I am very excited. I recently bought a 2004 Nacra F18. It's been years since I last sailed. I hope to start racing with my boys to try and get them into sailing.

So please excuse me if these questions seem dumb.

1 - There appear to be 2 places on the bow where you can connect the Y where the forestay connects. How do you know which set to connect to? Does connecting to the forwardmost ones require different size/length rigging/forestay?

2 - The last owner did not maintain this very well. As such I am trying to refurb & replace anything which is questionable. What are the recommended lubricants for the various items.

3 - It is a bitch and half to raise the mast. Is there some kind of pulley system for the trailer which lets you do it single-handed? (url please)

4 - The mast rests on the crossbar where the mainsheet attaches when it is on the trailer. Is there some kind of foam or wood block sold which keeps it off this and protects it. Currently a boat cushion is under it.

5 - Those little circle clips that hold the pins for the stays are an incredible pain to remove & install. Is there something easier?

6 - How tight should the stays be? Is there a tool to tighten them?

7 - I don't have harnesses for the trapeze. What would you recommend I buy? Where do I buy them?

Ok, maybe not a million questions, but I'll be back.

Go to performancecat.com or nacraeurope.com and download the manual for the cat. It will answer a lot of your setup questions. Find another F18 sailor or regatta near you and visit them to check out there setups.

have done that. From reading the catsailor magazine I subscribed to, the article about the Miami-Key Largo race, it seems like there is only one other F18 in this area. So I'd like to hear advice from more than just one person.

1 the forward set is for the spin pole the aft set is for the bridle.
2 replace all standing rigging if it is in question.
3 i just lift the mast but some use a winch off the forward mast cradle
4 I have a bar that attaches to the trailer and swings down to put the boat on and off
5 pins and ring dings are all over the boat but are trust worthy. Quick pins can work but i don't recomend them for standing rigging.
6 tight enough to support the mast and rig but not so tight that thr mast won't rotate.
7 for the harness are you doing more long distance or bouy racing. full for distance bucket for bouy , but in this department try several at your local dealer or your friends at the local club. find what you like then go with it. harnesses and pfd's are no place to skimp.
Good luck and welcome to the f-18

you mention the miami to key largo race so can I safley assume you are in south florida?

yes, I'm in Ft. Lauderdale. Will probably start by launching off beach where I've seen a bunch of Hobie 16's & kite surfers as I'm less than 15 minutes from there.

Sweet! I used to live in Pembroke Pines. I sailed out of Biscayne Bay with CABB.

Maybe you should try to head up my way some day. I sail out of Gulfport Yacht Club and we race twice a month. You are looking at a 3.5 hour drive north. We have four F18s in our club.

Kathy and I will start making some of the GYC races as well. We need to start tuning up for NA's.

July 19 is our next race, ill be there.