MILLBROOK RIVAL?

[bearboater]

Kaz, you do well for yourself in foreign countries.

Motoari, that is awesome to be that close to a club like that with such a huge number of participants. im jealous.
cheers

I've only barely paddled the defiant, and it was sure a heck of alot faster than the vertige i had at the time. it would be fun to get back into a fast race-like open boat. I weigh 210 to 220 lbs, and although i barely paddled the defiant, it was'nt a problem to stay afloat. nor was it in an ocoee. however, i think i was on the upper limit of the ocoee when i paddled it.

cheers
-isaac

[kaz]

Thanks Issac! There are almost more Ignitors in Japan than there are in the US.
Scott, that's "Millbrook Boats", not Valley Mill.

JKaz

[sbroam]

Doh! Them too, not a lot of Valley Mill boats here, either.

[Motoari]

November 13,2005 local canoe race photo at Mitake Valley in Japan.

Here are more pictures on the same race.
http://www.photohighway.co.jp/tp/14_f.a ... a=&Type=14

By the way,
I have received excellent advise from all who respond my questions.
Thanks!
Finally I have decided to purchase the "RUMBA".

# Soon I'll be a great OC1 paddler...

[Tiggy]

I like the Rival alot, but I have had alot more "playboating" fun in flat bottom canoes vs the displacement hull of the rival. Coming out of my old Genesis way back when, the Rival was a dream! Especially in R-lite. I love the rival in big water, it will turn up stream and surf most waves, good speed on the hull, but it just doesnt have the "turn" quickness of more modern playboats . It would be a good boat to grow into but coming from kayaking, assuming your pretty good, you may grow out of it too fast and regret not getting something more playful. ie.. more rocker, shorter length and a harder edge.
I paddled the Bell Prodigy a few years ago, at 6' 200 lbs , I loved it. Dry boat for me, but just didnt turn my fat butt quick enough so I opted for an Ocoee(classic playboat Ive never had the oppportunity to spend time in).
Now, I saw a Rumbha on the water and it looked like great fun!! Dont worry about getting over waves, thats paddling technique. If I had the Dough $$ Id buy a Rumba. Looked like it turned on a dime and had awesome speed, looked quite dry too!
Shorter boats will tend to do better on"Choppier" rivers, I find a slightly longer hull, like the rival, to be an awesome BIG water boat, long wave troughs, lots of room on the river. Aside from my slalom boat I think its one of the fastest hulls I own.
Theres my 2 cents