I have owned 3 Old Florida's and every one has had issues.
One of them had the cork disc come right off the drag plate.
Another had click pawl problems and squeeked like a flock of Seagulls.
My No. 66 has been sent back a couple of times for a reoccuring click pawl issue. I sent it back this past March, it took almost 2 months to get the reel back supposedly fixed. I spooled it up and took it out for a test drive, I didn't even get my fly line stripped off for fishing and the click pawl failed again and sent my line into a free spooling birds nest. The reel still sits on my bench as I am discusted and don't have the motivation to send it back for yet another repair.
I don't know if this reflects on the choice of materials, the enginering or the service personell. All I can say is that I am still waiting to be happy with my "OLD" Old Florida's.
I will admit that they where all from the first generation of reels and not from the new generation and ownership. Therefore I cannot comment on the latest Old Florida produts.
I have checked out the Nautilus and they sure look great and perform well in the fly shop but I can't get past my Old Florida phobia.
