I loved paddling this boat. Kicking myself that I waited so long to try one. The new design came out in 2016 and I only managed to try it yesterday.
I put the seat in the middle position, and right from the beginning at Entrance the boat just made sense to me. This is a far different experience than I had in the Jackson Nirvana which always felt... unique, and never quite right. The Nomad was familiar feeling and predictable, yet felt fun at the same time.
It was easy to change direction when I wanted, yet it tracked well. The larger stern kept me from any whiff of back-endering and I was able to put the boat where I wanted. I didn't feel like I was driving a big boat, and didn't have to muscle it around. It felt surprisingly sporty. And it crushed through any waves or holes I pointed it at. Very confidence inspiring.
I much prefer the taller Nomad knee position to the flatter Nirvana position. The thigh hooks would need to be adjusted to a different spot if it were my boat and not a borrowed boat. As it is they served their purpose and I felt I had good boat control. No edges to catch. I am familiar with paddling a displacement hull creeker, and it sometimes felt like I was cheating. Rock smears and spins would be great in this boat. As it was a borrowed boat I behaved myself.
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| Me in the M Nomad, with, Mike C, Margaret W. below Tablesaw on the Ocoee. Photo by Fergus T. |
I put the seat in the middle position, and right from the beginning at Entrance the boat just made sense to me. This is a far different experience than I had in the Jackson Nirvana which always felt... unique, and never quite right. The Nomad was familiar feeling and predictable, yet felt fun at the same time.
It was easy to change direction when I wanted, yet it tracked well. The larger stern kept me from any whiff of back-endering and I was able to put the boat where I wanted. I didn't feel like I was driving a big boat, and didn't have to muscle it around. It felt surprisingly sporty. And it crushed through any waves or holes I pointed it at. Very confidence inspiring.
I much prefer the taller Nomad knee position to the flatter Nirvana position. The thigh hooks would need to be adjusted to a different spot if it were my boat and not a borrowed boat. As it is they served their purpose and I felt I had good boat control. No edges to catch. I am familiar with paddling a displacement hull creeker, and it sometimes felt like I was cheating. Rock smears and spins would be great in this boat. As it was a borrowed boat I behaved myself.
A few times I did some gliding ferries just because I could. Examples, coming left to right down into Staging Eddy, and also a right/left ferry from the eddy on top right at Flipper to the eddy on river left below.
The only named boof I did was Double Suck boof, which went fine, but I cannot say whether it would boof as easily as my Stomper. Could anything?
Plastic is bomber and it's clearly built to bash down creeks. It is 86 gallons. A friend commented that it looked like I was in a big boat, but it didn't feel that way. It rolls very easily as well.
I am surprised I enjoyed the Nomad so much, as I am that rare person who does not like the Dagger river runner called the Mamba. I padded a medium (newer version) Mamba for several days on the Rogue in Oregon at higher water than we had anticipated, and even though it is supposed to excel in big water, I never grew to like the design. The Mamba has edges, maybe that's why. I describe paddling a Mamba as feeling like I'm in a little riding cart on top of an elephant that is ignoring my wishes and doing whatever it wants, mushing over stuff in its path.
The only named boof I did was Double Suck boof, which went fine, but I cannot say whether it would boof as easily as my Stomper. Could anything?
Plastic is bomber and it's clearly built to bash down creeks. It is 86 gallons. A friend commented that it looked like I was in a big boat, but it didn't feel that way. It rolls very easily as well.
I am surprised I enjoyed the Nomad so much, as I am that rare person who does not like the Dagger river runner called the Mamba. I padded a medium (newer version) Mamba for several days on the Rogue in Oregon at higher water than we had anticipated, and even though it is supposed to excel in big water, I never grew to like the design. The Mamba has edges, maybe that's why. I describe paddling a Mamba as feeling like I'm in a little riding cart on top of an elephant that is ignoring my wishes and doing whatever it wants, mushing over stuff in its path.
The Nomad never felt that way - I found some interesting nooks and crannies to pop into and boom I was where I chose to be. Nice to be able to correct or change my line at will but still keep a line without having to do correction strokes.
I guess it's official: I'm a displacement hull fan in creekboats.
What I would change - biggest annoyance is the lack of divots to keep water from pooling in the back behind the cockpit rim. Has anyone found a way to make this not happen, like gluing some foam there or something? In the winter it will be annoying when really cold water pools there.
I would also have less webbing and fastex buckles for everything. There are a zillion webbing and fastex buckle connections for the hip pads, the water bottle holder, etc. Not that they are bad per se but there are a lot of them, and little things add up in weight.
It is not a light boat, but it did not feel heavier than my Stomper. They're both beasts. But manageable to carry... not that I enjoy carrying 50 lb. boats but I can do it. I did find myself missing the lightness of my Jackson Antix 1.0 when I was putting it on the car racks or carrying it up steps. If I return to Town Creek this year, I will likely take the Antix just for the logistics. For those who do not know, Town Creek in Alabama has at least 18 class II and III rapids, and would be the most popular intermediate run in the state, if it wasn't for the goat trail putin, the class V that has a long, PITA portage, the lake paddle, and the trail uphill to the take-out parking. For these reasons I have only run Town Creek twice in 21 years.
A new Dagger Nomad will likely join my quiver soon. Dagger whitewater boats are back-ordered right now. Rumor has it they were using the molding ovens to make recreational kayaks, as that became a booming industry during the pandemic. It makes sense - recreational kayaking is a way to enjoy the outdoors while social distancing. I am happy for the kayak manufacturers as it is a niche industry and whitewater sales numbers will never be high enough to sustain a company. But hoping to get my paws on some new plastic soon.
I guess it's official: I'm a displacement hull fan in creekboats.
What I would change - biggest annoyance is the lack of divots to keep water from pooling in the back behind the cockpit rim. Has anyone found a way to make this not happen, like gluing some foam there or something? In the winter it will be annoying when really cold water pools there.
I would also have less webbing and fastex buckles for everything. There are a zillion webbing and fastex buckle connections for the hip pads, the water bottle holder, etc. Not that they are bad per se but there are a lot of them, and little things add up in weight.
It is not a light boat, but it did not feel heavier than my Stomper. They're both beasts. But manageable to carry... not that I enjoy carrying 50 lb. boats but I can do it. I did find myself missing the lightness of my Jackson Antix 1.0 when I was putting it on the car racks or carrying it up steps. If I return to Town Creek this year, I will likely take the Antix just for the logistics. For those who do not know, Town Creek in Alabama has at least 18 class II and III rapids, and would be the most popular intermediate run in the state, if it wasn't for the goat trail putin, the class V that has a long, PITA portage, the lake paddle, and the trail uphill to the take-out parking. For these reasons I have only run Town Creek twice in 21 years.
A new Dagger Nomad will likely join my quiver soon. Dagger whitewater boats are back-ordered right now. Rumor has it they were using the molding ovens to make recreational kayaks, as that became a booming industry during the pandemic. It makes sense - recreational kayaking is a way to enjoy the outdoors while social distancing. I am happy for the kayak manufacturers as it is a niche industry and whitewater sales numbers will never be high enough to sustain a company. But hoping to get my paws on some new plastic soon.
2 comments:
Boats are strange things. I always loved by old Nomad 8.5 but inexplicably did not like the Med New Mad.
Too me the bow was too loose and it did not track well. (Must be too old). I moved the seat forward
and then I did not roll it well. Pilot error again
I paddle the Large Machno now. The Medium Machno is surprisingly light, much lighter than the
Newmad. The Machno will not last like the Newmad which is very rugged. Pyranha essentially has no
warranty while DAgger is 5 yrs!! Wt difference is due to Pyranha plastic which is lighter but I think
it will not hold up like the Dagger plastic.
The weight differential is a real plus for Pyranha, however. The Machno rolls surprisingly well also.
Just more quandry for you
pat younger
I would like to demo a Medium Machno as well. I know I prefer Dagger outfitting though.
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