Questions about my Nacra 5.8

I hear a lot of folks raving that the NA version of the 5.8 is quite a bit more powerful. I am looking to replace the sails both main and jib in the near future. If i do this i am considering converting to NA prior as I believe the jibs are different.

Q1.
How would I convert my (Pre NA) to a NA? Is their a kit or a post somewhere specifying what parts I need to purchase.

Q2.
I see lots of sails being sold for Hobie's but not too many for Nacra's, especially the 5.8's. Where can I get sails for my cat?

Q3.
Ultimatly I want to add a spinnaker to this cat. What recomendations do you have for this?

Contact Performance Cat for the Bridal foil for the NA conversion. Elliot Pattison Sails www.epsails.com for the sails. If you add a spinn, don't go with the foil. Stay with the original configuration jib and get an F18 spinn. www.whirlwindsails.com makes a great spinn at a VERY reasonable price. Tell Elliot Pattison you want a square top main. Otherwise they will tell you to purchase from a dealer. Actually gong with the spinn set up will be about the same as the NA conversion.

Lee Wicklund/Team Chums

Tobin,
I have everything that you need, less the bow foil. I have the NA jibs as well as the non NA jibs. I also have a practically new Pentex squaretop Main sail if you are interested. I also have several extra new style daggerboards and rudders if your interested. Let me know.
Philip

If you decide to add the bridal foil you will need to add sleeves to the inside of the front crossbar. Performance sells them for about $20 each. Check out www.thebeachcats.com and post that you are looking for a set of used 5.8 sails also check ebay. I have seen them on these sites before.

i have some more questions about a 5.8. the jib sliders on the sides of the hulls, what are the good settings for them. Would you ever use a middle setting? (i am sure i am using the wrong name for them.)

Don't know which settings are correct but the "sliders" are called fairleads. As a general rule you will move them aft as the wind picks up. To determine proper location sail to windard on a beat. Begin to slowly luff the boat up, if the top and bottom taletells begin to flip at the same time then the fairlead is set correctly. If the bottom one breaks before the top then you need to move the car aft. If the top one breaks first, then move the car forward. The cause/effect is as you move the fairleads back you are pulling more aft then down on the sail effectively flattening the bottom of it. As you move the car forward you are pulling more downward then aft effectively flattening the top of the jib.

I have a bridle foil and almost new NA jib if your interested. I went mylar throughout after i did a swan dive through the main. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> So I purchased a new mylar Main and jib and still have the virtually brand new one in a bag in the basement.

If your thinking of adding a spinnaker then my recommendation is not spend you money on converting the NA rig, rather put that into your spinnaker rig. As Lee mentioned, get with an F18 spinnaker, that is what I did on mine and it rocked - not too overpowered and easily managed. Also, by not doing the NA rig your spin pole will sit higher and will not be a problem in rough water.

That said, Performace has all the parts you'll need for the spin conversion.

As for your sail - EP sails is the way to go for your jib and main, and Whirlwind for you spinnaker.

Here is a pic of the set up I had & where are you located

You selling your new sail?

John,
I've got two Pentex mains. I'm keeping the one that is like yours.
Philip

I think I am not going to modify my 5.8 to the NA version but insteead will take the recomendations by Johnes and Lee Wicklund and spend the resources I have on a good spinnaker setup.

I am now shopping for a new (or practically new) Jib and Mainsail for my 5.8. I dont know much about sails so any assistance would be appreciated.

Another question.
Mylar, Dacron, Pentex, square top etc...What does all this mean?

I am located in San Antonio Texas. Its a decent location with 3-4 lakes in a 60 mile radius and the ocean's about 2 hours away.

I went with Pentex squaretop and recaher when I had my custom ones cut for my H-17. After 6 years of steady use they showed very little wear. I had Sabre cut mine, but would go with Whirlwind (Rick sells) or Glaser. Going with Glaser when I get the Blade. Good luck.

Doug

sorry, for the thread resurrection, but this is the best thread that references the 5.8 to 5.8na conversion.i know i need the following parts; complete bridle foil assemblies, forestay, and new jib. my question is about this post.



what are these crossbar sleeves?

Thanks,

G~

They are inserts to reinforce the front beam on the 5.8NA and 6.0NA. They prevent failure of the beam do to the loads. You can make one just like the factory did. Take a section of used beam and cut to length, then cut out a slot section of the beam lengthwise. This will be the insert. Compress it to a smaller diameter and start to insert into the existing front beam. Release the compression source and tap it into position. You'll have to drill some holes where needed. Done.

that makes some sense. i am assuming that the dolphin striker needs to be removed for this, then reinstalled as necessary instead of doing the sleeve in two pieces.

did the 5.8na's just come with the sleeves installed or were they specced with thicker front main beams?

G~

Having had one of the earliest 6.0na's, then retrofitting a spin and DIY snuffer to it-

I'd take Lee's and other advice and go with a spin. set up and forget about the foil, et. al.

Actually, the original ones with the forward beam mounted jibs would be even better- doubt any still around though.

Research the spin hound on top, and use the rotating kind of hound, not a fixed point- better for the mast also.

Two sleeve reinforcements. Don't remember the length but from beam end to just inside the dolphin striker v-bar bolts.

i have an '83 model, but the jib seems to be mounted along the tramp. i guess the beam mounted jib must have been only on the '82 models.

i will look more into the spin setups. i was trying to keep the boat as simple as possible. i have a keelboat for complicated.

thanks,

G~

Spinnaker + self tacking jib is the simplest, fast boat. You'd be pretty close to F-18 performance up to 15 kts of breeze downwind with that setup. Upwind it's tricky, the F18's have much better foils, stiffer platforms, modern masts etc. Trouble is the self tacking bit is difficult to come buy used and expensive new. Worth every penny IMO, having raced boats like the N20 (more modern 6.0) with and without the self tacker.

Then leave it as is... it is a powerful boat and lots of fun..

Like others have said, your time, money, and effort would be better spent upgrading to a spinnaker.

Been there... done this...

Also, while you have the beam down, check the dolphin striker where it goes through the beam... make sure the beam is not corroded.

Also, when you reassemble, be sure to pre-load the beam...

Thank you all,

G~

I have an 83 5.8 which I upgraded to the NA package when it first became available. I was pleased with the results at the time. I later upgraded again to a spinnaker which I purchased from Brisbane Sails. At the time spinnakers class legal on the 5.8 in Australia so the spinnaker is designed for the 5.8 not an F18. My 12' spinn pole runs under the bridle foil and does not poke waves. Jib is now on a roller furler and I like the set up. BTW my first upgrade was a sq top main from Elliott/Pattison. All my jibs and mains have come from them.

Where ya been Buzz?

Oh! Can ya keep a secret? We have beach launching in Ventura

You have my interest up. How long has that been going on?

AS long as the launch ramp is closed... they say it will be may have it back in June.... doubt it will be done before August...