hi guys and gals,
i've found a japanese guy's webpage with lots of shots of his late model, (foam sandwich?) nacra 5.2

over our long no sailing winters i'm trying to bring my older boat up to date with the factory changes

was wondering if the differences i see are all from the factory and are worth doing to my older boat

http://www11.plala.or.jp/seasaito/monthly/apr.htm

1. pics at the top of the page show daggers with current style cutout pull up handles as opposed to the earlier knotted rope. not important

2. bit further down is a shot showing the end of the boom with no outhaul car rail? and double hangers for a double block system.　older boats 6 to 1, this looks like another block has been added to make it 8 to 1. easier to pull in but lots of extra sheet needed?

3. about midway down the pics are a few shots showing the mainsheet blocks looking closer than on older boats, did later models get a longer forestay for more mast rake, like the hobie16?

4. perhaps most importantly as i had intended to start cutting holes in my tramp this winter. later model 5.2's had the jib wires running under the tramp and then coming up through a couple of slits for the jib blocks. less cluttered tramp. right near the end of the pics are 2 shots that this has been done much further outboard and back than i had been intending. did the last 5.2's have a the same jib, it this a better place for the blocks?

The jib wire change might be a good one to do, but I wouldn't worry about the other items.

here he is again in video with the leeward bow spending quite a bit of time under water without any hints of pitchpoling

looks like he changed back to knotted daggers???

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=cxbj8Q_Sc7Yl

Its hard to see he may just have a slotted boom with an inverted T piece sliding inside the boom. That would have an exit for the sheet nearer the mast and that bolt in the rear would support the rear pulley.
regards

Erice I converted(for lack of a better term) My 79 5.2 so the Jib blocks ride on a wire system. Works great, however,
You must reinforce the tramp. I have had to repair the tramp
at least twice due to the pressure the wire puts on the tramp slit. The best way Ive found to solve this was to sew
a piece of sacrificial webing onto the tramp. When the wire
wears through the webing, replace it with a new piece. This
will save you from having to repair the tramp, which will rip. I'll try and post pics. Does help by removing the clutter on the tramp.
You will also lose the hiking straps, has not affected me
much.

did you guys see all the NACRA's in the racks? Lots of old style rudders, all boats are stored mast off there...what a pain. But Japan sure has some beautiful sights, wonder if that whirling tide would suck you under?