After I bought my first GP I fell in love with it and order a second one. I love the look and feel of a wood paddle and once you get set into a good rytham it seems like you can go all day and not get tried and be surprised at the end of the day how much water you have covered. I have been able to get up 7.5 mph but usaully cruise between 5-6 mph with my GP in a 18'6 Seward Ascente.