Shhhhh...

In the Island Fever regatta last weekend, I held off a Nacra 6.0 Express for almost an hour in 8-10 knots, flat water, 10-mile tight spinnaker reach. I think if I'd been more forward on the boat and not gotten cramps in my trimming hand, I might have held him off and beaten him to the first mark. After four hours of racing on the 36 nm course, I scored second place. MAN that was a fun weekend to be on a 14!

Way to go, John! We had a local regatta here on Saturday with six Mystere 4.3s, a Hobie 16, and a Hobie 18. First race in about 6-7 mph wind I was the first to finish on a windward leeward twice around course. The H-16 beat me to only one weather mark out of six and never came closer than finishing two minutes behind. The H-18 did finish ahead of me in race 2 and 3 (where the wind built a little to maybe 10 mph)but saved his time only by two seconds in just race 3! So the Mystere 4.3s can outsail bigger boats with the right course and conditions. The long time H-16 racer, while sailing in after the last race, asked me how much time the M-4.3s owed the H-16! I did not have the heart to tell him so I changed the topic to the big turnout for their Worlds. This is not only a fast boat for its size but probably the best value also. ;-)

Too good John .
I remember a race in very light conditions some years back where the M16's had left the start 10 minutes before the 14's and they were all camped at the weather mark in a hole. The 14 fleet slowly snuck up and sailed through and out the other side of their fleet , leaving them all just sitting there.
When the wind finally filled in, they got their own back in spades but it was good while it lasted.
Bern

Looks like your spinnaker & his mainsail came from the same sailmaker ! I`d imagine a GOOD pair of sunglasses are mandatory when choosing that colour for sails.
Great stuff seeing you hold off bigger boats, must annoy them a bit.
Mystere looks like a well-put together little craft,looks bouyant enough for two lightweight sailors as well, probably the closest design to the spirit of F14.
Great looking little boat !

Cheers
Steve

Actually, the sails come from two different lofts - my 'chute's new from Schurr in Pensacola, FL. It's 3/4 oz. AirX. Of the colors they had available, that's the only one that really went with the main. Call me crazy or fashion-conscious, but I just couldn't bring myself to put a color up front that clashed with the rest of the boat.

You guess right - the 4.3 is a great little boat. My wife occasionally consents to a ride and we're about 260 together. Handles us both just right, and without a class minimum weight or number of crew, we can race together without asking for the "H" factors or alone without the penalty.

Can you tell I'm sold on the boat?

Oh, and yeh... me in front drives 'em bananas, but it's all in fun. I've crewed for just about every skipper in the region and they all seem to be glad to see me on my own boat. Lot's of advice and good-natured ribbing.

Great pic John.
Why on earth would anyone not be happy with a boat that size? It seems to me that 14ft is as much boat as you need to have a great time so why is bigger, better? More expensive? yes, faster? yes (sometimes), much more difficult? yes, more fun - NU!
Bern,

What is that 14 to leeward of you there? It has the Nacra class insignia?

It's a 14 square Nacra. They're a bit of a dog really. They've been around for about 10 years here but they aren't too popular. They're 4.4m long, they are heavy, they have a *boomless* rig and large-ish, very full sail with about a thousand battens which is difficult to depower so they are generally parked after the wind goes over 15/18k.

I think they are only available in Australia if at all now.
Bern

Bern, don't be too tough on the Nacra 14sq. I have sailed them quite a bit and never been beaten by anything else close to the class (there are over 14 feet long).

If anything, I have been up with the 16 fleet, but I am a little on the heavier side of the ledger

With a new main on them and a kite, they would be a sensational boat.

It is a pity that the Mystere is unavailable out here in Australia, as I sailed on in Canada a year or so ago and loved it.

John:

Just reading thru threads. So why did you get the Shurr spinnaker? Is the stock one know good? Remember I can getting one of the 2002 National boats.

Doug

John:

Everybody out of town this weekend? Forum not very active.

Doug

Nacra 14 squared. Little brother to the 16 sq and the 18 sq. Still available as with the 16 sq.

Look at the twisty-doodle in them sails. Thats a pretty beefy looking boat on this end of the photo.It's got the Mystere thing going on! Nice Shot!

Is that a NACRA Aus only Product? It would be neet to have about 15 or so of those to mess around with!!!

I've never sailed one but I really don't like the boat. I'm unimpressed by the whole design. As I said, at 4.4m they are not 14, 15 or 16ft?? They are un-necessarliy heavy. The boomless main setup makes good sail trim impossible. The main has about 50 more batterns than it needs. They don't point, etc etc.
My 430 / F14 smacks 'em quite easily.

I have had a 14sq for about six months now and have quietly been tuning it.
The sail was full but by lengthening the bolt rope all of the belly goes out and it settles down hugely.
If it has a problem it is that it nose dives early.
I have brought the mast back a long way to sort that and am now looking at fully battoned jib and possible hooter. I am waiting for Darryl to tell me if I can buy his foiled rudders for it.
It is a tough and predictable and forgiving boat that seems to stick around the H16s and owes me 2.5K
What would I buy to go fasterat that price?

That your place up on the hill there wb?

No, this is where I am.

Very nice.