B O A T i N S i D e r
a Prowler is always on the hunt.
Photo scott mAcGreGor
Millbrook boats proWler
The fASTeST BOAT yOu’ll neveR PADDle
TO Be MORe AccuRATe, the subtitle should read, Similar characteristics of the hooter.” What’s a speed through eddies, but at only 35 pounds it’s
“the fastest solo or tandem canoe you’re unlikely to hooter? “A wider variation of the Kyote. Stable, dry no problem for two paddlers to make the Prowler
paddle unless you order one or sleep with one of the and fast.” A trip to the Millbrook website is like a trip leap up through gates. If you’ve never experienced
35 people who did.” The Prowler is built of fibreglass through the evolution of slalom open canoe design, a light and lively composite whitewater canoe, it’s a
and Kevlar and there is a two-month wait time to re- complete with grainy, washed-out photos and Ace real treat.
place it, so they are sweetly cherished and heavily helmets. If you’re not familiar with any of these an- The best place to check out a Prowler will be at
guarded. With only six weeks before the 2008 AcA cient designs you might say the Prowler has similar the gull River in Minden, Ontario, August 1 and 2,
Open canoe Slalom nationals your chances of get- lines to the Spark—a joint project between Millbrook where the Oc nationals return for the second time
ting one to take for a spin are slim. and esquif. in six years. Over the years, the Prowler has won
John Kazimierczyk [see profile on page 16], or like the Spark, the Prowler is more stable with more than 60 national titles and is still unbeatable.
just Kaz, chief cook and bottle washer at Millbrook speed than it is while strapping yourself in—wobble, you’ll see old ones and new ones, red ones and blue
Boats designed and built the first Prowler back in wobble, splash. It’s a boat that is paddled from the ones; just don’t expect anyone to let you try one… at
1993. he was looking for a tandem boat, a boat he bow. “Almost every bow power stroke has some de- least until the race is over.—Scott MacGregor
says would be comfortable for a variety of different gree of steering stroke to it,” says Brian Shields, the
people and knowing Kaz, a boat that would be fast. proud co-owner of the most recent Prowler built. his
“Some people say 15 feet is too long for a tandem. partner gail Shields paddles with Kazimierczyk at
In big waves, all 15 feet of this boat are working. The nationals and says, “The first time I paddled with millbrooK boats proWler
length adds buoyancy and speed. The rocker and him, he put me in the stern and told me to not let my
lengTh: ........................................ 15’1”
narrowness help make it turn on command.” Many end of the boat touch any gates.” he drives, you’re
of those who paddle the Prowler say it handles more just the power.
WIDTh: ..............................................27”
like a 13-foot boat. Screaming into eddies faster than ever before it
DePTh: ..............................................16”
The Prowler is a serious slalom racing or river- is easy to over-tilt the Prowler. Big mistake. With big WeIghT: ...................35 lbs, no outfitting
running canoe with a flattish shallow arch like Kaz’s tilts you’ll fall over, like we did. The Prowler is best
PRIce: ...............$1,350 uS, no outfitting
howler, but it’s a boat he says is faster and has more controlled with subtle turning strokes and precise
control. What’s a howler? his website says, “One of edge control, including off-side tilts to stick and piv-
millbrookboats.com
the most radical whitewater canoes ever designed. ot the long carving hull. It is always better to carry
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