Purchased a 2007 model in March. Took it to Florida twice since then and paddle locally now. I have paddled it at least 150 miles so far, and it will probably be traded in soon. The price was right and the construction is fine, but it is so slow in the water. If you're not in a hurry and just want exercise, it will do fine. I can get it to the 6mph range if I really try hard, but a normal cruise speed is 3.5 to 4.5mph. My 15' Swift is easily faster.
Without the skeg down the boat turns more like a whitewater boat. If you stop paddling the Tracer spins out. There is no strait line glide. I leave the skeg down all the time.
I hope Sea Kayaker magazine does a review so I can see what more experienced paddlers have to say about the Tracer.
