Well I've sailed my new to me NACRA 5.2 a few times now and have a number of questions that my reserch skills and guessing have failed to answer. Any thoughts? Please feel free to laugh at any stupid questions:

1. The traveller rig seems to have one too many pulleys. First (following from your hand outwards) through the block and cleat fixed in the middle, then outboard to the part that carries the main sheet cleat (carriage?) which has two pulleys (one each side) between which the line passes and then back inboard where there seems to be another pulley mounted on the back of the middle of the stern beam - or to secure on the block below where the line 1st goes, which is all I can think of.

It may well be that my boat has acquired extra tackle and I seem to get enough pull with this arrangement, is it right??

Any diags avail on the web??

2. When tacking a monohull I always ease the main a little and tighten on the new course. When on my own in the cat, this seems to slow the boat too much and I need to rely on the jib backing to get around. If I don't loosen up, I seem to manage to flip the boat even in 8 knots or so. Is this just rooky stuff?? Any tips???

3.When there is not enough wind to get out on the harness, I find myself wanting to hook into kicking straps - there aren't any, but instead the lines onto which the blocks for the jib sheets fix are very tempting. Keeping in mind I am 100KG /220lbs any thoughts on whether this is wise....?

4. Finally - I acquired the boat from a chap who seems to want to tinker with most things, so I am not sure what is original kit and what is new (the kite is not original, I know that). Are there any user manuals etc out there on the web??

thanks for reading

Here is a link to the manual for your Nacra.
Nacra Manual

I too am wondering what the pully on the stern is for?

Regards,
Mike

My old 5.2 had a pulley back there too. I think it was originally intended to try and double the purchase on the traveler. However, forget about it and just tie straight to the eye strap on the rear beam. NOBODY runs additional purchase on the traveler line (except may boats larger than 21').

Yes, the block on the rear crossbar is for running the 3 to 1 for the traveller and as Jake wrote many don't bother and just tie to the block and run it 2 to 1. As for the tacking you should be sheeting in hard going into the tack, and then sheeting out a bit after passing head-to-wind to keep the boat from stopping there. Good luck!

Yes, when sitting on the tramp, there should be hiking straps. If your jib sheet wires are above the tramp, just add padding and use these, they are made of wire and very strong. Unless they're made of line. Either way, you'll need the padding.
If they're under the tramp (preferred), then you'll need some kind of hiking strap on top. Next time you take the boat apart, take the tramp to sailmaker & have them sew on some hiking straps. Both sides, front to back, one point in middle, with strap rotated 1/2 turn between sew-down points (makes it easier to shove foot into without reaching down. You might want to mark positions prior to removing tramp.

Jim,

thanks for the advice - I have pretty much done as you suggested (lines are on top). The lines are wire and OK to use with big wet suit boots on but you won't have that problem on Lake Travis....

Talking of which, is the bar called Carlos and Charlies still going? What a dream place - great sailing, food, beer, sun....... I'm (now an ex) employee of Dell hence know your town pretty well and love it. Wine country is great too..