Are any of these
> boats inappropriate for my needs? Your input would really be appreciated.

Given the 'inexperienced' and 'may never master a roll' I think I'd question the Guillemot Expedition. At only a 21" beam, this may be a more advanced boat than you want. If you're looking to stay dry, look for something a bit wider.

> My paddling will be on fairly quiet rivers, the Great
> Lakes, and large ponds, but it's unlikely that I'll get to the sea with
> it.

Believe it or not, conditions on the Great Lakes can get pretty close to conditions in the ocean. The Great Lakes are just freshwater seas without tides. I've routinely gone out in small craft advisories on Lake Michigan where waves were 6 feet -- I haven't had the guts to go out in 10 foot waves, but did a ferry crossing of 10 miles that took 2 hours in those conditions. I would-a been scared s***-less if I had been out there in a kayak...

my $0.02 -Dean