I got my Grumman Eagle as a graduation gift in 1982. Since that time, we have traveled more than 2500 mile together. In many ways, it is a very likable canoe. It is light at 66 lbs. Unlike other Gruman models, it has a slightly arched bottom and a whole lot of flare, so it can handle waves and boat wakes without any problem. It is easy to turn, yet tracks quite well. And it can hold a fair amount of people and gear. And, being aluminum, it doesn't ave to be babied at all. One washing a year just about does it! On the flip side, it isn't all that fast, the falred hull shape makes it a bit hard to paddle at times, and the keel on the bottom makes it a bit hard to handle on white water (although she has run a lot of class III rapids over the years without any problems).I've got other, more advanced canoes, but the Grumman is the one I always hang on to. She's been the Atlantic, on the Chesapeake, and on rivers from the St. Lawrence to the backwaters of the the Everglades, and she's been able to handle it all. Not too many other boarts could say the same!