I just found what seems to be a pretty good deal on an old nacra 5.2. I need some info, how hard is this boat to solo? I spend most of my time solo and was just wanting to know if this would be a good boat for me. Will I be able to right it and set it up alone or will I need help. I am just looking for some honest answers before I jump into this.

The Nacra 5.2 will work as a good single handed, the 5.5u
would be better but it would be a few more $. Hard to guess about righting the cat, you could always get a righting pole.
Ted

Hey gree,

Measure the mast for me, will ya?

Thanks <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />

I just did a rough measurement out in the driveway and got +/- 27' 6" (8.38 meters???).

I singlehand my 5.2 all the time. I weigh about 155 pounds and it is a rocket while solo. There is no way in hades I'm going to right it by myself so I make sure to sail around others. I have never dumped it solo (knock knock) because I sail it relatively conservatively (while solo) and I keep a close watch on the weather. I have a righting bag system that should work but I haven't rigged it up yet. I'm guessing it probably takes about 250-280 pounds of weight to right it in light winds, if you know what you are doing. I have a co-worker who sails with me sometimes; she and I together total around 300 pounds and we can right it pretty easily. It handles very well. I sail with my seven-year-old son quite a bit and he can handle crewing and helming. Its a very stable and easy to sail boat. Enjoy.

-Rob V.
Panama City

No one has said anything about stepping the mast, how hard is it can you do it alone.

I sail a Nacra 16ft square solo which is the same as a 5.2 only with 2 inches shaved the hulls. As mast length I am unsure but with the large main sail its most likley longer.
I can right the boat solo but you need wind to assist which should be present to have put you in your situation. I use a righting rope that runs under the tramp along each hull to then form a v shape with a bungee pulling up the slack.
Your mast needs to be well sealed and it will float amazingly well. Stack out from your ceter board 50 deg or so and wait. The mast will raise a couple feet off the water and stop there. Hang on and wait as the wind will blow the boat around until it catches the sail and up she comes. I have been over 3 time so far and had no trouble. I wiegh 100kgs so I reccomend you try it out with help near by just in case...
As to the mast it can be done by having the rear stays attached with the boat pointing dowhill on the beach and up she goes. Grab the front stay and step off. If you have a bridle you can also run a rope from your front stay through the bridle.

I store my boat mast up so I don't have to take it down much. I can tell you that raising the mast solo is nearly impossible because mine doesn't have a captive system. It usually take 2 men and a dog to step or unstep the darn thing. I usually recruit some innocent bystander to hookup my forestay while I lift the mast. That way if the mast falls, it is not as likely to clobber the innocent bystander.

-Rob V.
Panama City

Thank you Rob <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I just finished rebuilding my Nacra 5.2 and have raced it twice. I sail it and have set it up to be single handed. It now has a custom made (by me) carbon bow foil and a self tacking jib from a tiger. I have sailed it twice in 20-30 mph winds singlehanded and have hit 18.2 knots. I step and take down the mast myself, I have replaced the mast rotater cup so it is captive. She is basically a 5.2 on steroids. All the controls rigging and hardware have been updated. Mike K. from SailMax/Layline helped me with the new rigging and controls. Next step is the spin. I have flipped her three times, and have righted her by myself each time. I weigh 196 and am 6'3". I sail in extreem winds and use the wind to help me get her back up. She is a great boat fast and responsive. You can contact me direct and we can talk.

Carl

Saylor Specialties
www.saylorspecialties.com
478-320-7130

I am creating a Taipan 4.9 project boat.
IT has an A carbon mast and new fat top and wings like an H17! But what I need to create is a hooter bridle foil and hope that you can post a better photo of yours.
Cheers

Warbird:

I use the one here on bottom of page on my Hobie 17. http://www.murrays.com/archive/41.pdf Comes with everything you need. It works great. I added a 1 to 2 system to furl faster.

http://www.thebeachcats.com/modules.php?...=view_album.php

Doug
dsnell4 at houston dot rr dot com

Pretty much any section will work as a bridle foil. It can even be as simple as a round standard section from the local hardware store.

The trick is to have the bridle foil supported by wires in the same way as the mainbeam with its dolphin striker.

Wouter

And if your interest in the foil is to take the inward pressure off the bows, you need the foil to extend such that the bridle wires to the bows are (mostly) vertical.

This is the only photo I have right now, Let me know what specific photo or info you need.

Carl Saylor
Saylor Specialties
www.saylorspecialties.com

Great photo! Thanks for that.
I must ask what the raised section central on your tramp is. Is it there for anything other than to give support when inboard and flying a hul.

Yes Jake, idea is to take inward pressure off hull as I am thinking of placing the foil right up front where you might take bridle off for spinny.
Wouter, as I have said I am intending to run a hooter and wonder if I can go without a jib from normal chainplates. Can the mast be supported from so far forward?

Where is the hooter luff line terminated on the mast ?

Wouter

I think it is called a "knee basher." It is a centerline beam between the front and rear beams. It disappeared from the later 5.2s. Sweet looking boat.

pre 1982 (or was it 83) Nacra 5.2s have that center bar there only to prevent rotation of the beams. These models did not have the hardpoints in the hull or the hole in the beam for the bolt that goes in from the outside ends / center of the beam into the hull to prevent the rotation of the beams.

Thanks for that. I have seen a pvc pipe sewn in so you can get support on deck when flying a hull so you don't slip off. I thought it might be that. But I suppose bashing your knees is a good option.