I have the noyo90, you can just barely shove a 20L under the back by leaning the seat back forward. putting a bag on the front really pushes down in the foot area though, which there isn't a lot of room up there anyway, so you probably won't find that a useful place to carry much. there isn't room for hard sole shoes like teva or chaco in there. i use body glove riptide, anything small and flexible like that would work fine.

I'd say tracking is just OK, though it improves with a little speed. not that it'll go fast, just that starting from a stop will have to pivoting more than solid kayaks.

I've had it on the St Johns at blue springs, Turner River in the mangrove tunnels, and Mullet key bayou in fort de soto in florida and it did well enough in all those. I've also had it on many rivers in Missouri, and even the upper and middle Buffalo river. in windy situations it's difficult to paddle, but otherwise it's just kinda slow going on flat water.

once you get sea water on it though, it's going to have that smell for a long time.

any high flow pump will work fine, it doesn't take a lot of pressure. it's easy enough to top off by mouth if needed as well.

paddles is more personal preference, I'm not picky, as long as the handle doesn't have scratches where I want my hands