Things to watch out for on a Nacra 5.5 :: Catamaran Sailboats at TheBeachcats.com

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Things to watch out for on a Nacra 5.5

janb

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Apr 13, 2014

Last visit: Apr 24, 2014

Posts: 20
Posted: Apr 15, 2014 - 12:02 PM

Hi
I found a Nacra 5.5 two hours away from were I live, and before I go out there to look on it I would like to ask you in here what things to watch out for. Rust, bent things, old repairs, sails.
What are your advise for me.
Best regards,
Jan B
jackb

Rank: Mate

Registered: Dec 01, 2011

Last visit: Nov 02, 2016

Posts: 165
Posted: Apr 15, 2014 - 06:33 PM

Czesc Jan,

This may not be specifically on N5.5, but still a good resource.

http://www.sailingproshop.com/catamaran_guide.aspx

BTW, Tak, ja mowie po polsku

--
Jack B
Hobie 17
BC, Canada
--
janb

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Apr 13, 2014

Last visit: Apr 24, 2014

Posts: 20
Posted: Apr 15, 2014 - 11:18 PM

jackbCzesc Jan,

This may not be specifically on N5.5, but still a good resource.

http://www.sailingproshop.com/catamaran_guide.aspx

BTW, Tak, ja mowie po polsku

Yes I read that yesterday, The bible for secondhand catamarans

Edited by janb on Apr 16, 2014 - 06:19 AM.
HULLFLYER

Rank: Mate

Registered: Aug 06, 2004

Last visit: Feb 24, 2024

Posts: 877
Posted: Apr 16, 2014 - 05:46 AM

I am a current nacra owner and have been for the past 20 years and love my nacra's. I currently have an F18. The thing that I have noticed on a few of the 5.5 were that the deck lids would start to separate much sooner than I would expect. Not that they could not be repaired, but it would be one of the first places that I would inspect closely.
nacra55

Rank: Mate

Registered: Nov 02, 2004

Last visit: Aug 07, 2023

Posts: 626
Posted: Apr 16, 2014 - 10:05 AM

Be very careful installing the beam bolts, the are easily stripped.

The connection between the tiller and tiller crossbar has a weld that tends to brake allowing the tiller crossbar to rotate and will lock the steering. There is a replacement part that solves this problem but the holes need to be re-drilled.

The bottom of the dagger board wells tend to wear and leak, the well wall is very thin. Also check for cracks fore and aft of the bottom of the daggerboard well, these are caused by hitting something with the daggerboard.

The Mylar sail material was prone to de-laminate. Newer materials like pentax seem to last longer. Bubbles in the cloth, outer film pealing off.

The connection on the sides of the bridle foil where the wire on top ends were prone to brake especially on salt water boats.

These apply to all 90's model Nacra 6.0, 5.8 NA and 5.5 SL, the USA boats anyway, things could be different in Europe.

--
Ron
Nacra F18
Reservoir Sailing Assn.
Brandon, Mississippi
--
janb

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Apr 13, 2014

Last visit: Apr 24, 2014

Posts: 20
Posted: Apr 16, 2014 - 05:10 PM

nacra55Be very careful installing the beam bolts, the are easily stripped.

The connection between the tiller and tiller crossbar has a weld that tends to brake allowing the tiller crossbar to rotate and will lock the steering. There is a replacement part that solves this problem but the holes need to be re-drilled.

The bottom of the dagger board wells tend to wear and leak, the well wall is very thin. Also check for cracks fore and aft of the bottom of the daggerboard well, these are caused by hitting something with the daggerboard.

The Mylar sail material was prone to de-laminate. Newer materials like pentax seem to last longer. Bubbles in the cloth, outer film pealing off.

The connection on the sides of the bridle foil where the wire on top ends were prone to brake especially on salt water boats.

These apply to all 90's model Nacra 6.0, 5.8 NA and 5.5 SL, the USA boats anyway, things could be different in Europe.

Thank you
janb

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Apr 13, 2014

Last visit: Apr 24, 2014

Posts: 20
Posted: Apr 16, 2014 - 05:10 PM

HULLFLYERI am a current nacra owner and have been for the past 20 years and love my nacra's. I currently have an F18. The thing that I have noticed on a few of the 5.5 were that the deck lids would start to separate much sooner than I would expect. Not that they could not be repaired, but it would be one of the first places that I would inspect closely.

Thank you

Edited by janb on Apr 17, 2014 - 12:11 AM.
janb

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Apr 13, 2014

Last visit: Apr 24, 2014

Posts: 20
Posted: Apr 16, 2014 - 05:14 PM

The seller told me that the sail looks like it has been painted, if I need a new sail for the Nacra 5.5 where should I look?
JohnES

Rank: Mate

Registered: Sep 01, 2002

Last visit: Apr 08, 2024

Posts: 786
Posted: Apr 16, 2014 - 05:33 PM

Look where the mast post bolt goes through the main beam for rust and corrosion.. These main beams are hard to get if it is rusted out... Here a few pics of what you don't want to see

--
John Schwartz
Ventura, CA
--
jackb

Rank: Mate

Registered: Dec 01, 2011

Last visit: Nov 02, 2016

Posts: 165
Posted: Apr 16, 2014 - 07:57 PM

janbThe seller told me that the sail looks like it has been painted

Painted sails? Really?

This is where I got my sail,

http://www.whirlwindsails.com/images.html

I am not sure how much would be shipping to Europe...

--
Jack B
Hobie 17
BC, Canada
--
janb

Rank: Lubber

Registered: Apr 13, 2014

Last visit: Apr 24, 2014

Posts: 20
Posted: Apr 17, 2014 - 04:38 AM

JohnESLook where the mast post bolt goes through the main beam for rust and corrosion.. These main beams are hard to get if it is rusted out... Here a few pics of what you don't want to see

Ok , but how much is to much ?
It's look like this happened because lack of the right grease or no grease at all?

Edited by janb on Apr 17, 2014 - 11:40 AM.