Hey everyone,

So I am extremely new to sailing and basically don't my butt from a shotgun. An old family friend moved away and left me a Nacra 5.2 from the early 80's in his yard for me.

That being said the yard is about 200 miles away. The more good news is that sitting outside for years has ruined both tires. My question is, seeing as how I can't go grab one for comparison, what is the size of the tires on an old trailer like that?

I really only get one shot at this so ANY help anyone could offer would be great.

Thanks so much!

Unless you know someone/neighbor who can tell you the tire size, you'd be guessing.
Take along a decent supply of tools & drive down. Find out what connection for the lights he used, & tire size. Then remove the wheels & drive to the local store that sells that kind of stuff & get them changed. While that's happening check the lights, tie downs, & hitch connection. By the time yuo verify they are usable, the tires should be done. If need be, you can probably buy a new tire/wheel for about $50 each, just check the bolt pattern. Either way, a couple hundred bucks for the cat is cheap.
Leave early in the morning & you should be home by dark.

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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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You can get a set of tow lights cheap $20 at harbor frieght as for the tires its most likely the 4 or 5 lug trailer tires 8 to 12 " size the last 4 trailers I have gotten with older boats have been the 5 lug 12" tire. You should go there look at the tire size and spray the lugs with WD40 or Penetrating oil and then head to Walmart or Academy and buy the wheels. I would bring a set of tow lights if you dont use them you can return them. Lets not forget to have a 1 7/8" & 2" trailer ball that has been random on all my trailers. Homedepot sells a kit that has both sizes and you can swap them out super easy. Also borrow a license plate bring some self tapping screws & a drill or zip ties work ok to mount the plate in a bind. While your shopping you might want to go ahead and pick up somoe barkeepers friend, a buffer & 3m rubbing compound for cleaning it up!! Lol!! The fun begins!



edited by: fa1321, Jul 29, 2010 - 04:57 PM

I can second that but it is worth the work.

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Nacra 5.2
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Extra tie downs (comprssion straps work well) and some red flagging for the mast!! It will hang off the back quite far.

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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One option to keep in the back of your mind is if you have access to a decent size flat trailer, you can just load up boat & trailer, tie it down, and fix when you get home.

Also - I'd strongly suggest putting together a punch list of what should come with the boat. Pretty easy for parts to get scattered if it's been sitting a long time.

Good luck and congrats on a great find.


Chris

Bring plenty of bungee cords and some small velcro ties. A breaker bar to get the tires off after you use wd 40. Some kind of padding to keep the mast off the crossbar, might as well get some 1000 grit sandpaper and a sanging block.

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Nacra 5.2
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add a grease gun to the list...when you jack up the trailor, check for bad bearings.

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Check out "Prindle Sailors" on Facebook!
bill harris
hattiesburg, mississippi
prindle 16- "BLUE RIBBON"
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As for the tires, I buy mine at Super Walmart they are a little less expensive there. I would buy 2 sets of 8 inch. One set 4 lug and the other 5 lug. The reason for 8 inch is that they will work on any trailer, the 12 inch may not. You need to be sure that you have clearence from the fender. Just return the set that you do not use when you return home

WOW! I posted this yesterday at the office thinking 1 or 2 people at the most would reply. THANK YOU ALL so much for your advice, I can't express enough how much I appreciate it.

I would never have thought to bring some of the things you'll have mentioned. Definetely extremely excited to get out there and get sailing!

kenneyman

WOW! I posted this yesterday at the office thinking 1 or 2 people at the most would reply.

That should give you an idea of how much fun these boats are. Its well worth the effort you put into it and the first time you fly a hull or trap out on the wire you too will be trying to help as many people get into it if they show an interest.

Yep, lots of rabid 5.2 owners out there. Not to mention the other catamarans. :)

Make sure you let us know what you find and what may be missing. Chances are we can point you in the right direction and help you find parts. Also check out the Nacra manuals available in the technical help gallery here.

Regards,
Dave

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Will do! Thanks again.

My friend just informed me that the hull number is #1972, does that mean anything special?

Hull # or sail#?

The hull "number" will look something like this:



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Gray Amick
Chapin, SC
'77 NACRA 5.2
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BTW my sail # is 818. You can see this in the hull # if the sail is original.

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Gray Amick
Chapin, SC
'77 NACRA 5.2
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Also my trailer has 5 lug wheels. I replaced both with wheels off the shelf from Northern Tool for about $35 a piece.



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Gray Amick
Chapin, SC
'77 NACRA 5.2
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Aha when i looked at your picture I had flashbacks. It will clean up nicely.

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Nacra 5.2
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I'm impressed with what you've done Gray. I remember the original pictures of that boat, it looks totally different now. You have put a ton of work into it.

--
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
--

Thanks mate.

It's been a labor of love, and I am totally addicted to sailing and that boat. Not to mention addicted to this web site and all thankful to all the helpful people here.

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Gray Amick
Chapin, SC
'77 NACRA 5.2
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