We have had our Shredder for 5 years and have only had to put one patch on it. We were lounging on the tubes at a put-in - and there was broken glass on the river bottom...

We do alot of low water runs and haven't had any problems...even ran the Black downstream of Watertown in it....

We were careful to either let air out on the Canyon on hot days or to clip to another raft so the Shredder stayed cold and wet...they have been known to blow a seam on hot days.

Not debating durability - just saying I don't think it is a fragile boat - and it definately handles well in big water - I have done 3 Grand trips - had 2 flips the first trip (roaring 20's and Dubendorff) - none the second and one on the third (in a minor rapid).

Paddle it like an open boat - lots of draws, pries, rudders, j strokes etc...and throw your weight where it needs to be in big water...

sheila