I have a rippler and the first gen swimmer. The problem with the first gen is that it didn't come with a weed guard and you get all sorts of crap tangled up on the prop shaft so it stops swimming.
I have heard that, but I have not had that problem. I also dont put the swimmers in the weeds, lol. But, I do know that if you email them, they will send you a weed guard. They all have removable guards now. I have 6 or 7 swimmers and about the same on the flutters. I usually put out 3-4 flutters and 2 swimmers out in my mix. They add a great bit of motion.