Agree weightless trig and weightless wacky stick and ring worms are easy to learn and will catch bass, bluegill, and sunfish. Add a split shot if it's windy.

I'd go with three rods---
one with a cast and retrieve bait like a beetle spin/rattle trap/h+h spinner bait to learn different speed retrieves
one with a twitch and pause bait like a weightless yum dinger to learn the feel of "the tap"
one with a 3/8oz bullet weight pegged 10 inches above 3/0hook with plastic craw so they can learn to feel changes in bottom characteristics.

First time fisherman are much more comfortable on the bank of a pond than out in a boat. Boating brings on a whole different world that needs more attention than fishing. Start with a pond that you know can produce. Public ponds are not a good choice. You never know who has already been there before you and so to speak cleaned them out.

The Zebco 33 is excellent for this. I even use them when fishing areas that are tight quarters around me and limbs that are over hanging. They are easy to just flip it out there when targeting is not necessary. Use the lighter, smaller baits like the Beetle Spin with a Sassy Shad and the Chatter bait 1/4 oz., so they are casting and retrieving the lures.
Good advice,bank fish at local lakes.

Offer up those reads that you mentioned along with a couple of boater videos. Once they have reached success on the pond fishing trips then take ONLY one out in the boat and start that learning experience one on one.