Out of the three different 6.0 models, the orginal 6.0, the Express, and the NA, what are the true differences? I know the Express was a sail package designed by Smyth for the original 6.0, and that the masts for the original are different than the NA. Did the Express use a bow foil? What about the length of the original mast, similar to the 5.8? Just curious about the various incarnations.
Keith, Annapolis, Md.
H-18
Northstar 500 (monoslug)
The NACRA 6.0 was born from the NACRA 5.8 and was designed by Roy Seaman. The sail plan was designed by Skip Elliot. The original NACRA 6.0 had a 31 foot mast, 255 square feet of sail area and did not come with a spinnaker. The upper trap wire (skipper) connected to the spinnaker hound which made for a
pumping
sensation when sailing it.
It had the same diamond wires and spreaders as the NACRA 5.8. It also had a self tacking jib. Spinnakers were added but there was no official size limitation or requirement.
Shortly there after there was a European version which had a slightly larger jib that overlapped by about 10%.
Randy Smyth found the boat to be under powered and came up with the 6.0 EXPRESS which featured a bigger main and jib.
The NACRA 6.0NA was the first factory boat with an increase in sail area. The concept was to put up as much sail as was practical on a boat this size with no boom and a conventional mast.
The mast configuration changed from the regular 6.0 to the NA with the addition of a wider set of spreaders and a higher attachment point for the outer diamonds and the second set of inner diamonds helped control pumping of the rig.
The jib area was greatly increased on the 6.0NA as well. This turned the mainsail inside out in anything over 16 knots of wind.
In 1995 we started experimenting with a carbon mast on the 6.0NA and it helped the performance of the boat a lot. Overall the boat sailed better with the carbon rig but it's reduction in healing and pitching moment was the most welcomed change.
I hope this helps clarify the lineage of the boat.
For a picure of Larry Harteck and I sailing a carbon mast NACRA 6.0NA off Santa Cruz Island go to: http:/
Best regards and happy Thanksgiving to you all.
Mark A. Michaelsen ~MM~
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Mark Michaelsen
(800) 354-7245
Mark,
I know what you mean about the jib turning the main inside out in winds over 16k. Was the 6.0 designed primarily as a lighter air boat?
![[Linked Image]](/forums/images/icons/tongue.gif){kind=icon}
Kevin Rose
N6.0na #215
A review of the average wind speeds encountered in North America showed 4-8 knots to be the norm on a nationwide basis with 8-12 knots in the windier time of year so the sail plan was based around putting as much area up as possible given the mast and platform.
My opinion is that too little R&D was done prior to the release of this sail plan but hey, that's just my opinion.
MM
what the heck am I gonna get THIS year?
for the answer to that question go to:
http://www.sailingproshop.com/sailinggear.htm
Mark Michaelsen
(800) 354-7245
Occasionally I find myself singlehanding the boat in 20+ and having all I can do to keep the boat down (200 lbs.). With the 6.0NA, if the main is not kept sheeted hard the jib inverts the main and things get really hairy as it develops a heavy lee helm. I don't have a furler installed but have often wondered if a slightly furled jib might make it more managable in heavy weather. Any thoughts?
Kevin Rose
N6.0na #215
Kevin,
There are a few things you can do to make your life easier.
First, you can use very stiff battens in the lower part of the main. In the Northeast we all use the Smyth Team batten sets for the 6.0. You can get these from Rick Bliss. This eliminates the inversion problem in the main. Move the Jib leads outboard in heavy air also.
Honk in on the downhaul. Even a 16:1 downhaul needs to be pulled in hard. The Mast should get board flat when you are sailing upwind. Travel out instead of under sheeting the mainsail. Going upwind in a breeze you should be sheeting dowblehanded on the mainsail. With the lighter lower battens, sheet in untill the lower batten inverts then back it off untill it just pops back into position. With the stiffer lower battens, sheet as hard as you can with both hands in winds over 15 knots.
You can leave the jib at home when you are singlehanding the boat. Or alternatively buy a used jib from a Nacra 5.8 or P19. These are both good high wind Jibs for the 6.0. To get the small jibs to fly right with a furler, use a 12 inch spectra pigtail from the tack to the foilI. I think in anything over ~22 knots true the smaller jibs are faster all around.
As far as partialy furling the jib why bother? Furl it all the way. At 20 knots a 2 person minimum weight team (325 lbs) is already depowering aggresively.
Eric
Eric,
Thanks for the feedback. I'll have to give the new battens a try. I was thinking about adding a furler to give me an alternative storm tactic when caught in a squal. I think you're right, though, that I'd be better off furling it all the way. I'll borrow a jib from one of the 5.8 sailors and give it a try, too.
The autumn weather on Lake Champlain brings many days of 20+ southerly wind. Great sailing but a real challenge on the 6.0. My wife and I weigh in right at the minimum and any additional trick for depowering is helpful post-September. The folks I sail with occasionally head out on what they call a
three fools
sail when the winds are cranked up past 30. (The hope is that at least 2 can stay with the boat.)
I've got to get down to your waters one of these days and check out your setups. Everyone on the beach with me is sailing a 5.8. I'm the only 6.0 on Lake Champlain. My plan is to get down to the NE100 next summer, but I may make a trip earlier to meet others in the fleet. (Or, we'll have to get the southern New England sailors up north for a Lake Champlain regatta.)
Thanks again for your suggestions.
Cheers,
Kevin Rose
N6.0na #215