i dont own one but i have oared a couple. they outperform most modern rafts and are quite dry in comparison. with there stiff flat bottom you can almost work upstream in a fast flowing river. they are the **** for fishing around here. i have done lots of class 3 and im sure they would handle 4 easy enough. the wood ones are uasually heavier then alluminum. if your local rivers are rocky and shallow go the alluminum way. the wood wont hold up to the abuse.