I'm a kayak beginner from south of France. Not an expert at all, I don't pretend this review to be a reference but more a way to share my impressions and feelings on that boat. The wind was blowing very strong (> 80km/h), the test took place in a quite protected part of Holy Island. We've not paddled in waves but our purpose was to estimate boat's handling, and her behavior in wind. The tests were made unloaded and in all wind directions. First, the Menai looks beautiful, the quality of finish is perfect and the hull ripple free. Mike glassing skills are famous and his kayaks are marvelous colored and glittering art pieces. This kayak is very pleasant to paddle as her amazing secondary stability helps putting her on the chines and take benefits from hull's profile in the cockpit area. Yes it's a big boat 18'2" (254cm) but correctly edged it turns around a dime. In strong wind a little edging compensate her small tendency to put her bow in the wind and when it blows stronger from 5 or 7 o'clock the skeg...