Great site, new to the postings!
This topic is Similar to Atl76 recently. But only considering these two boats. About 320lbs together. Intermediate sailors. Will sail with occasional 3rd. person. Want to keep it simple, but we like it smooth and fast (the sailing!) Both seem great. Hope someone out there has experience with both (or 5.0/5.7) and can share their insights. Emotionally, leaning 570. Our concerns though, would be too difficult (compared to 500) to right, step mast and manhandle on beach. Can anyone comment on the degree of differences. You know the cliche' - If it gets too difficult, less likely to go sailing.
Thanks for your help.

if you ever want to sail solo then stay with the 500

if you never want to sail solo go the 570

Like Erice says the 500 is easier to solo although the 570 can be sailed solo also. You just have to be braver and more experienced before you do it. The 570 has more room for 2 people which is nice.

There really isn't a huge difference between the two boats in terms of mechanics. The 570 is a bit heavier, stepping the mast might be marginally harder. You shouldn't have a problem righting either of them. The advantage of the 570 is in room and performance.

I don't think you can go wrong with either boat. Both are fast and forgiving designs.


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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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After reading your post I just had to register on this site so I could make a reply. I have three cats...NACRA 5.0, a NACRA 5.7 and a HOBIE 16 (My wife says I'm incurable!)I applaud your choice of the NACRA. The advantages of these two models are:
1)No daggerboards
2)Boomless
3)Ease of setup. If you want to see a headache, especially for new sailors, watch somebody set up a Hobie 20 Or a NACRA 5.2 on race day
4)Uncluttered deck
The one disadvantage is, if you can't find open class racing you're pretty much by yourself. That's why I have the Hobie...I like to race.
Now, as to the choice between the 570 and the 500...there is no choice. Absolutely,positively, 100 percently go with the 570 and here's why. More hull volume up front allows better floatation over rollers and "punching" through waves, the ride is smoother and more controlled. You will appreciate the extra room for more crew. Three's a crowd on the 5.0. My 5.7 will handle everything from bobbing on a no wind day with a half-dozen kids to two double trapped on a screaming reach in 30 mph winds. I'll never forget flying the hull in the moonlight with three of us with a combined crew weight of 600lbs.+ on a reach in 20+ wind. Me on the tiller and two trapped out! Try that with a lesser boat! Now,as for your concerns about solo sailing. I solo my 5.7 all the time but I took the small batten out of the jib and have a Harken roller furling unit installed. When you get overpowered just roll up the jib. As you become more experienced you learn ways of depowering the rig (moving the mainsheet forward on the leach plate, honking down on the downhaul to flatten the sail etc.)I cannot right either boat by myself so choosing based on that criteria is moot. I custom built a righting system on the 5.0 that mimicked the White righting pole design but still needed a water bucket to get it up by myself. Due to the extra hull volume the 5.7 is no more difficult to right than the 5.0. My 5.7 has the Hawaiian righting system but it still takes two. Just make sure your mast is watertight and practice righting on days when the wind isn't howling.Sometimes it pays to recognise your limitations and just sit on the beach with an ice cold beer anyway. If you would like to see both of my boats go to Youtube and in the search box type in...hobie beach sick day....it's a seven minute video of my daughter and I sailing both the 5.7 and 5.0, fun stuff. I know this post has gotten long winded but I am passionate about the 5.7. It is twice the boat my 5.0 is and you will NOT be disappointed choosing the 570

Welcome aboard Nacraman57.
Thanks for your reply, it is spot on. I always find myself sitting on my hands to resist the urge when people offer their reasons for "what boat should I buy", as usually the reasons given are insignificant to the whole picture.

Where are you and what is your name?

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Philip
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Great post, I can hardly wait. I have sailed bigger monos, & skiffs, but have only about 6 days on Cats.
A Nacra 5.7 was available in my area, so I bought it, with the idea that I could learn to handle it. I installed a Harken furler, & just received my righting bag. It's ready to be reassembled, & I will be soloing quite a bit. Glad to hear it's doable.

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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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Thanks for the excellent advice to all who replied. Nacraman57, you are passionate about your 5.7 that's for sure. Your info and advise really helped. Are any of you 5/5.7's near Michigan? Almost ready to place that order (570)!!
Thanks again.

NacraMan57 I have a 5.7 that I sometimes single hand. @145# I (so far) have just not turned it over. But since I am sometimes on Lake Dillon (occasionally when ice cubes are still in the water) I would like a fast reliable righting system. How long is your pole and how much wait do you need on it to right a 5.7?