I need to demo some Millbrook boats.

[Oci-One Kanubi]

I am 72 and it is getting too difficult for me to lift my ABS boat onto my Sprinter van, or even to carry it very far up from a take-out, so I am going to have John Kazimierczyk build me a new boat (it helps that I don't do anything above Class III any longer, so there is less chance I would break a composite boat).

My problem is that Kazimierczyk does not keep a fleet of demo boats, so I do not know which of his many designs to order.

Is there anyone in North Carolina, northern Georgia, northern South Carolina, eastern Tennesee, or southern Virginia who has a Millbrook boat I could paddle for an hour or so?


PS, a wise soul has suggested that I narrow the search somewhat, so: I currently paddle a Bell Prodigy X; it is fast, stable, highly maneuverable, and I love it... except when it comes time to carry up from the river and put it on top of my van. I also own an Esquif l'Edge, which I hate, because I just cannot make it perform like a long boat: it is slow, and I cannot hold a ferry angle against strong current. So I don't think I would like a 10-foot Millbrook, though I'd like to try a 20/20 in moving water.

But I really don't want a 4-meter boat as so many of Kaz's boats are. I road-trip all over the country, so I don't want to give up my Sprinter, but due to the inadequacies of the Sprinter's factory rack rails, an asymmetrically-rockered 4-meter boat will only work on my van if I load the more rockered end to the rear and let it it will hang down and block the back door (even the Prodigy does this to some extent).

Ideally I'd like a 12-foot boat, and Millbrook makes a Rival and an Outrage, but I have never paddled an outrage and it is a long time since I paddled a Rival. I would like to try out Kaz's 11-foot boats; the Rayge and (I think) the Shacho. Stability is important to me, but for maintaining control in whitewater, for me, speed is much more important.

So, I think, what I really need to demo are the Rival, Outrage, Rayge, Shacho, and 20/20.

[PAC]

Not at your age yet but understand the interest. I'm going to be looking hard at the Blink (Stink eye) since it matches what I paddle and I have paddled a couple and like its design and how it matches my paddling style .... so the 20/20 makes a lot of sense in my mind as to your search!

[Brendan]

I recently bought a Shacho that you are welcome to try. I’m in Richmond VA so it might be a bit out of your way. I can tell you that carrying the boat is a joy after years of lugging plastic!

[Wendy]

I don't own any Millbrooks right now, but coming from the Prodigy X I think you would really like the Outrage. I have owned and paddled both of these. The 20/20 is another boat I think you would enjoy. The shorter boats such as the Shacho would not have the primary stability for entry and exit, but the Blink does.

[wildwaterc2]

Got a Shacho in Roanoke VA you are welcome to try out.

I’ve also got a River Elf Storm Chaser which is even lighter and pretty comfy.

[Oci-One Kanubi]

Thanks, Brendan. I mat try to get up there in August, if I cannot catch up with wildwaterC2 to try his.

Thanks, WildwaterC2; I'll be in touch when I get back into town in 10 days or so.

[RodS]

Hi Richard

It was great to meet you at Week of Rivers. Sorry we didn't get to paddle together.

Until I got to the paragraph about your rack issues, I was seeing a Defiant in your future. I've owned a Defiant and Outrage...I loved the Defiant but wanted a shorter boat so replaced it with the Outrage. I like the Outrage well enough. I, for one, really wish the Rumba was still in production...

You're welcome to try the Outrage if you want to drive to Mass

Rod

[Oci-One Kanubi]

Rod:

[Hook]

i have a Rayge in Maryland for sale $1500 never been in a river, come up and try it on a lake if you want.
i also have a Sprinter van , i don't understand your rocker issue unless your crossbars are too close together, i can carry a Ocoee just fine.

[Oci-One Kanubi]

Well, Hook, my Prodigy X is 1'6" longer than your Ocoee.

I have one bar at the extreme front end of the factory rack tracks, and one at the extreme rear end of the tracks. They cannot be farther apart. I also have one in between, since I often carry kayaks on shuttle, with yak-stackers on the front and middle bars. I put my boat on the middle and rear bars, with the bow nudging the front bar, and the stern hangs two feet off the back of the van, drooping down just far enough to impede the back door.

If I were only worried about carrying my own boat I would use just two bars and it would work just fine, but I have a van with five belted seats and three rack bars specifically for paddling with groups of friends.

If I had an 11'2" boat like your Ocoee I would put my boat on the front two bars; it could sit on the front bar and still fit behind the plane of the windshield.

Thanks for the offer of a demo of your boat, but it doesn't look like I will be up that way again soon. Too bad; I just came through Maryland on I-81 from central New York to western North Carolina two weeks ago.

[ncdavid]

I'm about an hour from you and have a Millbrook Rival that you are welcome to test drive.

[Oci-One Kanubi]

Thanks for the offer, David, but I gave up just last week and ordered a Millbrook Rival!

[Mikey B]

If that's the one he just completed it's a beauty!