This is my first kayak, so my impressions are admittedly narrower than some others. I bought a used fiberglass Sealution from a fellow paddler here on the board.
For my purposes (lazy summer afternoons spent paddling on a placid lake with my wife), it works wonderfully. My boat has a rudder, but I've only flipped it down a couple times, for a few minutes each, just to "try it". I really didn't feel a need for it, so it's now up just about all of the time. Nothing wrong with it, just no need for my situation.
We have gone on paddles of a few hours, and maybe 8-10 miles so far. No complaints about comfort.
As for handling, it certainly does everything that I need, and until I "learn" more, I am completely satisfied.
Don't be put off by that rating, I am brutal. The Sealution is the first sea kayak I have ever owned even though I had and have the use of two Aquaterra Chinooks through our club. For a while I had sole use of them. I Own a Capella and NDK Explorer. They are judged
harshly as well.The Sealution is likely the most maligned boat on the market. It is in fact (In Plastic) a great beginners boat and will carry you farther into intermediate than most people will ever go. On the plus side it tracks well, weather cocking is not bad, initial stability is great, she carves a turn all right but if you put her on edge you can spin her faster that most other kayaks I paddle.
In foul weather she can put a beginner in a very good footing . My wife is very comfortable in this boat and has never even nearly come out. In 60 + KM 40 MPH winds that thing stayed up and carried her to safety when more experienced paddlers went through all forms of trouble. That event is a tribute to Harry Teikens design. (Sorry Harry I am sure I misspelled your name)
Now the down side, it is hard to roll, secondary stability is not great it is slow, the front deck is a little high, it oil cans; even when not abused. It is a little heavy but like the NDK I am not taking it for walks. I would take more weight if it would stop the oil canning. The backrest and the seat are too comfortable. The thigh braces had to be padded a little. The backrest is pulled back out of the way when I am in it.
As boats go this one is fine. I use it exclusively in winter, photographing seals and ice bergs. Granted my Capella is kept at the pool all winter; but the Sealution 2 gives a great photograph platform and you can have a sandwich with out holding onto your paddle. The Kevlar and glass boats will no doubt address almost all of my concerns. The Capella is much more lively but it is tippy and my wife hates it. The Sealution 2 is the cats meow for her. It Is What It Is!