I just got a 1981 Nacra 5.2 for a screaming deal! The first issue I have to deal with is restoring the hulls.

No 1. : Structurally I THINK they are sound. When I press on the sides of the hulls there is a little bit of give, how much give should there be? Any advice on opening up the deck and reinforcing the hulls from the inside if neccesary?

No 2. : After being left out in the sun, they are badly oxidized and need to be refinished. I've seen some posts on re-gelcoating, and that's what I'm leaning towards. I've also seen discussion of rolling and tipping or brushing on finishes. Any opinions on this would help alot.

Thanks

Try sanding and buffing before re-spraying. A lot of oxidation will come off without needing to add gelcoat.

I agree with Rich.

If the hulls give "just a little that" is no big deal fiberglass panels have some flexibility. If the hulls deflect when pressure is applied and/or multiple gelcoat cracks emanate from the zone, it is a bigger issue.

We have a 30 year old 5.2 on the beach. Last weekend as the owner was moving her to the water a helper brushed the hull against the bow of a 16 yeilding a 3 inch rip in the hull. I was surprised at how thin the hulls are compared to my 91 5.8.

I'd try first a little soft scrub cleanser then light compound then marine wax. This boat I referred to has chalking issues as well. You might be surprised.

The previous owner told me that the amount of give in the hulls had been that way since he bought it. The Nacras were built for speed I guess.

Anyway, I'm definitely going to try and scrub and/or buff out before commiting to any more serious repairs. I think its definitely going to need a bottom job though, as its down to the fiberglass in some places on the bottom from beaching.

A bottom job shouldn't be that big a deal. It is worth doing though. I have hull covers for mine that hold moisture for a couple of hours after a rain. The moisture was being wicked into the hull before I got the bottom done. No problem now.

Unfortunately I only got one hull fixed due to contact with a submerged object. The second mull still needs the bottom done, but can wait until the powerboaters are done damaging their machines for the season.

My first year at Glencoe the rocks, the cradleless wheels and a stupid jibe too close to shore (brace for impact!) put a big hurt on my hulls. Solutions: Bought a set of wheels with cradles for my use only, moved to the south beach (more sand) and I ran a four inch strip of Marine tex along the bottom of the hulls and sanded it smooth. I also wax the hulls every season. I have found that this wear strip has been a very effective solution. I touch it up every spring. Yes, it probable kills some speed but not noticable.

I think if I had to do it all over again, I would have learned to apply gel coat however.