Feelfree Nomad
Summary: Made in Thailand, length 3 metres, width 78 cm, weight 20 kg, capacity 150+ kg. Website: [1]
Details by Troppo:
I bought the Nomad for paddling exercise and fun in creeks and the beach. Then I discovered yak fishing! It impressed me at the store as having solid fittings and a shape I thought would do well in the environment I would take it into. For example, the front flare would ride up over waves. Also, where the seat clipped on, it was recessed moulded in stainless steel pins as opposed to riveted on plastic tie points, therefore being strong and robust.
On the water, it performed better than expected. The front lifts well to go over waves. Chop tends to get thrown to the side. The front handle is part of the body and is very strong, excellent for a tying point for an anchor rope or for on the car racks.
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee101/troppo100/Rita_Mada_05.jpg
I set the yak up in the following way for fishing.
- Small tackle box betwen legs where the water bottle holder is. I made a wooden base for the tackbox with a clip that goes into the water bottle holder so if I roll, it won't fall out. The wooden base is extended so I have a cutting board there as well. A knife slides into a homemade sheath and is held in place with elastic cord.
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee101/troppo100/yak3.jpg
- For rodholders, I experimented with removable ones. A length of dowel tied across the well behind the seat has two tubes wired and duc taped to it. At the bottome of the tubes is a short piece of dowel which protrudes into the scupper holes. This means the tube is held securely top and bottom. This has worked so well that I continue to use it.
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee101/troppo100/yak7.jpg
- The front of the yak is relatively flat. I have used it to carry a cut-down broccoli box as an esky or slide the landing net under elastic strap.
http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee101/troppo100/kayak.jpg http://i231.photobucket.com/albums/ee101/troppo100/esky_on_front.jpg
Overall, I have greatly enjoyed using the Nomad. It is not a yak designed for fishing, but for a cheap yak, it is well made and very practical.