I've had mine for over a year and love it. You fellas' are right about a bow skirt; it would be a big help in moving water. I've taken a little water in Class II but not unmanageable. I leash all of my rods. Losing any of them would kill me and probably get me killed by the better half if I suddenly reported that I needed to replace them because I didn't secure them. You know the tune.
On flat water an Ultimate is a nice fishing vehicle and on rivers it tracks well. All in all, a pretty well-designed item.
BBW, have you been on the Buffalo?
Craig in windy Kansas