I am looking at an Old Town Canoe http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/canoes/generalFamily/rockport.html

for me and my son to take fishing in ponds, small lakes and what not not. Our weight with gear will be close to 375 total. He is 7 and has kayaked on some rentals before and we rent a 12 jon boat at some state parks. Looking at the canoe to be able to put it on roof racks and do some weekend camping and fishing trips (camping gear will not be in canoe). Looking for stability over speed. Anyone use this canoe or have any other suggestions. I have kayak fished for many years along the coast but looking at a canoe so we can be in the same boat.

Look for something a little longer.

http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/canoes/generalFamily/discovery_169.html

Thats an extra $250 a foot

if you aren't against used, keep an eye on local garage sales, classifieds, etc. That way you can get a longer one, for way less. Also, if you are looking at one for strickly ponds and lakes, get one with a keel.  That will help with tracking.  

I too am looking for a canoe for some of our smaller rivers and streams here where I can't put my boat in...but it has to be on the cheap....so I don't even bother looking at new.

You could also take on Low Budget Hookers method for Jon's and apply to canoes. There are a ton of them out there just sitting not being used:

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/buying-a-used-jon-boat.html

Personally, I'd pass on both of those OT's in favor of a model with proper seats. Those plastic monkey-butt seats hold water and don't allow for air circulation around your booty. Once your shorts get wet, you're gonna stay wet. The wooden seats with webbing are generally more comfortable, fairly inexpensive and easy to replace, if necessary.

I've paddled many miles over the past 4 years in my Mad River "Explorer 16TT" and so far, have no major complaints. It's a bit heavy @ 82# (but it's still 3# lighter than the 14' OT you're looking at) and is a bit of a pig on flat water with two adults and 2 small children, but paddles just fine with fewer passengers. I took my 9 yr old out on Lake Gaston last summer and it handled great. Spin it around so you're sitting backwards in the bow seat and it'll improve the handling when you're by yourself or paddling with smaller passemgers by moving your weight closer to the center of the canoe.

http://www.madrivercanoe.com/product/index/products/versatile/explorer_tt/explorer_16_tt/

Thats an extra $250 a foot

Don't pay attention to the price on the website.  I paid $700 for the Discovery 169 four years ago at Bass Pro Shops.

If you want something that you can own for years, buy Old Town.

Bass Pro has a 17' Old Town with folding seats for $695.  Looks like the Discovery 169, but it isn't branded in that fashion.

Thanks I may have to make the drive and check it out.

I've used a 17' cargo Grumman (wide, flat bottom) for about 50 years and have always felt it was the perfect size.  Back in the 80's a kid that I took fishing a lot bought himself a 15 1/2' canoe thinking it would be great for just him.  It was so unstable it was like trying to use a 6' kayak with just one person, with two, it was down right dangerous.  After the first trip, he took it back and got a 17' also and loved it.  Now, if you plan to use stabalizers, I gues you can use most any size but I've never used them.

How about this one? http://charleston.craigslist.org/boa/1117363304.html

May be willing to deal.

That is a fine canoe. Mine has been to hell and back and still looks pretty d**n good. Bottom has suffered from a few too many river trips.

Just bought another canoe at the local Dick's Sporting Goods

Old Town Sportsman, square stern, 40 inch beam. Seats three.

On sale. marked down from 750 to 500 dolllars.

The canoe below is the same size and configuration.

The seats in the Sportsman model at Dick's are plastic with cup holders and other little pockets. While that stuff is not my cup of tea, I can live with it. The weight capacity is less on the Sportsman model as well. But, for the money, it'll be tough to beat.

http://www.oldtowncanoe.com/canoes/generalFamily/discovery_sport_15.html

edit:  Scroll down on this page to the Sportsman Square Stern.

http://www.oakorchardcanoe.com/oldtowncanoes.php

Keep in mind, a square stern canoe will not paddle quite as easily as a regular canoe.  But, it will accomodate a trolling motor without a special mounting bracket.