Just read an evaluation of the Curado K by TT.  The frame is aluminum, handle side is CI4, non handle side is graphite. The evaluation tested the drag at just under 12lbs, even though the reel is rated for 11lbs. It is 10% smaller than the Curado I.  No wonder I like it so much. Salt water safe.

I wouldn’t use it for salt personally I don’t feel it to be salt water safe no matter what shimano says.

I think it is because the bearings are sealed anti rust.

I love the few I have. I'm a Shimano guy so I only speak from experience with this brand. But this Curado reels and feels like a really high end reel. Only problem I seem to have is with the spool tension knob adjustment. I have noticed that you have to slightly over tighten it more than other reels. Anything looser than the bait dropping will end in a back lash. It just takes some minor adjusting, but other than that, it definitely reels and casts better than my Aldebaran. 

1 hour ago, bunz559 said:

 Only problem I seem to have is with the spool tension knob adjustment. I have noticed that you have to slightly over tighten it more than other reels. Anything looser than the bait dropping will end in a back lash. It just takes some minor adjusting, but other than that, it definitely reels and casts better than my Aldebaran. 

I noticed this too. One thing I like is you can tell if you have the brakes too tight by the sound and can adjust.

I'm a Daiwa guy, but love my K absolute beast compared the I which imo was okay at best. I'd love to see a Curado K in 70 size that would be the bees knees. I use my K for chatterbaits and spinnerbaits mostly. 

I’m a shimano diawa lews abu ardent okuma phluger type of guy.

a Curado K in a 70 series would be really really nice.

I fish all "higher speed" reels. My slowest is 6.6:1 at 27 IPT.  That being said, 8.5:1 at 36" worried me a little.  But, I find myself reaching for this reel over any other and I've even switched the rod I've had it on to fit the application.  Solid build and extremely smooth. Also weighs about an ounce more than I'm used to, but I really don't notice. I agree with the spool tension, fine line between my lure not moving and free fall.  Overall, very pleased!

The feel is all about that X ship and supporting the pinion on both ends. Shimano can be a little creative touting feature sometimes, but it's legit. Their baitcasters last forever anyway, so who knows if the alignment helps long-term durability but you can definitely feel  the solidarity of it. Bearing supported pinions has been around for a while- but I dont know why more manufacturers dont get on board with a similar design. It would seem to do a lot of these Korean bakery a lotta good.

 

As for saltwater use it's fine as long as your good with tearing it down and relubing often. The chassis isn't sealed as well nor does it drain well as some others. Mine had an alarming amount of water pour out of it the last time I cleaned it. Had never been dunked, or even rained on that i could recall. Saltwater sitting in a reel does bad things, and grease doesn't work as designed once it's wet. I can't recall if it has the CR bearings, but rest assured they get corroded easily just like regular ones.