Which Dagger Kayak? Code \ Phantom \ Nomad

[@AlexBarham]

Buying a Dagger Kayak online? Please use this link: rb.gy/pv8h8k Dagger Nomad Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIi1moyseLF0qMk Dagger Mamba Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/foekm6eams5rgs0 Dagger Phantom Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pYPIiXx9d89rgM0 Dagger Code Review: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eIGxe36CbMasaas

[@TheOfficialDOP]

Always enjoy watching you break things down. Between you and Wade Harrison, you both bring a lot of helpful and valuable input to the whitewater community. Thank you

[@AlexBarham]

Thanks! I try

[@artfisher1235]

Great way to put everything into perspective versus our intended uses. The warning against the one boat quiver seems very appropriate.

[@AlexBarham]

Thanks Art!

[@jimhunt9745]

I have both a Newmad small and a Code medium. This video is right on. The Newmad is fun to paddle and very responsive but gets kicked around in big water. The Code just blasts through anything. The Code is the most forgiving boat I have ever paddled. It is very good at getting you out of trouble when you make a mistake. Both are good boats but I paddle the Code most of the time.

[@AlexBarham]

Thanks for the feedback Jim!

[@jan.piatua]

Makes so much sense, after paddling all 3 boats I agree fully with that is said. Thank you!

[@AlexBarham]

Thanks! Glad it helped!

[@rspurdie]

Thank you for sharing all of your wisdom, sir. It is much appreciated

[@AlexBarham]

Sure thing! Just reducing the traffic in my inboxes

[@craigparkin1912]

I know you highly rate the machno, how does this compare with the code? I am in the market for a new boat and these are the two I am considering.

[@0newheelfreeheel]

I agree with much of what you say Alex and always appreciate your videos. That said, I've messed with my seat in the phantom a lot and found it to dramatically change the attitude of the boat. Yes, the phantom was totally made as a race boat, but with the seat forward, the tail comes out of the water, boofing gets easier, and it turns on a dime. I would encourage anyone with a phantom having trouble turning it, move the seat forward. In my opinion, there is a sweet spot where the boat holds a line, but also turns really well. With the seat all the way back, it is a full race boat, no question. The code seems like it has too much rocker to be effected in the same way.

[@AlexBarham]

Yes, both the Phantom and the 9r2 can be given similar personality adjustments by slamming the seat far forward. That said I hope you understand that my role is to paddle these boats stock and explain them as they are manufactured, not as they can be modified. That's what I am doing with the old school boats, but it really doesn't belong here.

[@0newheelfreeheel]

@@AlexBarham I hear ya for sure. 3 of us got phantoms in one order and they all had different seat positions from the factory (a big up for waka in my opinion with their fixed positions). Stock is a bit of a misnomer, considering how much of a difference 1" can make in where the seat is positioned. My sweet spot is 1" forward of the middle of the range of movement as measured on the side of the seat. The fact that you can change the personality of a boat is a benefit and worth mentioning imo, because it means that the race qualities can be dialed back to create a more versatile boat and fit the boater better. Point being, it's worth mentioning, because if someone isn't taking to their phantom, an easily diagnosed issue could be a small seat adjustment to change the waterline to fit someone's paddling style/abilities. Side note, my phantom isn't even symmetrical from the mold, and the seat holes are drilled asymmetrically as well. The front pillar screw is only one way to check for seat position and because of flex, etc, isn't really even a good indication.

[@bertsadventures9974]

@alex barnham thanks for the great overview. I've been paddling a ducky, Sea Eagle Explorer 300X for three seasons and have done a fair amount of class II/III+ river water. I'm 55 years old and considering a hard shell to keep up better with my paddling mates. Don't think I'll ever do any crazy drops or severe creeking but will seek rivers offering me some class II/III enjoyment. I've struggled with whether to go with a full on whitewater boat like the Code or Mamba or perhaps a higher end crossover like the Katana. I would love to hear your thoughts on that conundrum. Thanks!

[@AlexBarham]

I would put you in the Code or maybe something more easy to drive like a Nirvana. I hate crossovers because they are like Swiss army knives, do everything but good at nothing.

[@serj707]

Alex thanks for the inside on the Code. I am a newer paddler and I’m starting with the code. When you talk about weaponizing the volume in the stern… can you expand on this a little bit so that I can compare and contrast to what I’m experiencing and maybe try it on my upcoming runs? Thanks!

[@AlexBarham]

Sure. The boat pops out of holes and other features. Once you can anticipate the pop it is an opportunity to point the boat as it loads up so you get shot in the direction you want to go

[@serj707]

@@AlexBarham ok, I’ve definitely experienced this by being stuck in a hole and leaning back and I literally popped out catching air, free willy style. (Didn’t really know what I was doing) But I haven’t harnessed it. THANKYOU - I’m really enjoying all your videos and insight. Anymore perspective on the code would be greatly appreciated

[@keystonedaytrip238]

Hey Alex , thanks for the valuable insight ! 👍🏼

[@AlexBarham]

You're very welcome!

[@4JudgeSmails]

Great year of rollouts for those of us that didn't jump on the "racing boat" trend or had no business doing so. As an intermediate, I'm still paddling that "7y/o design" that takes care of me, in part because I've seen too many people in 9Rs that probably shouldn’t be.

[@AlexBarham]

Agreed, but you can't fault boat makers for looking at what is hot and seeing what they can do. The lessons learned from the Sickline rules boats changed how we look at whitewater, which caused the development of new techniques, which inspired new boat designs which do those moves better, and so on. That's just progression. Now seeing that technology come full circle to the all around boats is a joy for all.

[@4JudgeSmails]

@@AlexBarham Yeah, I'll take this design/manufacturing model over that of other outdoor activities/sports, where they roll out something new almost every year regardless of the need and (lack of) tech advancements.

[@AlexBarham]

Were the tooling costs/lifespans different you'd see that.

[@kennethrohen5963]

My favorite Dagger of all time was the Crossfire from years ago.

[@AlexBarham]

There are certainly people who enjoy them, but these new designs certainly run circles around stuff that came out 30 years ago.

[@kevinhill.8]

Excellent comparison/summary. Thx!

[@AlexBarham]

Thanks Kevin! Glad it was worth the effort

[@pop4725]

Your explanation is spot on 😊

[@AlexBarham]

Thanks Pop! Appreciate the feedback!

[@pop4725]

@@AlexBarham I should know I have all three 😊

[@geopietro]

Nice video, thank you. As an older total beginner, what boats besides. the Code do you recommend I consider? Some mention Jackson Gnavana or Zen. And of the ones you suggest, which is easiest to learn to e-roll? Thanks again.

[@AlexBarham]

I'd check out the beginner kayaks video I made. At this point they are all pretty easy to roll. It isn't like 20 years ago when we were trying to roll bread boxes with horrible outfitting.

[@geopietro]

Thank you.@@AlexBarham

[@artfisher1235]

Fabulously informative review.

[@AlexBarham]

Thanks!!

[@kevinhornbuckle]

What is the heaviest weight paddler the Code can work with?

[@AlexBarham]

I would check Dagger's specs.

[@davidsteele8914]

great video!

[@AlexBarham]

Thanks man!

[@tmacoutdooring1837]

🤙

[@AlexBarham]

Thanks man!

[@baylorlitsey4394]

idk man I micro creek with phantom just fine.

[@AlexBarham]

I didn't say you can't do it, but something like a Nomad or Machno is built for that purpose and does it better

[@Rockerrobin]

Katana 3

[@AlexBarham]

Lol was there a Katana 2? I really don't pay attention to the crossovers

[@craigparkin1912]

I know you highly rate the machno, how does this compare with the code? I am in the market for a new boat and these are the two I am considering.

[@craigparkin1912]

I know you highly rate the machno, how does this compare with the code? I am in the market for a new boat and these are the two I am considering.

[@AlexBarham]

It is all going to come back to that magic word- dynamic. These boats will do roughly the same thing, but whereas the Machno is focusing on making everything a smooth and digestible as possible, the Code is going to be more aggressive and powerful, expecting the paddler to simultaneously contain and unleash it's performance.

[@craigparkin1912]

@@AlexBarham ended up with the code as it happens and glad I went that way, loving every minute and tackled my first grade 4 in it 👍