Hi I'm brand new to the forum and am interested in other opinions about a beach cat. I have the opportunity to buy a used 1983 Nacra 5.8. Any thoughts?

The nacra 5.8 is a great boat. Stable platform, very fast and can handle a lot of wind and sea. One of the best boats I have sailed in my catamaran sailing life which started in the 1970's. There are presently 4 on our beach in Delray Bch, Fl as well as nacra 6.0's 5.7's and as of recently 2 nacra 20's.

Thanks HULLFLYER, Let me clarify my intentions and where I am at. I am somewhat new to sailing, I have never owned a beach cat and I'm very excited to buy one. I have done some research on the Nacra 5.8 and from what i've gathered online it seems there might be a difference between a Nacra 5.8 built before 1985 and those built after.



Edited by bpflu on Mar 21, 2011 - 02:54 PM.

The 5.8 is a big nice boat. Typically sailed 2-3 handed. There are 2 versions the standard and the NA (North American). The NA has a (much) larger jib like a Hobie 18.

5.8m is 19ft. That's 3ft longer than a H16 (the sudo standard for cats), but heavier. The hulls are all fiberglass (read DIY repairs are easier) and there is many parts available the this site and ebay.

The mast is 30 or 31 ft long so it's non-trivial to step. If you can leave it up most of the time on a beach, then that is not an issue.

Take a look at the foil on the front of the boat, between the hulls attached to the fore-stay. Make sure its in good shape as Nacra is not really making this part any more and you will have to manufacture a solution should this break. A fellow sailor on our beach has this very issue right now. Murrary's is little help on this.

If it's in good shape, you have crew, like to trapeze and you know how to sail, go for it. If you will try to sail/rig alone you might look for a smaller boat.

If you do get it, understand this is a big powerful boat. only go out in under 15kts of wind your first couple of times as she will go like a bat out of hell, but that's kinda the point.

Once you get comfy, this is a great boat for those 20-25kts days that we long for.



Edited by nhanson on Mar 21, 2011 - 09:21 PM.

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nacra inter-18
CNBP
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The earlier boats were made by glass layup, the later boats were a foam sandwich construction, my boat was an earlier boat a 1983 and it is still on the water. Both are good boats the foam sandwich is a stiffer hull, and the glass layup is easier to repair. Both hull construction methods have there good points.

Thanks a lot, this is great information. Is there a ballpark price for a boat of this year (1983)? I am trying to decide a price range. I have seen the boat but haven't done a thorough inspection which I plan to do before buying. Asking price is $2800 and not firm.

Condition and equipment is a large factor. Does it come with a trailer, does the trailer have a sail box, is the trailer alum? How old are the sails and tramp. Are the sails original or newer. How do the rudders and dagger boards look. Have there been any extra inspection ports installed? Check very close where the beam straps attach to the hulls, look for repairs. Has the previous owner upgraded the mast ball to the newer style? The price seems a little high but not much it all depends on condition. The good thing about a glass layup boat is dings and minor blemishes are easy to repair.

I forgot to ask, where are you and the boat located?

The boat has a trailer, no sail box, and the trailer is in pretty poor condition. The trailer isn't too much of a deal breaker though. The plan for the boat is to bring it to a lake in eastern Washington so it wont be trailered very often or very far. It just needs to work for the initial trip from Seattle over the pass and a couple times a year to move it around. All great questions.. I will definitely make a list.



Edited by bpflu on Mar 23, 2011 - 05:16 PM.

I negotiated to sail the boat next week before making my decision.. Hopefully it all goes well



Edited by bpflu on Mar 24, 2011 - 06:33 PM.

Hi , I too looked at the same Nacra you are describing. I was very interested but decided to pass because I would rather find a Prindle 19 or Hobie 20 Miracle near Seattle instead. I noticed a few small issues with this boat, and one major such as a split in the bottom of the starboard hull that had a homemade repair done. The Owner said it was done by the previous owner and he has been sailing it fine that way but it is a major stress point under the water line it really needs to be re-done by a professional. I priced it out to around $600 by a local Lake Union shipyard specializing in fiberglass repair. Both hulls are beginning to show porous gel coat and need to be painted or gel coated as well. Paint is probaby better and varies from $1000-$1500 The rudders are worn and could use some repair as well. I needed a boat with a usable trailer and that one is shot. I looked around for a replacement but could not find a suitable one that could accommodate a Cat. I have looked at a number of Cats in the Seattle area and this one is in OK shape and I think the price is not too high and should be negotiable based on the trailer and repair issues. Hope you take up the offer to sail it, Nicholas is a good guy and is very flexible. Good Luck!