Im looking at the Dagger Nomad 8.1 & 8.5. (8.1 110-190#) (8.5 150-240#)

I currently own the Habitat 80 ( 150-260 #) and the Diesel 75 (140-240 #)

I weigh 185 and bounce up to 192 or so (during the holidays of course)

I'm a 90% of the time a river runner but plan on more creeking in the future.


A good friend who has been in the sport (river running) for 30 years likes to size himself around 50# ( heavier ) than the manufacture weight recommendation. He prefers his boat to sit a bit lower in the water. He says its just his personnel preference.

Ive never paddled a boat that wasn't according to manufacture recommendations.

I probably wont have the opportunity to try this myself : In the ( Nomad 8.1)

My dealer currently can get a 8.1 in a week or so but the 8.5 would be 4-8 weeks. (Cant have him order both)

Whats your opinion on this ? ( going a bit heavy in boat fit )

Any input would be much appreciated.

I think an 8.5 is more suited for you than a 8.1. The 8.1 is suited for the lower-middle range, while you are in the middle-upper range (which the 8.5 is made for).

Also, if you are going to do so much river running (and some creeking), you may consider the Mamba (8.0 or 8.5), which is an excellent boat for just that.

First off, why are you getting a Nomand if you've got a Habitat? Selling the Habitat? Curious to know why... Thanks.

For your size, I would go for the 8.5 Nomad. I weight 187 and paddle a large Solo as my creek boat most of the time. You're at the upper weight limit anyway for the 8.1. Of course, if the rivers near you are mostly low volume and highly technical and tight, I might be tempted to get the smaller, shorther boat. But generally you'll be better off with the 8.5. That's just my humble opinion. More length is more speed and you'll hold a line better. More reach to boof over holes too. The boat rides higher, I like that style mostly. It's a personal choice and depends on the characteristics of the rivers that are predominant in your area. I have seen guys lighter than you paddle an 8.5 with no issues..

From what I've seen during my time of paddling is that people who are paddling boats at the upper weight limit (at the very top or over; in any type of boat), each s**t more often than those that paddle boats where they are in the middle of weight range or even slightly down in the range. The range is naturally only a rough guide and how the boat sits in the water and how it handles for your weight, are far more important and only you can know. Good luck!

Hey Adrian,
Great to hear from you again ! You put me onto the Habitat last year. You were right on.
The finest boat Ive paddled yet ! Nope I'm not selling the Habitat. The Wife will probably bury me in it. To be honest I just sold 2 old rec boats that I haven't used in years, and have room in the garage and some extra $$ from the sale. As I said I have the Habitat and the Diesel. I love the Diesel also but now that Ive got a good bit of paddling under my belt (and water in my lungs) Ive personally decided I MUCH prefer a displacement hull over the planing type. The creeker style design just seems to really suit me. Ive seen a lot of praises sent the Nomads way so Ive naturally been drawn to it. The Mamba is one fine boat too ( and I haven't ruled it out ) but the Nomad Id say will be the winner. I ran one the other day and did a few rolls and what little bit I was in it, it reminded me a lot of the Habitat. ( Access to the stern could be better though IMHO) I spoke with another dealer this evening and was told the only color he had in the 8.5 is a Red/yellow mix. Sounds pretty wild. Did a search on the net looking for a Nomad of that color scheme but came up empty. Ill probably love it or hate it. Ill keep you posted on my decision.
Anyway......The input from you guys is very much appreciated !
Dan

Hi Dan,

Sweet! Extra $$ hey? If you live near the ocean or have big volume waves near you then you must try the Fluid Element... I know you said you don't like planing hulls and for creeking, fair enough, but this thing rocks for surfing! Ever considered a large Fluid Solo as a creeker....?

I've never seen a yellow/red Nomad, does sound good. In fact, looking on the net I did not find any multi coloured Nomads.. Maybe he is getting you this Feelfree Nomad:
www.bantry-bay-canoes.com/images/crookhaven-nomad.jpg

Looks good for some wild waterfall running...you could even strap on a cooler box for beers on the front. hehehehe.. Just kidding.

No chance of you buying a river running play boat then instead of another creek boat?

Cheers,
Adrian

I have a red and yellow nomad.. Check it out on my profile adrian. I'l change my pic so you can see the colour scheme. I love the nomad.

Ah nice one Nathan! Hmmm, seems you're going through a lot of boats... Are you breaking the others? I remember you had a green Jackson the other day.

I find the Nomad 8.1 tiny and tight on me, Im 5ft 7 12 stone. I personally prefer and own a Habitat 74 and like other say I am not sure why you need a Nomad too, theyre even made in the same factory as the wave sport boats. Give it a whirl it may rock your whirld, or it may not.

Well fellas I purchased the Nomad 8.5 today. A BRIGHT Chartreuse (I think thats the correct spelling). As is ended up, they had this one and the red/yellow mix. I almost walked out the door with the red/yellow one then at the last minute changed my mind. Ive had red blue & orange, but nothin this bright. This wild color always looked good to me in photos.

As far as the boats (the Habitat /Nomad being made in the same factory, no doubt this is true.
But .....put em side by side on the floor and IMHO, there is a good bit of difference in the hulls. For one thing the Nomad seems to have much more chine, as compared to the Habitat. Which one is best ? What are the performance differences ?I haven't the slightest idea. ( Not enough time in the Nomad yet ) .But I will keep you posted as to what (I personally feel) the differences on the water are. (If indeed I can tell any difference). In reality I probably have two fine boats that I will like equally well. And while in the (Chartreuse) Nomad, I definitely wont be missed on the river!
P.S. The photo posted of the red/yellow Nomad is great!

Awesome! Nothing better than getting a new toy... Enjoy it. I'm sure you'll be pretty happy.

I have the rocker too. I got a great deal on the nomad. I needed something faster than the rocker for creek racing. I think I will keep it around as it is great for lower volume/beating the piss out of it. Yeah, I do have a bunch of boats. I am trying to trim down and such.

nathan wrote:

Yeah, I do have a bunch of boats. I am trying to trim down and such.

Me too. No, no... build up the forces man...

The forces are good, but the funds are being depleated rapidly. I still need to replace my stolen slalom boat.

I'm interested in reading what you think after you get a few trips on the Nomad. I have a Habitat and I suspect the Nomad may be more stable and I've been told that the Nomads ferry better.

Keep us posted O.K.

Rick

rickm wrote:

I'm interested in reading what you think after you get a few trips on the Nomad. I have a Habitat and I suspect the Nomad may be more stable and I've been told that the Nomads ferry better.

Keep us posted O.K.

Rick, Will do. Thanks for the post ! Dan

Well folks here is a layman's view of the Dagger Nomad 8.5. FANTASTIC ! I really think its my favorite boat. Ive decided that for the rest of the season, I will be forcing myself to stay with this one boat. (No switching back and forth between it and my Habitat). Is it better than the Habitat ?
Probably not. Keep in mind that I'm a relatively new paddler, with no where near the experience and expertise as most of you out there. These are my impressions :
SUPER smooth rolling. Seems more responsive and faster than the Habitat. It seems that the chine or edge is a bit harder and longer than the Habitat. I seem to be able to catch eddy's a bit easier with this boat. Probably the best way to describe the overall difference between the two is that the Nomad is (a bit) less sluggish. For all out STEEP creeking the Habitat is probably the winner. For one as my self who is running rivers 80% of the time, its the Dagger. I still believe the Wavesport build quality is beyond Dagger, but not by much. Well thats it from a wanna be super yaker. Which one will I keep ? BOTH OF EM !!!!