This is just my two cents. I tend to use wider kayaks because of the things I do in them...such as fishing and taking long trips where I have to carry a lot of stuff, and the need for an adjustable height seating system. I have used kayaks from 16" wide up to 32". They all serve a purpose. You really need to decide what you are going to use your kayak for and then go for a design that will closely suit that purpose. 32" is probably too wide, but 26, 24, or even 22" is not depending on the design. For a beginner I recommend going fairly wide and stable, grow into it, and later get another. I have never seen any kayaker yet who didn't want another kayak regardless of what they already have. I can't sit in a 16" wide kayak anymore anyway...so something like that is out for me. Have fun.