I was just given a twenty something year old Nacra 5.7
I am determined get on the water this summer but I can't locate anyone to teach me how to set it up and to check all the gear no less learn how to sail. I live in an area of California where sailing is not very popular.
Where do you think I should start?

i'd start with downloading the owners manual for that boat and begin to familiarize yourself with parts and components, then get some help and try to rig it on land to see if all parts are there. as far as lessons, check out the site"texas sailing" ,he has free video lessons. and naturally try to find someone local to "show you the ropes " litteraly. the 5.7 is a way cool boat, hope you get it together and sailing soon!

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bill harris
hattiesburg, mississippi
prindle 16- "BLUE RIBBON"
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buy "catamaran racing for the 90's" and start reading

it's a 20 year old book and so is perfect for a 20year old boat

the section on sailing the boomless nacra 5.8 will help you understand the boomless 5.7 and the sections of the boardless hobies will help understand the boardless 5.7

http://www.amazon.com/Catamaran-Racing-90s-Rick-White/dp/1880871009/ref=pd_bxgy_b_img_c

I taught myself how to sail my 5.2 last year after about 20 years since sailing as crew on a Hobie 16. It's not impossible to learn by yourself but I would suggest trying to find someone else with a cat to show you some of the ropes.

Start with the manual for setup, ask questions here if something doesn't make sense. Catamaran Racing for the 90s is probably the best cat book out there. There also a couple of others cat books out there, Phil Berman's books is OK too. I found Rick White's videos to be pretty decent too.

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Thankyou all for your responses
I'm on it!
How can I tell what year it was manufactured so I can get the right year manual?
Today, when I was going through the gear, I noticed I couldn't find the boom. I was beside myself because I thought it was lost after all these years.
Did I read right that this boat is boomless?

Thanks again
JohnnyVan

Yep, one of the selling points is that the 5.7 is boomless and boardless. It makes it a very lustworthy boat (at least in my mind).

The year is part of the number stamped on top of the hulls near the rudders. Likely if someone gave it to you it is one of the older models, there are 2 versions of the manual here http://www.thebeachcats.com/index.php?module=pictures&g2_itemId=35212 , download them both there are small variations between eras but the basics are the same. I benefitted from reading both for my 5.2. Also people have been known to do slight changes to the rigging (I know I rig mine slightly differently from stock), so don't panic if it isn't exactly the same.

There are quite a few people with 5.7s on here and at least 2 that are in a similar situation as yours (brand new to the boat at least).

Lastly don't panic if something is missing. They still make that boat and the parts are easy to find (if not cheap). If we can't hook you up with something used you can assuredly find a new part.

D.



edited by: Wolfman, Apr 18, 2010 - 07:48 PM

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Johnny Vann,
You forgot to tell us what part of California. Chances are there is someone close enough to help. There are pletty of folks around familiar with the Nacras.

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Philip
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JohnnyVan

Thankyou all for your responses
I'm on it!
How can I tell what year it was manufactured so I can get the right year manual?

You don't need the specific year. The general Nacra assembly manual covers models
5.0, 5.2, 5.5, 5.7, 5.8 and 18 Square
not that detailed but should help quite a bit. I've got them scanned here in the Technical Help Gallery.

Link to Nacra Assembly Manual

When you click the thumbnails you get a larger version, click the picture again and get an even bigger version that is easier to read. In that same album there is a 7mb PDF of the whole manual.

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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN

How To Create Your Signature

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How To Display Pictures In The Forums.
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Thanks again,

I live in Visalia, California
South of Fresno and North of Bakersfield
The Fresno Yacht Club seems to use only single hulled
sailboats, but I will call them to find someone with a passion for cats
P.S. the hull number is TRRL0227M84H
Would I be correct in guessing that it was manufactured in
1984?

JohnnyVan

yes an 84, possibly the last letter is a month code so could be aug1984

with seamed, solid glass, stringer strengthening hulls

as opposed to the later foam sandwich hulls

the original sail number was probably 227

the pics in the manuals are generally terrible, probably a good idea to start searching and saving pics of other people's 5.7's with google image search

http://images.google.com/images?q=nacra%205.7&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-GB:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi





edited by: erice, Apr 19, 2010 - 07:41 AM

Ha you own the slightly newer sistership to my 5.7. It is a 1984 boat.
I can't give you much advice, as I just bought it late last fall, & have never had it on the water yet. I totally disassembled it for inside storage & have been reworking it over the winter. I found this site invaluable, there are several people with lots of knowledge on this Cat, & they are willing to share it. You will also find this forum is free from flames, other than some good natured kidding.
Download the manuals mentioned, & also sift through the archives here. I have saved tons of articles, & pictures posted of rigging etc. Look through the "ALBUMS" section for pics.
Here is the NACRA USA site
http://www.nacra.us/cat_index.html
Scroll to the bottom & click NACRA Archive. The 5.7 isn't listed, but if you scroll down you will find another assembly manual with more detail on some aspects of assembly, & generally better pictures. There is also a parts manual. You will find that Murrays catalog uses the same part numbers.
Murrays, Salty Dog Marine, have lots of parts for these Cats. Also consult the "parts for sale" section of this forum. Give Dan Berger a call/email, he has some stuff listed for sale hare. He must make it a hobby to part out Cats, as he always has a bunch of stuff for sale. I have bought stuff from him, & can vouch he is very helpful & accommodating.
I changed mine to a Harken Roller furling, & had to lay out $130 for a new tiller stik. Those were the two biggest items, & all told, I invested around $800 above purchase cost so far. You will find that lines & rigging need replacement on an older boat, so budget some cash for it. Mine is just about ready to be assembled, can't wait to try it out.




edited by: Edchris177, Apr 20, 2010 - 02:42 PM

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Hobie 18 Magnum
Dart 15
Mystere 6.0XL Sold Was a handful solo
Nacra 5.7
Nacra 5.0
Bombardier Invitation (Now officially DEAD)
Various other Dock cluttering WaterCrap
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