nacra infusion ; my first impression. Sadly I didn't sail it yet, but had a very goo luck at one today. Two friends just picked their one up.
I figure that when I'm critical on some topics that I also need to be congratulatory when it is deserved. So here goes.
I had a good look at the Nacra Infusion #5 with a race package upgrade. I'm told that I've seen something that the Americans didn't see yet. I recognised it immediately. This nacra Infusion has a true wingmast just like the Capricorn F18 and the Taipans/A-cats. Now THAT I appreciate.
The wing mast looked exactly the same as the AHPC wingmast with even the scribed lines in the same places. The mast is setup with a significant amount of prebend and is black anodised. The masts are produced in Europe and I'm told the American boats used the Nacra F18 (teardrop shaped) mast profile. The Europeans ones all come with a true wingmast. This is going to make a difference on the water. It has been an extremely long wait till wingmasts made their intro into the F18 class, 15 years, but now they are here. Capricorn F18 was first but Nacra Infusion is right on its heels. Tiger watch out !
The race package sees a 1:12 external 2-stage cascaded downhaul system ( 1:3 x 1:4 ) with what looks like 4 mm shift cord for the first stage and 3 mm D12 line for the second stage. This will work well.
The freeboard is very high and the rearbeam is set high as well. The deck in front of the main beam has been faired into the mainbeam. No troubles expected here.
The finishing on the hulls is excellent. No seem is visible. Two halves construction (no glued on decks). Stiff sides on the hulls and the hulls feel very solid. One can debate their overall shape, but future race results will be the definitive judge on those.
Mast rotation has a nice gimmick. Implemented simple but effective. One line to fine-tune the upwind rotation trim. and a seperate line to switch from upwind setting to downwind setting (loose). So when rounding the leeward mark you can retrieve your earlier upwind setting but just pulling a line taught.
Daggerboards are much lighter then the ones of previous models. A big improvement in my personal opinion.
I really do appreciate the way the implemented the diamond wires tensioning. Finally a system that is both simple (cheap) and effective. Near the bottom of the mast two slots are cut into the mast sides. The diamond wires pass to the inside of the mast through these slots and connect to a single Eye bolt that is fitting through the mast base plate. On the underside of the base plate a bolt head is protruding and by turnign this one you can slacken or tightening the diamond wires. It looks really clean and it will give excellent control with the most simple setup possible. I really respect the beauty of simplicity of this setup. Things like this win my respect.
Boom is a little narrow for my taste (30 mm by something) but will work well while sailing, just don't hit it during a capsize.
The the optional race package sees all kinds of tricks to stow away lines and take up excess line while sailing. The trapeze bungee tunnels are angled towards the rear so they are more in line to where you will be standing. Good foot straps and a chickline are fully installed. This boat look fully race ready to me !
On this boat the spi halyard cleat was moved from the front of the mast to the starboard side (not by request of the owner) so I guess they are still debating its best position. But this is not a major point.
Older style spreader arms (tubes with threading). Mast rotation controllable from the trapeze. The spi ratchet blocks are forward of the sidestays and near the inner gunwhales, as most F18's seem to be converging to nowadays.
Good solid spacers inside the beams.
In summary the boat looks to be very well fitted out with eye to details (race package) ; On this subject along I expect good things.
The jury is still out on the hullshapes themselfs but with the first racing tomorrow we'll see the verdict on that soon enough.
Good boat from what I could see on land.
Wouter
