I used to have a 1983 5.2, it had 2 inspection ports per hull, I am now rebuilding a 1986 5.8 that only has one inspection port per hull. I want to add another I.P. to my 5.8 right behind the Dagger Board Tunnels because I have found a leak at the rear of one of the Dagger Board Tunnels and I need to repair the fiberglass and Gel Coat. Has anyone out there ever added an Inspection Port to a 5.8? My boat was a Florida rental and has seen a lot of action... Thanks in advance for any tips and/or advice that you can provide.
Pete on Lake Whatcom on WA State.

G'day Pete welcome to the forum, I've repaired a few boats and feel that putting an extra hatch in to me looks a bit odd it also gives no structural support to the deck letting it crack around the hatch. I personally save the bit cutout of the deck,after the repair I glue some divinacell. foam under the deck hole at the same time resin the cutout deck back in the hole. To me it looks much better for not much extra work

Jeff...

Are the still making the 5.8 in Australia? If so maybe he could get hooked up with some deck lids and do the repair right.... that is pull the deck lids off, fix the cracks etc.... glue on new lids..

Edit.. it looks like they are

http://www.nacra.com.au/race/nacra-58

Sure do miss having Performance Catamaran right in my back yard.

G'day Ventucky yep they are still turning out the boats in Queensland, not only 5.8's but 3.5, 4.3, 4.5, 5 all made from same beam and mast sections and their customer service has been spot on for me. Heres a video of last years Nacra Nationals where we had 50 boats turn up and theres more videos if you follow the links
https://youtu.be/oIQGegP9JUY
https://youtu.be/Urd4bqW8ylE

Thanks for sharing Jeff... good stuff.. great sailing conditions too!

For laughs and giggles what does a new 5.8 sell for these days..

Bit over $20,000au plus trailers etc, can pick up 2 year old ones around $12000-$15000au there are a few owners that buy a new one every two years so enough supply to meet demand. There were 24 x 5.8's at the last Nationals

24 boats.....!!!!! Last time I saw that many 5.8's at the same time was in Long Beach, CA in the late 80's and early 90's. Glad to see a 1982 design still going strong..