hi Dave, I used to own the orca podskater which is the same as the patriot, its a strongbuilt boat,not badto controland all the workings are easy to change or repair. I carried out a few mods on it like a waterproof on off switch so you don't have to keep opening it up and a stronger opening cable. It tends to roll a lot but as they say it won't sink. On quite a number of times the hook caught on delivery which is so anoying as you prob won't know until you get it back to shore so have to run it out again so a stick or pva nugget on the hookwill sort it. Bait wise it won't deliver wet/damp baits or maggots etc as it gets gummed up in the delivery paddle. So to finnish with i will sayI sold it and now have a Viper Icon, it blows the Patriot out the water with it finnish, quality and perfect control,it manouvers as good forward or reverse andwill spin on its axsisas it has twin jet pumps instead of the single prop in the patriot, the only downside is the battery doesn't last so long so make sure you have a spare on longer sessions,I bought a hopper cover for it as wellto cover the bait which finnishes it off nicely. I hope this helps, they are the same price £400 your choice mate, me I would go for the Icon.... Dave...