So I just got a 88 Nacra 5.2 that's ready to go, but I have some questions about the boat in general. Not sailing details, more boat/trailer tips/advice. Feel free to add ANYTHING helpful as a suggestion or knowledge about the Nacra, and the 5.2.

How many people of average weight would be the limit?
Were can I stand on the hulls safely? Any place I should avoid or be light with?
Currently the Trailer has rollers, but just a straight roller. Contact is put at one spot, Should I consider a change? (Best place to get Cradles?)
Beaching, how careful Should I be? Can I be careful or should I get beach wheels Immediately?
Righting, can I carefully stand on the dagger board if I'm a lighter guy?

I'm sure I'll think of more, thanks for any positive help. First boat, and First Nacra.

Cool, welcome!

There is lots of good advice here if you search through the old forums. Mostly me asking questions about the 5.2. I'll start you out.

The 5.2 does pretty good up to about 350 lbs anything more and it starts to wallow. I've had up to 500 lbs on it no problem.

You, don't want to walk along the hull decks too much, they really aren't made for that concentrated load. An 88 is made of foam sandwich fiberglass so it can get soft over time. The sides of the hulls do 'oilcan' though, when are walking along them when righting so don't be overly concerned. Just try to avoid walking on them more than necessary.

Cradles are fairly expensive, my trailor has carpeted 2x8s with a roller at the back to facilitate getting the boat off and on, but the hulls mostly sit on the wood not the roller.

I like the cradles Florida Sailcraft sells, they also sell cattrax beach wheels.

YOu don't have to be overly careful beaching on sand beaches. The boats are pretty robust, however, rocks and concrete are a no no. And realize that after beaching for a few years you will need to do a 'bottom job' a lot of sailors put a 2" wide coat of marinetex on the keel of thier boat as a wear strip. That is easier than putting a new layer of fiberglass down and is preventative maintenance. Beach wheels are a very good idea, it makes hauling your boat around while launching very very easy. Well worth the cost.

I wouldn't stand on the daggers, they are expensive to replace and can be a little fragile for a 25+ year old boat. Better to get a righting bucket, that way you don't have to worry about needing the extra leverage.

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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YOu don't have to be overly careful beaching on sand beaches. The boats are pretty robust, however, rocks and concrete are a no no. And realize that after beaching for a few years you will need to do a 'bottom job' a lot of sailors put a 2" wide coat of Marinetex on the keel of thier boat as a wear strip. That is easier than putting a new layer of fiberglass down and is preventative maintenance. Beach wheels are a very good idea, it makes hauling your boat around while launching very very easy. Well worth the cost.

So I hear of this oil-canning, this is flex or a dent? on your hull where your foot has lots of pressure? or flex along the entire hull from wieght at an end?. I've witnessed an amazing trick on righting about getting the boat into the wind by walking out on the front hull and it turns into the wind. Is doing this a big concern or just don't play around on it? I'm light wieght at 150lbs.

Marinetex. The boat has been painted with Awgrip less than a year ago. You say laying this Marinetex (slightly thick?) along the bottom of the hulls is a way to add a bit of paint protection? Does this buy you a few years before it digs into the original paint? Is that the goal here?

Got you on the daggers, I was told to use it when assisting righting, BUT, I will admit, I don't like the feeling of it bouncing as I stand on them. Sounds like a waterbag? is in my future.

you have a lot of good info in here and thank you. I looked at the link as well. poor pictures but looks like a decent product.
Charlie

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1988 Nacra 5.2
YouTube link to see boat in action:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLddinE6IorSrPpZrlvcwAjRzSIQsKYPG1
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Oil canning is the hull flexing and unflexing under your feet. It's not a big concern. Yep that is how you get it into the wind to right it.

The paint isn't a concern it's the Fiberglas underneath, you done want to wear through the hulls. Again probably not a big worry for a few years unless your hulls are leaking badly. The marinetex is a sacrificial wear later, I don't use it for much else.

Yup a waterbag, Colorado bag company on eBay is a good source relatively cheap.! At 150 lbs you will likely be a little light to right it in light winds.

Take a look at airbornes pictures in the technical help gallery and my personal gallery. I'll post a link when I'm not typing on my phone.

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Dave Bonin
1981 Nacra 5.2 "Lucile"
1986 Nacra 5.7 "Belle"
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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