Mill Creek

Special Offers

Product Description

The Mill Creek is a sea kayak with a cockpit so large that it is almost an open boat: An open boat with a huge volume of buoyancy.

So Much Easier to build than I expected.

P.E.

Ever since 1997 when WoodenBoat Magazine featured the Mill Creek 13 in a two-issue spread the Mill Creek models have been built in the thousands. They look good are easy to build and, even though they are more stable than most kayaks, the Mill Creeks offer good speed and handling that you will never get tired of.

The Mill Creek was designed as a wider, shorter, and more stable alternative to the typical sea kayak. It offers the stability sought by nature photographers, fishermen and bird watchers. Mahogany trim on cockpits and rails, cambered decks and contoured slatted seats add elegance whilst the fibre glassed 6mm bottom panel will absorb years of groundings in shoal water.

These versatile boats are true high-performance boats. That is, if high performance is defined as comfort, good handling, rewarding speed, stability and classic good looks. Originally drawn as stable and compact complement to the more traditional sea kayaks, the Mill Creeks have found fans among paddlers of all skill levels because they offer so much boat in such a light and easy-to-manage package.

The Mill Creek's multi-chine hull and relatively long waterline give a surprising turn of speed. All three sizes track solidly even in big seas and strong winds.

The Mill Creek echoes the feel of 1920's double paddle canoes. Combining the stability and comfortable seating of a canoe with the light weight and decked-in security of a kayak, the Mill Creek is perfect for photography, fishing, ornithology, or just relaxed paddling.

The boats come with traditional slatted seats but an upgrade is available which replaces them with a luxury seat and backband for less than the standard price. They are not as pretty as the traditional seats but more comfortable for long distance work. The Mill Creek 16.5 has two seats. The seats are available separately but will save you money if purchased as an upgrade to the kit. Just add the kit to your basket and the upgrade will be offered to you at the checkout.

Mill Creek 13

Like all of the Mill Creeks, the 13 is surprisingly fast thanks to her efficient 5-panel multichine hull and feather-light 40lb weight. The cockpit is 54″ long to allow easy entry and exit while the high coaming ensures a fairly dry cockpit even without a spray deck. The Mill Creek 13 is light and easy to carry on a roof rack whilst still providing enough capacity for camping gear.

Mill Creek 15

The Mill Creek 15 is faster and easier to paddle than the 13 due to the longer waterline and narrower beam. It is slightly less stable but not significantly so unless a sailing rig is installed. This boat is for those who want to travel quickly.

Mill Creek 16.5

The Mill Creek 16.5 will carry two adults together with camping gear but is still light enough to be paddled by one. It is hugely popular since it can be fitted with a sailing system or a drop-in rowing unit or, if you want excitement, we have a kit for outriggers that are attached with clips and which turns it into a fast trimaran. Several customers have fitted little electric motors and one has installed a pedal power unit. There is enough capacity for camping gear (with optional deck hatches) and the boat can be trimmed by sliding the seats fore and aft on their mounts.

The 13 and 16.5 make wonderful sailing boats, sailing well with a standing or balanced lug sail.

The kits include:

Pre-cut wooden panels with pre-cut joints
Epoxy resin
Epoxy activator
Epoxy fillers
Woven glass fabric
Woven glass tape
Ties
Wooden slatted seats
Comprehensive building manual
Set of Plans
Free technical support from a competent builder

What is in a boat kit.

Plans and Manual (Not required by kit purchasers)

This is intended for pre-build study or to help with the decision to purchase. Reading this manual will help you decide whether or not you can build the boat. These are the plans and manual that accompany the kit. They describe all of the techniques that will be used during the building and also a step by step guide to construction. Scale drawings are used throughout as well as photographs of critical jobs.

If, later, you decide to purchase the kit the cost of this will be deducted from the kit price.

The Plans and Manual contain sufficient information on the cutting of the panels to make it possible to build the boat from scratch rather than a kit.

Plywood

This option contains only the plywood components pre-cut to the correct size with pre-cut joints plus the plans and manual.

Wood

This option contains the cut to size solid wood with pre-cut joints. It does not contain the plans or manual, any of the epoxy to glue and coat the boat, the fabric or tape nor any of the hardware.