Is it possible to navigate a Nacra without daggerboards? (in all directions of course), I'm interested in one for auction, it's really cheap, but it doesn't have daggerboards, not even the hole for them on the hull, maybe it was repaired, or possibly it never had them. I guess it is a 5.0 for its dimensions, but I don't have much information. Thanks.

The 5.0 can point and tack just fine, whether sailed as a sloop or with the main only. It's a fun boat and the hull design is very forgiving. It is very resistent to pitchpole compared to other boardless cats (Hobie 16 and Prindle 16--dunno about G-cats, though). The boomless main is also a plus.

Cool, thanks. Second question: it doesn't have the original mast, it fact it just has a round alluminum tube without anything on it, I guess the owner pretendended to rebuild the mast with this tube or something. I'm pretty sure I would have to get a new one, but meanwhile maybe I could do something with this tube. Any suggestions? A round tube will be too bad for aerodynamics? Thanks again.

The 5.0 should have a mast with diamond wires, so I would be a little worried about the strength or weight of this replacement mast. Also, the round tube will be bad for aerodynamics, though I don't know how bad.

The round mast might make a good flag pole.

Would anyone provide mast dimensions for the nacra 5.0?
Thanks a lot

The mast length for the Nacra 500 is 27'. Anyone know if the Nacra 5.0 and 500 use the same mast?

If you're going to get a mast extrusion (or entire mast) from dealer, they will be able to get you the right replacement. It will cost $700 or more, I guess.
If you are going to replace the N5.0 mast with mast from another boat : any NACRA mast or mast extrusion should do, since the 5.0 is (was?) the shortest, and probably the thinnest, wall extrusion of all the NACRAs. Some trimming to length may be required, and to do this, you may need some good measurements from an actual 5.0 mast - e.g. dist from top to forestay connection, upper diamonds, spreader, lower diamonds, etc.
When I lost a 5.0 mast, I replaced it with a 5.7 mast extrusion, and it worked very well. I also upgraded to adjustable rake spreader, instead of old-style through bar spreader.
The other answers were correct, make sure the mast is rigged with diamond wires, the 5.0 definitely needs diamond wires.
Good luck in the auction and the rebuilding. My N5.0 was bought in a credit union auction, and gave me several years of sailing pleasure before I sold it for parts. It is still "sailing", in Frankenstein-like fashion, in various pieces, as parts of many other boats.

I still have some NACRA mast parts, actually for N5.0. If you end up building a mast from extrusion, maybe these parts will help.

Great, I will probably get in touch. Thanks

I made my mind to get this boat, even if it doesn't have mast nor mainsail (price is really low), so I'd appreciate more of your really valuable help guys. I'm a laser II sailor, and never minded too much about cats until now, so please understand my ignorance. I'm also remotely located, so I havn't many sources of info.

I've seen some used sails, at fair prices, but not the right one. Do you think one from a Prindle 16 or from a Hobie 16 will do, at least for a while? I understand those use boom, so that could be the biggest issue.
About mast dimensions and distance of cable points, I would be very greatful if you could help me.
Thanks so much
Andres

If you are to use sails from boat with boom, you need to know measurement on 5.0 from mast to rear beam. If sail you find has "foot" longer than this measurement, it will be very hard to trim correctly without a boom.
Or, if you find sail & mast like H16, then get the boom also. If you use boom on 5.0, you may want to rotate rear beam so that traveler is lined up better with block location on boom. For boomless, traveler track is usually straight up or rotated slightly forward, for boom, traveler track is usually slightly back.
For using different masts, note the heights of sidetay/forestay attachment may be different than for N5.0, so the lengths of wires may have to all be custom. You can make estimates from geometry, or use some line to set up mast, mark & measure, make wires to match.
Lots of tricky things to consider, but you're trying to save money, right?
My email is (spaces added to avoid spam)
james dot casto @ amd dot com

Also note that the mast step is different on a Nacra 5.0 then on a H16 or a Prindle. Once you factor in all the mods you'll need to make, you may find that you aren't saving much money.

Just measured my 5.0 mast. The extrusion itself is 26'3/8" (not including the fittings on top/bottom).

Thanks ejpoulsen If you have time, would it be too much to ask the dimensions of the section of the mast? and perhaps the distances for the cables? Thaks so much

Hi,
I found lots of info about Nacra's at the www.performancecats.com website, even a price list, which
though out of date, still seems to be in use, at least
for the parts I've needed so far.

Good luck with your new cat,

Hi,
I found lots of info about Nacra's at the www.performancecats.com website, even a price list, which
though out of date, still seems to be in use, at least
for the parts I've needed so far.

Good luck with your new cat,

mac
Nacra 5.0 2006
League City, Tx

What measurements would you like? I can certainly measure my mast. Are you constructing a mast? The trickiest part will be the mast head and mast step fitting. These are very specific cast aluminum pieces. It would very helpful to find a nacra mast to buy for cheap--if you find a 5.0 mast, you're set; if you find a bigger nacra mast, you could certainly modify it very easily. I could measure my mast for you. Another source is Jack Young at Performance Catamarans. I've emailed him in the past with questions about my boat and he has always responded. Just go to the contact area of their web site.

If you are making a non-nacra mast, I don't know how helpful my measurements would be.

Eric, I live in Chile, I havn't found a used mast yet, but I have an alluminum tube that might be good, at least for a while. I'm also exploring the possibility to get a mast manufactured in Argenitna, or just the extrusion, they are looking for the specs but I'm not sure if they will find them, I havn't found specific info on the web myself. I need the following info, if you can take the time to help me, I would be just great, I really appreciate it.
- Mast section (front and side dimensions)
- Thickness (just curious here)
- Length, I think it's 27 ft including the base and the head parts.
- Distance from the base of the mast to the points where are connected the forestay, the shrouds, the trapezes and the diamond wires (i guess the spreaders are in the midpoint of the diamond wires). Here lets take as a reference point (because I don't have the base casting) the top of the ball where the mast stands.
- wire lengths (shrouds, forestay, bridle, diamond). On the class rules I've seen wire lengths, but except for the bridle, they are the same for all nacras, and measures are indicated as minimum, so I'm not sure if I can use them.
Thank you so much
Andres Chianale

Before you go to all the trouble of trying to fabricate a mast and sails, talk to "The Cat House" (Mark Biggers) in Freeland, MI (near Saginaw/Bay City). His number is 989-692-9430. He might have an old mast or parts around.