When the ball is totally screwed down, there should be 1/2" to no more than 5/8" gap of thread showing. Anything more will lead to the mast falling down.

Bob

Thanks Bob that helps alot. What about the question of the current condition? Leave it alone or replace it?
I thought if I could cut it down from the top rather than the bottom (And still screw the ball on, of course)I could get rid of most of the bent section. Is that a good idea do you think?

YIKES!!!
It's too high.
If it can't be straightened and cut then you'll need to replace it. There should be no more then an inch between the ball and the cross beam.

Greg,

You might be able to cut that down - but it looks pretty bannanned all the way to the topmost nut. You should probably purchase a replacement and cut the bottom of it to get the elevation correct.

BTW - if you ever cut threads off, first put a nut down below your cut. Make your cut, debur the edges where you cut it, then back the nut off to clean up the threads.

I tried to take the banana apart and the nut just jammed itself to the point that I finally got pissed and sawed the bent post and replaced the entire thing. Before intalling the new one though I did exactly what you say in your posting and cut it to length from the bottom. Left about 3/4 of an inch showing of threads and tried it out today and everything is ship shape.
Thanks for your help. Good luck with Ophelia! Looks like you'll be sending her towards Brian Mc. when you are through with her.

Greg

Thanks - she turned more northerly overnight ...looks like Haterras now. Looks like we're going to be spared everything but 10 to 20knot breeze...it would be a good day to play hookie.

You had post problems and I had stay problems with my Nacra. My stays were too short. I'm curious, how many holes did you pick up in either side stay or forestay by lopping an inch off your post?

Also, anybody have an opinion on the travelar car of the mid-80's Nacra. I personally think they suck. I've torn mine off the track twice now and had to purchase more bearings twice now. I've now got the boat sep up to manu. specs (rear bar tilting forward for the boomless Nacra 5.0 and I removed the bullet block that I had on the rear bar to give me more traveler purchase).

Danno

Danno

On the shrouds I went down 2 holes and on the forestay I went down 3. I think I could actually go one more all around but I'm not sure how tight they should be, true be told. It's also hard to tell how much the mast is raked unless it's in the water. I used it yesterday this way and it was fine (no weather helm at all). I'm just going to experiment with it I guess.

Fingers crossed but I haven't had ANY problems with the traveler. I squirt in McLube about every other time I go and I make sure it doesn't slam the ends of the rail but other than that...... Could it be a different one than yours since my boat is a 1991 5.5SL?

Ya know - I havent sprayed my track or car - good idea! I'll try it and see if it seems smoother.

Another question - how's your purchase on your main sheet blocks? I also sail a Prindle 18 that has a 6:1 purchase. My Nacra 5.0 has 5:1 and I think there is a big differance. 6:1 MUCH easier to sheet in. Don't know what your Nacra has. Also, I'm now always afraid I'm gonna rip my travelar car off the track when I'm cranking on the main sheet.

Danno

I had an issue with my Nacra 5.5 traveller earlier - it was ripped right off the track. After talking to people on this forum I was told 3 things:

1) There are 2 Harken traveller cars for the Nacras: a wide and a narrow. The narrower car is preferred. (I had the small car already - but if you have the big car you might want to buy a different car)
2) when the car frequently snags on the track, it is usually because the car and ball bearings need cleaning (and occasionally the track too)
3) Many people lose ball-bearings when they attempt to clean the cars, and then reattach the car with less than the maximum number of balls.

My solution was to thoroughly clean the car with soap and water, McLube the traveller track, and purchase brand new ball bearings. Since then, the traveller has been noticeably smoother and never "snags" the track the way it used to.

Thanks to everyone who helped me on that post. Good luck!

Hey Danno,
I'm not sure what was original equipment but my Nacra 5.5SL has an 8:1 currently. Easy as pie. Now I know why!

Greg