Nacra Hull repair

I have an 84 Nacra 8.5. One of the hulls leaks a fair amount. the tops of both hulls are soft. I think i know how to fix the hull tops. but i am looking for a good way to get inside the hulls to perform some repair. Is there any good documentation out there on the Nacra? Thanks

Take the decks of with a thin putty knife/blade.

do i just scrape them off or apply heat?

I think they come off as solid pieces.

Are there access holes underneath them?

I am not sure if this cat is new enough but yes I think they cover large apertures.
I will go through my files to see what I can find.
right, I have these two photos.
I think the knife may be what was used and the blood tax for getting the job done. : )

: )

That is awesome information. if you could find out the year they started those it would help. but I feel pretty good about just going forward. Do you know if i wreck one of the decks, can they be replaced?

Performance sells them but it is my understanding from another thread here that they have misplaced the molds (not sure if it is the same Nacra or not). I would suggest makeing a mold off of one of yours before you attempt to take it off.

What are the decks made of? assuming i neeed to replace one. FGlass?

Thinking about it, my boat may be to old for these access holes. Can i get the deck plates and then cut the holes? and then back fill? the cut out area?

Dave-

I don't know if you are squeamish like I am about doing fibreglass work but Aquarius is supposed to be the best in the area for repairs. Tom Haberman is who I've talked to there. But I'm squeamish.

Also if you're looking for people to sail with check out www.Fleet444.com We're mostly a Hobie Fleet, but we're open to other boats for any of the fun events just not at the regatta.

If your boat has deck patches like what was removed in these pictures, then you have these holes. There's no other reason to put on a deck patch unless there is a hole under it.

The pictures with the decks removed were from a Nacra 5.2. I have a 83 Nacra 5.2 that I removed the decks on for repairs. I used a chisel to get under the lip of the deck and then used a large knife and gasket scraper to get to the middle of the deck. If you have remove the rear deck, there will be a lot of resin around the daggerwell to break loose if your boat has them. Make sure Performance has decks for your boat. I still haven't heard if they found the molds for my 5.2 decks. I have found a used deck to install on mine though.

You have to beat the scraper/knife with a hammer to break the adhesive.
I'm pretty sure that the decks are made from a solid polyester/fiberglass lay-up with gelcoat finish.
If you muller the deck, you can take a mold off of the other hull before you get stuck into it

paul

FYI, i just ordered new decks from Cat House. so they are still avaiable.

Changing gears a bit. any good tricks to getting a Tramp tight?

Dang thats a loaded question! <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Clayton

I am not sure of the tramp configuration on your boat but the Uptight Trampoline Tool works fantastic.

Uptight Trampoline Tool

I have seen that tool, what is the technique?

After you “lace” up the line, you use the main tool with a twist on the line to tighten it past the first grommet, then you insert one of the small pieces into the grommet so the line cant slip.

Then you twist the line again (lower down the tramp) and put a peice into the next grommet. You can then remove the first peice and tighten the line again. You work your way down the tramp.

I am not sure if this makes sence, but I am sure you get the idea.

Put the tool in the lacing and twist. Plugs go from grommet to grommet. REAL simple.

Doug

Yea, what he said~!