My wife and I, both relative novices, tested many kayaks this spring, and we each concluded that we preferred the Equinox (14') to a variety of more expensive kayaks. I suspect that they are the lightest and most versatile kayaks for under $2,000, and from our perspective handle as well as kayaks costing much more. We were recently on a large pond at Martha's Vineyard and got caught in a sudden and unexpected squall - from dead calm to wind and rain and whitecaps - and my wife, after some serious initial concern, concluded that she was in fact completely safe and stable as we paddled through it. And they look beautiful.
