The belt on the King Quad is not a liability in water. This is from personal experience with it. It is truly a work of art. Very powerful and the differential lock is great. My belt never has slipped on my vinson, which is the same ATV, just without diff. lock and 200cc less(which I wish I had), it is completely water tight. Don't worry about that. I love the looks also, plus, they ride like a racer in 2wd and are a horse in FWD. I sold my rincon when I rode my buddies KQ. I put Mudlite XTR tires on mine and it will not get stuck anywhere I'd ever want to go. Being the KQ is it's daddy, and as much as I love my vinson, I would definetly recommend the king I asked my friend and he said his belt never slipped either, and he burys that thing.