Nomad 8.5 vs Villain L

[Jwprobinson]

Hi Guys and Gals,

I currently own a Nomad 8.5 and shes lovely but after a few conversations with Jackson fans I'm considering changing to the Large Villain. While I wait on finding a demo, has anyone paddled both boats and can compare? Or the Villain and other creek boats and can give some advice please. If you are sponsered please say so, although your comments are still welcome:

Im 14stone before kit and I paddled every month g2/3(4) as a leader for my university club. I also run g4(5) whenever possible on other trips.....so opinions from people with a wide range of experience is welcome.

Thanks in advance

James

[clarky999]

Jackson make good playboats, Dagger make good creekboats.

You should probably also look into the new Mamba, and maybe Zet Raptor (although you're possibly too heavy to get the most from that). Both different from older designs like the Nomad and Villain, but definitely a step forward (Raptor at least, I haven't paddled a Mamba).

[Jwprobinson]

I dont like the new Mamba. It didnt hold its line (my choice of line anyway - it might have been choosing a better one) and does not get out of holes very well. Zet Raptor is indeed very nice.

[DaveBland]

Can't comment on the larger sizes as I'm a scrawny git, but I love the Nomad 8.1... if only they made an 8.3.
As a result, I've been trying all the other boats on the market and have narrowed it down to a Villain S as it has the slightly higher volume than the 8.1 but doesn't feel like a tank. The Villains and Nomads paddle pretty similar:

Villain slightly faster
Nomad more stable
Villain rolls easier
Villain easier to chuck front around
Nomad more predictable
Villain a bit lighter for portages
Jackson outfitting more comfy
Nomad cooler.

<<< Avatar pic is me in a Stomper 80 at the w/e... boofs like a dream, so stable it can't capsize, but paddles like a bathtub.

[clarky999]

but I love the Nomad 8.1... if only they made an 8.3.

I have a tried and true method to make one (though you have to start with an 8.5): First, swim on a high water Venter Ache, and reclaim the boat in the Kuhtrein Gorge



Second, push out the front and weld up the damage.



Oula! With extra rocker.

[thetangoman]

I used to paddle the Nomad 8.5 and now paddle a Villain. I have written a review on my blog:

http://andywicks.com/2011/11/17/jackson-villain-review

Whilst I think that the Villain is a fantastic boat, you might find it a little 'cork-y'. It all depends on how much kit you carry with you.

Andy

[sprintpaddler]

Hi James,
Have you tried a Burn? I went from a displacement hulled Prijon Pure, to the planing large Burn & have found the change a revalation. It bites into turns beautifully & tracks really well ( have the seat forward as far as you can ) & can play in the holes nicely too. It`s got excellent stability, & for my frame & weight ( 6`4" & 13.5 stone ) it`s very comfortable. I know the aforementioned boats are good ones, but give the Burn a demo, it might surprise you. If you don`t want to stray from a displacement boat then demo a Shiva ( I know another Pyranha boat, but a company I`ve no connection with ) it`s a big boat, but fast, & it seems to handle the big stuff very well ( in the hands of a mate ) & has mega foot room even for my size 12`s.
Good luck,
cheers,
Ted.

[Sickboy]

Interesting thread as I'll be looking for a river runner come Autumn, I been paddling a burn on most river trips over the last few years and have grown to hate the edges, great for skipping eddy to eddy but let your mind lapse and your catching edges and cursing.

Had a demo in the Villain S, very comfy but a bit sluggish as I'm well over the weight limit, will try the larger size before making my mind up.
No mention of the Jefe Grande yet?

[DaveBland]

Interesting thread as I'll be looking for a river runner come Autumn, I been paddling a burn on most river trips over the last few years and have grown to hate the edges, great for skipping eddy to eddy but let your mind lapse and your catching edges and cursing.

Had a demo in the Villain S, very comfy but a bit sluggish as I'm well over the weight limit, will try the larger size before making my mind up.
No mention of the Jefe Grande yet?

Blimey if you think the Villain is sluggish, the Hefty will seem like a coracle.

[Sickboy]

Interesting thread as I'll be looking for a river runner come Autumn, I been paddling a burn on most river trips over the last few years and have grown to hate the edges, great for skipping eddy to eddy but let your mind lapse and your catching edges and cursing.

Had a demo in the Villain S, very comfy but a bit sluggish as I'm well over the weight limit, will try the larger size before making my mind up.
No mention of the Jefe Grande yet?

Blimey if you think the Villain is sluggish, the Hefty will seem like a coracle.

I'm sure being 50lb over the upper weight limit of any boat will make it sluggish. Now wheres my pie..

[Ayres]

First off I am partof the Squarerock team, but I also try to paddle most boats so I can have a valid opinion on the boats I paddle.
I am also in the smaller cattegory so paddle the villain s as opposed to the villain. (have used villain a few times and was considering racing it this yr.)
The large villain feels a lot bigger than the large nomad so be sure to try this and make sure your comfortable moving it around.
the villain resurfaces faster and more predictably to. the nomad carries it speed slightly better then landing off drops, (mainly due to the difference in rocker). Landing the villain on edge tends to carry more speed so worth trying this.
The villain will have more room for carrying kit.
The villain is also easy to boof from lower speeds (always felt like I needed some speed to boof the nomad).
I will soon be adding a large zen to my collection as having paddled the medium zen it is pretty much the fastest creek boat I have paddled (havnt paddled tuna yet) and it is also effortless at holding its line and cutting through holes. so if you prefer a more direct and driving style of paddling be sure to demo this.

End of the day get out and try one. squarerock will be at several demo days this year and aaron is always happy to help with a demo where he can. I also travel around a fair bit and am happy to carry one with me.