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 keep her easily on track.
Rockpool skeg is smartly designed as the effort on the wire are always on pulling, no more kinked cable.
The seat and platform footrest are really ergonomic and the tights braces combined with the adjustable seat fits perfectly my 167cm girlfriend and my 188cm.
The traps of the front and rear hatches are huge (44x26cm), and all are easy to place and remove (not the Valley kind). As an expedition kayak, storage volume is really good (around 230l) and the 6l pocket (cockpit hatch) will quickly be come very useful.

This boat has really been a good surprise for us. I felt immediately at ease in the cockpit. We've tested the Menai alongside with the Alaw and Alaw Bach and despite the length difference they behave quite the same.
We felt in love with that "expedition playboat" and asked Mike to be kind enough to build us two...
I recommend anyone willing to buy a sea kayak to test Rockpool's boats.

I finally wish to thank Mr Mike Webb and his crew who have really been very kind with us during these two days in Holyhead. He took lots of his time showing and explaining and communicating his passion of kayak design with enthusiasm and humor.