Nomad

I really like my nomad, It is my first kayak. (I have been paddling canoes for about 20 yrs.). I was looking for a Wilderness Systems Cape Horn 170. I wanted a plastic boat because of river and shore use and cost was also a factor. I needed a large cockpit for comfort as I am 6'3" tall and 230 lbs. the Cape Horn was comfy but the thigh braces made it hard to slide in and out of. the lack of braces was a real seller on the Nomad and I am plenty able to knee/ thigh brace my Nomad. it is stable especially at speed. I think its fast but have no other kayak rides to compare it to. the rudder makes it turn really good in all conditions I have been in. the seat is nice with the high back. this boat can take plenty of gear for a weekend long river camp trip if you pack smart. and the deck cording is plentiful. the only problem is lack of dealers. ( try Old Town ). and maybe it would be hard to brace if your under 5'10" or of really thin build. like I said I have only this kayak for experience and as I gain experience I may out grow it but for now I have a blast and feel it is fast and stable and handles well. I just load my gear and hit the water and have fun. thats the main thing I wanted. also it is a an attractive kayak . mine is red. whatever you pick , get a kayak you like and fits well. until then your missing all the fun. I hope I have helped you out.

I owned this boat for a few years now, I think it’s time for a fair review! The Nomad, molded into rugged polyethylene by Dimension is a cross between a recreational to light-touring kayak, which can be easily said to suit the novice paddler. The large flat bottom is what gives the Nomad it’s initial stability and grace, at the same time allowing first time paddlers a sense of security and pride. The Nomad design is great for casual paddling, day-tripping or for weekend excursions, with roomy deck hatches to carry enough gear for whatever outdoor recreation. The performance of this kayak during demanding tidal conditions tracks well enough with the rudder down, your energy isn’t entirely spent. The maneuverability of this boat hinders the paddler from turning on a dime due to the fact it’s long with a wide bottom. Although I outgrew this boat, I plan on keeping her around for a very long time, whenever I take friends out who are inexperience in kayaking.

An extremely stable boat on any water. Beginners would be immediately comfortable in the boat, and could paddle away without worry of having many problems. There is tons of space for all your gear, and could easily be used for week long trips or longer. Responds well to leans and sweeps, and tracks fairly well. The more experienced paddlers would find this boat very slow though.