Hey guys, I'm new here. I have a Nacra 5.5 uni and I am thinking about adding a spin to my boat to spice things up a bit. You'll have to forgive me because I am ignorant when it comes to spins on beach cats, I have no point of ref. here. My question is what would be the best setup for the uni? Pole type, and running rigging are my biggest concerns. I guess what I am asking is, if it were your boat, how would you do it? Thanks.
Edit: Oh yea, I forgot, I would like to be able to do this on a college student budget. I'm not cheap, but keep the cost in mind. . . using a used windsurfer mast for a pole etc?.?.?
I might be able to help. I am currently running a Nacra 5.5Uni with chute and snuffer. I have been running with this setup for three years. My current spin is a Hobie 20 chute sheeted off the rear beam, but I have a smaller spin being built to be sheeted of the shrouds. Pole length including the snuffer is 12 feet. It is a great addition to the 5.5 uni.
Let me know if you have any more questions, nacra@attbi.com
Also, let me know if you figure out how to do this cheaply, I've been sailing for 23 years and still have not figured out how to do it cheaply.
it's not easy to install a spinnaker 'cheaply'. The best you can probably expect, with purchasing a relatively new chute, is about a $1,200 investment after all the hardware, lines, and sail. To do it the easy way will easily eclipse $2k.
I'm interested in doing this also, to my newly aquired 5.5sl
I have a surplus of carbon windsurfing masts that I've been meaning to look at, perhaps make some fittins for the end, I dunno. I'm trying to find prices of new stuff, but can't (I don't know where to look)
Might be cheaper to buy a used spin pole/snuffer than try and make your own.
At any rate, I'm interested in any findings you might have!
Do a search on the forum, there's been lots of discussions on this. The rig I did on my 18 came in around $600 including sail, so it can be done if you shop and scrounge.
I stand corrected! 