One of the posts says a large arbor reel does the same job as the multiplier. The reel Buddy is referring to is a "LARGE ARBOR-"WIDE ARBOR" with a multiplier 1:2!
And Buddy is right about reeling in a large trout down stream from you in a boat and you are at midstream with a pretty good current. The reel WILL NOT reel the fish in toward you AT ALL. You will not play this fish "on the reel" Due to the small gear trying to turn a larger gear with a BIG spool on it with a Load on the line...it simply will not reel in a fish. period.
Now I, as Buddy, do not put a fish on the reel anyway. I bought it to simply take up slack line at the end of a cast or drift. But I have fought trout on the San Juan on the reel and would much prefer a good quality single action reel in that situation. That being said I would gladly sell someone one of these reels for $50 plus shipping. They cost me $80 apiece out of the UK.

Gemrod