The disengaging level wind is one big reason as I think long casts are more important now than they were years ago. The bigger and louder the boat the farther a cast should be. That being said, the levelwind isn't the factor that bothers me as much as the breakdown of the reel itself. There is a main shaft bearing that is missing that will break down this year in most of the purchases last year. you can't reel Cowgirls or any bucktial with that reel and have any kind of longevity due to the missing bearing to balance out the main gear shaft and handle. They may replace that this year but I'm not sure there is room for an extra bearing.