NEW BOAT DAY! Gnarvana vs Nirvana: Not an update, a whole new boat
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- Опубликовано: 9 фев 2025
- Finally new boat day! Here i give a run down of what might be the last creek boat you ever buy, the Jackson Kayak Gnarvana. It is more fun, easier to paddle, easier to turn, easy to roll, easy to boof, easy to surf, and extremely stable which will no doubt inspire confidence in your paddling.
As a reminder I am sponsored by Jackson Kayak. Whilst they did not pay me to make this video I do get my kayaks at a discounted price. you should always keep that in mind when looking at new boat reviews!
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Boat looks sick! Been wanting something between the Scorch and Code, and this looks promising. Not a big fan of the name, but I’m stoked it’s finally available in 3 sizes!! Love the upgrade details from 3:26-5:23 too.👇🏼
-Sideways front grab handle (Nirvana same?)
-Full size rear grab handles
-Accessible recessed drain plug
-Bees Knees!! (Love ‘em in my Antix 2.0)🐝
-Raised stern parting line for less cracking
-Molded in stern pillar
Looks like a winner. Thanks for the overview and quick review.
Thanks for watching!
Good to see you back in a boat dude
Appointment with the Shoulder specialist at the end of the month. Hopefully he has a plan, or options at least.
Got mine yesterday, and had a few runs in it. Edge to edge performance is incredible. It paddles like how I wanted the billy goat too handle on the water imo. Definitely feels different than any Jackson boat I’ve paddled.
They also modified the hip pad strap insert holes, so that the back band puts less tension on the cockpit rim. They also upgraded the cockpit rim itself, so that a rand (or any skirt really) can provide a better seal for implosion and performance overall. Haters gonna hate!
Players gonna play!
In Green. 👍, Interesting design.
Thanks for the review !!!
Nice review, always enjoy your opinions on things. I already have more creekers than I can use but not one produced by Jackson. Can’t wait to demo one next time Wesley is around with j.a.w.s
Oh man, that looks fantastic! I have an old, welded Nirvana M and will definitely end up replacing it with one of these if we get them into Ireland!
Go for it, If you like Nirvana you will LOVE Gnarvana
Great video! I like how you focused in on some of the small but important improvements Jackson made to the physical design of the boat compared to the Nirvana.
From the top, the bow reminds me of a Zet Cross. The way it floats and paddles appears similar to a Code.
I've paddled the Gnarvana through some decent whitewater a few times now. I'm definitely more of an intermediate class III+/IV boater. The Gnarvana definitely feels different than the Nirvana. The main differences IMO, the Gnarvana doesn't track straight as well as the Nirvana, the Gnarvana isn't as quick to pick up speed off initial paddle strokes as the Nirvana, and I feel a little lower in the boat than the Nirvana. The Gnarvana punches through holes better because of the increased rocker, the Gnarvana's bow is drier, the Gnarvana will take care of you a little better than the Nirvana, the stern of the Gnarvana is definitely propelled forward more than the Nirvana off drops, and the Gnarvana skips better off drops (a potential negative or positive, depending on your paddle style based off the last two points, is the bow will come completely out of the water skipping out of drops and holes which causes the boat to almost ride a wheelie/tailie away from drops/holes without trying). I'm still undecided about which boat is more maneuverable. I think the Gnarvana is, but I find that boat a little spiny right now as I continue to grow more accustomed to it. So, I think after I get more dialed into the nuances of the Gnarvana, I will more than likely say the Gnarvana is more maneuverable than the Nirvana. However, I never found the Nirvana unmaneuverable, but rather nimble despite length and desire to track straight. I wish I could surf better and play with the edges more to give an informed opinion on that, but I'm more of a river runner/creeker. Hopefully, the Antix 2.0 will push me to be a better down river play boater. Overall, I love both the Gnarvana and the Nirvana. I think more time in the Gnarvana will eventually have me completely favoring that boat, but both boats are great. If I could give a tagline for the Gnarvana or highlight what I believe to be its strongest feature so far in my experience, I believe this is the best phrase, "the Gnarvana punches through holes like Mike Tyson or Chuck Liddell punched through their opponents in their prime, instant KNOCKOUTS."
great video and great seeing this side by side with the nirvana. Picking mine up tomorrow AM! :D
Nice comparison. For a brand new and older paddler, which would you recommend? Thank you.
Nice looking boat! Should handle the whitewater well! New follower here. Crow✌️
Welcome! Thanks for checking this one out
Another day, another new boat design that makes all the difference.
It’s kinda like if the nirvana and the scorch had a baby
How does the knee height/position compare to the last one? Personally really disliked the knee position in the nirvana, it was low and wide, super uncomfortable for me. Hoping the new one is higher narrower. Also you seem to be hooked up with Jackson, can you talk to them about making a decent thigh brace? That bee's knee thing is an absolute joke. Sounds like even EJ has finally seen the light and is going to make a better thigh brace with Apex.
Bees knees work really well for me. Maybe I’ll try and make a video on adjusting them
What about the knee position question he asked? That’s my main complaint with the 3 Jackson boats I’ve been in. Knees are low and spread wide.
@@codychitwood2383 yes! I think the knee position was pretty comfortable for me. I didn’t feel uncomfortable at all. Now that being said I didn’t get a super long paddle in it.
How does this compare in terms of size to the Zen 3? I weight 100kg. The Zen 3 M was a bit too small but the Zen 3 L was waayy too big for me (same with the Dagger Code L). I have checked the weight ranges for Gnarvarna M and L and know that I should be in a Large but am worried that it will be too big. 103 gal is a lot. I still paddle a Zen 75 as my main boat. I mainly paddle UK rivers with some European Alpine bigger volume - so nothing too full on! What size Gnarvana would you recommend?
Great question, I would imagine this boat will run the size gambit between the Zen 3.0 sizes so a M Gnarvana will be bigger than a M Z3.0 If i was you I would try and get in a demo of the Medium and go form there. I suspect that because it is not as wide as the Z3 the Large wont feel too crazy and give you some wiggle room for multi day equipment etc.
Were you ever in the Karma? If so, comparisons to this?
Yep i had a M karma in 2013. This boat is light years ahead of it
So.... if I have a near brand new Nirvana from last year, do I sell it and get a Gnarvana? or is there not enough of a difference? What do you think? Money doesn't matter, but don't need both obviously
Great question, I am in the exact same position and planning to sell by barley used Nirvana in favour of the Gnarvana.
@@SethAshworth Uh, oh. Here come all the Nirvana's flooding the market 😄
I'm 5'8" and 145lbs
Would the small or medium be a better size?
Dane is similar in an M but you could make an S work probably
@@SethAshworth Thank you! If I can't demo both, how would this boat perform differently between the sizes? What are the pros/cons of being in a bigger boat at the bottom of the weight range?
@@williamrichmond8237 extra volume will keep you more high and dry but a little more boat to move around. Gives you more flexibility for overnight gear however
The large Nirvana is 9'4"
what size would be ideal for me? I measure 1.83 and weigh 190lbs. Thanks
Probably M. I am similar at 1.8 and 180/185 and thought it was a great size
Goose = cobra chicken
The part of the hull out of the water is not helping you. Of course, everyone knows that, but seems to have selectively forgotten that with this trendy overly rockered design.
You lied at the beginning. There is no Antix 3.0.
How would you compare the primary stability and maneuverability vs the Zen 3.0? Thanks as always for the detailed walkthrough.
I love the recessed drain plug. Power in the details! 🤘🛶
More manoeuvrable for sure. More stable probably. Or pretty darn close.