[paulie]

Any Nomad lovers out there made the switch or even tried out the new Mamba? Recently put a nice gash in the old 8.5 red rocket and considering my options. Given that you guys have way more options than I have down here, can anyone fill me in on the merits of the Mamba? I paddled an old one ages ago and it sucked. Is the new one the tits or should I stick with the tried and true?

Chur burgers and fries from the land of the long white could!

 

[JIMM]

Mamba vs Nomad

Since no one else is chimming in on this, here's my 2 cents worth. Bear in mind that I am talking of up to cl 3 stuff only.

I had the older 8.5 Mamba and I really liked it. It was comfy, stable rolled easy and also surfed great on glassy waves. It had the creek outfitting and its only con if you can call it that was it was really heavy.After about 4 years it cracked, and I got the new 8.6 that had just come out. I found that this boat was really big on me as compared to the 8.5.My stats:205-210 lbs, 32 inseam. It was harder to paddle, harder to roll and a real beast to carry, even though it was the rr outfitting which is lighter. Its one great pro was that it was incredibly stable, more so than any other boat I have tried. I wish that I had just gotten another old 8.5 Mamba. The long and short is that I got an offer to trade my new Mamba for a Nomad 8.5 and I jumped at it and am very happy.

 

[tango]

Well paulie maybe you oughta try putting that red rocket into some gashes, doubt it's 8.5" though. Must be river scum math.

Benny boy paddled the new mamba for a hot minute in chile, and gordon has one now. Errebody seems to love them. I would buy one, but now i have 2 nomads.


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[KSC]

Everybody in the PNW seems to have one and loves it. I would probably get one if I wasn't mostly on Front Range mank. Would be nice for high water CC this year. I think it's just basic advantages of a boat with more edge - ala just about every new creek-type boat these days.

 

[Dave Frank]

Paulie, you should get a Karma.


-Dave
(Seven two 0) 298-2242

 

[Dman987]

Karma isn't all it's cracked up to be, had a MD liked it but it was slow with my weight 225#. Didn't care for the large either as it is friggin' massive. Now I have a mamba 8.6 and it is way faster than the karma. Doesn't roll like a Jackson but the outfitting and speed makes up for it by a long shot.

 

[Dman987]

Haven't tried a Nomad but the difference is going to just be the hull design. The question you should be asking is do you want a planing hull or displacement hull? A hull for big flow creeks/rivers or tight rocky low water?

 

[Miller Time]

Took the new mamba out for a spin in Oregon and loved it ! Quick, makes every move I wanted to make, moderate edge that was helpful. I normally paddle a burn and felt it very comparable. I also used to make fun of the old mamba paddlers but never again.


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[DoubleYouEss]

I just took the new Mamba 8.6 for a spin today. I found that it was super easy to control, the edge profile was exactly where you needed it and everywhere you didn't.

Compared to my old Nomad, the bow was absolutely massive; but not in a bad way. I found the edge made ferries easier (typical of having an edge vs not...) it boofed about the same, the lack of a gigantic ass end was noticeable (less super wheelie through good sized holes).

I liked it, and as a bigger paddler (6'3" and 200lbs) I would consider getting this as my creek boat/teaching boat, if I didn't run Front Range mank most of the year.


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[Ken Vanatta]

Karma is the best choice

Paulie,

Karma! Dave Frank's right. Do yourself a favor and get a Karma.

I've owned a Karma M, Karma S, and a Villain S. The Villain had been the best boat (now second best) prior to the Karma. You'll find the Karma is more responsive (crisp), the ultimate in stability, is light, very fast, carves beautiful arcing eddy turns, tracks perfectly, punches through and pushes out and away from holes and drops like a dream come true, is very fast, rolls up effortlessly, boofs like a champ. rides up and over things, fends off weird seams and currents, and is incredibly stable and predictable.

They are large volume boats, but they drive like they are smaller. Anyone that hasn't fallen in love with one just hasn't dialed in the seat position and outfitted it to fit them. Once dialed in the Karma is the absolute best performing boat ever made. The Mamba, Nomad, Shiva, Burn, Stomper, and Recon are all good boats, but the Karma is truly better. It is the complete package. Don't let anyone talk you out of one.

I don't know your size, but at 155 I most loved the Karma M when hauling lots of gear. I now love the Karma S (14 gallons smaller though and I'm already at the top weight limit, so can't add a bunch of gear weight. I have my Villain S for that, though.). The Karma L looks huge to me, but I know it should perform the same as the other two sizes. It will be unshakably stable and paddle like it smaller if you outfit it properly. I add and glue custom sculpted thigh hooks into my boats to compensate for the large volumes. Jackson athletes use added Happy Seats to secure their fit. Once dialed in the Karma is as stable as a battleship with the performance of a formula one race car.

I'm not sponsored or work for Jackson or any store. Just have 34 years of experience with boating class III-V+. I buy my boats from Four Corners River Sports. Give them a call. Those guys are true gnar boaters and have an awesome store.

Best Wishes!
Ken

 

[-k-]

Is there a Jackson thread hijacking requirement? Not knocking the boats but every time there seems to be a post specifying comparison of a different boat or brand if gets guerrilla marketed.


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[Anchorless]

Is there a Jackson thread hijacking requirement? Not knocking the boats but every time there seems to be a post specifying comparison of a different boat or brand if gets guerrilla marketed.

No, I just think Karma boaters really like the boat. There were more Karmas at the North Fork Championship than any other type of boat, including the Remix.

I have a large Karma (I'm 215lbs), and it does feel large. I demoed the Karma next to the Remix and the Mamba at a local drop that is super easy to lap. I initially loved the Mamba, and felt like it was far sportier than the Karma or Remix. I chose the Karma because it felt a bit more stable and it was far faster (whereas the Mamba felt like it accelerated faster and was more precise turning and eddying).

I have never paddled the Nomad, but the Mamba is a super fun, awesome boat. I wouldn't hesitate to buy one.

 

[sarahkonamojo]

Drawback on the JK boats is the outfitting. Big drawback for some of us, but not for others, obviously.
Mamba has a totally different type of outfitting which some of us love.
S