I am looking to sew my own NACRA 500 MK1 cover and am looking for the specs.

Looking for measurements for bow to bridle wire, bow to trapeze wire/line, bow to shroud, bow to stern (length), and width(beam).

Or any companies/sites that sell inexpensive covers. Or are any out there that will help me make the pattern?

Thanks for any advice. Probably need to bite bullet and pay the bank but thought I would try to DIY or commision someone with a big sewing machine and robust breathable marine fabric.

I’m in the middle of building a cover for my 500 mk2. Compared to other projects, this seems to have too many choices, but I think I’ve settled on a 3 piece cover. I patterned sort of like how Sailrite does it, but the bow covers came out too tight. So add some to whatever you think is a good measurement.

It’s a good project though and not very expensive if you pick up clearance marine fabric. A standard machine would handle the project. I found out you can get some pretty good ideas on line if you search. It does take some time though to do it from scratch. Like, 40 hours, I’d guess. Once patterned, it would be quicker the second time like if you did a practice run on cheap cloth first, but it’s a lot of thread each time. If you consider a $1,000 retail cover, then it might pay off to make your own, but if you can pick one up for 1/2 that, then time and materials doesn’t seem to make it work.

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Chuck C
NACRA 500 Mk2
Hobie 21se (sold)
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Chuck,

Thank you for this reply--very helpful. I am getting lost in the choices of materials and sewing challenge so my plan now is to see if someone who makes tarps will make it for me. I may have found someone in Australia. Will need exact measurements and your advice makes sense vis vis getting it right. It would help if NACRA would provide the specs but of course they probably think it is their intellectual property. My understanding is that the MK1 is slightly different from MK2. I have all of the measurements now I think but not sure I trust my hand held old school tape measure approach. Price point her for a decent cover is around $900-1000. If anyone has the measurements I would be grateful--would be good to compare. I have a PDF file with the diagram and measurments I made but not sure how to share on this Forum.. Thank you again.

Here is my diagram--have a look--it is for a NACRA 500 MK1 and is made with handheld tape measure. Probably off by ~1-2" If anyone has the correct measurements using laser or other precise measuring tool or from the web then I would be grateful.
https://www.thebeachcats.…ictures?g2_itemId=138419

Keep in mind that cover is for a boat with a boom, but likely could be used with mast down. Might be small for the mast down position now that I think about it though. That is an awesome plan. Saw it also, scaled it but realized it’s not what I wanted. I wanted one that’ll work for trailering a little better.

For material, the best I’ve ever seen is solution dyed acrylic. The stuff is incredible for UV protection and lasting. It’s also the most expensive. Still, the cost for a better material is minimal in the overall scheme. I’ve made roofs for deer blinds out of an 11 ounce acrylic that sat in the west Texas desert sun for 6+ years and was still good when I left it. Having said that I’m making one out of coated marine polyester only because I got the material real cheap. It however is waterproof and won’t breathe.

If you are hands on with your boat and have 2 people to measure, don’t sweat it as the maker will need to add to your measurements and make it it oversized for ease of use. A little baggy is ok.

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Chuck C
NACRA 500 Mk2
Hobie 21se (sold)
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Some unsolicited input from a long-term end user (but definitely not a craftsman!):

You can't beat Sunbrella fabric. (No idea what it's made of.) There's a Sunbrella tramp cover still at our club that I bought used in the late 90's. Been in the sun just about the entire time. Sunbrella isn't waterproof but seems pretty breathable and keeps the funk and sun off, which are its main purposes. My current tramp and hull covers are made of Sunbrella, are nearly as old, and would be fine if the stitching and zippers had held up (see below).

Consider using Tenara (teflon) thread or equivalent. I believe Tenara is a Dupont trade name but that there are less expensive alternatives available. Sunbrella fabric will long outlast inferior thread.

I don't know who makes quality zippers for constant sun exposure, but, if you'll have any of those, do some research and find out. Crappy zippers will drive you nuts.

I've never seen any full cover on any cat made by anybody that I'd be comfortable trailering. I have seen some bra type covers for defense against bugs, road funk, rock dings. They fit snugly on just the bow area and looked like they'd trail fine.

I realize that my suggestions for materials will drive up costs. However, a really good set of covers will hold their value for a very long time.

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Jerome Vaughan
Hobie 16
Clinton, Mississippi
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Most Sunbrella I know of, I think is acrylic. Tough stuff, hard for them to dye, I think.

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Chuck C
NACRA 500 Mk2
Hobie 21se (sold)
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