Need NACRA history

Greetings all,

I have been awarded the opportunity to gather as much of the early history on NACRA Catamarans that's "fit to print." This project is being spearheaded by Jack Young, and I am trying to round up as much intel as possible on NACRA's Southeastern fleets. Thanks to the Lundquist family, I am in possession of many of the old Tell Tales and regatta programs, SIs, scores, etc from the late seventies and early eighties. The 18m2 stuff is especially cool.

Tom Shannon: We need your help. I have been trying to call Mil and compare notes on the Birmingham fleet, but have not heard back. Try and get with me on this because we know what your dad accomplished on behalf of NACRA. Please contribute some photos and personal story of BSC and NACRA if you will, kind sir.

Hey Bert -

What kind of things are you looking for? I think Mil has all the scrapbooks/photos (I have some pictures, but I think she has the majority of them), but I could pull some info from memory and probably the BSC archives.

I bet Jim Leonard would have some info or could at least corroborate some info.

Top of the morning to you, Tom.

I will try and get with Mil again today.

Your dad took over my job as District Secretary from me in 1981 after being one of the original dealers east of the Mississippi River. He published our District 9 story for awhile then he bought the Prindle 19. I need news articles with facts, personal accounts/recollections etc. I am hoping to celebrate all the true characters that saw NACRA though those growing pains. I guess Kirk will cover the Inter 20 and Worrell days so I am looking for story from past owners, dealers, race volunteers etc. If you have a photo or two just jpeg it and notify me. Please use Microsoft Word for story telling.

Even Jack is still scratching his head over the final output medium so we are just assembling story and photos for now.

This request is for all of NACRA-Land. Do not be shy; Please send a personal message and I will forward contact info for me or Jack Young.

lots of 18 sq sailing at Lake Norman yacht Club over the last 30 years, Jake can probably get you contact info if you desire.

Nuh-huh. Those people don't like me, vehemently, because I tried to bring twelve to eighteen Hobie 16s, who wanted their own start, to their september open catamaran regatta last year. Got called a couple of unrepeatable names.

There you go... trying to build the regatta. Sheesh!

It was practically $100 entry regatta...let's see, besides the obvious benefit to our sport, $1,800 in exchange for an extra start? I really couldn't see the problem. Apparently, I'm a pain in the as as reported by more than one person.

Sorry...thread derailment off.

Jake and all,

I have a bunch of 18m2 story. I need story from veterans in the 5.2 and 5.8. I will be picking up more from the Fort Walton group later this week or next.

Mahalo for keeping us in mind. Glad to hear there are fleets of 18m2 sailors still around.

Catandahalf, I sent you a PM for an email contact of someone who used to be part of the 18^2 fleet at Lake Norman. Their fleet has mostly dissolved but they had a lot of 5.2 and 5.8 converted squares.

I tend to agree with your "build the event" mantra. I enter some regattas just to make sure the PRO/Organizers can make ends meet. I sailed in a 2 boat "fleet" last weekend (20 other leaners, but..) I got second!

I even had a crew of newbies on board (didn't know halyard from sheet) but got them out on the water for a fun sail. Hopefully they will eventually join the fleet..

It's not like I'm training for the world match-racing series or Olympics... and it gets the boat off the trailer more often...

Copied, Jake ... I will send out a request this am. Thanks!

forgot about that nonsense, but that's not the fleet we used to sail in BITD.

I began my cat sailing on a 1976 5.2 that came from Charleston, I sailed it from 1990-1995ish. I sold it to a friend who sold it to a friend and now its tricked out with new Sq top and Spin. Although it hasn't sailed in that config yet, not sure why but the owner is headed to Afghanistan for year, maybe I can get it back OTW.

I want to say the sail number is 231

Dave, Thanks for the note. That unit sounds like an early cardboard stringer model. I began on #98 in '77.

We are looking for story and photos from past NACRA owners ... may become presented on Facebook. Owners and sailors with their boats and stories of the past will be our focus.

Jake I have not heard from the source you shared. Mahalo for the effort.

Is this the same Jack Young that ran NACRA for years? He has Tom Roland and Roy Seamen on his speed dial. These three alone could write the whole story...

Did you talk to Mike Christensen, or his mom? Chris was the National champ for a while wasn't he? Chris was a mentor for me back around the 70s. Mike was a really good racer, and i think he may have won a nats too.

This is part of nacra history but not a pleasant story
A young man who lived on the island of Maui named Nojay Komado (not sure correct spelling)in the late 70's with a man in his 60's tried to sail from California to Hawaii on a nacra. They never made it, a passing cargo boat took a picture of the boat bows straight up in the air with identifiable marking of the boat. The were sponsored with $10,000 from an airline company which I can not remember the name of. I was an acquaintance of a cousin of his who was a banker on Maui,
I know we are responsible for what we do but I always held the airline company partly responsible for the loss of these two sailors. Without the money they may not have left.
Nojay had a beach rental on Maui and a few of the nacra"s remained on the beach for a few years untouched.

This is part of nacra history but not a pleasant story
A young man who lived on the island of Maui named Nojay Komado (not sure correct spelling)in the late 70's with a man in his 60's tried to sail from California to Hawaii on a nacra. They never made it, a passing cargo boat took a picture of the boat bows straight up in the air with identifiable marking of the boat. The were sponsored with $10,000 from an airline company which I can not remember the name of. I was an acquaintance of a cousin of his who was a banker on Maui,
I know we are responsible for what we do but I always held the airline company partly responsible for the loss of these two sailors. Without the money they may not have left.
Nojay had a beach rental on Maui and a few of the nacra"s remained on the beach for a few years untouched.

I have not seen Mike for years. Chris was a hero to many young speed drivers in the seventies for sure.

We do have stories from "Tell Tales" on Chris, but Jim Oliver's account of a Lauderdale to Key West Race was the most amazing account of a "fortunate" cat sailor. Jim was racing aon n IOR boat, "Redlegs." If I recall, the keel boat rounded up in a puff late one night, only to almost run over Chris, who had capsized in his NACRA and strapped himself to the hulls. They put a spotlight on Chris and finally got him aboard. They had to talk him out of "duct taping" his bow, and thus, gained a strong crewman for the remainder of the race. I never heard what happened to the 5.2.

If there is anyone who can put me in touch with Mike or Pauline, I would appreciate the opportunity to contact them.

Mahalo for that tale. Maybe Jack has a clue about this. I have included this in my notes.

Roger that; Jack has put together an outline which includes the founders. That is what we are trying to expand.

Here is N5.2 652 on Logan Martin Lake (south of Birmingham, AL).

More pics coming.

http://imgur.com/VxwKrfd

ETA: 1982 NACRA 5.2 North American Champions pictured. I think that is the right year. It was held in Toms River NJ.

My last visit to FL was over a year ago, but Pauline still lives in the same house in fll. A mutual friend Hans brought me by her house for a chat. Mike is in the flying business, maybe flight controller? in I think Georgia.
dave @ jollyrodgers.net if i can help any further
ps. i think i may have met you once at a race in Pensacola over 30 years ago. Mike was crewing for me on the Trac 18 racing team, and Chris had maybe a 5.8 or 5.7 lots of models coming out in those days. Light air- the nacras won.

If you are speaking of Hans Geissler, I will touch base with him for Pauline's address.

Visited Maui a few years ago. You guys and gals there have it pretty nice. I loved Lahaina and Hookipa. The Hana Hwy was a real treat.

Thanks for the update.

Hey Tom,

I still have not had a chance to get with Mil, but this will be a good start. I have one photo of Larry clowning it up with Eloise Hardy and Mercedes during a stopover at Seville Quarter after the '81 Nationals.

Scanned over a hundred pics so far ... time for words and story.

What ever happened to all the info being compiled?

Not sure where this ended up but if you need Mike Christianson's contact information I've got it.

Yea if you want to pm me I'd be interested to contact him and see if he can post anything they got.