Design and Construction
At 17 feet 2 inches overall with a maximum beam of a full eight feet, the Nomad is a beamy hull for its length, and that width underpins both its stability and its cockpit volume anchor. The well-finished hull weighs 625 pounds in one account and 550 pounds in another, with sources differing on the figure; the lighter reading is attributed to cored construction shared by hull and deck, and the rigged weight sits at 650 pounds, which keeps the boat off cartop roofs but entirely manageable on a trailer anchor. A retractable centerboard and kick-up rudder make the trailering and storage proposition simple, and the flared deck—reminiscent of the RS300—gives the topsides a modern, purposeful look anchor.
Rig and Handling
The fractional sloop rig is engineered for quick, single-handed setup: the mast can be raised and the whole package rigged by one person in about 20 minutes, including the 174-square-foot sailplan anchor. Halyards, sheets and sail controls are clean and well engineered, with the mainsheet led away from the passengers and toward the helmsman so the crew stays clear of the working end of the boat. The jib is controlled via roller furler for easy "in and out," and a fast-moving, experienced sailor can singlehand the Nomad in competent conditions anchor. Mast and boom are aluminum from Proctor, deck hardware is from Harken, and there are no trapeze wires or hiking straps to complicate the family appeal anchor.
Sail Inventory and Downwind Performance
Standard sails are North 3DL built with the brand's Rotary Molding technology, derived from the big-boat racing 3DL line that proved successful on the commercial market and race course anchor. The mainsail and jib combine for 172 square feet. Off the wind, an asymmetrical spinnaker—180 square feet in the production description, set from a retractable sprit on the show boats—is easily deployed, handled and doused, and is sized and powered to generate real speed given the broad, stable hull anchor.
Accommodations and Cockpit
The cockpit is broad and uncluttered, with comfortable seats adequate for four adults or two adults and a covey of kids, and the boat is rated for up to six people anchor. Four large cockpit lockers provide ample stowage, and two forward watertight compartments add a measure of practical security for gear and buoyancy anchor.
Known Issues and Class Standing
The Nomad cannot be entered in PHRF fleets across most regions, which limits its appeal to handicap racers even though the boat itself is a performance-oriented design anchor. There is no one-design racing structure planned, so prospective owners should view it purely as a daysailer and casual downwind plaything rather than a fledgling fleet racer.
The Verdict
The Nomad is a thoughtfully engineered trailerable daysailer that trades the physical demands of a skiff for the room and steadiness a family expects, without surrendering the snap of a modern performance hull. Its one-person rigging, standard high-tech sailcloth and effortless spinnaker handling make it an approachable boat for sailors who want speed without a crew of athletes. The chief caveats are class-racing absence and PHRF ineligibility.
Pros
- Beamy, stable 17-foot hull with broad uncluttered cockpit for up to six
- One-person rigging in about 20 minutes with clean, well-engineered controls
- Standard North 3DL sails and easily handled asymmetrical spinnaker
- Retractable centerboard and kick-up rudder simplify trailering and storage
Cons
- Not legal for PHRF racing in most areas
- No one-design racing program planned
- Not cartoppable at 650 pounds rigged weight
