Holiday greetings,

Can anyone share their experiences with the Nacra 580? What are its Portsmouth ratings? What are the differences between the N-580 and the Prindle 19 or 18-2? Is the N-580 difficult to pitch-pole? How much crew weight can the N-580 handle?

Regards to all.

I am not sure about the sailing abilities of the 580, but all the multihull Portsmouth numbers can be found here (or somewhere close to here, you'll need to surf around for modifications to D-PN if using non-standard equipment): http://www.ussailing.org/portsmouth/tables05/tables05mh.htm

Finally looked at the actual pages at the Portsmouth site and SCRHS site (www.schrs.com) and do not see a rating for the 580 on either. There is a link called "the calculation" on the SCHRS site that allow to calculate your number on some supplied metrics. Hope that helps.

The NACRA 5.8 and the 580 are the same boat NACRA/Performance went through a name change on a few boats. There was a 5.8 Original Config and a 5.8 (North American) NA config. So you could have either of those and the Ports number would be the same.

I thought the 580 had centerboards and not daggers.

I assume the sail plan was the same as the 5.8 NA using a larger jib and bow foil compared to the original Nacra 5.8.

Try contacting the guys from this site. They sailed many ocean miles on a 580. http://www.texeltarifa.nl
One of them, Mark Stork, was recently in touch with me, marc(at)gin-t.nl

Hi,
The 580 is not the same as the 5.8. It is a brand new boat, all new hulls, new rig, centerboards, rudders.. Its very nice.
Dave
http://www.nacra.ca

On the Perfomance Cat Website you get the same description by clicking on either 5.8 or 580. It just like the 5.0 = 500 and the 5.7= 570. I am sure there are subtle changes, but the Hull shape has remained unchanged . It is just not as popular a boat as when I used to race them in the middle 80's. In the 90's sometime NACRA/Performance did some updates and changed the names .
BTW: Nice website it has Zero info about either the 5.8 or 580!!

New boat 580...

See:
www.cathouse1.com
&
http://nacraeurope.com/nacra580.php for specs & updated information!

NACRA 580

This sportscat is the ultimate hybrid between a racing and recreational catamaran. With it’s kick up centerboards and volumed hulls is high speed performance and fun guaranteed. It is also possible to fit out the 580 with an a asymmetrical spinaker kit for even more downwind performance. Several big races were already won with this combination the last two years. The 580 can also be used as the allround family boat to go out on the weekend and to spend time together. This specific design has super volumed hulls in front of the frontbeam and that’s why it does not want to dive quickly and it is super stable to sail with. The 580 has a front beam jib sheeting position which provides an uncluttered trampoline. Roomy and simple set up with performance thrown in just for the fun of it! This Cat is ideal to sail with two persons for racing and with even more for cruising!

Details Length 5,80m
Beam ( width) 2,60m
Mast Lenght 9,40m
Weight 180kg
Mainsail area 17,45m2
Jib area 4,80m2
Asym. Spinaker 21/25m2
# Trapeze 2 persons in trapeze
Construction Vinyl Polyester
Design Nacra design team
Options Mast in two pieces
For optional packages, ask your dealer.

and the Portsmouth ratings?

Nacra 5.8 No. Amer. N5.8NA 66.2

Nacra 5.8 Orig. N5.8 66.5

I doubt that there is a portsmouth rating on the new 5.8.

There is a 580 on ebay right now. It is much different than the 5.8, and has centerboards, self tacker, and all the new high-tech stuff. Kind of a cross between a racer and a pleasure boat, and has a super clean tramp!
see it here: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Nacr...QQitemZ4600028208QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

The 580 is definitely not the same as the 5.8NA. I have owned two 5.8NAs, and had a chance to sail the 580 last year.

Differences:
- 8.5 feet wide
- Hulls are different (finer entry)
- Boom
- Roachier main
- Centerboards
- Heavier

This boat is intended to be a recreation boat. It is extremely stable, but slightly less lively than the 5.8NA.

Roger