I have an 18S - plastic not fiberglass.
I FIRST got one with the flush hatches. They leaked some in big waves and bow splashes. Mine warped on the bottom - a problem only a few boats ever did, but it was replaced from the factory with a new boat, another modulus, with round, rubber hatches replacing the flush hatches. Much better. Both boats tracked well with the skeg up, but with side winds, or cornering winds, or cross currents, the skeg keeps it straight. very nice.
At 50lbs for an 18footer it's light, virtually indestructible, and has a nice high cockpit to break waves. I find the knee braces not too high at all, and like the room inside the seat with a wetsuit. Seatback is higher than some boats for greenland or laid-back rolls, but lifting your hips up puts you on the back deck fine.
I saw at least 15 of these at the Ski to Sea race in Bellingham, WA last spring. Fast, light, lots of cargo room, very maneuverable with the right techniques out of the cockpit. FUN FUN FUN boat. Great company.
I have owned my 1997 glass Falcon 18 for a little over a year now. I am 6'4" and 210 lbs. and fit very comfortably. In fact the foot pegs and bulkhead placement leave room for an even taller paddler, if not wider. I am on the water 2-3 times a week on average but didn't want to post a review until I had taken it on at least one long trip (Just returned from a week in the Apostle Islands).Things that are good about the boat.
1) The boat is fast. 2) It tracks very well, especially loaded, weathercocking only slightly in quartering winds. I had fewer problems holding course than the paddlers I was with that had rudders. 3) It is surprisingly responsive to edging when surfing; I had little trouble riding 4-5 foot surf at Wrightsville Beach, NC. It broaches slow and controlled in surf and doesn't throw any quick surprises at you. 4) The only boat I have been in to date that feels better on edge is a Nordcapp. 5) Even though I bought it used, Eddyline has stood behind it 100%. (They had a new seatback to me within 3 days of sending them an e-mail that it cracked).
Things that aren't so good.
1) It is a wet, wet ride in big water. The same long straight hull that makes it fast and gives it a low profile to the wind make it punch through every wave when they reach 2 feet or more. 2) When surfing bigger surf the bow buries. I was careful to lean back as the green water shot up the deck to a depth of about and inch or so on steeper waves. 3) I agree with the previous reviewer that it is not an expedition boat. There is enough storage for 1-2 week trips if you are a minimalist, but it rides even lower in the water. It also takes a bit of planning to get all of your gear into the 9" round hatches. 4) I have had the nylon hatch rims on and off 3 times trying to find the leaks and now think that the leak may be in the deck/hull seam. One problem is that almost no adhesives seem to want to adhere to the nylon hatch rims.
My overall impression is that I love the boat. I primarily use it as a workout or day trip boat and love the way it accelerates and holds speed. On 3-mile workouts on along the shoreline of a very curvy lake I can maintain average speeds of between 4.5-5mph and have sprinted up to 8.4mph (GPS readings). I have never missed a rudder and have definitely become a better paddler by having to learn to lay it way on edge to turn sharply. I originally planned to replace the factory plastic seat but instead lowered it a half an inch and kept it. The seat is more comfortable than the seats in my other boats and the stiff plastic back always stays in place on re-entry and roll.
Feel free to contact me for additional comments.
Graphite/Kevlar - owned since 1998. This is a fast boat that feels great to paddle. It is ideal as a day tripper but has some flaws as a serious expedition boat. The workmanship has been less than ideal and the area where the coaming joins the hull leaks a good bit.The hatches are small but mine have been absolutely watertight. I was able to get adequate gear for a 7 day expedition inside but it took a little practice.
I find that the Falcon broaches significantly in high winds (20+ knots) with following and quartering seas. On the last expedition I was wishing I had a rudder due to the conditions.
This is a good boat for a paddler reaching the intermediate stage who wants to develop into a better paddler quickly. What once seemed tippy now seems very stable.
Fun, fast boat but ignore the hype about being expedition worthy.