Vanguard Sailboats built the Nomad on the same production lines as the Laser, Sunfish, Optimist, 49er and Zuma. It entered the market as a trailerable, centerboard-equipped daysailer rather than a one-design racer. The builder confirmed that there were no immediate plans to add a one-design racing component to the program.
Design and Construction
At 17 feet 2 inches overall and a full eight feet at maximum beam, the Nomad is beamy for its length. That width contributes to both its stability and its cockpit volume. The flared deck, reminiscent of the RS300, gives the topsides a modern, purposeful look.
Published weights differ. One account puts the well-finished hull at 625 pounds, while another gives a figure of 550 pounds; the lighter figure is attributed to the cored construction shared by the hull and deck. Rigged weight is 650 pounds, ruling out cartop transport but remaining entirely manageable on a trailer.
A retractable centerboard and kick-up rudder simplify trailering and storage.
Rig and Handling
The fractional sloop rig is designed for quick setup by one person. A single sailor can raise the mast and rig the complete package, including the 174-square-foot sailplan, in about 20 minutes.
The halyards, sheets and sail controls are clean and well engineered. The mainsheet is led away from the passengers and toward the helmsman, keeping the crew clear of the working end of the boat. A roller furler provides easy “in and out” control of the jib. In competent conditions, a fast-moving, experienced sailor can singlehand the Nomad.
The aluminum mast and boom come from Proctor, while Harken supplies the deck hardware. There are no trapeze wires or hiking straps to complicate the boat’s family appeal.
Sails and Downwind Performance
Standard sails are North 3DL, made with the brand’s Rotary Molding technology. The technology came from the big-boat racing 3DL line, which proved successful in the commercial market and on the racecourse. The mainsail and jib have a combined area of 172 square feet.
For downwind sailing, the Nomad carries an asymmetrical spinnaker. The production description lists it at 180 square feet, and the show boats flew it from a retractable sprit. It’s easy to deploy, handle and douse, with enough size and power to produce real speed from the broad, stable hull.
Cockpit and Stowage
The cockpit is broad and uncluttered, with comfortable seating for four adults or two adults and a covey of kids. The boat is rated for as many as six people.
Four large cockpit lockers provide ample stowage. Two watertight compartments forward add practical security for gear and buoyancy.
Racing Limitations
The Nomad can’t be entered in PHRF fleets in most regions, limiting its appeal to handicap racers despite its performance-oriented design. With no one-design racing structure planned, prospective owners should regard it as a daysailer and casual downwind plaything rather than a fledgling fleet racer.
The Verdict
The Nomad is a thoughtfully engineered, trailerable daysailer. It trades the physical demands of a skiff for the room and steadiness a family expects without giving up the snap of a modern performance hull. One-person rigging, standard high-tech sailcloth and effortless spinnaker handling make it approachable for sailors who want speed without needing a crew of athletes.
Its principal drawbacks are the absence of class racing and its ineligibility for PHRF racing in most areas.
Pros
- Beamy, stable 17-foot hull with a broad, uncluttered cockpit rated for up to six people
- One-person rigging in about 20 minutes
- Clean, well-engineered controls
- Standard North 3DL sails and an easily handled asymmetrical spinnaker
- Retractable centerboard and kick-up rudder simplify trailering and storage
Cons
- Not eligible for PHRF racing in most areas
- No one-design racing program planned
- Not cartoppable at a rigged weight of 650 pounds
