I am the new owner of a very good condition Nacra 570 Sport. Unfortunately the previous owner did not know much about the rigging and the manual I received was very generic and not specific to my boat. As such and I have some questions.

1. Is storing the boat with the mast up on a trailer a problem for wear of the boat? I'd prefer to keep it in as ready to sail condition as possible to maximize on the water time.

2. There is a 2 inch stainless ring shackled to forestay adjuster. Is the spinnaker pole supposed to fit through something between the bridle wires? Or does it just stay suspended on its own wires and remain tensioned by them back against the front crossbar. It could be that this ring is simply a point to tie a painter to.

3. On the spinnaker pole there is a v-jam cleat. Is this for the spinnaker tack line? There is also one on the front crossbar. Am i to understand the tackline runs through both? If so, how?

4. How do I tension the rig? Do I just stand the mast up and then pull wires and re-shackle them until its within spec?

5. The jib halyard is a complete mystery to me. It is a 1 mm (really tiny) line attached to a wire that runs up to a wire pulley near the mast tang. Problem is I just don't see how this little polyester line can hold tension on the jib! Also there is a ring and pig tail that is attached to the forestay at the mast tang that from my research fits with the S-hook design I've seen in other Nacra manuals but the existing system does not use it. Any thoughts?

I am not all that familiar with nacra rigging so i will leave that up to others

I can respond to this:

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1. Is storing the boat with the mast up on a trailer a problem for wear of the boat? I'd prefer to keep it in as ready to sail condition as possible to maximize on the water time.

"a problem" is up to you to define - it will add to some wear

Mast up in the sun will cause more wear than mast down under tarp

the mast will pivot with wind and wear (slightly) in the wind and add some (slight) wear on fittings and connections.
it should certainly be secured to the ground so it can't flip or roll around in a storm - only takes about 30 mph wind for either of those to happen (i.e. tree augers or other, chocks around trailer tires)

the sun will wear your jib and tramp if you leave them on much faster than if removed or covered
you can add a "sacrificial" strip of sunbrella or other to your jib so it doesn't die an early death from exposure

Quote

4. How do I tension the rig? Do I just stand the mast up and then pull wires and re-shackle them until its within spec?

You will never be able to tighten the rig enough by hand and re-shackling

I don't think your boat comes stock with a furler so disregard that below if you don't
you probably rig via the second method i discuss:


If you use a Portuguese turnbuckle setup the rig is tensioned via the line that connects the furler ring to the eye on the end of the forestay (you make several loops of the line between the furler ring and forestay .. tighten to desired amount and tie off

if you don't use that system the mast is stepped and connected via shackle to the furler or bridal and the forestay and fine tuning (tightening) is done via the side stay chain plate adjuster (you attach the forestay to the bridal/furler with slack in it and then go to the side stay adjusters. one or both (side stay adjusters) would have to have been set to "loose" proir to stepping the mast. you now (with someone either in a harness connected to a trap wire or hanging on to the trap line) and remove the adjuster pin/ring and move it lower down the adjuster to tighten the rig and then reconnect the pin/ring. the side stay adjusters should be pinned in the same spot on both sides for even pull on the mast



Edited by MN3 on Feb 13, 2020 - 09:52 AM.

Thanks for the reply. My boat is the sport model so there is not a roller furler, both sails are clear mylar (or similar) laminate. The jib in question has a zipper luff with grommets in the tack and clew. The head has a webbing loop.

I have a full "mast down" cover for the boat that I'm planning on adding zippers to so I can cover the boat mast up. Only the Halyards, and downhaul assemble should be exposed. I'm not really that concerned about replacing running rigging periodically, since I sail almost weekly anyway and those items wear faster then the sun can rot them.

gonna try to add photos from google so hang on...

https://photos.app.goo.gl/vwVUqJdoqDj7u1JW6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/c7Mxz6uFqrf8H9NZ8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/T4f1A9iNVGYnXnhJ6
https://photos.app.goo.gl/GTduSQ5FvXoEwhwh8
https://photos.app.goo.gl/cVhQxSgtisSJ1FAcA
https://photos.app.goo.gl/mb4WH2LiNkkhwYre8


headstay with pigtail and ring. ring not currently used by anything...
https://photos.app.goo.gl/xyUZdEi2X2FKMDVt6

forestay adjuster with unusual ring.
https://photos.app.goo.gl/xUhLYnWHavTo4fpeA

where are you located?

San Antonio. Sail on Canyon Lake. Member of LCYC.

Gotcha - looks like you may have purchased the one in Austin - pretty looking cat! I love the 5.7's.
If you were in the central east or north east i was going to suggest reaching out to the nacra dealers ...

My advice to you is to drive it to clearwater florida and i will show you how to rig it, and sail it and steal it from it's owner. :)

enjoy!

No need to go all the way to Clearwater. Just bring it to Fort Walton Beach. There’s plenty who will be glad to boatnap it for you right here and save some distance.

--
Tim
Collierville (Memphis), TN
Supercat 15--sold :(
Hobie monocat--given
Vanguard 15--traded for...
Nacra 4.5--sold
Nacra 5.7
Hobie 14–sold to make room for...
Supercat 17–sold
--

The Nacra website has downloads available. The manual shows some of the spin pole setup.

--
Tim
Collierville (Memphis), TN
Supercat 15--sold :(
Hobie monocat--given
Vanguard 15--traded for...
Nacra 4.5--sold
Nacra 5.7
Hobie 14–sold to make room for...
Supercat 17–sold
--

Yes I bought it from the guy who purchased it from austin. And yes the boat is just gorgeous. But I'm really not planning on making any 1,000 mile trips anytime soon. I'm pretty adapt at figuring things out, but it almost looks like I've got a few add-ons that don't quite add up. The only documentation I've found points to using the S-hook system to raise the jib, but I don't have an S hook, just a standard U-shackle attached to the jib halyard wire.

Could y'all point me to some docs maybe?

The Nacra website has downloads available. The manual shows some of the spin pole setup.

--
Tim
Collierville (Memphis), TN
Supercat 15--sold :(
Hobie monocat--given
Vanguard 15--traded for...
Nacra 4.5--sold
Nacra 5.7
Hobie 14–sold to make room for...
Supercat 17–sold
--

I've looked at those docs but they are generic, none of them shows a boat with a jib wire halyard. And the spinnaker pole hook ups have some kind of special bridle that the pole fits through, not some random 2 inch ring attached to the forestay adjuster.

Quote

The only documentation I've found points to using the S-hook system to raise the jib, but I don't have an S hook, just a standard U-shackle attached to the jib halyard wire.

It's very possible a previous owner threw out the s hook for a standard setup (a set up they were used to using and/or prefered)

Great boats, all the Nacra skeg models. Can I suggest you make an album, & add all your photos there? Use the FAQ section, up in the top menu for how to.
I can’t speak specifically to the newer 5.7, but quite a bit is common to the older ones.
My jib (5.7 & 5.0), were rigged same as yours, a shackle at the top, with a combination wire/line. Only difference was the wire block was hung directly on the mast. Remember, you don’t need to pull the jib piano wire tight! For most sailing, just pull the wrinkles out, & maybe a little more. I changed out the wire block/wire halyard to a single line of Spyderline, & a tiny block.
I just pull & cleat, to a clam cleat I tied onto the forestay adjuster, as my Cats stay mast up on modified Seadoo lifts. If it’s a high tech line, you don’t need it very thick.
I don’t believe that ring at the forestry adjuster is for the spin pole, at least not the way it’s currently rigged. That setup would force the pole against the 10 hole adjuster, quickly wearing it.
It might serve a dual purpose. To tack the jib, & have the halyard come back down the forestay, ( inside the zipper), then through the ring & back to the front beam. This would allow changing jib tension on the fly. This is how you have to rig it if you have furling jib. I don’t think those Mylar sail like to be furled, & of course you would have the drum/swivel...unless a previous owner kept those parts, that might explain the extra pigtail up near the mast hound.
Here is how I rigged the jib, using the wire block. Note the small eye strap on the mast, that was where the wire block attached before converting to furling.
https://www.thebeachcats.…pictures?g2_itemId=88309

Here is how I used a Portuguese turnbuckle, (as MN3 mentioned), to tension the rig. A few turns of slippery line makes it easy to obtain good tension, then just tie off. DON’T let anyone else touch this line, unless you have a safety, they will end up dropping the mast!
If you are solo, it’s easier than hanging on a trap line, & trying to remove/insert pins. If you do use that method, I strongly suggest keeping a small screwdriver with you. At some point you WILL drop the damned pin, not be able to reach it while hooked onto the trap.
The little clam cleat is to tension the jib. I simply pull the halyard to desired tension, then lock it in the cleat, reverse at days end to slacken the jib. (My jibs stay up all season).
https://www.thebeachcats.…327&g2_imageViewsIndex=1

Bear with me if you already know this. Be ABSOLUTELY SURE to keep the mast rotated 90* while stepping or lowering. If not, you will break the mast base. This photo shows why. If you drop the mast from this position,(not rotated), the base will snap, or you bend the DS rod.
https://www.thebeachcats.…cea66557119441454732726a
After the mast is up, remove the pin, rig tension will keep the mast on the base. When you do drop the mast, think about which way you want to rotate it, so you don’t end up like this. It was the end of the season, I was solo. Ended up cutting the bolt vs raising the mast again. You can use any 1/4” bolt, pin or screwdriver.
https://www.thebeachcats.…8b9b46003487156da7c04de0
Lastly, make sure the mast is sealed! Up at the top, rivets on hound & diamond wire tangs, rivets at bottom, & the base. The 5.7 will float very nicely on its side, the mast will only sink to about the hound, as long as you get off the boat immediately. Solo, you will probably need a bag to right, unless the wind is 20mph, then it will come up solo with a good plank technique. They are great boats, carry 3 easily, & are fast, you really have to be ham fisted to pitchpole it. When pointing, get the weight up front, sink the windward bow down.
Sorry I can’t be of more help with rigging. It is difficult to vision your entire setup from seeing only the bits at end of lines. I would raise the mast, with help, then much of it will make sense as you see what your dealing with.



Edited by Edchris177 on Feb 13, 2020 - 05:51 PM.

--
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
--

headstay with pigtail and ring. ring not currently used by anything...


forestay adjuster with unusual ring.

Ok learned that this site does NOT like google chrome and added an album...
https://www.thebeachcats.com/pictures?g2_itemId=132511

The trick is the photos have to be somewhere on the Web. You cannot just copy a photo from your computer, & paste it in using the “image” link.
Open your post, click “EDIT”. Then delete all the stuff (that will get rid of the empty boxes).
Now open a second tab at The Beachcats, & go to the album you created.
Click on the photo, then RIGHT CLICK, & select COPY IMAGE LOCATION.
Go back to the other tab, where you are editing the post. Now click the little “Image” button, & paste the link you just copied into the brackets. That will paste the actual photo into your post.
I couldn’t do that with my above post. I’m currently in Japan, & only have an iPad, which doesn’t give me the “copy image location”, so I have to use the URL button, & post a live link.
Use that method for things like links to your album, then it’s “live”, like so...
https://www.thebeachcats.…ictures?g2_itemId=132511

You can also add text to your photos in the album. This will help others understand what they are looking at, & better able to help.
PS sounds like you have a really nice 5.7. Add some pics of the total boat all ready to sail. Heck, use the photos from the ads.



Edited by Edchris177 on Feb 13, 2020 - 06:08 PM.

--
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
--

I noticed the forged shackle on your jib halyard.
I never liked those for a low load application such as a jib. the pin gets stuck, & you need pliers or a shackle dog to do/undo.
Look at the first link in my long post, above.
I use a small stamped shackle, with a captive pin, that locks by twisting 90*.
They are inexpensive, & even kids, with soft wet fingers, can undo the jib at the end of the day.
I believe the ring at the top is for the spin. See page 20 here,
https://www.nacrasailing.…N17-F18-infusion-C20.pdf
Can you find a manual for your boat at the Nacra download site?
https://www.nacrasailing.com/nacradownloads/



Edited by Edchris177 on Feb 13, 2020 - 06:39 PM.

--
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
--

I don’t think anyone really expected you to make the trip. That was just a way of saying that you got a really nice boat and a really nice price and maybe we’re a bit jealous.

--
Tim
Collierville (Memphis), TN
Supercat 15--sold :(
Hobie monocat--given
Vanguard 15--traded for...
Nacra 4.5--sold
Nacra 5.7
Hobie 14–sold to make room for...
Supercat 17–sold
--

I don’t think anyone really expected you to make the trip. That was just a way of saying that you got a really nice boat and a really nice price and maybe we’re a bit jealous.

--
Tim
Collierville (Memphis), TN
Supercat 15--sold :(
Hobie monocat--given
Vanguard 15--traded for...
Nacra 4.5--sold
Nacra 5.7
Hobie 14–sold to make room for...
Supercat 17–sold
--

I appreciate all the help everyone. Again the manuals I can find online that reference the 570 don't even look like my boat...

I did find the original posting for the boat here https://sailingtexas.com/201301/snacra570100.html. The PO bought it from the austin sail shop originally. After speaking with the PO he indicated that the jib attached to the middle of the spinnaker pole. I'm not sure if its shackled or just a luff tension line (this would explain the v-jam cleat in the middle of the pole) but he wasn't much help beyond that.

I think I'm going to contact the sail shop and see if they can give me some tips. I'm still thinking that this boat is supposed to have the S-hook system at the top, but I'll see what the gurus at the local dealer say. It appears that the sport model and the other 2 versions have very different foresail configurations, not the least of which would include a roller furler on some of them.

Quote

It appears that the sport model and the other 2 versions have very different foresail configurations, not the least of which would include a roller furler on some of them.

Yes the sport models have a lower jib (and different cut) - at least that is true for the new 5.2 (i sail with a long time 5.7 sailor who just purchased a brand new 5.2 last fall)


I could be wrong but I dont think the furling jib is stock - at least is isn't currently
Sport

Fun

School




Edited by MN3 on Feb 14, 2020 - 04:19 PM.

I'm also in San Antonio, but have not joined LCYC as the club isn't really setup for beach cats. I have plenty of friends in the club and have launched there a couple of times, but it's just too difficult to get my boat in and out of the water there.

I have a Nacra as well.... Just a slightly larger model, lol.

We have a great local fleet that you should definitely get in touch with. I'll send you a private message with my contact information and will forward over the contact info for the catamaran fleet. I think our next meeting is going to be in about two weeks-ish.

The fleet is trying to do more social and learn to sail type of events and many of us are glad to help however we can.

Yes i'm new to Hobie fleet 128 but I'm plugged in with that group and some of the other multihull sailors at the lake. Plan of taking my Hobie 16 to a few regattas this year if the crew (wife) can hang.

Back to the boat...
The sail shop in austin is no longer a nacra shop and the previous guy I was referred to couldn't help me.

The good new is that I've come to believe that my boat has rigging and hardware for the sport and the standard jib sizes hence some of my confusion.

The current sport setup uses a jib wire with a thin line that is used to zip the halyard wire inside the jib zipper luff. According to the standard manual for similar boats, the line is removed and a thicker line is attached and used to tension the jib. I don't have any hardware that fits the few examples I've seen.

Still no idea on the two clamcleats (v-jam, one on spinnaker, one on the port side forward crossbar near mast) and still no word back from Nacra support yet either. Unless anyone here has a bright idea, I may end up contacting other Nacra dealers in the states or just rig my own setup.

Again, I appreciate the help and advice!

Quote

The current sport setup uses a jib wire with a thin line that is used to zip the halyard wire inside the jib zipper luff. According to the standard manual for similar boats, the line is removed and a thicker line is attached and used to tension the jib. I don't have any hardware that fits the few examples I've seen.

Cheapest parts on the boat
2 sister clips from west marine - $3.95 ea


https://www.westmarine.co…lip--110793?recordNum=19

i would recommend a 2 mm dynema or 3mm jackeded dyneema (or other similar high tech line)
you don't need a thicker one for load with Hi Modulious lines - you need a shorter one left on the boat to remove the slack after the jib is hoisted (otherwise extra jib forestay tail will inevitably find its way out and become a problem at an inopportune time)

as per the spin cleats:

I would suggest:
just rig the boat.
If you don't know the system: i would just leave the spin in the bag for the first few rigs and test everthing out

after you have that all figured out do a dry run with the spin sheets, tack and head lines and the cleats MAY give away their purpose.

don't forget: there is a million ways to rig a boat and used boats may have some previous owner modifications since we most have our own systems we prefer.

Hey Grahmann,
I live in San Antonio and I'm coaching the Op class at LCYC.
I do sail Hobie Cats and if needed, could help rigging your Nacra.
Will be there this Saturday for practice.
Cheers
yam

Don't follow the instructions about removing the thin line part of the halyard after hoisting. Instead, coil it up and strap it to the spi pole with a bungee or Velcro. Also consider attaching something heavy to the and of that line.

My cat has the same setup and I got tired of losing the too-thin springy halyard, having to drop the mast at inconvenient times.

The recommended setup saves 30grams which I'm sure out Olympic teams closer to Gold on nacra17. For everyone else it's awkward and pointless...

.



Edited by yvidal on Feb 21, 2020 - 07:28 AM.

Quote

Hey Grahmann,
I live in San Antonio and I'm coaching the Op class at LCYC.
I do sail Hobie Cats and if needed, could help rigging your Nacra.
Will be there this Saturday for practice.
Cheers
yam

Hi Yam!

Yes we've actually met before, I guess you'll be coaching Travis M's son. I'll try and bring the boat tomorrow (I still need to repack the wheel bearings), I'll be there early to do PRO training with Rick M either way. Hope to see you there!

Maybe for self tackers and jibs that aren't on a furler but if furling and or you have no spin pole to secure the unused jib halyard tail. i HIGHLY recommend the use of a sister clip and storing the extra line in a hatch or bag or something.
These often worm out of the jib luff (only place to store the extra with a furler) and can wrap themself around the furler/bridal and prevent furling or cause some issues at the worst possible time.

I 100% agree stretchy line has no place on a beach cat

martin_langhoff

Don't follow the instructions about removing the thin line part of the halyard after hoisting. Instead, coil it up and strap it to the spi pole with a bungee or Velcro. Also consider attaching something heavy to the and of that line.

My cat has the same setup and I got tired of losing the too-thin springy halyard, having to drop the mast at inconvenient times.

The recommended setup saves 30grams which I'm sure out Olympic teams closer to Gold on nacra17. For everyone else it's awkward and pointless...