I have a Zoom and love it - moved up after having a Detonator for 3 or 4 years. Ialso came from a kayaking background. Last weekend I put a friend in the Zoom in a pool. His first time in a canoe - normally a kayaker. He was upright about 5m the first time. Got a lot better after that, but that's an indication. I would not recommend this as a first OC1. It is very unstable when sitting in it, but has excellent secondary stability. It's also slightly more stable when moving than when staitonary. I previously paddled a Prozone 225 kayak and also have a C1 Groove and C1 Squirt. The Squirt is minorly less stable than the Zoom (without considering currents, etc.) but the Prozone and Groove are both significantly more stable - until you add currents - then the Groove gets more interesting
The Zoom is a great boat, but you'll spend plenty of qualioty time conversing with the fish if it's yor first boat. If you like steep learning curves and are willing to try it (and spend plenty of time on easy water) - go for it. It's not a boat you'll grow out of. I feel I'm still getting used to some aspects of it after 8 months.Compared to the Prelude, I would rate the Zoom as significantly edgier and twitchier, but I haven't spent a lot of time in the Prelude, only a day or so.
If you don't mind hybrids, the Taureau could be a good intermediate, otherwise I recommend the Detonator.
Oh, for what it's worth I'm 5'10" and 150lbs
Cheers,
Matt