I don't think anyone tried to claim that the NC Expedition is the fastest, nor the most maneuverable long boat out there. What it is, is exactly what the manufacturer says it is--fast, comfortable, stabil, dry, beautiful, light, and efficient. Trying to evaluate a boat by its raw dimensions is not what I would do. I look at the total package and then try it on. In other words, a boat can have all the "right" dimensions and still not be right for me. I'm not saying that I don't have certain prejudices--I do, but what I have come to believe is that there is no one boat that can do everything really well. I guess I'm lucky that I'm not limited to just one boat.