http://york.craigslist.org/boa/5202470920.html

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'82 Super Cat 15
Hull #315
Virginia
Previously owned: '70 H14, '79 H16, '68 Sailmaster 26, '85 H14T
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Your title say 5.2 but the ad say 5.8

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AB
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Looks like a great deal for a 5.8

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Carl

Dart 18x2
Nacra 5.8
Acat
Windrider Rave x2 for sale
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If I was close by I would go grab that one.. Older 5.8 with fiberglass hulls... and the original sail plan.. That thing could take multiple hits from a "50 Mike-Mike" and still win a race..

Oh! IMPO the Norte Merica sail plan sucked... that big jib really back-winded the main... and talking to a few other, I am not alone on this opinion..



Edited by JohnES on Sep 03, 2015 - 07:26 PM.

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John Schwartz
Ventura, CA
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Hi all. New to this forum, but hoping I can get a friendly word or two...

I went to look at this today. I'm quite interested, but there's also some amount of flex in the hulls, beneath the tramp, and to the decks. It's an '83, so no foam between hull layers (right?); but it seemed like it was oilcan'ing a decent bit when I pushed it with my knee. No crunchy noises or cracks, on the other hand.

So, here's my question: how much flex is normal? And if I were to take off the decks and work on strengthening both them and the hulls up, how doable is it?

Reference: I'm relatively handy and have done fiberglass work on a '78 H16 before. But the injection method there wasn't enough to save the hull from the cancer spreading, so I'm trying to avoid a pit of a repair again. I like working on projects, however, and I like the idea of taking off the decks and improving this--I don't mind spending time this winter to get it good and strong again. Nor do I care about cosmetics that much.

But is that doable? Without breaking my bank account? Can I count on keeping a boat of this make/vintage going for a while with some TLC?

Thanks for any expertise you have to share!



Edited by thebeardedone on Sep 20, 2015 - 07:22 PM.

Welcome to the BeachCats, good bunch of people here.
Remember, the ad says OBO. The owner probably wants it gone before winter.
It also says TLC, read needs a few hundred thrown at it. I would take 5 crisp new $100 bills,(with a couple in reserve) point out the deficiencies,& see what falls out.
Barring any major issue, there is no reason you cannot sail this boat for years, with reasonable cost.
Chances are good you can pick it up very cheap. Bring a set of good wheels & maybe a portable set of trailer lights.
Rig the boat in your yard, change essentials like standing rigging, & put it in the water, & then decide what really needs to be done.
My '84 5.7 (same build technology) is quite flexible in certain places along the sides. Trapped out, with my toes near the decks, & heels below the stripes it's pretty solid,(heel is on an internal stringer). However, if I push between those points, I can deflect.
Same goes for the inside of the hulls.When flipped, & standing on the inside of hull, it flexes quite a bit in certain spots. Just pushing with a hand will bend the walls. Keep pushing around the perceived "soft spot", especially towards deck & keel. If it stiffens,(as you hit the stringers) don't worry about it. Moving fore/aft, if you are pushing in an area between stringers, you will find fairly long areas that flex. Coming from other boats, I too worried about it at first. Five years later, (30-40 days/yr) & pounding it through some rough water, solo,double, or even triple crewed, it still flexes the same.
The decks on both my Nacras are fairly stiff, mostly because they are slightly convex. However they too will flex a bit if stepped on right in the middle, where there is little support,(See the photos in the Thread Nacra 5.2 Hull Damage).
If you are working solo pressure test the hulls using a $1 rig like this, & a bucket of soapy water & a mop. If no big leaks, sail it!
I personally would not get into deck removal unless you find one of the sot spots is due to glass that is really damaged.
http://www.thebeachcats.c…ictures?g2_itemId=118697

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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! Great advice. And yes, we already had some productive conversation re the price. :)

I will say I like having the option of removing the decks, if it comes to that--nice access. And it sounds like repairs are a bit more sustainable with this year, due to the lack of foam...right?

And yeah, I'm figuring another 200 for new rigging and 300+ for a new tramp, by next sailing season, so if I don't need to do a huge fiberglass project, that'd be cool!

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And it sounds like repairs are a bit more sustainable with this year,

Yes, if you do find a hole, it is fairly easy to fix. I did one on the 5.7. I eventually put gelcote overtop, but it would have looked better to leave the original gelcote, remove a deck & just add layers to the inside. This method was way easier though, it was back in the water the same day. NOTE: often the photos in albums, or posted, don't show everything. Click on a photo to see the full text/size.
http://www.thebeachcats.c…pictures?g2_itemId=77105
In order to keep weight down, the glass is pretty thin, therefore lots of flex between stringers. No foam means easy to fix. You may also see quite a few hairline cracks, mostly they are just in the gelcote & can b ignored.
If the boat has been sitting outside for a few years, budget for line also. Measure the old ones, & check around,(Pete Begle, Dan Berger, the ads here) for good quality used main & jib sheets. I picked up an excellent set from Dave Farmer, (jib is now on 5.7, main on the 5.0) for quite reasonable cost.
Maybe you can just have the tramp restitched? We did that on the 5.0, $35 vs $300.
Just make sure you are not missing any big ticket items.



Edited by Edchris177 on Sep 21, 2015 - 12:42 AM.

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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! Yeah, I've been using salty dog as a reference point for rigging and lines. Are the diamond wires on these boats as important to replace as, say, the shrouds?

And yep, restitching sounds great...but it's a tramp made the year I was born, so. Just trying to think through all the potential costs.

thebeardedone

Thanks! Yeah, I've been using salty dog as a reference point for rigging and lines. Are the diamond wires on these boats as important to replace as, say, the shrouds?

And yep, restitching sounds great...but it's a tramp made the year I was born, so. Just trying to think through all the potential costs.

Yes, just as important. Check them to see if there are any frays or broken strands.. if a diamond wire fouls you could break your mast..

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John Schwartz
Ventura, CA
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I can re-stich that tramp and put new hiking straps on it and ship it back to you for $100 or less. The mesh tramp material lasts a very long time.

Looks like a good boat for the price.

Thanks, all! Arranged for pick-up, so I think this one is mine. :) Will definitely post a photo or two once it's cleaned up, or if any significant repair projects happen.

CarolinaCatamarans--sending you a PM.

JohnES--will check. Thanks! The rigging looked pretty good when I last saw it and the owner said he replaced them pretty recently...but I will be saving to get new ones for next summer.

All--if restitching the tramp doesn't work out, do I have to get 5.8 specific tramp? I think I saw a used 5.2 for sale on this site the other day. Is there any compatibility there?

Also, I think this one doesn't have a furling jib. If so, I really think that might be something I want in the future, especially as I plan on taking young folks out on calmer days. Any advice on the conversion? I'll be watching the used section of this site, as well.

Finally, I've seen some rumors of finding replacement decals. Any leads? All of the old forum links I found were dead. I don't want to spend a ton on that, but if I can pick something cool up cheap, I'll be mighty tempted.

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Also, I think this one doesn't have a furling jib. If so, I really think that might be something I want in the future,

Furling was the the best extra money I put into my Cats. Every one has it. I put together some info here;
http://www.thebeachcats.c…pictures?g2_itemId=88268

I think the 5.2 tramp is to short. It is about a foot shorter than the 5.7 tramp.
Forget the decals, for now. Spend your time/money on getting a solid boat in the water, bling comes later.

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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 link!

And totally agreed re decals (you should have seen the '78 H16 I was sailing last summer). But if it's something you can pick up for thirty bucks or so, what can I say? I have a birthday coming up and wouldn't mind the gift. ;)



Edited by thebeardedone on Sep 22, 2015 - 11:47 PM.

beard,
when you do eventually look into a logo, talk to a local sign shop. they can do just about anything.
i had these made for $30 each at SignPro. i modeled it after the original Nacra font and added a different font for the '20'. to each his own......do your own thing! j


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Aquacat 12 (sold)...'87 Nacra 5.8 (sold)...'03 Nacra Inter18 (sold)
Venture 15 (sold)....'89 Nacra 5.8 (sold)...'91 Nacra 5.8NA (sold)
'99 Nacra Inter20 (sold)
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Very nice! Another great idea. Thanks.

Welp. Woke up last weekend thinking I was going to buy this--but as I found out after a lot of emails/phonecalls with the owner, someone from New England came down and offered twice what I did. And our previous agreement was unceremoniously rescinded.

So, back to waiting for ye olde tax return and hoping that next summer, I'm back on the water!

Oh and moral of the story? If you have a good deal arranged, make sure you PICK IT UP RIGHT AWAY.