Yep, he had the charm, brutality (when needed) and, although it wasn't in the novel, his relationship with Vangie was believable and touching. The ending was rather nice, as he looked in the bedroom mirror and seemed to be saying, "not againyou lost another rare, great bird."
Bikel was excellent as Meyer, even though, like Trav, his insight and personality was greatly reduced for the screenplay adaptation.
I do think, however, even though the film works as a movie, it helps to have read the McGee novels before seeing it.
If only it had proved successful and some really good screenwriters had a shot at the next one, which, I understand, was Blue. They even had begun work on a script when the box office results nixed any chance of a franchise.

Yes, he was the perfect Travis McGee. Damn shame Amber didn't do better at the box office so he could have reprised that role throughout the 70s. At least we'll always have that fight scene.