Well, after finally finding a crew, and finding a time to get together with her to practice.........

We slam into a underwater object at about 12 knots, ripping the centerboard trunk right out of the hull. All I heard was a crack....thought I had broken a board...wrong!

Boat sank in about 60 seconds. starboard hull was obviously taking on a LOT of water. I got her back to the beach then had to jibe it, which then caused the very slow but predictable capsize. Stuck it in the mud in about 4 feet of water. Finally dragged it back in and assested the damage.

Good thing I got insurance I suppose.

Please keep you eyes peeled for a starboard 5.5 hull, perhaps a 5.5 uni, something...

I'm so bumed right now, It was my first "serious" boat, and I only had her for 6 weeks! To add insult to injury, I had just spent 5+ hours buffing her out to look like new.

God I hate myselft right now....

At least no one was hurt though.

Check out http://www.cathouse1.com (phone # there). Maybe Mark can point you in the direction of a new or salvage hull. I lost a cat to a sand bar that built up behind a break wall soon after I purchased it, I know the feeling. As for me, I think I am sticking to the deep waters of Lake Michigan.

ya know..........

I wonder if there are any Nacra 18 squared's for sale out there somewhere.........

I could never find crew, uni might be a lot more fun. Of course if she is reading this, I may get clobbered next time out

Hi Theo,


Sorry to hear about your loss.
Are you thinking of repairing it yourself ?
If you need some pointers, please send a digital picture.
Perhaps we can be of some assistance.

I know someone who has a 5.5 starboard hull sitting in his back yard. Is your 5.5 the newer model or the older model 5.5? The newer model has the rear beam a little further back and has a slightly finer entry.

Mark L, Seattle, WA

It's a 1994.

I'm crossing my fingers that one is similar

And, I just spoke to a guy who might be able to fix it completely
woo hoo, perhaps I'll be sane again

Theo, Hope you had luck with getting your hull repaired! Did you order the cat tracks? They sound like a good deal! Brian

There is a good 18 square sitting in the boatyard at the Sarasota Sailing Squadron. An MD owns it who was not interested in selling 2 years ago, but it was covered in dust last time I saw it 6 months ago. SSS tries to keep only active boats in active storage: This is always a struggle.
Repairing the CB trunk is an option. This would allow you to hit a turtle or manta ray with the other centerboard!

That would be awesome if I could persuade him to sell it!
I just sent an email to the club, hopefully someone will respond!