Does anyone know what the rating for my boat would be? Is the rating different for an older 6.0 (non NA mast)? Or are all Express rigs considered the same regardless of rig set up? I have heard different rumors about this and would like to know the facts.
My boat is an 91 model Nacra 6.0 (non NA). It has been modified with the Express rig. Square top Pentex main, Large Dacron roller furling jib and 455 sq. ft. spin.
Thanks Kris. That is how I was doing it. I just was not sure if there was a rating for this particular rig. My last Nacra was just a standard rig ( no goodies ).
I am no expert, but it was my understanding that an Express is an Express -- flat top main, over sized jib (genoa) and spinnaker. I looked at the Portsmouth Rating from last September (under Express, not Nacra), and Express rated, DPN = 59.7. That is lower than it used to be. It used to be 60.2. I am not sure why it went down. I doubt if my racing contributed to doing that. I still have my Express, but this year we'll be sailing our new ARC22. Good luck with the Express, but you'll probably be taking a pretty good hit with the handicap in regattas. Basically, you are right there with the Inter 20.
Aahhaaa - I thought that configuration had it's own rating. I wonder why they rated it as "Express 6.0" insteady of Nacra 6.0 Express? I've never heard of an express cat (especially a 20 footer) and it has enough data points to have real numbers - that must be it. It's listed with spinnaker - is that factory?
Thanks Don!!!!!! That is what I was looking for. I talked to you in Pensacola once while you were de-rigging your hooter. We talked about incredibly tight rigging among other things. That ARC 22 is a sweet ride.......... I am jealous. That was my pick before the Express, but $$$$$$$. You should be giving Larry some competition now!
I'm going to try to make it out there at least once before the RTI.
Jake, my sails are: Smyth Pentex main 190sq (carbon battens), Smyth Dacron jib 97sq (no battens), Smyth asym. spin. 455sq.
I put a furler on the jib. When the @#$%^!! hits the fan that huge jib will bury the bows and your forehead into the foil! Even with both of us trapped out on top of the rudder with chicken lines! Combined crew weight is a little heavy @ 450 lbs . But I think this rig needs it.
I don't know a whole lot about the Express mast height but I'm sure the classification is like the Prindle 19 was - just buy a set of class legal sails and you can turn it into a P19MX.
Jake Kohl
Re: Nacra 6.0 na to Express?
[Re: Jake]
#17845 03/30/0311:35 AM03/30/0311:35 AM
My understanding is that the Express was based on the original NACRA 6.0, not the NA. As such, it has the original 6.0 mast that only has one set of diamond wires, instead of the two found on the NA. My guess is that the 6.0/Express mast is not as tall as the NA mast.
The mast for the original 6.0 is the same length as the NA. The difference is the diamonds(double vs. single) and the position of the Mast hound. The mast hound on the NA is approx. 2 ft. higher than on the original 6.0 mast.
I have already moved my hounds. Primarily for more leverage while on the wire. Also for using the stock (small) NA jib.
I thought that was you when I saw the first post. I remember talking with you in Pensacola a while back. You should enjoy the Express rig. The distance races especially. That is a big chute that you're running -- make sure you have a good set of blocks to trim it, and a pretty big crew. Also, you'll not be able to point quite as well from time to time, because of the big jib. I'd be glad to talk with you when we get together at one of the upcoming regattas. We are putting on an 1/2 'Round the Island Race the first week of June. That would be a good one for the Express. Hope to see you then.
Thanks for your help with everything! Most of the advice you gave us that one time made a tremendous difference when we hit the water again. The main one being the rig tension (We can point with the best of them now). I am still a little confused on where the Jib blocks should be for varying wind conditions. I know it is a little different than the boats that have the small jib.
You had some killer looking spin blocks too? They had 2 feeder blocks. I think? They looked a lot liked the ones Randy used in the Worrell. I have been unable to find anything like that on the market. I already have the doubler on there. I have thought of using racheting fiddle blocks back there just to get some more rope touching the big sheave. That spin is too large for most conditions unless it is really light. I have a small one I use too. Not sure of the size. Probably a 325. It seems to work as good as the 455 in most conditions.
I will definitely try to make the race in June! I enjoy sailing over there. Wish it was closer.....
There it is! Legally, it is not a Performance Catamaran sponsored product and thus should not be called Nacra because of trademark issues. However, almost anyone I have spoken to about them, refer to the cat as a Nacra Express.
Last year, I had a long talk with Performance Catamaran about the Express. It is an aftermarket boat using the 6.0. The 6.0 flopped in the US but was a hit in Europe. A group created the Express with the aftermarket sail changes. After a couple years, Performance then released the 6.0 NA. It out sold the entire 6.0 US run in only 5 or so months
The blocks that we used on the Express for the Hooter and Spinnaker were a life saver. You're right, Randy came up with them for the Worrell one year. Harken makes them, but it is somewhat a custom order. You can get their number off their website. They are pretty good about working with you or returning calls. Ask them for a set of "Mickey Mouse" blocks that Randy came up with for the spinnaker trim on his cat. I am not sure that they use the same autoratchet block I had on my set any more, but may have substituted something else. If I recall, the set runs about $220-$240.
Looking at some of the current F18 (Hobie) boats, I see that they have one or two blocks on the FRONT beam to return the lines coming from the main spin blocks. Some make one trip up to the front beam...some make two (forming a "W"). All these blocks are Hexa-ratchets and running them forward and back gives them more wrap and more points at which to control the slack in the line (keep it from going overboard). Some complain that the "W" style has too much resistance in light air when gybing. This is probably cheaper than the micky mouse style blocks.
Hi Don, Can you please post info on how to make the 6.0 point? I had a look at Rick Bliss boat and he had his mast raked way back...This was for heavy air. Would you rake it less back in lighter air?
I'm still strugling with that a bit too - would be great to hear it from the experts. Those guys had so much rake, their shrouds were bottomed out. Even with a second chainplate on my forestay ALL the way out, I can only get within four holes of the bottom in the shrouds. I hope some of you 6.0's will come on down to Spring Fever so I can measure rigging length.
. But I think this rig needs it. 
