whilst it's not my own experience - and I suspect a lot of the noise on Maggotdrowning fourm is due to two or 3 breakages .... I talked to two fellow match anglers at the weekend who have each broken THREE acolytes. One of them had been since using ready rod holdalls, the other had broken 3 in use.
Both are now looking to replace the rods - even though they like the features and feel of the rods.
And these are river anglers - not fishing carp venues.
Just to go off topic again(sorry),I've had a reply from Drennan on my issues on the widget/grommet issues after many,many weeks,but received four(yes 4)from them foc,so many thanks to them,don't think it would happen again mind but who knows...
After sending my 17fter back a couple of weeks ago after snapping the middle section on its first outing I got it back yesterday with the section replaced. I thought I would have to wait longer seeing as they have none in stock to sell so looks like they keep a stock of spares