Float bags

My (dedicated poling boat) Millbrook Coho has had 32" bags in it since the day I got it. A couple years ago, when I sold my heavy NC Prospector, I kept the 60" bags that were in it. Since getting the Wildfire, I've had plans to put short bags in it. So I took those 32" bags out of the Coho and began the process of extending the bag cages in the Coho.

My first cages were threaded through holes below the gunwales, so I just stuck with that plan - with slight modification - and extended it.

I lay out the hole pattern on masking tape, and then drill baby, drill.

The slight change....Rather than threading the cord straight across, side to side - I threaded along each side of the hull and tied in loops every 8 inches. This idea came to me from Mike McCrea, and it allows much quicker removal or replacement of the cage and bags if wanted.

This is what it looks like on the outside after tying off the tag end. This part all stays in place when the body of the cage is removed.

You might notice there that I'm replacing the grab loops during this project as well.

Not shown because I didn't think of taking photos while I had these decks off, is that a length of cord (the black cord shown above) holds a buckle that clips into the strap that is also attached to the nose of the bag. Part of my quick release system.

Pretty much done here, but I need to decide how I'm going to anchor the end of the straps. The old anchor points, of course, are now hidden under the middle of the bags. I have only one Northwater lightweight anchor patch and I'm out of buckles. Time to make an order.


But in the meantime, the cage will hold the bags in well enough to go poling.

....And before anyone says anything - yes, it's past time to oil those gunwales.

Next up..... Wildfire.

Just curious, did you find the Millbrook Coho in Idaho, somewhere else or order it? I wondered what sort of travels it made to end up so far from it's origin; was it in one big jump or through several owners and moves across a big flat part of the country?

SouthernKevlar said:

Just curious, did you find the Millbrook Coho in Idaho, somewhere else or order it? I wondered what sort of travels it made to end up so far from it's origin; was it in one big jump or through several owners and moves across a big flat part of the country?

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I ordered it directly from Kaz. He was still shipping canoes back then. Added $200 to the price IIRC. I had him leave out the seats since it would be strictly for poling, and it saves a little weight. Besides the Prospector that was NOS, it's the only canoe I've bought brand new.

I only just this summer have seen one other Millbrook canoe in Idaho. A whitewater solo (I think it was a 20-20) that came with someone visiting the Yellowstone area from out of state. He wasn't selling.

Starting on the Wildfire now. The stem anchors go in first.

Cord goes out through the tugeyes.


Question - How come Kaz can drill a clean hole through a Kevlar hull that needs no plastic flange insert to make it presentable, but Bell could not. I should have taken a picture, but those holes in the Wildfire are pretty rough looking without that flange.

This buckle is attached to the nose of the bag and clips into its mate under the deck. Other end of the strap will go to the floor behind the bag.


Oops! I'm out of cord for the cage. Gotta stop and go shopping again.

Here's another question. It's possible that I may later on decide I'd rather have 48" bags. If I use contact cement to glue the anchor patch for the floor end of the strap, will I be able to remove it later by applying heat?

I used 30” (closer to 32/33 inflated) in my RX-WF tripping. Have also used my 54” bags on day trips, fit right to the thwarts.

BurkeJ said:

I used 30” (closer to 32/33 inflated) in my RX-WF tripping. Have also used my 54” bags on day trips, fit right to the gunnels.

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That's helpful info. I have been considering doing the same.

Where'd I leave off? Oh....

Tying the buckles on with cord was a Q&D move that overstayed its welcome. This looks a little cleaner.


Loops algned with D-rings give some redundancy.


I'll be leaving extra length on the cage cordage. I've found that having the ability to allow bags to be inflated high like this can help to keep the canoe drier in big waves. If wind is a bigger issue, I can deflate to even with the gunwales.


Pretty much done, but I have to wait for warmer weather to glue in the anchor patches. The tag ends of the cord will also angle in and tie off to the patch.


Back to bare(ish) boat and ready to hang up for now. Weight all outfitted with flotation is going to be 37 lbs. With bags, straps, and cordage removed, 32 lbs. The saddle system and bag cage anchors (including the parts not yet glued in) add a couple pounds to the Wildfire's stock weight.

Oh yeah - the saddle...
I could have saved some weight by making the kneepads smaller and leaving off the saddle's "wings". But I like to be able to move around and change my position some. The wings make it just wide enough to sit with my feet forward without interfering with kneeling. I did my MR Guide this way and really liked it.