: Kurt Maurer built a couple. Do a search through this forum for a link to his
: "Pair o' Mill Creeks Project" web page. It's a good read.

Thanks for the endorsement, Dan. Here is my personal take, after nine months of paddling...

Chesapeake Light Craft's Mill Creek 13 is a fun little boat that has done everything, and more, that we have asked of it. It delivers unimpeachable stability that can even allow you to stand up in it (with practice). It is decently fast for what it is, and offers a very dry ride (if built with an 18x32-inch cockpit opening like mine). It has a great blend of tracking and maneuverability. Its smaller size makes it a joy to handle on land. Mine look good enough to draw attention wherever they appear, and it is routine to hear people say "you ought to be selling these".

There are some drawbacks to it. It doesn't handle open water all that well. A narrower beam would make moderate chop a lot more enjoyable, and a longer, narrower hull would certainly be faster. The long, high bow catches a lot of wind, and the boat is subject to pronounced leecocking (that is, it wants to turn downwind, presumably because the seat location is situated too far aft).

In short, it is closer to a solo canoe than a true sea kayak in performance.

As a result of its limited performance I am looking around for a new boat in the 17-foot range to build this winter. But what the heck, they say boat building is like the famous potato chip: no one can do just one. So I shall soon have a high performance, true sea kayak ... AND a great little fishing/guest boat too.

I would say the Mill Creek is a valid candidate, depending on your way of seeing things; but I would suggest you take a look at the Pygmy Boats Inc. Tern 14, too. From what I have heard its owners love it.

Cheers,
Kurt